On his ninth year in GMA — and just as his movie with Kathryn Bernardo, “Hello, Love, Goodbye,” became the highest grossing Filipino movie — Alden Richards has nothing but gratefulness in his heart.
“Maraming salamat po sa faith niyo sa akin, kahit minsan, ako na po ‘yung ayaw,” he said at the press con on Tuesday for his contract renewal with GMA. “Parang sinasabi ko na hindi ko po kaya ‘yan kasi ganito ang mangyayari, ang turnout.
“[Pero] isa po sila sa mga nagpapalakas ng loob ko,” he continued. “Taos-puso at walang hanggang pasasalamat po sa GMA, sa paniniwala sa akin, sa patuloy po na pagtitiwala sa akin sa mga bagay na kaya kong gawin at sa pagbibigay sa akin ng lakas ng loob gawin ang mga bagay na pakiramdam ko po ay hindi ko kaya.”
Aside from enjoying his network’s continued support and also riding on the crest of the monster box-office hit, the actor has also been receiving several accolades. Alden recently was recognized with the “Asian Star Prize” from the Seoul International Drama Awards 2019 at the Kyunghee University in South Korea and was the first-ever recipient of the “Celebrity Icon Award” from Okada Manila.
All of these awards, though, have not changed the man.
“In my nine years of stay in GMA, I keep on discovering something new about myself and my craft.
Project after project, it gives me more hunger to do more and inspire more people through my works and the things that I do. Pag may lumalapit sa’kin and sasabihin nila, ‘Alden sobrang ganda ng ginawa mo, nabago ‘yung buhay ko.’ Sobra akong namo-move to be appreciated by these people by the thing I love to do most. I want projects that could touch lives – that’s my ultimate goal as an artist.
Ang sarap kasi noong nakakapagpabago ka ng buhay ng ibang tao kagaya ng pagbabago ng GMA sa buhay ko. I also want to be a vessel to help others.”
His down-to-earth attitude, plus his passion and dedication to his craft, remains the same, endearing him to everyone — GMA executives, co-workers and fans alike.
“He is loved by all because mahusay siyang makipagkapwa tao sa lahat ng mga katrabaho niya.
Nakikita ng lahat ‘yung seriousness niya sa kaniyang ginagawa, ‘yung effort and the passion that he pours into his work so nahahawa niya lahat ng tao sa kaniyang paligid. Throughout all these years parehong-pareho, from the first time we worked together in ‘Alakdana’ until now in ‘The Gift’ wala talagang nagbago kaya siya mahal na mahal ng mga tao,” remarked Lilybeth Rasonable, senior vice president for Entertainment Group.
Alden said he is excited to star in “The Gift,” where he plays a visually impaired character. He is be joined by Jo Berry, Mikee Quintos in the primetime soap directed by LA Madridejos.
Aside from Rasonable, also present at the contract signing were GMA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Felipe L. Gozon; President and Chief Operating Officer Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr.; Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Felipe S. Yalong; Chief Risk Officer and First Vice President for Corporate Strategic Planning and Program Support Department Regie C. Bautista; Vice President for Drama Productions Redgie Acuña-Magno; Vice President for Business Development Department III Darling de Jesus-Bodegon; Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angel Javier Cruz; Vice President for Regional TV Oliver Amoroso; Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara; Assistant Vice President for Business Development Department II Bang Arespacochaga; Assistant Vice President for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy; Assistant Vice President for Talent Imaging and Marketing Simoun Ferrer; Senior Program Managers Helen Rose Sese, Ruth Mariñas, Mae Zambrano, Mildred Natividad, Cecille de Guzman, Ian Roxas, and Charles Koo.
