Annette Gozon-Valdes recalls seeing potential in Alden Richards

Annette Gozon-Valdes, GMA Senior Vice President and GMA Films president, looked back at the time she fought hard for Alden Richards to be part of GMA Network's pool of artists.

On Monday's episode of "Fast Talk with Boy Abunda," Annette said she still remembers when the GMA management was sourcing new talents a few years back, and Alden was among the choices.

"May picture pa ako nun eh, 'yung panel screening sa conference room lang tapos votation 'yun," Annette recalled.

"Tapos paglabas, hindi siya kasama, sabi ko 'Bakit? Eh mataas siya, siya 'yung number one ko," she added.

According to Annette, she convinced the team to take a chance on Alden.

"Nakikita ko sa kanya, 'parang John Lloyd [Cruz] 'yan eh,' ganun pa 'yung sinabi ko nun," she said. "So parang nakita ko agad 'yung depth niya as an actor."

"Ang ganda ng voice quality, malalim, so buti naman, I was proven correct," she added.

In the same episode, Alden dedicated a recorded message to Annette, thanking her for her trust in all the projects that he has done so far in GMA.

"I'm proud to say that I'm very grateful po sa inyo in particular kasi kayo po 'yung naka-discover sa 'kin during my first stages here in GMA," the Sparkle star said.

"I don't know what you saw in me, but pinanghawakan ko po 'yun, that's my motivation to keep going," he added.

Annette is set to join the panel of judges in GMA's newest competition, "Battle of the Judges," which will air on GMA starting on July 15. Other judges will join her, including Boy Abunda, Bea Alonzo, and Jose Manalo.

Meanwhile, Alden is starring in an upcoming film titled "A Mother and Son's Story" with Sharon Cuneta.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News