Aljur Abrenica Wants To Cut Ties With GMA-7

MANILA - Aljur Abrenica wants end his contract with GMA-7 and demanding a total of P1.9 million for damages.

Aljur filed a case against his home network, GMA, on July 24, 2014, to the Quezon City Hall of Justice for Judicial Confirmation of Rescission of Contract.

Acopy for the formal complaint was issued to ABS-CBN, Aljur is an exclusive talent of GMA Network Inc. until March 2015 which is renewable for another 3-year term.

The 24-year-old actor is suing the network for moral damages worth P1 million over his enormous experiences of sleepless night and serious anxiety as well as ruined reputation which greatly affects his performance as a professional actor.

Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, legal counsel of Abrenica, who signed the complaint is also demanding for P100,000 in examplary damages and another P800,000 in legal fees and attorney fees.

Abrenica openly reached out to various news reporters explaining that he gave out all of his efforts to come for an agreement between him and his home network before proceeding to filing a complaint.

"Sa totoo nga lang po, ayoko po talagang umabot sa ganito," he said. "Ako po 'yung huling taong mag-de-desisyon na malagay sa ganitong kalagayan."

His attorney stated that Abrenica was left with no choice by GMA-7 to the point that he even spoke with the network executives without any lawyer on his side. Topacio also made it clear that they are not starting a fight. In fact, the actor is widely open to a dialogue with GMA to settle down the termination of his contract.

"Noong talagang hindi na maayos, pinadalhan namin ang GMA-7 ng isang formal letter, hoping they would sit down on what the problem was, but they insisted on the contract," -Atty. Topacio

The 24-year-old actor said that he has been thinking about this move since last year but he had high hopes that this will be fixed which held him back to take action.

"Sa katunayan po, matagal na po, taon na po. Pero, sabi ko nga, ayaw ko po talagang umabot sa ganito dahil hangga't maaari, gusto ko pong ayusin,"

"Pero with the guidance ng mga tao sa paligid ko, guidance po ng mga magulang ko at mula po sa Panginoon, kinailangan ko na pong pumunta sa hukuman"

Aljur is not a piece of meat

In his interview, he pointed out that he's not gaining such importance and enough respect from his home network for not considering the direction he wants for his career as an actor.

"Kaya po ako nandito ngayon, dahil po hindi po ako nabigyan ng pagpapahalaga at respeto po sa career na gusto ko pong mangyari"

His lawyer also added that his client wants to follow his own artistic direction. He strongly stated that Aljur is not a piece of meat. GMA cannot force him what he would not want to do. If that's going to continue, he will not grow as an artist.

It was also included in Aljur's formal complaint that there were projects given to him by the network which somehow distorted his image and known to be as a sexy actor rather than being a serious performer.

There were several instances which shows the mismanagement of Aljur's career under GMA Network and that includes when he was allegedly banned from all SM Malls which resulted to losing his contract as a potential Bench Body endorser.

Aljur stated that he is only concern for the betterment of his career as an actor which he believes that will allow him to reach out to more people who is in need of help.

"Bilang isang seryosong aktor at musikero, marami pa po akong gustong magawa." Lahat naman po tayo, ang gusto po natin, mapabuti po tayo, 'di ba?"

"Marami po tayong gusto matulungan, marami po tayong gusto marating, at sa akin pong nakikita, hindi mo nagtutugma ang direksyon na gusto nila para sa akin at direksyon na gusto ko po para sa akin."

He Owes GMA

Abrenica entered showbiz in 2007 when he was announced as the male champion of "StarStruck", the reality talent search of GMA-7. After winning, numerous projects where he played the lead roles in several drama series of his network such as "Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan, "The Last Prince", "Pablos S. Gomez's Machete", and "Kambal Sirena" where he was last seen.

He was asked if he owes GMA for becoming a successful actor and here's his answer:

"Opo naman po. Nagpapasalamat po ako sa GMA sa oportunidad at tiwala na binigay nila sa ilang taon ko sa industriya. Hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan iyon."
"Hindi po kami nakikipag-away, at tumatanaw po ako ng malaking utang na loob sa GMA Network. "Kundi po dahil sa kanila, hindi po ako makakarating sa kinatatayuan ko. Iyon nga lang po, sa panahon ngayon, hindi na po talaga nag-aakma ang interes ng bawat isa."

The actor is well aware that this legal move he made against GMA-7 may cost all his showbiz career which he answered back:

"Pinag-isipan ko pong mabuti. Napakahirap. Alam ko po ang mga posibleng mangyari, pero para po sa akin, worth it po 'yung gagawin ko ngayon."

Despite his wants to end contract with his current network, he clarified that he has yet to talk with other networks for a possible transfer. The GMA Network Inc. has no statement issued as of this time regarding the lawsuit filed by Aljur Abrenica against them.