Phillip Salvador and Gina Alajar

GMA Network beefs up its afternoon primetime drama with the team-up of awarded actors Phillip Salvador and Gina Alajar on “Unforgettable.”

“It’s a dream come true for me to work with my favorite director,” exclaimed Phillip of Gina, or Regina as he fondly calls her. “In this series, I’m an actor and I let her direct me.”

Both Phillip and Gina came from the stable of talents of the late internationally renowned filmmaker, Lino Brocka. Since their days with Brocka, they have risen to become respected dramatic actors and directors as well.

As for Gina, she felt intimidated the first time she learned that she’s going to direct Phillip.

“’Di ba matagal na kaming ’di nagkasama? Hindi ko alam ang working habits niya at ’yung system niya sa pagtratrabaho because it’s an afternoon soap opera and we’re always pressed for time,” she shared.

According to Gina, she and Phillip met first to discuss the series before they started taping last week.

“We were both so excited. At ang galing-galing ni Phillip, totoo ’yan. I’m pleased with his work at saka I’m proud to say nakikinig siya. Wala siyang air na, ‘Ako si Phillip Salvador, marami akong awards’... parang ganun. He always listens and he always asks me kung tama ’yung nagawa niya. Talagang bow ako sa kanya,” Gina expressed.

Phillip echoed the statement. “Nagtatanong din ako sa director ko kasi mas alam niya kung ano ang dapat ilabas sa character ko,” he remarked.

A project of the GMA Drama group headed by Lilybeth G. Rasonable, Officer-in-Charge for Entertainment, Ma. Regina Magno, AVP for Drama, Ali N. Dedicatoria, Program Manager and Darling P. Torres, Executive Producer, “Unforgettable” features the fresh tandem of Mark Herras and Kylie Padilla.

“Unforgettable” is about the tragedy in the life of couple Anna (Kylie) and Ed (Mark) and how love transcends even the afterlife. Like any couple, Anna and Ed dream of a happy and successful family life after college. Unfortunately, Ed was killed and Anna became the main suspect for his murder. Ed couldn’t crossover to the afterlife until he helps prove Anna’s innocence.

Also on “Unforgettable” are Pauleen Luna, Benjamin Alves, Polo Ravales, Carmi Martin, Pancho Magno, Roy Alvarez, Chariz Solomon, Timmy Cruz, Kevin Santos and Glydel Mercado.

Gina said that since she started working with her cast, she’s been more than satisfied with their acting. “Mahuhusay silang lahat and I’m very happy and very much excited about this project. It also works that there are icons in the series kasi they (the younger actors) are on their toes kung anong gagawin,” added Gina.

“Unforgettable” starts airing today, Feb. 25, after “Eat Bulaga,” on GMA-7.

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Kara David Receives Adamson University Media Award For 2013

Seasoned broadcast journalist Kara David is this year’s recipient of the Adamson University Media Award. She received the award in ceremonies held at the Adamson University Theatre last Feb. 13.

Adamson chose David for her “significant contribution to poverty alleviation, public education and information” as demonstrated through her works. The university believes that such contribution sets positive examples to future media practitioners.

David’s awards include the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award for her documentary “Ambulansyang de Paa,” which revealed the severe lack of medical facilities in Bansud, Oriental Mindoro; and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Asia-Pacific Child Rights Award for “Alkansya,” a documentary on the plight of child laborers in the country. David was also cited as one of 2007’s The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) of the Philippines.

David, a senior news producer for GMA News and Public Affairs, co-hosts the documentary program “I-Witness” and is an anchor of GMA News TV’s morning newscast “News To Go.”

Apart from her duties as a journalist, David managed to put up Project Malasakit Foundation, Inc., a non-stock, non-profit foundation that sends poor Filipino children to school via community outreach projects. The foundation currently has 15 scholars, most of whom were once child laborers and victims of child abuse.

For three years in a row, GMA broadcast personalities have won the Adamson University Award, namely Howie Severino in 2011, and Jessica Soho in 2012.

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‘Tondo To Tribo’ Today On ‘I-Witness’

He grew up in Tondo but now travels Mindanao’s tribal lands on horseback, bringing literacy to Bla-an kids. Lito Delizo never graduated from college, but a unique government program enables him to teach. He is also opening up isolated communities to the modern world.

Howie Severino and his team accompany Lito as he rides his horse across rivers and over hills to reach these kids. They also meet an unusual character in the Bla-an village, a one-legged woman named Placida. Riding a white carabao, Placida is the only woman in the village who consciously keeps the Bla-an culture alive by continuing to make the Bla-an’s traditional clothing and tribal gear for her grandchildren.

The team discovered that in the wake of education and literacy, the diversity and uniqueness of the Bla-an tribe is slowly being erased. Even some of the tribal children are ashamed to admit their tribal roots, afraid of the discrimination they would receive when, for a long time, they grew up with the notion that being “lumad” meant being “mangmang” or uneducated.

Placida fears what may be lost from her culture with the influence of even well meaning outsiders. So she takes action.

Does the onset of “modernity” through education have to compromise cultural identity? Join Howie Severino as he finds out today on “I-Witness” after “Saksi” on GMA-7.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Feb. 25, go to Ms. Maricel Soriano, Pitoy Moreno, director Vittorio Romero, Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan, Tessie Chua, Yolly Mendoza, Patsy Henson, Tessie San Juan, Eric Antonio, Victorio Yuzon, Ma. Clara Gana, Evelyn Batalla and Larry Lagulay of New York, Marta Geraldine Baja, Rosie Frivaldo and MB’s Myrna Fuentes, and Anjo Perez...