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.

YENG, RICO & GLOC 9 WIN TOP HONORS AT THE TAMBAYAN OPM AWARDS

Rico Blanco, Yeng Constantino, and Gloc 9 bagged the major awards at the Tambayan OPM Awards, where the most popular names in the music industry rocked the jam-packed SM City NorthEDSA’s SkyDome Saturday night before hundreds of screaming fans.

Rico bagged the "Album of the Year” award for his first solo album "Your Universe” as well as the Male Artist of the Year award.

Rapper Gloc 9 also clinched the night’s other top plum "Song of the Year" for his smash hit single "Upuan,” a song that indirectly talks about corruption in the country.

Sugarfree bested other bands like 6CycleMind, Spongecola, Hale, Itchyworms, and Rocksteddy, and won the Band of the Year award while Pinoy Dream Academy Grand Star Dreamer Yeng Constantino won the tough match for the Female Artist of the Year where she competed against international singing sensation Charice Pempengco and pop star princess Sarah Geronimo.

The throttle and stomping mood at the Tambayan OPM Awards was replaced by a solemn feel when the awards-giving body organized by FM station Tambayan 101.9 paid tribute to the late master rapper Francis M. with the Tambayani Award, which was received by Stickfiggas.

The other winners for the night include Vhong Navarro who won Best Novelty Song of the Year for his single “Pata-Pata-Pon.” Close-Up which won over other brands for the Kantamercial of the Year award.

Piolo Pascual, Jericho Rosales, Toni Gonzaga, Calla Lily, 6CycleMind, Paraluman, Rocksteddy, Imago, Sam Concepcion, Kyla, Faith Cuneta, OJ Mariano, Laarni Lozada, Ronnie Liang, Miguel Mendoza, Liezl Garcia, Cris Pastor, Michael Josh Santana and the Tambayan 101.9 DJs performed various numbers that pumped up the crowd.

Winners for the Tambayan OPM Awards were chosen based on results of text and online voting as well as scores from the program committee and panel of judges composed of Tambayan 101.9 Station Manager Eli Bruce Capuyan, Pinoy Dream Academy mentor Monette Silvestre, and former ABS-CBN President Freddie M. Garcia aka FMG.

The awards night was hosted by Francine Prieto and Chokoleit with the Tambayan 101.9 DJ’s as presenters.

ABS-CBN STARS AND EXECS LIGHT UP THE 21ST AD CONGRESS IN SUBIC

It was a starry, starry night last Thursday (Nov 19) and the “Bro, Ikaw ang Star ng Pasko” craze was felt again when the country’s top advertisers and creative minds gathered for ABS-CBN: One Way Up! Kayang-Kaya Kapamilya, the ABS-CBN trade event during the 21st Philippine Advertising Congress in Subic.

The network’s brightest actors and actresses, most talented performers, and hottest love teams led by Judy Ann Santos, Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz, Bea Alonzo, Anne Curtis, Jericho Rosales, Kristine Hermosa, Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, Jake Cuenca, Cristine Reyes, and Ms. Kris Aquino with her son Baby James, entertained a crowd of 3,000 delegates and also teased them with the Kapamilya network’s much-anticipated 2010 program offerings like “Habang May Buhay,” “Kokey@ako,” “Rubi,” and “Pilipinas, Got Talent.”

Also bringing the house down was the surprise performance of the station’s top management led by ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio Lopez III, ABS-CBN president Charo Santos-Concio, and Channel 2 head Cory Vidanes, who all gamely danced to the hit Korean song “Nobody” with ABS-CBN Sales heads. They also thanked advertisers for their support as ABS-CBN continues its leadership in ratings, viewership, and programming.

Finally, to cap a magical night, the Kapamilya stars and officials sang the ABS-CBN Station ID with all the guests. They were each given a miniature parol, which they would wave in unison while singing the song. It was indeed a star-studded event, a night of fun and hope which made everybody excited about Christmas once again.

ABS-CBN SCORES HIT WITH “STAR-STUDDED” CHRISTMAS STATION ID

Since it was launched on November 4, ABS-CBN’s Christmas Station ID entitled “Bro, Ikaw ang Star ng Pasko” has sparked a craze in the streets and on the Internet, lighting up the country’s Christmas season with a message of hope and unity.

Kids sing along and mimic the actions in the song, others convert it to ringtones, while many view and repost the station ID in video-sharing sites like Youtube and other social networking sites.

The SID has also boosted the sales of “Parol ni Bro,” the large Christmas lanterns being sold by the network in selected SM malls to raise funds for Sagip Kapamilya. Likewise, people have also flocked to ABS-CBN to purchase the star-shaped handheld miniature parols seen in the video.

ABS-CBN vice president for creative communications Robert Labayen, who has worked on top of all ABS-CBN SIDs since 2004, said the public’s response was record-breaking. “In less than a day, the video had been posted all over the Internet and viewed by thousands. There was an outpouring of positive comments. Real people telling us how they were uplifted by the song and how it reminded them of Christmas in the Philippines,” he said.

To date, the SID has gotten over 200,000 hits in ABS-CBN’s official Youtube account alone, a feat unrivaled by any other effort.

Labayen, who wrote the lyrics to the song, admitted it was one of the hardest he has made in his storied career, both as an advertising maven and now as a television executive. The multi-awarded creative head said it took him two days to finish the song. “I wrote the song right after Typhoon Ondoy happened and the challenge was to weave in the spirit of Christmas in a message song. This is not the most poetic song I’ve written but it happens to come in the right time. People can easily relate to the song,” he shared.

With lyrics like “Dumaan man sa malalakas na alon, lahat tayo ay makakaahon,” the song easily invokes memories of the recent calamity, and inspires the listeners to remain positive in spite of it.

However simple, every image in the SID also evoked the message of faith and hope - from the kid finding a star amid the muddy traces of typhoon, to the Christmas tree made of relief goods, and the community cleaning a church after the storm.

Even the chorus parts featuring ABS-CBN stars, anchors, reporters, and executives singing with ordinary people stood for something. Labayen said this symbolized how the whole ABS-CBN family has worked alongside nurses, doctors, the military, priests, and other volunteers in relief and rescue operations in order to help people rebuild their lives after the typhoons.

Kapamilya stars, who also had their share of volunteer work, took time from their busy schedules again to appear in the SID. “After the shoot, they thanked us for making them a part of this. They hope that in their little way they can help uplift the feelings of people. They are real people too and I felt their sincerity,” Labayen said.

With the positive response of the people to the SID, Labayen said he and his team feel great pride and a sense of accomplishment. These images matched with a meaningful and positive song have captivated Filipinos who are looking for a light to hold onto in these dark times of calamities and economic turmoil.

“Station IDs have always been a big thing for ABS-CBN and our viewers. It’s like a tradition every Christmas and summer that people look forward to. It’s not just a parade of stars, but a way for ABS-CBN to communicate values to the public, and for this year we want them to believe in the resilience of Filipinos and to keep the faith in Bro,” he said.