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'Prima Donnas' program manager thanks fans, supporters as the show comes to an end

By Aaron Brennt Eusebio
Published April 30, 2022 3:20 PM PHT
Updated April 30, 2022 3:20 PM PHT

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Prima Donnas Redynn Alba


We will miss you, tatlong prinsesa ni nanay!

Prima Donnas senior program manager Redgynn S. Alba offered a heartfelt "thank you" to the cast, the crew, the fans, and the supporters as the well-loved GMA Afternoon Prime series came to a close.

During the finale media conference of the show, Ms. Redgynn looked back at the show's humble beginnings when it was first aired on August 19, 2019.

"First and foremost, nung pumasok kami nung 2019, we all know that there was this big, big, highly-successful show sa kabila na katapat namin.

"In-expect ba namin na tatakbo siya nang ganito kahaba? Ako honestly, hindi. Gargantuan 'yung kalaban nung time na 'yun, so ano lang din kami, pursige lang.

"Kami nina Direk [Gina Alajar] nung nagsisimula pa lang, marami kaming fears and anxiety na parang paano mo tatapatan? Sabi ko lang kay Direk, 'Direk, hindi natin kinakailangan masyadong maraming pasabog, pa-fancy. Let's just be true. Totoo lang 'yung emotions nung character, and let's stick to what we know.'"

On October 21, 2019, Prima Donnas had managed to tie the ratings. The day after, it won in the ratings. However, at the peak of the success of Prima Donnas, the COVID19 pandemic happened and the production was stopped indefinitely.

"At the peak of our success, pandemic happened, na hindi rin namin alam kung paano babalik, paano itutuloy. Nung nagkaroon ng ruling na bawal ang bata, hindi rin namin alam how will we able to continue without Sofia."

Sofia, who was just 14 when the production resumed in the middle of the pandemic, was barred from working, in compliance with the government's mandate on child stars.

"'Yun 'yung naging struggle nung first lock-in namin. And we were one of the very first na nag-lock in, so, thankful din kami na may pinagsimulan na kaming pagsasama, e.

"It would not have been easy kung medyo baguhan kaming lahat. Dahil magkakasama na, and everybody wants to have work during that very difficult time, so naging maingat and yet naging masaya 'yung pagsasama namin."

Like the story of the three Donnas, mounting a production and finishing a series in one record-breaking lock-in taping did not come easy. But because of their camaraderie, the whole cast and production crew managed to properly wrap up the show.

"The show had to take a break, we almost, almost didn't make it kasi na-delay nang na-delay kasi nag-surge ulit. So pati 'yung struggles ng show, hindi siya natitigil.

"And then nung nag-lock in kami last year, ang major struggle is kaya ba namin siya tapusin in one go. Sabi ko din sa ibang kasama ko sa work, hindi siya naging madali again kung hindi kami nagkaroon ng initial bonding na if we'd never have that first season, at gagawin 'yung show nang ganun kahaba, it would have been very, very difficult.

"But we are thankful that everybody was very cooperative. May mga struggles pa rin within the taping, hindi naman nawawala pero dahil maayos 'yung pagsasama nung grupo, we are one family in the show.

"So, very, very thankful kami sa panginoon na ginabayan kami, prinotektahan kaming lahat."

The full catch-up episodes of Prima Donnas are available on GMANetwork.com and in the GMA Network App.