MANILA, Philippines?After the launch of the GMA 7 afternoon soap ?Ngayon at Kailanman? on Wednesday, director Mike Tuviera cornered network executive Lilybeth Rasonable and thanked her profusely.

In spite of the intrigues, he told her, he still felt the network?s full support for the new drama program.

The two lead stars, Heart Evangelista and JC de Vera, are managed by Annabelle Rama who?s currently waging a legal battle against Wilma Galvante, GMA 7 senior vice president for entertainment.

Rama was present in all the meetings concerning the show.

According to GMA 7 corporate communications, Galvante didn?t attend the launch because she?s currently abroad and will be back next week.

No politics

In her stead, network top brass was represented by Rasonable, assistant vice president for drama.

?I wanted to thank Ma?am Lilybeth personally,? Tuviera told Inquirer Entertainment in an exclusive interview after the press gathering. ?She?s been very supportive. She graced all our events? from the story conference to the press conference.?

He pointed out that the intrigues concerning its lead stars had zero effect on the show. ?I don?t really think about the politics. Instead I always bear in mind: What can I do with these actors??

He insisted that he never felt that the network pushed the show to the back burner just because of Galvante?s conflict with Rama.

?Management took good care of us and provided everything we required,? the director said. ?The network even gave us the location we wanted: the Leviste mansion in Lipa, Batangas.?

Evangelista agreed: ?Our show is promoted well. There are constant plugs on GMA 7.?

De Vera said he also felt no pressure even though he?s standing by his manager in her fight against Galvante.

?I still feel welcome in GMA 7,? he explained. ?You?d be manhid (numb) if you don?t sense the network?s support. Right now, I feel relaxed on the set. I don?t want to think about the intrigues. I also don?t want to make the problem worse by worrying too much.?

?Everything is okay,? Evangelista noted. ?JC and I don?t talk about the issue. What can we do? We just have to work and be professional.?

Which was precisely Rasonable?s message during the launch. She told the media: ?We are here as professionals. The true test of professionalism is if you?re able to set aside problems and do your work.?

Now, De Vera and Evangelista can joke about their troubles.

?Heart?s problem was fixed immediately,? he recounted.

?But the same issue was repeated with JC,? she said.

?And it became worse, the second time around,? he quipped.

?Mine was just the rehearsal; his was the actual take,? she joked.

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