GMA NETWORK, INC. is one of the largest broadcast companies in the Philippines. It operates a network of 47 Very High Frequency (VHF) stations, including 32 Ultra High Frequency (UHF) television stations and 21 radio stations throughout the country. The Network was founded by Robert La Rue Stewart in 1950 as Republic Broadcasting System (RBS) with flagship AM radio station DZBB operating from the Calvo Building in Escolta, Manila. RBS ventured into televisi…on in 1961 and began broadcasting on Channel 7 in the Greater Manila Area. In 1975, the triumvirate of Felipe L. Gozon, Menardo R. Jimenez and Gilberto M. Duavit took over management of RBS from the Stewarts and renamed it GMA 7. The original meaning of the acronym GMA"_ was Greater Manila Area, referring to the initial coverage area of the station. As GMA's reach widened, the meaning of its acronym was changed to Global Media Arts. Today, its corporate name is simply, GMA Network, Inc.