- Pia Wurtzbach expressed support for ABS-CBN Network amid franchise renewal issues
Pia Wurtzbach joins other celebrities and supporters as she expressed her support for ABS-CBN on Friday, February 21. This is amid the crisis that the giant network is currently facing on the extension of its franchise.
On the sidelines of her new endorsement for Jollibee’s Tuna Pie, the Miss Universe 2015 titleholder was asked for her opinion about ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal issue.
She said, “I hope this goes by fast, and I hope everything gets settled very soon – in the most diplomatic way.”
Aside from this, the beauty queen also shared that ABS-CBN is “really close to my heart” and added, “I grew up with ABS-CBN.”
Amid the crisis that the multimedia company is facing, the 30-year old actress said that she’s still a Kapamilya, citing a book and a movie with It’s Showtime host Vhong Navarro as part of her upcoming projects with ABS-CBN.
Before she entered pageantry, Wurtzbach was a talent of ABS-CBN. Under the screen name Pia Romero, the beauty queen and actress started her showbiz career at the age of 14 under the management of Star Magic. Among her TV shows were the teen-oriented series K2BU (2002) , the concert variety program ASAP, the romance anthology Your Song, the sitcom show Bora, the drama series Sa Piling Mo, Aryana, and some episodes of Maalaala Mo Kaya.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01QS2TeA9xc
She also appeared in films such as Kung Ako Na Lang Sana (2003), All My Life (2004), and All About Love (2006).
After winning the Miss Universe Philippines title in 2015, the model and actress had to temporarily quit showbiz for her to focus on the Miss Universe Pageant.
In 2017, after her reign as Miss Universe 2015, Wurtzbach returned to ABS-CBN and inked a two-year exclusive contract.
Meanwhile, the House of Congress is set to start the hearing on cases filed against ABS-CBN on Monday, February 24.
On Thursday, ABS-CBN President and Chief Executive Officer Carlo Katigbak spoke up about the crisis that the multimedia conglomerate is facing. In his statement, Katigbak said the network will soon be given the chance to clarify the issues and answer the allegations which are barring ABS-CBN from having its franchise renewal approved.
He also took the opportunity to thank all the 11 thousand employees of ABS-CBN as well as its outside supporters who don’t want the giant network to shut down.
Amid this issue, Kapamilya executives, celebrities, members of other media organizations, different sectoral groups, and even those working behind the cameras gathered along Sgt. Esguerra to rally together for the franchise extension of the ABS-CBN.
FPJ Ang Probinsyano‘s current and former stars such as Coco Martin, Rowell Santiago, Shaina Magdayao, John Prats, Angel Aquino, Raymart Santiago, Mark Lapid, and PJ Endrinal led the rally. Other celebrities were also present like Jericho Rosales and Angel Locsin.
The rally has been going on for 7 weeks now to show their strong support for ABS-CBN. As what Coco Martin have said: “Hindi kami naghahanap ng gulo.. mahalaga ang freedom of expression para mailabas ang saloobin.”
