After 15 years as one of GMA Network’s most prominent and favored leading ladies, Lovi Poe, 32, officially signed a contract with rival station ABS-CBN on thursday.

Met with a red carpet welcome by the studio’s top executives, Poe nevertheless made sure in her ensuing virtual media conference to thank her former home for “being good and taking care” of her in the last decade and a half.

Of her decision to go from Kapuso to Kampamilya, the actress admitted, “[It’s] one of the toughest things I’ve ever had to do. I’ve been with GMA for 15 years and hindi po biro yon. I have nothing but good words and respect for them. It was tough [to say goodbye], but I’m here to celebrate my new home and new family.

explaining she just wants to make the most of her career, Poe added, “I’m very grateful and blessed to have worked with the best of the best in GMA — from the creatives, the best set of actors, and the best directors. So now I feel it’s time to work with the best of the best of ABSCBN. I feel grateful to be able to do that and to make new friends here.”

Considered showbiz royalty, Poe’s father, is, of course, the late King of Philippine Movies, fernando Poe, Jr., whose classic films are shown regularly on ABSCBN. Moreover, fPJ’s “Ang Probinsyano” series adaptation has been lording over the network’s primetime slot, with Coco Martin, in the lead for the past six years and counting.

Calling it “ideal” to be able to join the series if asked, Poe revealed that of her father’s many memorable roles for the silver screen, her dream is to become the female Panday. “Ang Panday” (the Blacksmith) is

fPJ’s most legendary movie franchise from the Carlo Caparas komiks series.

While creative teams get going on what is sure to be a unique take on the actionfantasy classic, Poe is heading straight to work on her first drama series for ABSCBN with no less than showbiz’s ultimate heartthrob Piolo Pascual.

She will also be juggling her time between Manila and Los Angeles, where she just launched a recording career under VIM entertainment. She further has an eP lined up where she gets to work with Grammy winner Omen.

Of course, there’s also her first Hollywood-starrer, the biopic “the Chelsea Cowboy,” alongside British stars Alex Pettyfer and Poppy Delevingne, where she was cast as the english singer and icon Dana Gillespie.