Sandosenang Balita ng 2012: The ABS-CBN Yearend Special Airs December 30

Which were the most significant news stories for Filipinos this year?

ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs (NCAD) will look back on the biggest and most memorable news personalities and events that rocked the nation in 2012 via an interactive yearend special “Sandosenang Balita ng 2012: Yearender ng Bayan” on Sunday (Dec 30).

Veteran broadcast journalist Noli De Castro will run down the list of the top 12 stories that received the most number of votes from a special poll conducted by the ABS-CBN NCAD team.

From November 19 to 29, viewers were asked to cast their votes on 12 of the most relevant and impactful stories from a list of 20 pre-selected stories.

These included the former Chief Justice Renato Corona’s impeachment trial, former DILG secretary Jesse Robredo’s tragic death, the passing of Comedy King Dolphy, the Scarborough Shoal territorial dispute, plagiarism charges against Sen. Tito Sotto, the tragedies caused by Habagat (monsoon winds) and Supertyphoon Pablo, the NAIA brawl between Mon Tulfo and showbiz couple Raymart Santiago and Claudine Barretto, the framework peace agreement between the government and the MILF, and the canonization of Pedro Calungsod.

Also up for top 12 are the rise of CCTV as a source of crime and other news, the Rolito Go kidnapping fiasco, the murder of model Jaja Rodelas, the strong economy and other PNoy achievements, the Aman Futures investment scam, the hazing deaths of San Beda College students, the death of Rep. Iggy Arroyo, and the controversial bills and laws that provoked intense debate.

Which stories made the final cut? Out of 14, 519 total votes cast, which ones received the most number of votes and were deemed most significant by the viewing public?

Don’t miss “Sandosenang Balita ng 2012: Yearender ng Bayan” with ‘Kabayan’ Noli De Castro on Sunday night (Dec 30) on ABS-CBN Sunday’s Best.

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Video: ABS-CBN News Anchors and Reporters Sing 'I Want It That Way' by Backstreet Boys

ABS-CBN News anchors and reporters took a break from serious reporting and made their own cover version of Backstreet Boys' I Want It That Way in the spirit of having fun inside the newsroom.

ABS-CBN reporter and senior segment producer Chiara Zambrano uploaded the said video of the news team lip syncing to BSB. "Because sometimes, journalists like to have fun, too. Here's a slice of the newsroom... after the cameras stop rolling," the video caption said.

The fun video was shot and edited by Jeff Canoy and produced by Jenny Reyes and Chiara Zambrano, who were also present in the video. Watch the ABS-CBN News team's cover of I Want It That Way below:

Other notable anchors and reporters who participated in the said video are Ginger Conejero, Zen Hernandez, Tony Velasquez, George Carino, Karmina Constantino, Jasmin Romero, Alvin Elchico, Sol Aragones, Bernadette Sembrano, Anthony Taberna, Doland Castro, Jay Ruiz, Francis Faulve, Boy Abunda, Julius Babao, Jacque Manabat, Jeck Batallones, Atom Araullo, Ryan Chua, Karen Davila, Maan Macapagal, Gretchen Fullido, Pia Gutierrez, Nico Baua, Jing Castaneda, TJ Manotoc, Marc Logan, Bettina Magsaysay, Dyan Castillejo, Ted Failon, Gretchen Malalad, Henry Omaga-Diaz, Mario Dumaual, Zyann Ambrosio, Ron Gagalac, Korina Sanchez and Kabayan Noli De Castro.

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DZMM's Kabayan is Only Philippine Finalist at the 2012 New York Festivals (Radio)

DZMM’s public affairs program “Kabayan” anchored by multi-awarded broadcast journalist ‘Kabayan’ Noli de Castro was named as a finalist at the prestigious 2012 New York Festivals (NYF) World’s Best Radio Programs.

“Kabayan” was distinguished in the Best Public Affairs Program category and the lone Philippine radio program to succeed in the international competition.

According to Nanette Baler-Quong, the program’s executive producer, the NYF recognized the episodes where Kabayan extended aid to overseas Filipino workers (OFW) caught in the war in Syria last January.

She said “Kabayan” served as the link between the Department of Foreign Affairs and OFWs living in different parts of Syria, including OFW Gande Das whom Kabayan would talk to on air everyday to calm her down after she threatened to jump off her employer’s building so she could escape and come back to the Philippines. The Philippine embassy in Damascus had already repatriated Das and other OFWs.

“Kabayan” is aired on Radyo Patrol 630 and DZMM TeleRadyo (SkyCable ch 26) on weekdays at 6:00 AM.

Text by ABS-CBN

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