14 stars who considered transferring to rival networks

JOHN LLOYD CRUZ

In 2002, John Lloyd Cruz almost transferred to GMA-7.

This was revealed by Lauren Dyogi in a 2012 interview with a showbiz magazine.

Dyogi, who currently works as ABS-CBN's TV Production Head, was John Lloyd's director in the youth-oriented series Gimik.

John Lloyd was convinced to remain with ABS-CBN when he was given his big break via the prime-time series Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay in 2002.

Speculations about John Lloyd's network transfer resurfaced in 2014 when he turned down a role in the teleserye Bridges of Love.

The actor said back then that he could not accept the project since his contract was bound to end that year.

Eventually, John Lloyd renewed his contract with the Kapamilya Network in 2015, and did more movies with Star Cinema.

In late 2017, the actor decided to take an indefinite leave from showbiz.

ANGELICA PANGANIBAN

In an episode of Gandang Gabi Vice aired in May 2016, Angelica admitted that she considered switching networks.

This was after her break-up with ex-boyfriend John Lloyd Cruz.

However, she did not push through with her plan out of respect for ABS-CBN, her mother network for more than 20 years.

"Muntik na nga akong lumipat ng network pero dahil may respeto ako sa ABS, sige hindi na lang ako lilipat. Magre-retire na lang ako," Angelica said back then.

In 2004, Angelica was also rumored to transfer to GMA-7 after making a guest appearance in Extra Challenge.

However, the rumor was proven untrue since she remained a Kapamilya.

REGINE VELASQUEZ

Buzz about Regine transferring to ABS-CBN started in February 17, 2008 when the Asia's Songbird shed tears while performing on GMA-7's variety show SOP.

A day before the SOP episode, ABS-CBN held a press conference for Regine for her guest appearance in Maalaala Mo Kaya.

News reports then indicated that Regine was transferring to ABS-CBN after showing interest in playing the lead role in ABS-CBN's adaptation of Betty La Fea.

Showbiz insiders claimed that Regine had a "sky is the limit" offer from the Kapamilya Network, which included Regine's own choice of show, movies for Star Cinema, and guaranteed exposure via The Filipino Channel (TFC), ABS-CBN's international channel.

On February 25, Regine did not appear on SOP. That same day, she did an interview with ABS-CBN's entertainment talk showThe Buzz, where she admitted that she was interested in doing the Pinoy adaptation of Colombian telenovela Yo soy Betty, la fea, but denied that the network offered her a 25-million-peso talent fee.

The Asia's Songbird also denied that she was using ABS-CBN as leverage in her negotiations with GMA-7.

Regine candidly admitted that she felt hurt when a Kapamilya executive denied that they offered Regine the lead role in I Love Betty La Fea. The denial was published in a Philippine Star column on February 22, 2008.

A week after her The Buzz interview, on March 2, Regine once again appeared in SOP, dispelling the network transfer rumors. She explained that she decided to stay with GMA-7.

She was then given the lead role in the Kapuso Network's adaptation of the Koreanovela My Name is Kim Sam Soon titled Ako Si Kim Sam Soon.

Meanwhile, Kapamilya homegrown actress Bea Alonzo was tapped to portray Betty in I Love Betty La Fea.

To date, Regine is still a Kapuso and is busy with the auditions for the upcoming singing search The Clash.

JUDY ANN SANTOS

Every time her contract expires, Judy Ann always gets embroiled in network transfer issues.

The last time that Judy Ann encountered this issue was in 2013, when her drama series Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala ended after less than two months.

During the teleserye's finale press conference in August 2013, Judy Ann took responsibility for the early exit of her series because of ABS-CBN's original plan to move it to the fourth timeslot.

At the time of the presscon, Judy Ann's contract with her mother studio for more than 20 years was already expired. For this reason, she became open to negotiating with other networks.

Judy Ann said back then, "Honestly, nakakataba ng puso na, alam mo iyon, ang daming gustong kumuha sa iyo, kumuha sa serbisyo mo."

However, the Queen of Pinoy Soap Opera still pointed out that ABS-CBN will always be her first choice.

On September 11, 2013, Judy Ann renewed her contract. Currently, Judy Ann is still as a Kapamilya and is set to top-bill a teleserye titled Starla.

DINGDONG DANTES

In 2013, rumors surfaced that Dingdong was transferring to ABS-CBN, after being a prized GMA-7 talent for 18 years.

At that time, Dingdong was preparing for his drama series Genesis.

In a PEP.ph interview published on June 3, 2013, the actor admitted that his manager Perry Lansigan was negotiating with both ABS-CBN and GMA-7.

Back then, rumors floated that Dingdong's camp expressed interest in transferring to ABS-CBN because of his movies with the network's film arm, Star Cinema. At that time, Dingdong had starred in Segunda Mano (2011) and One More Try (2012).

In September 2013, three months before his contract expired in December, Dingdong ended speculations and renewed his contract with the Kapuso Network.

Despite remaining as a Kapuso talent, Dingdong still appears regularly in Star Cinema movies.

KRIS AQUINO

There were two significant instances when Kris almost switched networks.

The first one was towards the end of 2013, when showbiz insiders reported that Kris was leaving ABS-CBN to transfer to either GMA-7 or TV5.

There were even rumors indicating that she was being offered to become TV5's president.

Another report stated that "no amount of pressure from anybody" would stop Kris from transferring to GMA-7.

These rumors intensified because of Kris's cryptic posts on Instagram, which were often quotes about change and decision-making.

However, all these speculations were disproved when Kris renewed her contract in January 2014. In an Instagram post, Kris clarified rumors about her transfer, saying that she never met with GMA executives. She admitted that she met with TV5 Chairman Manny Pangilinan twice.

However, she decided to remain as a Kapamilya.

The second instance was in 2016, when Kris decided not to renew her ABS-CBN contract in February of that year due to health reasons.

She went to the United States for a vacation and upon her return, the actress-TV host met again with Kapamilya executives. However, Kris was unable to make a television comeback.

Kris then met with APT Entertainment's executive Tony Tuviera, who eventually managed her career.

She was set to tape a talk show produced by TAPE, Inc. that would be aired on GMA-7. However, the supposed talk show did not push through.

It was even rumored that GMA-7 blocked Kris's entry to the network, which APT denied.

Kris eventually focused on her digital platform. In May 2018, Kris set foot again on ABS-CBN to do a Star Cinema movie titled I Love You, Hater, along with Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto.

JERICHO ROSALES

When Jericho left ABS-CBN's talent arm Star Magic in 2006, reports also came out that he was bent on transferring to GMA-7.

In an interview with PEP.ph, the actor admitted he felt torn by the offers from both networks. However, he stressed that he still had a soft spot in his heart for the Kapamilya Network.

For this reason, his transfer did not push through.

In 2011, Jericho again admitted that he received offers from competing networks, but he decided to remain loyal to the Kapamilya Network.

Jericho's career is being managed again by Star Magic. He is busy taping scenes for his teleserye titled Halik.

JOHN PRATS

In 2016, reports came out that John Prats wanted to transfer to the Kapuso network.

One of GMA-7's creative consultants, the late Jake Tordesillas, even tweeted clues about his transfer such as "to follow look at the rainbow for a happy heart."

Later that year, PEP found out that John was supposed to be a part of the defunct drama-comedy series Juan Happy Love Story, which would have reunited him with former leading lady Heart Evangelista.

Had he pushed through with the project, John would have been the third wheel to Heart and Dennis Trillo. The role eventually went to Joross Gamboa.

With his aborted transfer to GMA-7, John joined the cast of the Kapamilya prime-time series FPJ's Ang Probinsyano.

John has since ventured into directing events such as the concerts of Moira dela Torre, K Brosas, and Richard Poon.

KRIS BERNAL

In late 2016, reports came out that Kris, a homegrown talent of GMA-7, was negotiating with ABS-CBN for a possible network transfer.

In an interview with PEP.ph, Kris neither confirmed nor denied these reports but she did admit that she had been considering her options for career growth.

Kris did not give a statement about her decision. GMA-7 confirmed that she was staying on by airing a promo plug during the 2017 New Year's countdown. The short video indicated that she was the lead actress of the afternoon series Impostora.

In a January 2017 interview, Kris admitted that she met up with ABS-CBN to explore other options, but she still decided to remain as a Kapuso.

DENNIS TRILLO

In December 2012, Dennis admitted he was having negotiations regarding his next career move. At that time, he had only one year left in his contract with his mother station, GMA-7.

PEP.ph asked him what he would do if his manager Popoy Caritativo transferred him to TV5 or ABS-CBN.

Dennis candidly answered, "Okay lang sa akin... siguro mas pipiliin ko, ABS.

He explained, "Siyempre yung iisipin mo, yung mileage mo bilang artista. Maganda yung mga nangyayari sa ABS, di ba? Shows nila, maraming nanonood. So, baka iyon, kung sakali."

However, this did not push through since Dennis stayed with GMA-7.

LOVI POE

In 2013, after Lovi finished her afternoon series Yesterday's Bride, rumors floated that she will transfer to TV5, after allegedly getting a PHP35 million offer.

The rumors intensified when Lovi was replaced by Bela Padilla in the prime-time series Love & Lies.

In an interview with PEP.ph in April 2013, Lovi admitted: "Well, the truth is, I've already decided.

"I'm not in a position to actually disclose anything or say things right now, but I just made a decision."

Had the transfer happened, it wouldn't have been the first time that Lovi worked in TV5. In 2009, she had a short stint in the youth-oriented series Lipgloss but she returned to GMA-7 after three months.

In early May 2013, Lovi appeared in TV shows of ABS-CBN to promote her movie The Bride and The Lover, which fueled even more rumors that she would leave GMA-7.

Some reports indicated that she was offered to play the role of the mistress in The Legal Wife. However, the role went to Maja Salvador.

In an interview during the premiere night of The Bride and The Lover, Lovi kept mum regarding the issue, saying that she is happy to promote her film with the Kapamilya network.

During the last part of May 2013, Lovi finally ended the rumors by signing a three-year contract with GMA-7. She has remained a talent of the Kapuso network and was even given the title "Premiere Actress."

CRISTINE REYES

In April 2009, after spending less than a year with ABS-CBN, Cristine expressed her desire to return to GMA-7.

This was after a feud between her and some cast members of the gag show Banana Split.

Cristine was also embroiled in a controversy involving her Precious Hearts Romances: Bud Brothers leading man Jake Cuenca.

In fact, Cristine was vocal in saying that she left her heart in the Kapuso network.

Cristine was offered to play the role of Carla Abellana's nemesis in Rosalinda. However, her Kapuso comeback did not materialize.

Instead, she renewed her contract with the Kapamilya network in July 2009.

Cristine remained a Kapamilya for the next nine years but she is currently not active on TV.

DIETHER OCAMPO

In late 2008, reports came out that ABS-CBN prime leading man Diether Ocampo had already signed a contract with GMA-7, months after he finished his teleserye Iisa Pa Lamang.

According to the report, Diether signed a maximum four-year contract with the Kapuso network.

For his first project, Diether was supposed to be part of the Pinoy adaptation of the Koreanovela All About Eve as the love interest of Iza Calzado and Sunshine Dizon.

A few days after the report came out, Star Magic told PEP.ph that Diether won't transfer to the rival network.

Diether remained with ABS-CBN until early 2015.

In late 2015, it was announced that his project with Judy Ann Santos titled Someone To Watch Over Me would be postponed. After that incident, Diether started doing projects with TV5, including the 2016 drama series Bakit Manipis Ang Ulap with Claudine Barretto.

In late 2017, Diether made a TV comeback via GMA-7's Magpakailanman.

In March 2018, Diether returned to ABS-CBN for a special role in the fantasy series Bagani.

KRISTOFFER MARTIN

In early 2017, Kristoffer posted tweets regarding his next career move, which fueled speculations that he might be returning to ABS-CBN.

One of his tweets read: "Hindi sa nagmamadali pero sayang oras. Sayang panahon. Sayang talent."

Rumors about his transfer intensified when Kristoffer had a reunion with the producers of Little Big Superstar, the Kapamilya reality show he joined in 2006, which launched his showbiz career.

He declared back then that he won't be leaving GMA-7. However, Kristoffer's ex-girlfriend and love team partner Joyce Ching revealed that Kristoffer once thought of returning to ABS-CBN.

She explained, "Pero hindi naman talaga yung muntik na, na andito na yung contract, hindi pinirmahan, hindi naman po ganung level.