New dramas from the Philippine distributor premiered in several countries in the region, including Ecuador and the Dominican Republic.
GMA dramas continue to be popular in Latin America through GMA Network’s partnership with Latin Media Corporation (LMC).
Following the success of the Spanish-dubbed versions of My Special Tatay (Un Corazon Especial), Onanay (El Amor Mas Grande), and Hindi Ko Kayang Iwan Ka (Quedate A Mi Lado) in 2020, more top-rating GMA series debuted in the region this year.
In Ecuador, Sa Piling ni Nanay (Ysabel), The Half Sisters (Hermanas), and Madrasta premiered this 2021. In the Dominican Republic, Bihag (Hijo, Dónde Estás?), The Gift (Un Don Verdadero), and Impostora (La Impostora) also premiered this year.
GMA’s phenomenal drama series The Half Sisters (Hermanas) recently concluded its successful run. It aired from Mondays to Fridays at 6 P.M. Based on available ratings online from Kantar IBOPE Media, Hermanas was consistently among the top 15 most watched programs in Ecuador. Viewers were captivated by the intriguing story of Diana and Ashley, a very special set of fraternal twins who have the same mother but different fathers. After its run on the prime time block, the series is on its second run on the daytime block.
Also airing in Ecuador is Sa Piling ni Nanay (Ysabel), another top-rating GMA drama. The series premiered last October 28. On social media, Ecuadorian audience expressed their enthusiasm about the series whose story revolves around a surrogate mother and a biological mother fighting over who is the rightful mother of a child.
Soon to premiere in Ecuador is revenge drama Madrasta. It tells the story of Audrey, a kind stepmother who must fight her husband’s ex-wife to protect him and her stepchildren.
GMA’s primetime hit, The Gift recently concluded its successful run as Un Don Verdadero in the Dominican Republic. The series is top-billed by Alden Richards, one of the Philippines’ most bankable stars. The fantasy drama tells the story of Joseph (played by Richards) and his mysterious visions of past and future events despite being blind.
GMA’s hit crime drama Bihag premiered as Hijo! ¿Dónde Estás? last October 18, also in the Dominican Republic. It airs Mondays to Fridays, 4 P.M. This gripping drama tells the story of a mother’s quest to find her son who was kidnapped by unknown assailants.
GMA’s phenomenal revenge drama Impostora premiered on primetime as La Impostora last September 27. It tells the story of Nimfa, an ugly street vendor who willingly undergoes surgery and complete facial reconstruction to pretend to be Rosette, a wealthy and beautiful but unhappily married wife seeking to escape her husband.
Lastly, GMA’s romance drama Someone to Watch Over Me (No Me Olvides) is airing a rerun both in Ecuador and in the Dominican Republic. The romance drama tells the story of a couple facing challenges brought about by early onset dementia. The series also aired in Peru and Uruguay.
“Our dramas rate well in the countries where they are shown because while retaining common elements like family, romance, and relationships, our content features unusual themes that keep viewers engaged and boost ratings for the broadcasters,” said Roxanne Barcelona, Vice President of GMA Network’s Worldwide Division.
Latin Media Corporation’s CEO and founder Jose Escalante, who was recently awarded the prestigious Pilares Award for being one of the pillars of the audiovisual industry in Latin America, shared why programs from GMA are well received by viewers in Latin America. “When I started thinking of bringing [programs from] a country from Asia, I thought of bringing the Filipino dramas because we look the same, our families, our values are very similar in terms of culture and [in] the way we educate ourselves. So we started bringing Filipino dramas and they are well-accepted so far.”
To date, GMA, through its partnership with LMC, has distributed over 1,100 hours of canned content and 600 hours of scripted formats in Latin America.
