Book Launch of "The GMA Story"
Updated: 07/31/2010
Views: 242304
GMA-7 officers and members of the board were joined by
President Noynoy Aquino and Vice President Jejomar Binay in launching the
network's "complete and colorful" coffee-table book, which was aptly
titled The GMA Story.

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One of the earliest people to arrive at the Rizal Ballroom
of Shangri-La Makati last night, July 30, was Mike Enriquez.
He grabbed the
chance to pose with the photo wall. "Parang artista lang, e, 'no," he joked.
Photography: Noel Orsal
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Screen partners Geoff Eigenmann and Carla Abellana arrived
together, and were inseparable that night.
When asked about their outfits, the gentleman remarked, "Sa closet ko lang." The lady's lacy dress, however, was designed by Avel Bacudio.
Photography: Noel Orsal
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Dennis Trillo (right) showed up without a date. But when he reached the photo wall, he never ran out of " leading ladies," like the lovely Judith Duavit Vasquez, one of GMA-7's board directors.
Photography: Noel Orsal
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Entertainment
group's lady bosses Marivin Arayata (left, vice president) and Lilybeth Rasonable (right, assistant vice president) also posed with Dennis, who
currently plays the well-loved character of Andrew in the local adaptation of Endless Love.
Photography: Noel Orsal
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Even without the wang-wang, the event's guest of honor, His
Excellency Benigno Simeon Aquino III, arrived early. He was personally welcomed by the
Kapuso station's big bosses, Felipe L. Gozon (middle, President and CEO) and
Gilberto Duavit Jr. (right, Executive Vice President and COO).
Photography: Noel Orsal
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P-Noy, FLG and JRD (the initials of GMA-7's top executives), together with a few VIPs, were ushered to a comfy sofa.
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The program only called for a song medley rendered by Party Pilipinas mainstays.
Opening number was Asia's Songbird Regine Velasquez with the Broadway piece "Being Alive."
Photography: Noel Orsal
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Are You The Next Big Star's winner Frenchesska Farr was the next performer.
Photography: Noel Orsal
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For a few minutes, the President got to relax and forget that country's concerns while listening to the talented singers of GMA-7.
Photography: Noel Orsal
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Here's Kyla (right) singing an American classic "Somewhere Over The Rainbow."
After her song, Jay-R joined her onstage.
Photography: Noel Orsal
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Channel 7's hottest love team Dingdong Dantes (left) and Marian Rivera (third from left) arrived late.
The program was ongoing when they approached P-Noy, FLG, and JRD.
Photography: Noel Orsal
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Jay-R and Mark Bautista gave their rendition of "Nais Ko."
Photography: Noel Orsal
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The group ended their medley with Barry Manilow's "One Voice."
Julie Anne San Jose, the lady in orange (left), was the youngest performer.
Photography: Noel Orsal
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The GMA Story was officially launched via a symbolical turnover ceremony.
FLG said P-Noy's copy is the only one that has his autograph and personal note.
Photography: Noel Orsal
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Host for the night's event was Imbestigador ng Bayan.
He joked about the dedication written by FLG in the book. Enriquez said, "Tungkol po iyon sa wang-wang..."
Photography: Noel Orsal
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FLG had the distinct honor of introducing the President.
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"It was the only TV station that covered the assassination of my dad,
Benigno S. Aquino Jr., and his historic wake and funeral. It was also
the TV station where my mom, former President Corazon C. Aquino, made
her television debut on August 21, 1984. You were also present at her
historic wake and funeral, which we will be commemorating in two days," P-Noy recalled in his speech.
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Dingdong said hello to Mrs. Socorro Ramos, founder of National Bookstore, which is presently being endorsed by the actor.
Photography: Noel Orsal
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Spotted in the audience was Wendell Ramos.
Photography: Noel Orsal
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After the program, P-Noy mingled with a few of the guests.
Here, he exchanged pleasantries with Mrs. Ramos. Looking on were (second row, from left) YES! editor in chief Jo-Ann Maglipon, GMA-7's senior vice president for entertainment Wilma Galvante, and YES! associate editor Anna Pingol (partly hidden).
Photography: Noel Orsal
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Just before leaving, the President joined the network's executives in this photo.
(First row, from left) Head of international programming Joseph Francia, FLG, senior vice president for entertainment Wilma Galvante, assistant vice president Lilybeth Rasonable, and corporate communications chief Butch Raquel; (Second row, from left) Dingdong and Marian; (Third row, from left) assistant vice president for alternative productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, Carla, senior program manager Redgie Acuña-Magno, and assistant vice president for finance Joey Toledo; (Last row, from left) Wendell, Geoff, and vice president for entertainment Marivin Arayata.
Photography: Noel Orsal
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Mrs. Ramos (third from right) was starstruck, and had her picture taken with Kapuso stars (from left) Dennis, Geoff, Carla, Marian, and Dingdong.
Photography: Noel Orsal
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On P-Noy's way out of the ballroom, he met former President Fidel V. Ramos, with whom he had a quick chat.
Photography: Noel Orsal
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Senator Bong Revilla with Arnold "Igan" Clavio, and JRD.
Revilla topped the senate race in the recent elections. When asked what it is like to be the number one, the politician-action star-host replied, "Same pa rin naman. Still humble. Just doing our job..."
Photography: Noel Orsal
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Vice President Jejomar Binay (right) arrived after the program. He was greeted by JRD at the hotel lobby.
Photography: Noel Orsal
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Meanwhile, FLG mingled with the guests at the hall. He was seen having a conversation with Senator Tito Sotto, who's also a host of GMA-7's noontime show Eat Bulaga!
Photography: Noel Orsal
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The top leaders of the land met near the doorway. The lady beside P-Noy was Mrs. Tessie Gozon, wife of FLG, while the lady behind Binay was judith, sister of JRD.
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Though he was about to leave, the President managed to have a few words with Vice Pres. Binay.
Photography: Noel Orsal
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Iza arrived with her dad Lito Calzado (left).
When asked about her dress, she said, "Hindi ko alam, e. Yung stylist ko ang nagbigay sa akin...Hindi ko na rin natanong."
Photography: Noel Orsal
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Outside the hall, the employees of GMA-7 requested for a photo op with P-Noy.
Photography: Noel Orsal
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"Kami rin!" exclaimed the men and women of GMA-7 News and Public Affairs, headed by Marissa Flores (sixth from left), Jessica Sojo (third from right), and Grace dela Peña-Reyes (fifth from left).
Photography: Noel Orsal
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After P-Noy, the anchors and reporters of 24 Oras, Saksi, and Unang Hirit posed with former President FVR and with FLG.
Photography: Noel Orsal
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PEP managing editor Karen Pagsolingan (left) became the "saling-pusa" in this photo of the corporate communications group, which is headed by Butch Raquel (fifth from left).
These are the people behind GMA-7's press conferences and other media-led activities—(second from left to right) Joreen Apuyan, Jojo Aquio, Chatt Abrigonda- Remigio, Crisel Pescante, Mr. Butch, Marian Grace Domingo, Eden Carlos, Dalisay Diego, and Jhops Carpio-Cruz.
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FLG was very glad that his close friend, former Senate President Jovito Salonga (left), made it to the launch.
The two are very active leaders of Bantayog ng mga Bayani, an organization that was set up to "remember the martial law martyrs and heroes."
Photography: Noel Orsal
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Here's former president and CEO of GMA-7, Menardo Jimenez.
Photography: Noel Orsal
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Rufa Mae Quinto arrived late. On her way to the ballroom, she saw Makati City Mayor Junjun Binay.
Photography: Noel Orsal
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Rufa Mae was also glad to see Iza, who's now the owner of the sexy comedienne's former house.
Photography: Noel Orsal
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The last celebrity to arrive was Cesar Montano, "who's very proud to be celebrating with GMA-7 its history."
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