Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Pilipinas For The Win replaces Wowowee

On Saturday (July 31), ABS-CBN is launching a new noontime show called Pilipinas For The Win (FTW). The new show will be hosted by Robin Padilla, Mariel Rodriguez, Valerie Concepcion, Pokwang, and Kris Aquino. It is a game and variety show that will surely bring joy, energy and hope to Filipinos all over the world.

Pilipinas For The Win will replace Wowowee. Willie Revillame, through his manager, was already informed about this new development. He was also notified about the new program being planned for him and this will be announced in due time.


Pilipinas For The Win will be managed by director Johnny Manahan, creative director Bobot Mortiz, business unit head Jay Montelibano, and executive producers Phoebe Anievas and Rancy Recato. It will be aired after Showtime.

-- Bong R. Osorio
Head, ABS-CBN Corporate Communications

XB GENSAN WINS SHOWTIME GRAND FINALS
















It was indeed their time.

Dance group “XB Gensan” of General Santos City came back from elimination to notch a dramatic win in “Showtime The Finals” Saturday (July 24) at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.

Just a day after winning the wild card round of the hit talent-variety show, the 13-member dance crew gave a hair-raising and heart-thumping performance that brought the “Madlang Pipol” and the judges to their feet.

With a score of 9.875, “XB Gensan” won a close fight with crowd-favorite “Philippine Islands Assasin (9.7) of Marikina City, and fellow wild card winner “Boys Unlimited” (9.625) of Pangasinan. Completing the eleven finalists were Enlighten Black Theater Group of San Juan, Metro Manila (9.425), Mortal Combat and the Showgays of Quezon City (9.3), Savannah Kids and Ballroom Dancers (8.775) of Antipolo City, E-Crew (8.575) of Laguna, Perlas ng Silangan (8.575) of Olongapo City, Sensei (8.1) of Roxas City in Capiz, Kasibulan (7.375) of Muntinlupa City, and Beatguys (7.325) of Quezon City.

“XB Gensan’s” come-from-behind win was the perfect ending for “Showtime’s” energetic and jam-packed ultimate competition, which featured the surprise return of 39 out of the 73 guest judges in the show’s nine months on air including Gladys Reyes, Andrew E, Alessandra De Rossi, Jon Avila, and Jhong Hilario.

The show also paid tribute to the people working in the program from the creative staff to the production people, cameramen, the show’s director and creator Bobet Vidanes, and ABS-CBN Business Unit Head for Game Shows Alou Almaden.

“Showtime” began its second season with hosts Vhong Navarro, Anne Curtis, Kuya Kim Atienza, Jugs of Itchyworms, Teddy of Rocksteddy and resident judge Vice Ganda last Monday (July 26).

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS AND DORA MOVE TO ABS-CBN








Two of the world’s most loved and most popular animated characters are now officially Kapamilya!

ABS-CBN formally welcomes SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer beginning Monday (July 26) as Team Animazing gives quality kid-friendly time in the all-new “Nickelodeon Time.”

Kids and kids-at-heart are in for fun outrageous adventures weekday mornings together with the smart latina Dora at 8:30 AM, and wacky and optimistic SpongeBob at 9:00 AM.

ABS-CBN bagged the exclusive rights to air premium Nickoledeon titles across its platforms in an agreement signed recently with media giant MTV Networks International.

"Launching Nick Time on ABS-CBN marks the beginning of what I hope to be a long and fruitful partnership," said Indra Suharjono, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, MTV Networks North and Southeast Asia. "The array of hit Nickelodeon programming takes our free-to-air presence in the Philippines to a new high, and we're excited to be doing business with colleagues who share our creative vision to deliver premium content to Filipino audiences."

“We are very thankful for the trust MTV Networks International gave ABS-CBN since Nickelodeon is truly a widely-followed and a well respected brand all over the world. I’m sure Filipinos especially the kids, will love our new program offerings in our morning block,” said Vice President for Program Acquisitions Leng Raymundo.

ABS-CBN will also air other exciting and most-watched Nicktoons around the world very soon such as “Avatar, The Legend of Aang;” “Go Diego Go!,” “The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron,” “El Tigre,” “Ni Hao, Kai-Lan,” and “The Penguins of Madagascar.”

Nickelodeon is the only network that puts kids first, and has grown to become the most-watched television network by kids in the United States.

Don’t miss SpongeBob and Dora on “Team Animazing presents Nickelodeon Time” beginning Monday (July 26), 8:30 AM, on ABS-CBN

PINOY HEAVYWEIGHTS FLOCK BIGGEST LOSER AUDITIONS












Kapamilya heavyweights trooped to the PBB Eviction Hall recently for the chance to be a contestant in ABS-CBN's latest reality show. The “biggie-sized” Pinoys faced their first challenge as they lined up and waited in the hope of finally achieving their dreams by getting their ideal weight through the “Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition” (BLPE).

BLPE director Jon Raymond Moll said the huge turnout was a sign of the big things coming in the show. “With the variety of the people who auditioned, we can expect a very good first season,” said Moll, who was one of the executive producers of the hit reality show “PBB Double Up.”

There were applicants who were just a few pounds over the 250lbs minimum for men and 200lbs minimum for women while there were those whose weight went beyond the capacity of the weighing scales.

In the interviews, the applicants shared their colorful stories and even embarrassing experiences like when they were called “elephants” or “giants” by other people. Some also mentioned their over-the-top eating habits like finishing a whole chocolate mousse cake by himself or munching up food every 30 minutes.

Asked what they would do when they get fit, a hopeful said she would run and hang-out with friends while another joked that she will post her picture in a dating website.

Executive Producer Reily Santiago assessed that the applicants where after self-improvement and really joined to improve themselves and not for the cash and prize package. “We hope that those who won’t advance to the next level of auditions will still pursue and achieve the change they hope for,” he said.

Catch the “Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition” auditions on July 16 at Metro Town, Tarlac, July 30 at Park Mall Cebu, August 6 at Embarcadero de Legaspi, Legaspi City, and on August 13 at SM City Iloilo. Men weighing 250lbs. up and women 200lbs. up, both in good health and aged 18-40 years old may tryout by simply bringing a valid ID and close up and whole body photos.

Kapamilya abroad may also audition. Watch out for announcements on the global auditions on ABS-CBN.