ABS-CBN’s main television and radio stations were shut in May when its franchise lapsed, but it didn’t stop the media giant from creating fresh content made available on digital platforms.
In its effort to be “of service to Filipinos,” Kapamilya network continues to bring entertainment, relief, and inspiration to its millions of viewers with new episodes of current TV series, upcoming new programs, new songs, and innovative digital offerings.
“The network remains committed to serve the public even if it was denied a broadcast franchise,” the network said in a statement sent to Manila Standard Entertainment by ABS-CBN’s corporate communications team.
The lineup of shows that ABS-CBN has been preparing was revealed in a video blog on YouTube by ABS-CBN head of TV entertainment Laurenti Dyogi where he talked about ABS-CBN stars being wooed by other media network and talent management agencies.
“It’s a compliment to us because it only proves that Kapamilya stars ay de kalibre talaga at in-demand kaya hinahabol sila ng ibang agencies or management,” he said.
According to the media executive, viewers can expect big projects this year including a new drama series starring Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, Cara Y Cruz topbilled by Julia Barretto, and Walang Hanggang Paalam featuring Angelica Panganiban, Zanjoe Marudo, Paulo Avelino, Jake Cuenca, and Arci Munoz.
“Despite the pandemic and the lack of a broadcast franchise, we never stopped producing programs. Filipinos need fresh content to keep them energized and motivated in these challenging times. We also want to help the economy and produce programs so we can provide jobs to workers and artists,” said Dyogi in his vlog.
Being the first to resume production in June, ABS-CBN has remained the only media company that is showing fresh episodes of all its current teleseryes like FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, Love Thy Woman (which ended on a high note last Friday), A Soldier’s Heart. It has also launched three new shows, namely Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin, Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan, and Iba ‘Yan.
With strict safety protocols in place, It’s Showtime and ASAP Natin ‘To have also ditched replays and staged live shows featuring musical performances and fun games.
“The great thing about this is everyone is helping one another in this time of crisis. ABS-CBN is very much alive. We continue to make programs, and with us are our artists, Star Magic, the Rise artists of Star Cinema, the Star Hunt management, and other artists managed by PAMI or Professional Artists Managers, Inc,” Dyogi underscored in his vlog with almost 200 thousand views as of this writing.
While tours and festivals are still canceled, music fans can also look forward to virtual concerts in their own homes, such as Star Events’ APOLLO: A Daniel Padilla Digital Experience on Oct. 11 and MYX’s MYX Presents: Ebe Dancel Digital Concert on Sept. 18.
As cinemas remain closed, ABS-CBN Films has turned to digital to connect with fans and released what would become the most-watched Filipino digital series, Hello Stranger, and scored a breakthrough with the Twitter-trending visual podcast Listen To Love: The Four Bad Boys and Me led by Maymay Entrata.
Dyogi also named some of the upcoming projects of ABS-CBN Films such as the movie version of Hello Stranger, Angelica’s talk show Ask Angelica, the third installment of Vice Ganda’s MMFF entry Praybeyt Benjamin, Four Sisters Before the Wedding, For the Love of Money headlined by Angelica and Coco Martin, and a horror movie with Kim Chiu.
Dyogi added that Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano will have an original series in the iWant TFC streaming service, which has produced several originals in recent months, such as Malaya, Beauty Queens, Love Lockdown, Tawa Tawa Together, and Ampalaya Chronicles.
On the Kumu app, ABS-CBN has launched several new shows under its For Your Entertainment (FYE) Channel with a fast-growing community of followers watching Bawal Ma-stress Drilon with Ces Drilon, Ambagets with Sharlene San Pedro and Miles Ocampo, POP Cinema with Bianca Gonzalez and MJ Felipe, and Kwentong Auntie Julie featuring Macoy Averilla or Macoy Dubs.
ABS-CBN also continues its search for budding talents online with Bida Star, Star Hunt’s newest virtual talent competition. Its first winner will win a cash prize and the opportunity to star in their own short feature with a Kapamilya artist.
Apart from digital shows, ABS-CBN Music has also dropped new and original songs that range from romantic to quirky and inspirational. These include “Beautiful,” a devotional song by Ogie Alcasid and Moira Dela Torre, “Balang Araw,” Iñigo Pascual’s hopeful romantic ballad, and “HEAL,” a massive collaboration of Southeast Asian musicians featuring Moira, Jayda, Jona, Kyla, KZ Tandingan, Lesha, and Xela. New singles from Darren Espanto and Jayda, Kyle Echarri, Elisse Joson, Zephanie, and Kritiko are also available now on various music streaming services.
