BEA Alonzo, a homegrown talent of ABS-CBN who emerged as one of the biggest stars in Philippine Entertainment, officially signed an exclusive contract with rival network, GMA on Thursday.It can be recalled that in late 2020, the actress decided not to renew her contract with ABS-CBN and announced she would be managed by veteran talent agent Shirley Kuan henceforth. Speculations she would move to GMA quickly circulated but was followed by a lull for several months.Lately, however, the rumor resurfaced anew reaching a crescendo Wednesday when GMA released a teaser showing parts of Alonzo's famous face.Culminating with Thursday's contract signing, GMA's top executives rolled out the red carpet and sealed the deal with the reigning Philippine Movie Queen at a five-star hotel in Ortigas Center.Looking her most beautiful since joining showbiz in 2001, Alonzo declared via digital interview the same day that she feels very happy to open a new chapter in her thriving career.'I even screamed [when we finished signing the contracts],' she revealed. 'I felt really happy because 10 years ago, it never occurred to me [that] this could ever happen. I feel so good and very empowered, and I really feel this [development] came at the right time.'Unable to escape questions how she, her manager and GMA Network finally came to an agreement for her to be a Kapuso, Alonzo shared, 'It took us a lot of months to work it out kasi hindi naman lingid sa kaalaman natin that the last year has been very challenging. But it gave me time to reflect on my life, what I want to do, how I want to move on, what else I want to chase in terms of my dreams.'You see, when [GMA's] offer came, I considered it a big blessing. And when the negotiations began, hindi siya naging mabigat na type of negotiation because there was respect for each other's boundaries so everything just followed naturally.'Even then, many still consider Alonzo's transfer to be quite bold and shocking given the fact she built her entire career with her former network and its movie production arm, Star Cinema.Asked whether she remains in good terms with her former bosses, Alonzo was quick to reply, 'Definitely.'Elaborating, she said, 'In fact, when the deal [with GMA] was 99 percent final-the first time I met my new bosses via Zoom-I called my former boss, Sir Carlo (Katigbak), the very next day, and I asked for his blessing.'Katigbak is ABS-CBN's president and CEO.'Siyempre it was a very emotional phone call because hindi mo maalis na 20 years of my life was spent there. And you know what? He wished me well and wished me good luck. I'm happy I had his blessing before coming here today so all is well.'The 33-year-old half British and half Filipina went on to say how she believes a new environment will allow her to discover more things about herself and what she can do as an actress.'I really feel like I have so much more to offer kaya (that's why) I'm very excited by this opportunity that came my way, [where] I know I can broaden my world, the people I know and the challenges I can take.'With this new beginning, Alonzo shared that while she's aware her forte will always be in drama, she would nonetheless like to explore the idea of hosting a talk show or even appearing in a sitcom given a clean slate with GMA.She is also excited to reunite with her very first leading man in showbiz who happens to be longtime Kapuso leading man, Dennis Trillo.'I'd love to work with Dingdong Dantes again, who I had a movie with (),' she enumerated, 'Derek Ramsay, of course, who's also a Kapuso already, and siyempre (of course), si John Lloyd [Cruz].'Cruz, who left ABS-CBN long before the actress did, is the Movie King to her Movie Queen, given their countless blockbusters titles for Star Cinema. Her perennial leading man, who called game on doing a sitcom earlier in the day, beat Alonzo in signing with GMA by a mere few months.In the meantime, the actress is focused on completing her full-length movie with another Kapuso prized star, Alden Richards, via the collaboration of GMA Films, Viva and APT Entertainment. Inspired by the Japanese series 'Pure Soul'.Alonzo and Richards have confirmed to star in the Filipino adaptation of the South Korean remake 'A Moment to Remember.'A mix of congratulatory messages and criticism welcomed the news of Alonzo's transfer in social media.Using the hashtag GMA issued, #ProudToBEAKapuso, posts carrying #KapamilyaForever which questioned Alonzo's loyalty trended as much as the well wishes.To her bashers, Alonzo said, 'Fini-filter ng utak ko yung (My mind is filtering the) positive ones because I know the truth in my heart na wala akong natapakang tao (that I have not stepped on anyone), I choose not to focus on the negative but the positive.It was with Star Magic that Alonso started out showbiz at age 14. She became part of the talent management group's 10th batch of artists in 2002, and proceeded to carve her name as a top-rating primetime draw and eventually as a multi-awarded leading lady under Star Cinema. WITH CHRISTINA ALPAD
