ABS-CBN Big Winner at 2014 UPLB Gandingan Awards; Named Best TV Station

ABS-CBN Corporation welcomed the year 2014 with a bang as the network once again swept major recognitions at the recently held “Gandingan 2014: The 8th UPLB Isko’t Iska’s Broadcast Choice Awards” that includes the Most Development-Oriented TV station for ABS-CBN and Best AM Station for DZMM for the second consecutive year, and Best FM station for the newly reformatted MOR 101.9.

Most students of the University of the Philippines-Los Banos (UPLB) prefer ABS-CBN after the network bagged a total of 21 awards compared to GMA’s 19 again making it the most awarded network at the annual awards.

ABS-CBN won big in the television categories with “TV Patrol” being awarded as the Best News Program, “The Bottomline” as Best Development-Oriented Talk Show and its host Boy Abunda as Best Development-Oriented Talk Show Host, “Maalaala Mo Kaya” as Best Development-Oriented Drama Program, “Wansapanataym” as Best Development-Oriented Children’s Program, “Matanglawin” as Best Educational Program, “My Puhunan” as Best Livelihood Program for its episode “Lugaw Queen,” and Choose Philippines’ El Gamma Penumbra plug as Best Development-Oriented TV Plug. ABS-CBN was also named Gandingan ng Kaunlaran.

DZMM and MOR 101.9, meanwhile, led winners for the radio categories with Ted Failon being recognized as Best AM Announcer, “Failon Ngayon” as Most Development-Oriented Radio Program, “Suriang Bayan sa SRO” as Most Development-Oriented Radio Plug,  DJ Chacha as Best Disk Jock, and “Dear MOR” as Most Development-Oriented FM Program.

Broadcast journalist and TV personality Kim Atienza, on the other hand, once again bagged the Gandingan ng Edukasyon special award, while radio host Carl Balita was again named the Gandingan ng Kabuhayan.

Special citations were also given to ABS-CBN’s regional programs, namely ABS-CBN North Central Luzon’s “Bayanijuan: Leptospirosis” for Best Regional TV Program and ABS-CBN Palawan’s “TV Patrol Palawan” for Best Regional News Program.

The Gandingan Awards is the annual awards program of the UP Community Broadcasters’ Society in the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). Over a thousand students vote for programs and personalities that strive to promote development-oriented issues.

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Ted Failon Recounts Near-Death Experience with Typhoon Yolanda in 'Failon Ngayon' (Nov 16)

Broadcast journalist Ted Failon recalls his harrowing experience during the peak of the world’s strongest tropical storm Yolanda that hit Visayas this Saturday (Nov. 16) in “Failon Ngayon.”

Ted recently braved the super typhoon to cover the affected areas and get the stories of victims. Ted, a Taclobanon, said he was shocked by the onslaught of Yolanda and described it as a near-death experience.

Ted also provides a glimpse of the typhoon’s heartbreaking aftermath as his interviews with survivors will be be shown in the episode.

Thousands were killed and hundred thousands worth of infrastructure and agriculture were wiped out by Yolanda. In its update last Wednesday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that the death toll from the typhoon rose to 2,344. At least 3,084 people were injured, while many are still missing.

Don’t miss the full report in “Failon Ngayon” this Saturday, 4:45 PM on ABS-CBN with a replay on ANC every Sunday, 2PM. Visit its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/failon.ngayon.fanpage and follow its Twitter account via @Failon_Ngayon. Tweet your thoughts and reaction this weekend using the hashtag #FN and #FailonNgayon.

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ABS-CBN Halalan 2013 Most Watched, Most Tweeted Election Coverage

Most Filipinos nationwide got their latest election news from ABS-CBN on Monday (May 13) and went online to send their thoughts via Twitter that made ABS-CBN’s “Halalan 2013” coverage a trending topic on the social networking site.

Based on Kantar Media data covering national urban and rural homes, ABS-CBN’s “Bayan Mo, iPatrol Mo: Tayo Na Halalan 2013” coverage drew a cumulative average of national TV rating of 13.7% from 6 am to 12 midnight vs. GMA’s Eleksyon 2013’s 10%. 

ABS-CBN’s flagship newscast “TV Patrol,” anchored by Noli De Castro, Korina Sanchez, and Ted Failon, hit a 27% national TV rating or nine points higher than rival program “24 Oras” that only recorded 18.4%.

Filipino netizens also kept track of election news on Twitter where ABS-CBN’s “Halalan 2013” coverage became a trending topic. The hashtag #Halalan2013 was the only election coverage-based hashtag of a news organization to have landed among the social networking site’s trending topics.

ABS-CBN also highlighted the results in the hotly contested local races featured in its “KampanyaSerye” documentaries in areas like Manila, Masbate, Cavite, Cebu, Pampanga, Zamboanga, and Laguna to contextualize what the results mean to the electorate.

Aside from focusing on local election rivalries, ABS-CBN also delivered fresh updates on the results in overseas absentee voting through its international news bureaus stationed all around the world.

With the help of about half a million Bayan Patrollers and 221 reporters in the Philippines and key global cities scattered in 45 live points, ABS-CBN was not only able to deliver the most comprehensive news coverage on the elections but also report election irregularities in different localities through its different media platforms. It also had the most credible and authoritative analysts dissecting the issues and results on “Halalan 2013.”

“Halalan 2013” also marked the uninterrupted 48-hour election coverage for ANC and DZMM TeleRadyo for both cable TV and AM radio audiences. ABS-CBNNews.com provided the latest news, analysis of results, and as well as a social media tracker, launched in partnership with IBM Philippines, to monitor the social media buzz on the positive and negative commentaries and conversations about the candidates.

ABS-CBN also empowered citizens with its Comelec-Halalan 2013 mobile app for smartphones and tablets that helped them find their precinct on election day, provided a list and profiles of candidates and partylists, as well as the latest aggragated, partial and unofficial election results in national and local polls.

Also featured in ABS-CBN’s “Halalan 2013” coverage were the celebrity patrollers for “Bayan Mo, iPatrol Mo: Tayo Na” including Bianca Gonzalez, Valerie Concepcion, Melai Cantiveros, the Philippine Azkals’ Chieffy Caligdong, John Lapus, Sam Concepcion, and Jed Madela, who received inquiries and concerns on the elections via their personal Twitter accounts.

Moreover, ABS-CBN set up BMPM stations in key areas in the country to assist voters in finding their precincts, receive complaints and reports regarding the polls, and respond to medical emergencies.

ABS-CBN’s “Halalan 2013” coverage was launched a year before the May elections to provide information to voters so they can make informed choices based on their vision for the country.

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ABS-CBN Leads Halalan 2013 Coverage

ABS-CBN, the country’s largest broadcast news organization, will provide 360-degree news coverage on different media platforms and deliver public service on-ground on Monday (May 13) when millions of Filipinos troop to polling precincts to cast their votes and choose their next batch of leaders.

For the latest votes tally (from national to local elections), click here.

“It has become a company tradition for ABS-CBN to devote all of its resources to this important coverage. Technology has become more sophisticated through the years and we have utilized different tools in support of the coverage itself, but what hasn’t changed is our commitment to cover this political exercise and present all aspects of the polls as completely as possible,” said Ging Reyes, head of the ABS-CBN Integrated News and Current Affairs.

Viewers can rely on ABS-CBN to give them real-time updates from its team of seasoned broadcast journalists ‘Kabayan’ Noli De Castro, Korina Sanchez, Ted Failon, Ces Drilon, Karen Davila, Julius Babao, Lynda Jumilla, Tony Velasquez, Anthony Taberna, Bernadette Sembrano, Pinky Webb, and Prof. Randy David who will deliver up-to-date news stories, vote count, and in-depth analyses of reports from over 30 live points in the country from 5 AM on Monday (May 13) to noon on Tuesday (May 14).

ABS-CBN will also utilize augmented reality to help viewers understand reports better and an interactive map that will monitor the latest results and candidate information in key areas.

Aside from giving groundbreaking news coverage, ABS-CBN will also put up “Bayan Mo, iPatrol Mo” stations all over the country where voters can ask information about their precincts and other poll-related concerns. The BMPM team will then link them to the authorized government agencies and groups.

Moreover, the BMPM stations will serve as centers where voters in the area can file reports about election irregularities and problems and will have first aid personnel and equipment on stand-by to respond to medical emergencies.

This public service effort anchors on the influence of BMPM and its half a million Bayan Patrollers who are prepared to share election-related information from their areas to ensure honest and peaceful elections. 

“Citizen engagement and the movement for change are a constant. Both of them go on even without an election. That’s how dedicated we are to the idea of citizen involvement and that is the reason we start really early,” said Reyes, emphasizing why ABS-CBN’s “Halalan 2013” coverage and “BMPM Tayo Na” movement were launched a year before the May 13 polls.

ABS-CBN’s “Halalan 2013” coverage is also defined by its “KampanyaSerye” documentaries, which made voters more involved and informed on some of the hotly contested local races, and the “Harapan 2013” live debates that gave all senatorial candidates a platform to present what they stand for.

“KampanyaSerye” will swing into high gear on May 13, as ABS-CBN reporters reexamine the electoral rivalries featured in the series and highlight the results in areas like Manila, Masbate, Cavite, Cebu, among others. This aims to contextualize what the results mean to the electorate by putting the spotlight on the newly elected candidates to remind them of the promises they made during the campaign season.

ABS-CBN’s “Halalan 2013” coverage was launched a year before the May elections to provide information to voters so they can make informed choices based on their vision for the country.

Working hand in hand with ABS-CBN in this historic “Halalan 2013” coverage are the Commission on Elections, Department of Foreign Affairs Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, Pulse Asia Inc., and Regional Emergency Assistance Communications System (REACT) Philippines, corporate sponsors Globe Telecom, STI College, Universal Motors Corporation, and MyPhone’s Solid Group, Inc. “Halalan 2013” also tapped The Philippine Star, Business World, Manila Bulletin, and Business Mirror as its print partners and Fully Abled Nation, Management Association of the Philippines, YouthVote Philippines, and Alternative Law Groups as its cause partners. Also joining ABS-CBN’s campaign for clean elections are educational institutions such as the University of the Philippines system, La Consolacion College, University of Sto. Tomas, Ateneo School of Government, and La Salle Institute of Governance.

For the latest election-related news, watch ABS-CBN, ANC (SKyCable Channel 27), DZMM TeleRadyo (SkyCable Channel 26), Stduio 23, tune in to DZMM Radyo Patrol 630, or log on to ABS-CBNNews.com, dzmm.com.ph,bmpm.abs-cbnnews.com, halalan2013.abs-cbnnews.com or follow @ABSCBN_Halalan.

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ABS-CBN Sweeps TV and Radio Awards at UPLB Gandingan 2013

ABS-CBN Corporation swept all major awards in the recently held “Gandingan 2013: 75th UPLB Isko’t Iska’s Broadcast Choice Awards,” including the coveted awards as the most Development-Oriented TV station won by ABS-CBN and Best AM Station won by DZMM.

ABS-CBN bagged a total of 21 awards versus GMA with 13 and TV5 with none, making it again the most-awarded TV station at the Gandingan and the top choice among students of the University of the Philippines’ Los Banos (UPLB) for the seventh year now. 

(For the complete list of winners, click here)

ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs programs and personalities raked this year’s recognitions that include “Rated K” as the Best Magazine Program; Korina Sanchez as the Best Magazine Program; “Umagang Kay Ganda” as Best Morning Show with its hosts as Best Morning Show Hosts; Ted Failon as Best Investigative Program Host for “Failon Ngayon;” “The Bottomline with Boy Abunda” as Best Development-Oriented Talk Show with Boy Abunda as the Best Development-Oriented Talk Show Host; and “Matanglawin” as Best Educational Program.

ABS-CBN’s AM and FM stations, DZMM and Tambayan 101.9, also had its share of awards for the radio categories and bagged the Best AM Announcer recognition for Ted Failon in “Failon Ngayon sa DZMM; Most Development-Oriented AM program for “Radyo Negosyo;” Best Disc Jock for DJ Cha-Cha and Most Development-Oriented FM Program for “Anong Meron?”

Studio 23’s now defunct lifestyle program “Us Girls” won as the Best Women-Oriented Program and it hosts Angel Aquino, Chesca Garcia-Kramer, and Iya Villania were named as Gandingan ng Kababaihan.

Meanwhile, Kim Atienza once again took home the Gandingan ng Edukasyon award as well as the special citation for the Gandingan ng Kalikasan; Carl Balita also brought home the same citation he got last year as the Gandingan ng Kabuhayan; and ABS-CBN was again named as the Gandingan ng Pinilakang Tabing.

The Gandingan Awards is the annual awards program of the UP Community Broadcasters’ Society in the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). Over a thousand students vote for programs and personalities that strive to promote development-oriented issues.

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Gandingan 2013 Winners Revealed; ABS-CBN, DZMM, Win Big

The 2013 Gandingan Awards (7th UPLB Isko't Iska's Broadcast Choice Awards) was held on January 26, 2013 at the D.L. Umali Auditorium, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). 

ABS-CBN and DZMM dominated once more the UPLB-based awards. Ted Failon and Kuya Kim Atienza were two of the most-awarded media personalities. ABS-CBN was once again hailed as Most Development-Oriented Station while GMA News TV was a highly commended TV station. 

Here are the winners of the 2013 Gandingan Awards:

Best Morning Show: Umagang Kay Ganda, ABS CBN 2 Best Morning Show Hosts: Umagang Kay Ganda Hosts, ABS CBN 2 Best FM Station: Barangay LS 97.1 Best Disc Jock: DJ ChaCha, Tambayan 101.9 Best AM Station: DZMM Silver Radyo Best AM Announcer: Ted Failon, Failon Ngayon sa DZMM Best Investigative Program: Reporter's Notebook, GMA7 Best Investigative Program Host: Ted Failon, ABS CBN 2 Best Documentary Program: I Witness, GMA7 Best Documentarist: Kara David, I Witness GMA7 Best Magazine Program: Rated K, ABS CBN 2 Best Magazine Program Host: Korina Sanchez for Rated K, ABS CBN 2 Best News Program: State of the Nation with Jessica Soho, GMA News TV Best News Anchor: Jessica Sojo, GMA News TV Best Field Reporter: Jiggy Manicad, 24 Oras GMA7 Best Public Service Program: Wish Ko Lang, GMA7 Best Public Service Program Host: Vicky Morales for Wish Ko Lang, GMA7 Best Women-Oriented Program: Us Girls, Studio 23

Gandingan ng Kababaihan: Us Girls Hosts, Studio 23 Best Youth-Oriented Program: I Juander, GMA News TV Gandingan ng Kabataan: I Juander Hosts, GMA News TV Best Development Oriented Talkshow: The Bottomline with Boy Abunda, ABS CBN 2 Best Development Oriented Talkshow Host: Boy Abunda for The Bottomline with Boy Abunda, ABS CBN 2 Best AM Program: Radyo Negosyo, DZMM Best FM Program: Anong Meron? Tambayan 101.9 Best Educational Program: Matanglawin, ABS CBN 2 Gandingan ng Edukasyon: Kuya Kim Atienza, ABS CBN 2 Best Environment-Oriented Program: Born to be Wild, GMA7 Best Livelihood-Oriented Program: Bread n' Butter, UNTV Gandingan ng Kalikasan Special Citation: Kuya Kim Atienza, ABS CBN 2 Gandingan ng Kabuhayan Special Citation: Carl Balita for Radyo Negosyo, DZMM Best Development-Oriented Radio Plug: Blood Letting, Radyo La Verdad, UNTV Best Development-Oriented TV Plug: Pagbangon, ABS CBN 2 Gandingan ng Pinilakang Tabing: ABS CBN Highly Commended TV Station: GMA News TV Most Development-Oriented TV Station: ABS CBN

The Gandingan Awards is the first award-giving body in the field of broadcasting in the entire UP System.  It challenges broadcast practitioners to enhance their programs to contribute to the country’s development.

This award-giving body, organized by the UP Community Broadcaster's Society (UPCBS), a duly recognized media-based socio-civic organization of the UPLB, was inspired by Gandingan, a series of gong-like instruments used by teenagers in Maguindanao as a form of communication.

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Win Prizes this Holiday Season on Ted and Korina's DZMM Radio Programs

Award-winning anchor Korina Sanchez is giving away P3,000 everyday for Christmas and as much as P15,000 before New Year in her radio program “Rated Korina” on DZMM.

Tune in to DZMM Radyo Patrol 630, DZMM TeleRadyo, or dzmm.com.ph for a chance to be a lucky winner of P3,000 in “Libreng Pera sa Paskong Masaya” until December 28.

To join, listen to the program at 10 a.m. on weekdays and answer the “rated question” that is obtained from Korina’s talk and discussions in the program. Wait for her cue and text DZMM (space) REACT (space) your complete name, address, age, telephone or cellphone number, and your ANSWER and send it to 2366.

“Rated Korina” will be giving away bigger cash prizes on New Year’s Eve, December 31 so be sure to watch or listen to the radio show for the grand draw of all the entries in which three lucky winners will win P5,000; P10,000; and P15,000 in cash.

Ted Failon, meanwhile, is handing out Digiboxes in “Failon Ngayon sa DZMM” via the seeding program “mahiwagang back pack at mahiwagang black box or Digibox” that goes around different parts of Metro Manila.

The hit promo draws motorists, taxi drivers, and DZMM listeners who enthusiastically line up for their chance to guess the featured sound bite and win a Digibox. It is part of ABS-CBN’s test broadcast and promotion of Digital Television (DTV), a high-tech standard that uses digital signals for broadcast. DZMM TeleRadyo will be one of the free channels to be unveiled when ABS-CBN DTV is formally rolled out.

Tune in to “Failon Ngayon sa DZMM” at 8 a.m. from Mondays to Fridays as Ted dissects the biggest and most significant national issues, and to “Rated Korina” at 10 a.m. for important and practical information for your everyday life and analysis of the latest news stories. Catch them on DZMM Radyo Patrol 630, DZMM TeleRadyo (SkyCable channel 26), and online via dzmm.com.ph. For updates, follow @DZMMTeleRadyo on Twitter or like www.facebook.com/dzmmteleradyo.

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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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TV Patrol Celebrates 25th Anniversary With A Special Documentary

ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs marks the 25th anniversary of “TV Patrol” with a special documentary that highlights its vibrant history and evolution and confronts the controversial issues the country’s number one television newscast has had to face.

Titled “Mga Nagbabagang Balita: 25 Taon ng TV Patrol,” the documentary will revisit the newscast’s creation and the memorable stories that defined the program and helped shape Philippine contemporary history to be shown on Sunday (July 29) on ABS-CBN.

Speaking for the documentary, ABS-CBN chairman and CEO Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III shared how the pioneering news program made a difference on TV news broadcasting and how it became a daily viewing habit by millions of Filipinos in the country. He said it posted “unusually” high ratings compared to any program shown after its timeslot when it was launched.

“Originally, the common thinking was, it was the primetime entertainment programs that generated the most significant revenues. In the case of ‘TV Patrol,’ it was the highest rating and highest grossing program in its early years,” said Lopez.

And years since, it has remained as the country’s undisputed, number one newscast in the country. “TV Patrol” is still the most-watched newscast with a national TV rating of 31.8%, or almost twice higher than rival “24 Oras” with 17.6%, based on the June 2012 data from Kantar Media.

Ging Reyes, head of ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs, also stressed how the newscast has become part of Filipino’s everyday lives and Pinoy pop culture. “People are afraid to be reported on TV doing unlawful activities. ‘O, baka ma-TV Patrol ka.’ ‘Naku, ayokong ma-TV Patrol!’ That’s the biggest mark it has left on us as a nation,” she said.

Being a part of the program has also compelled Noli ‘Kabayan’ de Castro, who anchors “TV Patrol” with Korina Sanchez and Ted Failon, to go out in the field and look for his own stories instead of just reporting them from the studio.

“I don’t want to be called a news reader. I am a newscaster. I want to know what’s happening and I know when something is important enough to share with the viewers. I get to know what people want. That’s what happens in ‘TV Patrol,’” he said.

The documentary will also revisit some of the biggest news stories the past 25 years such as the 1990 earthquake, Mt. Pinatubo eruption, coup attempts, etc.

“Mga Nagbabagang Balita: 25 Taon ng TV Patrol” is part of TV Patrol’s silver anniversary celebration, which also included the “TV Patrol Grand Reunion,” “TV Patrol Balitandaan,” and a fund-raising venture called “Beinte Singko Para sa Kabayan Ko.”

Don’t miss “ Mga Nagbabagang Balita: 25 Taon ng TV Patrol” this Sunday (July 29) after “Gandang Gabi Vice” on ABS-CBN Sunday’s Best.

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SOCO Now at an Earlier Timeslot Before Failon Ngayon and TV Patrol on Saturdays

ABS-CBN will give its viewers a news and information-fortified Saturday as it boosts its late afternoon block featuring “SOCO: Scene of the Crime Operatives,” “Failon Ngayon,” and “TV Patrol Weekend” starting this Saturday (July 14).

More Filipinos will be able to watch Gus Abelgas search for justice as the country’s premier crime investigation program “SOCO: Scene of the Crime Operatives” moves to an earlier timeslot on Saturdays at 4 p.m.

Gus said the shift will not only attract more viewers for the program but also ignite vigilance, concern, and awareness among Filipinos of the extent of criminality in society.

“It’s time they became part of our community’s campaign against crime and violence. From ‘SOCO,’ viewers will learn to be responsible, watchful, and might even encourage them inform authorities of any wrongdoing. They will not only be interested in the program but also in the resolution of the featured cases,” Gus said.

For its first weekend offering, Gus investigates a notorious religious sect founded by Antonio Dumala Faelnar who claims to be God’s messenger and even went as far as putting up a headquarters that he refers to as the paradise where he and his disciples wait for the coming of God.

The sect’s devotees are promised salvation but instead, they are punished, suffer lashing, and even raped by the ‘Chief’ whenever they disobey him.

‘Mang Jess,’ a native of Mindanao, shares his story with Gus and how he was instantly lured by the Chief’s disciples to join what they call the Global Empire Government Covenant.

Award-winning broadcast journalist Ted Failon will then come in at 4:45 p.m. to address and find solutions to the most pressing issues in the country today in “Failon Ngayon.”

This Saturday, Ted will look into the Entertainment City Manila proposed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) that is said to be anomalous because the officials backing it have been involved in irregular transactions and gaming investments.

Meanwhile, Pinky Webb and Alvin Elchico will deliver the biggest and latest news stories relevant to the Filipino households in “TV Patrol Weekend” at 5: 30 p.m. They will deliver news and information geared towards enabling viewers with news and information, provoke discussions on socioeconomic issues that may have been neglected by the government and society, empowering consumers about their rights, and providing features that will help Filipino families achieve a work-life balance.

Keep abreast of the latest news and social issues by watching “SOCO” with Gus Abelgas, “Failon Ngayon” with Ted Failon, and “TV Patrol Weekend” with Pinky Webb and Alvin Elchico, Saturday afternoons on ABS-CBN.

Visit the ABS-CBN Social Media Newsroom (SMN) at www.abscbnpr.com for the latest updates, photos, videos, interviews, and presscon podcasts. Follow @abscbnpr on Twitter and 'like' it on Facebook at http://facebook.com/abscbnpr.

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TV Patrol Celebrates 25th Silver Anniversary on March 5

TV Patrol, the country's longest-running Filipino primetime TV newscast, is celebrating its 25 years of patrolling the nation to deliver the biggest news and latest happenings while empowering citizens to become actively involved in nation-building.

'Kayaban' Noli De Castro, Korina Sanchez, and Ted Failon, the most experienced and credible team of broadcast journalists in the country, will present a special silver anniversary episode on Monday (March 5) and launch the "TV Patrol Balitandaan," which will mount 25 mini-monuments, each to be revealed every week, in landmarks where the 25 biggest news events in the last 25 years happened.

 

TV Patrol will also undertake a venture called "Beinte Singko Para sa Kabayan Ko," which will encourage Filipinos to drop in 25 cents in customized TV Patrol cans to be distributed in 25 provinces all over the country. The fundraising target amount of P2.5 million will be given to selected beneficiaries.

Through the program's commemorative activities, TV Patrol seeks to engage Filipinos towards a common goal and bolsters their role as 'patrollers' that exhibit concern and service for the nation.

In 1987, the trailblazing TV Patrol revolutionized the way Philippine TV networks produce their primetime newscasts when it introduced a novel, mass-oriented format that appealed to Filipinos' craving for news reports and information when democracy was restored.

Its first 25 years saw a string of groundbreaking firsts for TV media - it became the first news program to deliver news on weekends and the first to be available online via livestreaming--innovative steps to deliver relevant and timely news and cater to more Filipinos in the country and around the world. More notably, TV Patrol has redefined the concept of citizen empowerment by encouraging Filipinos to be active and vigilant.

ABS-CBN's award-winning breakthrough election campaign "Boto Mo, iPatrol Mo" (BMPM) called on citizens to report irregularities, election violations, and emergencies via text message, MMS, and e-mail before and during the 2007 and 2010 national elections. And it was through ABS-CBN's citizen journalism campaign that the Maguindanao massacre was exposed. The first report on the Maguindanao massacre was sent by a BMPM patroller, who sent the first picture taken from the site.

BMPM, which was born from the "Citizen Patrol" segment of TV Patrol, empowered citizens to become agents of change by providing them airtime and allowing them to report on pressing problems in their own barangays and cities. Through the efforts of the BMPM Patrollers and ABS-CBN reporters and anchors, the TV network was named the most credible news source covering the elections according to a Pulse Asia survey in February 2010. 

The team of De Castro, Sanchez, and Failon topped the 2011 survey in the National Capital Region by StratPolls Inc. as the most credible news team on Philippine television.

The 25th anniversary episode of TV Patrol will air on Monday (March 5, 2012). Watch out for a special documentary marking the silver anniversary of TV Patrol airing soon on ABS-CBN.

Text by ABS-CBN, photo by ABS-CBNnews

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