Author: JE CC
Everybody seemed very excited when ‘Marina’, the TV series about a girl cursed to be a mermaid, premiered on ABS-CBN on February 23, 2004. It’s over 40% ratings on Mega Manila was an enough indication that the media giant found a new way to further cement its lead over then struggling second, GMA Network. A few months later, however, after lording the ratings game, Marina’s winning streak suddenly came to a halt, with the arrival of Mulawin, GMA Network’s first-ever telefantasya, and as they say, the rest is history. MULAWIN Mulawin’s arrival was highly sensational. Its first teaser talked of…
TV5 seems to be hot on the heels of sealing its place as GMA Network’s biggest rival, after media giant ABS-CBN was shut down from the free tv competition. Since August, the Kapatid Network has been among the busiest among local tv networks, in terms of content production, boldly defeating the challenges presented by industry-imposed restrictions. With a number of partnerships and blocktime deals with other production units, TV5 has been busy amplifying its game, offering more new shows than any other tv station did in the past six months. Since August, the Kapatid Network has intensified its campaign to…
Looks like ABS-CBN and its loyal viewers can’t sleep soundly just yet, as legalities of the media giant’s blocktime arrangement with Bro. Eddie Villanueva-owned Zoe Broadcasting Network Inc., are now under the scrutiny of some of the old prominent figures—and some new ones, too— who opposed ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal. Following ABS-CBN’s shutdown on free television, the network entered into a block time deal with Zoe Broadcasting Network Inc., leading to the birth of A2Z Channel 11, which is now available to free analog and free digital tv users in Metro Manila and adjacent provinces. A2Z’s launch marked the return of…
iWantTFC Loving Emily Actors: Iza Calzado, Jameson Blake, Epy Quizon, Christian Vasquez, Ruby Ruiz, Anne Feleo, JJ Quilantang, Heaven Peralejo, Claire Ruiz Format: Digital series Premise: A married woman is at an unexpected crossroad where she must decide whether to keep a family that no longer makes her happy or pursue a new love with a young man Where to watch it: iWantTFC site and streaming app Why You Should See It Beautifully shot and compellingly-written, ‘Loving Emily’ does not just underscore Calzado’s and Blake’s incredible restraints, but also a moving story about a woman’s struggle to free herself from…
iWantTFC | Dreamscape Entertainment La Vida Lena Actors: Erich Gonzales, Carlo Aquino, JC de Vera, Kit Thompson, Sofia Andres, Agot Isidro, Janice de Belen, Raymond Bagatsing, Christian Vasquez Format: Digital series Premise: A poor but intelligent scarred woman exacts her revenge against those who made her life miserable Why You Should See It The new series can be seen first on ABS-CBN’s streaming service, iWantTFC, allowing faithful Kapamilya viewers to learn Magda’s story before the tv series gets its television debut on A2Z and Kapamilya Channel A deglamorized Erich Gonzales stars in a story of love, betrayal, revenge, and redemption…
The quest to finding a gaming table that is perfect for both gaming and work finally stops with the arrival of Gryfn’s The Stealth, an ergonomically designed gaming desk that satisfies all your gaming needs. Among the maiden products of local gaming furniture maker, Gryfn Philippines, the Stealth showcases some of the best qualities a legitimate gaming desk should have—versatility and comfortability, among many others. Gryfn’s idea and vision of coming up with an all-around gaming table that addresses some of the most common concerns of heavy gamers and workers-from-home is fully embodied in its flagship offering, the Stealth. Its…
GMA Network’s reign as the no.1 tv network in the country, after the fall of Marcos in 1986, was abruptly cut short by ABS-CBN two years later. Since then, the rainbow network seemed to struggle to reclaim the lead, until its eventual breakout in 2004, when it aggressively capitalized on the exploding popularity of fantasy-themed tv series and the asianovela invasion—which, ironically, were both spearheaded by the Kapamilya network (remember Marina and Meteor Garden?). A strategic mix of parallel and counter-programming ultimately sent GMA Network to the top, where it remained virtually unchallenged for the next five years or so. ABS-CBN…
While other tv networks have long resumed production for their on-going and upcoming shows, GMA Network seems to be taking its time with its response to the currently surging local demand for new and fresh content. Since March, when draconian measures were raised by the government to stop the spread of covid-19, production units were forced to cease filming, thereby prompting tv networks to bring back old shows to temporarily fill up vacated time slots. Its former biggest rival, ABS-CBN has so far premiered a number of new shows and has never stopped filming under strict safety guidelines since June.…
The question of whether or not ABS-CBN still has a chance of getting a new 25-year franchise from the current Congress seems to be getting a clearer answer. As prominent solons, who were vocal in their opposition to renewing ABS-CBN’s broadcast license, get ousted from their positions one by one, those who have previously supported ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal and are now occupying key seats in the lower chamber. They are now undoubtedly in better position to push yet another bill intended to grant ABS-CBN a new franchise. The ouster of the previous House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano can be seen…
Remember when the three biggest television broadcasters in the U.S.—ABC, CBS, NBC—abruptly cut away from broadcasting the speech of incumbent U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed live that the recently-concluded U.S. election was rigged? The collective action of those TV networks earned the nods and praises of many journalists across the world, including in the Philippines, where many news personalities expressed the desire to have their turn to do the same when circumstances called them to. That chance could have been last night. In a pre-recorded live televised speech on Tuesday, November 17, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte spent almost his…
Dreamscape Entertainment | iWantTFC Oh Mando Actors: Kokoy de Santos, Alex Diaz, Barbie Imperial Format: Digital series Premise: A confused young man, who is coming to terms with his sexuality, embarks on a colorful journey towards discovering himself and accepting who he really is Where to watch: iWantTFC Why You Should See It A young gay man’s colorful transition to self-discovery and acceptance brims with humor and vibrance in Dreamscape Entertainment’s ‘Oh Mando’, which marks Kokoy de Santos’ second venture to boys’ love series. Mass communication student Armando Deputado Jr. is perpetually bothered by his inherent reactions when seeing handsome,…
STAR CINEMA My Lockdown Romance Actors: Jameson Blake, Joao Constancia Genre: Romance-comedy, Boys’ love Premise: A closeted gay guy is haunted by an old feeling he has long suppressed for a best friend who comes home after living overseas for years Where to Watch It: KTX.ph, iWantTFC, Cignal, and SkyCable PPV, IPTV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMGtUK8bBe4 Followers of the Boys’ love genre are probably tired of the lockdown theme and setting in most BL series by now. Since the explosion of the subgenre began in the country during the second quarter of the year, very few of the practically countless boys’ love…
The undying Filipino spirit is championed in GMA Network’s latest Christmas Station ID. Inspired by the unfortunate events that challenged our resilience as a nation this year, Isang Puso Ngayong Pasko is a testament to the Filipino’s kindness, generosity, and bravery amidst difficult circumstances. Carrying on with the tradition of releasing new station IDs every Christmas, Isang Puso Ngayong Pasko’s arrival is a timely and beautiful reminder for every Filipino who might have faced their hardest year yet. As the economy tries to recuperates after months of implementation of strict quarantine measures, many Filipinos are still practically crawling their way…
The glaring consequences of ABS-CBN’s shutdown seem to have manifested in the past few weeks as recent calamities hammered their way through communities in many parts of the country, especially in Bicol and Northern Luzon. As the most expansive news network in those regions is no longer operating, the task to disseminate life-saving information to far-flung communities has been harder than ever. The recent streak of typhoons—Quinta, Rolly, Siony, Tonyo, Ulysses—has left an inordinately large amount of damage and has caused unbearable suffering to many families and individuals affected. Typhoons Quinta and Ulysses, and Super Typhoon Rolly, are undoubtedly the…
UnframedFilm Better Days Actors: Chesther Chua, Benedix Ramos Format: Digital series Premise: Two boys go on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance when their love and passion for cooking bind them together in a bittersweet romance Why You Should See It Purok 7 Director Carlo Obispo casts social media influencers Chesther Chua and Benedix Ramos in a sweet and tender story about young love, friendship, and self-discovery, deeply anchored upon the lead characters’ passion for food that serves as the narrative’s most potent driver to push a blossoming romance forward. For a budding young vlogger, dealing with responsibilities is best…
#CagayanNeedsHelp and other related hashtags have been trending on Twitter and other social media sites since midnight of November 14, after several viral videos and photos were posted online, showing residents of Tuguegarao, in horrifying agony as they desperately pleaded for help. This prompted netizens, celebrities, and other concerned groups to amplify their call for an immediate and effective response from the government, which sent #NasaanAngPangulo back to Twitter’s trending topics again. The extreme flooding in Cagayan Valley is being attributed to the inordinately large volume of rain which typhoon Ulysses dropped on many parts of Luzon and Magat Dam’s…