GMA Network Center
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| GMA Network Center | |
 The GMA Network Center from the ground up |
|
| Building | |
|---|---|
| Type | High-rise |
| Location | Quezon City, Philippines |
| Construction | |
| Completed | 2000 |
| Floor Count | 17 Storey |
| Design Team | |
| Architect | Roger Villarosa[1] |
The GMA Network Center is the headquarters of the GMA Network, a television network in the Philippines. It is located at EDSA corner Timog Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City. It is the network's main television and radio production center, and its main transmission facility for most of Mega Manila
GMA inaugurated the facility on June 14, 2000 as part of the kick-off of its year-round celebration of its 50th anniversary. While the first phase of the project has already been completed with the completion of the 17-storey high-rise, the center has an option to upgrade the older, existing facilities in the GMA compound, as originally planned.
The Center is equipped with MARC (Multiple Automated Recorder Cassette) System with a D3 format digital video recorder and a Broadcast Automation System that allows the network to manage live feeds and international feeds that will be carried out to GMA Pinoy TV subscribers around the world. The GMA compound has five studios, three of which (Studios 1, 2 and 3) are in the new network center, and two (Studios A and B) in the older structures. The Center serves as the Corporate Headquarters for the network and also houses radio stations DZBB and 97.1 Barangay LS, as well as the newsroom. A convenience store and a coffee shop services the employees who work in the center. Meanwhile, the Kapuso Center, located along the 11th Jamboree Street entrance of the compound, serves as the offices for the GMA Kapuso Foundation, the "Action Center" of Mike Enriquez's Imbestigador, and the public service program Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko. On the building's courtside is a sculpture by artist Eduardo Castrillo.[2]
Although the Network Center was inaugurated in 2000, GMA has held office in its current EDSA headquarters since 1957, having moved from the Calvo Building in Escolta, Manila (where the network, then known as the Loreto de F. Hemedes, Inc., later renamed Republic Broadcasting System, had its first studios and corporate offices since its inception in 1950).
In 2006, On an 18,404-square-meter complex GMA will build a 3,000-square meter 4-storey structure beside the old network. The structure will house two state-of-the art soundstages, one of which can accommodate up to 1,000 studio audience. The new building, dubbed the GMA Network Center Annex, will also house studio support and set construction facilities, technical equipment for broadcast and theater systems, props storage, garage areas, rehearsal rooms, talent dressing and makeup rooms, as well as administrative and production offices. A bridge will also connect the new building to the rest of the compound. The new structure is expected to be completed by 2008 and will cost as much as PhP1 billion. [3]
[edit] References
- ^ Roger G. Villarosa, Mapúa CareerLink. Retrieved on May 26, 2007.
- ^ President joins GMA's 50th anniversary rites today, Manila Bulletin. June 14, 2000.
- ^ Daxim Lucas. GMA Network spending P1B for studio expansion, Inquirer News Service. Retrieved on May 26, 2007.
