Megastar Sharon Cuneta and acclaimed actor Christian Bables turned emotional in the middle of “Your Face Sounds Familiar (YFSF)” as they grabbed the chance to thank the company and renew calls for the renewal of its franchise.
In last night’s (May 23) episode before the live finale next weekend (May 29-30), Sharon appealed that ABS-CBN be granted a new franchise, saying that the company continues to give quality content for Filipinos in the middle of the pandemic.
“Sana po, huwag niyo po kaming pagdamutan dahil pinagbubuti naman po ng buong istasyon naming na bigyan kayo ng mga serye, mga magandang quality na mga programa naming at mga show ganya nito [YFSF] na nagbibigay ng ligaya lalo na sa panahon ng pandemya. Para niyo na pong awa, ibalik niyo na ang prangkisa namin,” the Megastar elaborated.
The YFSF judge also called everyone to pray for ABS-CBN’s franchise.
“Mga Kapamilya, sana’y sabay-sabay nating ipagdasal na ibalik na ang prangkisa ng ABS-CBN. Kasi po, marami man ang feeling nila, nadehado sila, my heart goes out to you, pero nag dami po sa amin na umaasa sa istasyon na ito, at marami pa pong natulungan ang istasyon na ito katulad ni Christian at lahat po kami dito,” she said.
Last May 15, PIRMA Kapamilya volunteers already submitted to the COMELEC the first batch of signatures for a people’s initiative to grant ABS-CBN a new franchise after 70 lawmakers killed ABS-CBN’s chance of getting a new franchise in Congress.
Meanwhile, Christian took the opportunity to thank ABS-CBN for giving jobs to artists like him this pandemic after his performance as Nicki Minaj.
“Gusto ko pong pasalamatan ang ABS-CBN dahil ‘di niyo po ako iniwan. Noong pandemic po, ‘di ko na po alam kung anong mangyayari sa akin. Kayo po ang nadehado, nawalan, pero kayo po ‘yung nagbibigay ng pag-asa para sa amin na mga artista. Sobrang laki ng utang na loob ko sa inyo. Maraming salamat po,” Christian said.
The media and entertainment industry is badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic as cinemas and live shows were forced to close up shop, leaving thousands jobless or enduring pay cuts.
It’s been more than a year since ABS-CBN was last seen on free TV. But even without a franchise, it continues to give light, love, and joy as evidenced by the new content it produced this pandemic. Its news arm also continues to deliver the biggest news on digital platforms.
The company has been receiving recognition too from international award-giving bodies for its COVID-19 response. Most recently, it bagged a Silver Stevie Award for Most Valuable Corporate Response from the prestigious Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards.
