Former Kapamilya celebrities on May 5, shared their sentiments with ABS-CBN after a year of being franchise-less.
The Kapamilya Network earlier in May 2020, lost its right to broadcast on free TV amid the pandemic. As a result, an exodus of talent switched to other networks to make ends meet during a difficult time.
Still, they did not forget where they came from. As the Network marks its first year since losing its franchise, several ex-Kapamilyas shared their message.
Now a Kapatid, comedian John Lapus answered a Netizen’s inquiry about what he can say regarding the one-year anniversary of a franchise-free ABS-CBN. He responded by using the hashtag, #NeverForget, highlighting that he will never forget what happened to the largest network in the Philippines.
#NeverForget https://t.co/8yDGWhZsY3
— John Lapus (@KorekKaJohn) May 5, 2021
Radio host DJ Chacha extended her support to former colleagues as Kapamilyas commemorate the first year of still having no license to operate.
Mahigpit na yakap, Kapamilya. https://t.co/zlSgmJyodB
— DJ Chacha (@_djchacha) May 5, 2021
Marietta Subong, known as Pokwang shared her gratitude to the Network on her Instagram. She expressed her thanks to ABS-CBN for changing her life.
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Meanwhile, former TV Patrol anchor and TV host, Korina Sanchez-Roxas sent a heart-warming message on the first anniversary of the ABS-CBN shutdown. Korina expressed how grateful she was that the Network molded her to become the journalist she is today.
“Ang pamamahayag, hindi ‘yan nawawala sa katawan ng isang tunay na mamamahayag. I owe all of the journalist in me to ABS-CBN.”
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ABS-CBN today continues to explore the digital platform, expanding its limited reach. It launched Kapamilya Online Live via YouTube and Facebook to provide Kapamilya shows for its viewers. Not only online, but the Network also collaborated with other networks such as A2Z and TV5. This solves the problem of ABS-CBN in airing its shows on free TV.
But after losing its franchise to operate, ABS-CBN made the hardest decision a company must do—laying off workers.
Along with the pandemic, it not only affected the Network but also its other businesses. The broadcasting giant laid off around 5,000 workers since it cannot produce the same volume of work the way it used to.