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GMA Network
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Jean Garcia returns in a bold and fierce love story in 'Magpakailanman'
Witness a tale of forbidden love, heartbreak, and emotional entanglement in 'Magpakailanman' this Saturday, July 19. Titled 'I Love You, Tita,' the episode is headlined by Jean Garcia and Rafael Rosell, together with Mia Pangyarihan and Sharmaine Santiago. The story follows Doc Jane (Jean) as she mourns the loss of her husband. In her time of grief, she finds solace in Jay (Rafael), a man married to Lanie (Mia), whom Doc Jane has lovingly raised as her own daughter. As Jay and Lanie's marriage begins to fall apart, his connection with Doc Jane intensifies, and their friendship crosses into dangerous, uncharted territory. This passionate and complicated affair raises haunting questions: How powerful is love? Can it make what's wrong feel right? More importantly, can it heal not only the heart but also the body and soul? Directed by Gil Tejada, Jr., written by Jessie Villabrille, and researched by Georis Cielo Tuca, this episode promises to captivate viewers with its emotional depth and intensity. Catch 'Magpakailanman' every Saturday at 8:15 p.m. on GMA-7. Global Pinoys can also catch the program via GMA Pinoy TV. For more stories about the Kapuso Network, visit
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GMA Network
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Filipino magician shares life working on a cruise ship
Filipinos build communities everywhere they go, including on cruise ships that travel the world. In an episode of GMA Pinoy TV's Pinoy at Sea, Junel Tauyan provides an inside look at his job on a cruise ship in Europe, which he has been doing for the past two years. 'Ako po ay isang bar waiter-magician. Kami po ang mga nagseserve ng mga drinks, mga cocktails. At the same time po, dahil po sa talent ko na ito, kaya po ako na-hire, ay nagmamagic po kami sa mga pasahero. Binibigyan po namin sila ng entertainment na maganda,' said Tauyan, whose dream was to become a seafarer. (I am a bar waiter-magician. We serve drinks and cocktails. At the same time, because of this talent I was hired for, we perform magic for passengers. We provide good entertainment for them.) Tauyan works alongside a group of talented baristas and servers, some of whom have performed as singers and dancers. He was discovered by another Filipino bartender on social media and offered him an opportunity. 'Sa Pinas po, bago po ako sumampa, ako po ay isang party host-magician o performer po sa mga events. Dahil po ang aking pamilya ay pamilya rin po ng mga sirkero, in line na po talaga at talagang nasa dugo na namin ng pagiging performer po,' said Tauyan. (In the Philippines, before I became a seaman, I was a party host-magician or performer for events. I was born into a family of circus performers, so performing is in our blood.) Driven by his desire to give his children a better life, Tauyan values the opportunity to work abroad. ''Yung ganitong trabaho po ay mabibigyan ko po ng magandang buhay yung aking mga anak… Mapag-aaral ko po sila ng maayos [at] mabibigyan ko po lahat ng pangangailangan nila,' he said. (This job allows me to give my children a good life… I can send them to school [and] give them everything they need.) 'Kapag out-duty naman po tayo, kapag off-duty na po tayo, pinaka number one pong ginagawa ko ay yung makatawag po sa aking asawa, sa aking mga anak, yung kumustahin sila… kasi parang sila po yung aking battery charger na kapag nakausap ko na sila, yung lahat ng pagod ko, lungkot ko ay nawawala,' Tauyan said. (Once I'm off-duty, the first thing I do is to call my wife and my children and ask them how they are doing… They are like my battery chargers; once I talk to them, it removes whatever fatigue and sadness I may be feeling.) — Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
From backyard hobby to Pro Circuit: Pickleball star Lauren Mercado blazes the trail
When the COVID-19 pandemic locked down most of the world, it also unlocked something unexpected for the Mercado family: a new love for a little-known sport then called pickleball. What began as a casual family activity has since transformed into a professional journey for 18-year-old Lauren Mercado, who now competes in the Pickleball Pro Circuit and continues to rise as one of the sport's promising Filipino-American stars. 'I started during COVID when I stopped traveling for AAU basketball,' Lauren shared in a feature for GMA Pinoy TV. Her younger brother, Lex, is not far behind. 'It looked interesting, so we tried it as a family. We were actually really bad at first, and we were like, 'Oh no, we can't be this bad in sport,' said Erika Paman Mercado, Lauren and Lex's mother. But the bad didn't last long. Pandemic pivot The Mercados, like many families, were in search of new routines during the early days of the pandemic. For Lauren, who had been competing in basketball, the abrupt halt of organized sports left a void. Her parents encouraged her to pick up a paddle, and that moment at Cougar Creek Pickleball Courts marked the beginning of what would become a new athletic chapter. 'I discovered my love for pickleball because of my parents. They were the ones who introduced me to the sport,' said Lauren. With athletic instincts honed by years on the basketball court, Lauren quickly found her rhythm—and her competitive fire. She began entering tournaments and putting in serious hours on court, transitioning from a newcomer to a formidable opponent in national competitions. 'She's been playing in the pro circuit for the last two years now,' said Erika. 'And Lex will soon be starting.' While Lauren was the first to shine on the pickleball court, her younger brother Lex wasn't far behind in discovering the game's appeal. Like his sister, he came to the sport from a period of inactivity—hours spent in front of video games—until his parents decided to take action. 'I used to sit down and play video games for like eight to nine hours a day. Then my parents put me in a tournament just to get me out of the house,' Lex recalled. That one tournament changed everything. 'I played up against other juniors, and I thought, 'Ooh, this is fun. I wanna get good,'' Lex said. The competitive spirit, it seems, runs in the family. Their parents nurtured that spirit not by forcing the sport onto them but by supporting their kids with the right environment, training, and tournament exposure. 'The athlete in us—and the competitive drive—we wanted to train our kids to be better. And we're just lucky to have so much support from friends and family who help us get them to tournaments,' Erika shared. Culture, community, and igado Fridays Even as the Mercados make their mark in the global pickleball scene, they remain deeply rooted in their Filipino identity. Their journey is not just one of sport, but of family, tradition, and cultural pride. 'We definitely embrace the culture a lot. We always say 'mahal kita,' and we have this bonding tradition called Igado Friday and Monday,' Lauren shared. Igado, a classic Ilocano dish made with pork and liver, is something Lauren and her dad look forward to every week. 'There's a restaurant that only serves Igado on Fridays and Mondays, so that's our thing. It's our bonding time.' It's a small but powerful reminder of how cultural traditions can anchor families, even as their children soar into unfamiliar worlds like professional sports. A champion's mindset For Lauren, pickleball isn't just a pastime or a profession, it's a passion that she pours herself into daily. 'I definitely think if you work hard at what you love, you'll be able to achieve anything. I just put a lot of work in and I train every day.' This mindset, paired with family support and community encouragement—has helped Lauren and Lex thrive in a sport that's rapidly gaining popularity around the world. What was once seen as a sport for retirees has now become a fast-paced, competitive arena with professional tours and growing youth engagement. 'It's so cool to just be able to travel now. I get to go to other countries, other states, and meet lots of new people. Everyone's so nice. The community of pickleball is what makes pickleball,' Lex said. Inspiring the next generation As Lauren continues to rise in the ranks and Lex prepares to enter the pro circuit, the Mercados hope their journey can inspire other young Filipino athletes to pursue their dreams, especially in niche sports like pickleball. 'I just hope that with what they're doing, they can inspire other kids, other Filipino athletes, to follow in their footsteps,' said Erika. 'To know that they can be great at something new, even if it starts in a public park during a pandemic.' From makeshift courts during lockdowns to the bright lights of professional competition, Lauren and Lex Mercado prove that with passion, perseverance, and pancit-fueled family support—anything is possible. Pickleball may have started as a curious discovery on a quiet walk, but for the Mercados, it has become a family legacy in the making. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Coming home for his graduation: An OFW mother's promise kept
For many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), coming home is not just a flight back to the Philippines—it's an emotional journey marked by sacrifice, longing, and love. For Myla dela Cruz, an OFW in Doha, Qatar, her return meant finally fulfilling a promise to the boy who quietly grew up in her absence—her son, Hennessy. After years apart, she flew back not for a vacation, but for a moment she could not bear to miss: his high school graduation. "Ito po 'yung surprise na hindi niya inakala talaga. Hindi ko po siya binigyan ng pagkakataon na isipin niya na uuwi ako sa mismong araw ng graduation niya," Myla said in an interview with GMA Pinoy TV. (This was a surprise he truly didn't see coming. I didn't give him any hint that I would be coming home on his graduation day.) Myla grew up in a large family in Nueva Ecija. None of her seven siblings were able to finish school due to poverty. Amid her hardship, however, Myla found her motivation. "Sa amin pong magkakapatid, wala pong nakatapos. Dahil po sa dala ng kahirapan… pinalaki po kami ng mga magulang namin ng iisang hangarin sa buhay—magtulungan, magmahalan. Sabay-sabay po kami aangat," Myla said. (None of us siblings finished school because of poverty… but our parents raised us with one goal: to help and love one another. We were determined to rise together.) She carried that dream into motherhood, determined to give her own child a better story—one that included diplomas, medals, and applause. Making ends meet Before working abroad, Myla tried to make ends meet through various jobs: she worked as a waitress, a barista at a five-star hotel in Dubai, and later, as a farmhand back home. "Namasukan po ako na mamitas ng talong, ng sili, ng ampalaya… Ang kinikita ko lang po noon, 150 pesos per day," she said. (I worked as a picker of eggplants, chili, and bitter gourd… I only earned 150 pesos a day.) When she gave birth to Hennessy, she stayed with him for as long as she could. As a single mother, she knew that love alone would not secure his future. At just four years old, Myla had to say goodbye to Hennessy, and make the heartbreaking decision to work overseas again. "Sinabi ko po sa magulang ko na ako po ay aalis ulit. Gusto ko pong makilala niya ako—na ako ang ina niya," Myla said. (I told my parents I was leaving again. I wanted him to grow up knowing me—that I am his mother.) 'Mama, umuwi ka na' Life in Qatar offered added financial security, but nothing could compare to the emotional weight of being apart from her son. Myla said, "Minsan sasabihin niya, 'Mama, umuwi ka na. Sama ka na lang dito sa akin.'" (Sometimes he'd say, "Mama, come home. Just stay here with me.") Hennessy, meanwhile, was lovingly raised by his grandparents. He grew up with a heart full of gratitude—traits that made Myla both proud and heartbroken. She said, "Nata-touch ako 'pag sinasabi ng mga kapatid ko, utol, ang suwerte mo kay Bebe.'" (I get emotional when my siblings say, "You're lucky to have Bebe.") Graduation day As graduation day approached, Myla started receiving touching messages from Hennessy for helping him reach his milestone. "Mama, maraming salamat. Kahit wala akong kinagisnang ama, ikaw 'yung tumayo, Papa at Mama para sa akin," Hennessy said. (Mama, thank you. Even though I didn't grow up with a father, you stood as both Papa and Mama for me.) Those words sealed Myla's decision. She booked a ticket home. She didn't even tell her family about her decision. "Pinapangako ko sa'yo, sa senior high school mo—uuwi si Mama. Ako na ang kasama mo," Myla recalled. (I promise you, for your senior high graduation — Mama will come home. I'll be the one by your side.) On graduation day itself, she walked quietly into the school grounds, waited for the right moment, and tapped her son on the back. "Sa sobrang tuwa niya, halo 'yung emotion niya—pagkagulat at 'yung pagiging masaya na si Mama nandito," Myla said. (He was overwhelmed—it was a mix of shock and joy that Mama was here.) That day, Hennessy received awards for Outstanding Leadership, and Outstanding Science Lab Officer. This time, his mother was there to witness him receive the recognition. Reward for sacrifice For Myla, it was not just about medals or ceremonies. It was about showing up—physically, emotionally, fully—for the child who had waited patiently for her love. "Hindi ko man siya palaging kasama, pero lagi akong uuwi sa kanya. Lagi akong babalik," she said. (Even if I'm not always by his side, I will always come home to him. I will always return.) For mothers like Myla, love is not measured by distance or time apart. Instead it is through the moments when love finally arrives—unexpected, unwavering, and just in time. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Max Collins performs at Pinoy Fiesta and Trade Show in Canada
Max Collins brought joy to global Pinoys in Toronto, Canada, where she performed at the 2025 Pinoy Fiesta and Trade Show over the weekend. According to Aubrey Carampel's report in "Balitanghali" Tuesday, the Sparkle star performed to over 5,000 Filipinos, Filipino-Canadians, and tourists at the event. The 2025 Pinoy Fiesta and Trade Show is a quadruple celebration of Philippine Independence Day; Filipino Heritage Month in Canada; the 15th anniversary of the event's organizer, the Philippine Canadian Charitable Foundation; and the 20th anniversary of GMA Pinoy TV, which is the event's media partner. Aside from song and dance performances, the fiesta featured games, cultural presentations, a pageant, a mass, and a Santacruzan. A giant Philippine flag was also waved during the event. "Gusto ko lang pasayahin ang pamilya ko, ang mga tao na nanonood sa amin, syempre sa GMA and para sa mga global Pinoys that watch GMA Pinoy TV. Gusto ko rin sila pasayahin, so 'yun talaga 'yung hinahanap ng puso ko," Max previously said in an "Unang Balita" report. —CDC, GMA Integrated News
