Timow’s Turf Holiday Insight Roundup 2019-2020

LAST CHRISTMAS… I gave you my heart… but the very next day… you gave it away…

INDEED, this is the last Christmas of the 2010s but for some ill-wishers, it could be the last Christmas for a notorious major TV network.

Whatever you perceive, our Yuletide tradition continues and you already know why it’s up. For those who are new or don’t understand this quirky culture, we are telling up what will happen throughout the season in Philippine (free-to-air) television.

This annual post will take place of the weekly media roundup. The scope will last from today (December 7, 2019) to January 8, 2020. (Don’t worry, this will be updated throughout the period.)

News

Major political events that we expect throughout the season:

• A joint session of Congress must be convened if Martial Law in Mindanao will be revoked or be extended.
• On December 19, the case of the Maguindanao massacre that happened 10 years ago will be handed down.
• December 21 is Armed Forces Day. Being on a Saturday this year, the ceremony will be celebrated the preceding day. Under normal circumstances, the President leads the ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo but it can be held at his option as PTV is always ready.
• Rizal Day (Monday, December 30) is another holiday that the President usually expects to show up at Rizal Park. No matter who will lead the rites, this will be the first time to be held under the local administration of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.

Entertainment

Specific Entertainment News

New Sunday Horror Series

On December 8, The Haunted will replace Parasite Island (starring Jake Cuenca, Denise Laurel and Shaina Magdayao) as the weekly horrorserye on ABS-CBN.

Battle of E-Commerce: Year-End Sale Edition

Last November 10, the countdown to the 11.11 sale of Lazada and Shopee happened live on the South Triangle networks. This time, it is on the 12.12 sale, Eat Bulaga promoted ahead of time. In the natural spirit of competition, the rival, It’s Showtime, should do likewise.

The End of Sunday PinaSaya

After more than four years, musical-comedy noontime variety show Sunday PinaSaya will bow out on December 22.

While lamentation is expected in the eyes of loyal viewers and eventual victory for ASAP on the other side of the fence, the real reason behind the pull is their non-renewal of the contract with APT Entertainment as the producer forged with an exclusive partnership with Cignal to form Buhay Komedya (BuKo) channel that will be launched in February next year.

Its replacement, All Out Sunday, will premiere on the first Sunday of the new decade (January 5, 2020).

Annual Traditions

• DECEMBER 14: The main competition of the Giant Lantern Festival in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga will be carried live on CLTV 36.
• During Christmas’ and New Year’s Eve, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) will conduct its Lotto Draw in the afternoon instead of the evening to accommodate their employees to prepare their respective festive meals; there are no selling of ticket and drawing numbers the following day. Unlike last year, there will be no Mini-Sweepstakes.
• A taped Christmas special that is exclusive to their networks.

Last 2 of the Big 4 Beauty Pageants

Gazini Ganados (left) and Michelle Dee (right) — both 23 — are the last two hopefuls for continuing the streak of the Big 4 crown.

Under usual circumstances, Miss Universe is the last to be crowned among the Big 4 international pageants but this year, it will be ahead of Miss World.

Gazini Ganados will compete with 92 other entrants in Atlanta, Georgia, the USA on December 9 (Philippine time) for the former pageant in finding Catriona Gray’s successor. The coronation will be carried live on ABS-CBN.

Meanwhile, Michelle Dee (the daughter of Melanie Marquez) will challenge the other 112 in London on December 14 (telecast is delayed on GMA, provisionally on Sunday morning) for the latter.

Will our crowning streak continue to its lucky 7th year or will it come to an end?

Metro Manila Film Festival

The 45th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) will mark the conclusion of this Centennial Year of Philippine Cinema. While the selections are met unsurprisingly with mixed reactions, the dates of two events related to this annual affair are confirmed:

• December 22: Parade of Stars in Taguig City
• December 27: Awards Night (venue: TBA)

The broadcasting channel is awaiting confirmation. In case you don’t know: last year, Kapamilya Box Office (which is exclusive to TVplus) carried both events live.

Final Days of the Decade

Expect It’s Showtime and Eat Bulaga to reminisce the best of the year from December 26 until 31 as long both variety shows must be live by New Year’s Day.

The same shall be treated for public affairs programs and Sunday magazine shows.

The Last Day of the 2010s

While revelry will fill the air on New Decade’s Eve, three TV networks are certain in covering the turnover of the old to the new:

• ABS-CBN will have a simple Salubong 2020.
• CNN Philippines will cover a few minutes each hour on the transition of the year east of the country — starting from New Zealand.
• For GMA, the star-studded New Year Countdown — in its 17th edition — will party in SM Mall of Asia for the 13th time.

Religious

Traditional observers tend to celebrate the holidays through this genre. In chronological order:

• Simbang Gabi masses. This is ABS-CBN’s tradition that is broadcast on the Chapel of the Annunciation. Meanwhile, SVD-MCFI’s iteration is usually on S+A but it is unclear if they are airing this year, given that the regular Family TV Mass is on 5Plus.
• Midnight Mass. The televised liturgy in Mother Ignacia stays right after Bandila on the Christmas Eve broadcast day schedule. The one from inside St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City that happens a few hours later is reserved for the news channels.
• Urbi et Orbi (7:00 p.m.) The news channels are likely to cover the Message and Apostolic Blessing from the central loggia (balcony) of St. Peter’s Basilica in full since newscasts are ongoing.
• New Year’s Day Masses. This will be conducted immediately for ABS-CBN after the countdown and the 5 Network will do likewise from Tierra de Maria in Tagaytay by morning.

Sports

The New Clark City Athletics Stadium will be the spotlight of the Closing Ceremony of the 30th Southeast Asian Games. (Credits to Josh Albelda)

• DECEMBER 8: The PBA Draft takes place in Robinson’s Place Manila in Ermita and is usually carried live on 5. However, there will be conflict in broadcasting due to running prioritized events in the Southeast Asian Games.
• DECEMBER 11: The closing ceremony of the 30th SEA Games will take place in New Clark City Athletics Stadium, Capas, Tarlac. (Delayed telecast on S+A.)
• DECEMBER 26: It’s the NBA Christmas Day games. Falling on a Thursday, it is not possible for CNN Philippines (the temporary holder of the regular, selected weekend games) to broadcast.
• JANUARY 2: Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. As it marks the end of the o-BER-loaded campaign for 5, this will be uncertain if this will be carried on the main network or on 5Plus.

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Photos courtesy of Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), Rappler, ABS-CBN, GMA and KWIQ.com

Timow’s Turf Special: Countdown to SEA Games

For the very artsy people, the official logo of this year’s SEA Games is unforgivably a “cringe”, “uncreative” and an “eyesore.” In the end, would this be memorable or be forgettable?

AS the preliminary competitions of few sporting events in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games are underway, tomorrow (November 30) will showcase the greatest spectacle of sports in the region after 14 years.

The last time we hosted back in 2005, social media wasn’t penetrated into the market and smartphones didn’t exist yet. Today, mobile Internet access has expanded either to catch up the action in real-time or to notify if the athletes are qualified for the next round.

In that gap of time, venues like the Mall of Asia Arena and the Philippine Arena have been erected and are ready for use to showcase sports. Also, ambitious plans were aggressively concreted, particularly in the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

Before we go further behind the scenes with the present edition, let’s recap the moments when we previously hosted the biennial regional multi-sport meet.

Past Hostings at a Glance

1981 (11th Edition)

• DATES: December 6 to 15
• NUMBER OF SPORTS: 18
• PHILIPPINES’ OVERALL RANKING: 3rd of 7
• BROADCASTERS: Maharlika Broadcasting System and Banahaw Broadcasting Corporation

Martial law has already been lifted in the early part of that year but President Marcos remained in power as he was re-elected and the media remained restricted.

In that edition, their then-new infrastructure was built in Pasig called the University of Life Track & Field and Arena or simply called ULTRA (now PhilSports Arena).

In the sporting proper, Lydia de Vega wowed the country with two gold medals in 200 and 400-meter sprints, earning the nickname “Asia’s Sprint Queen.” Bong Coo emerged in the spotlight as the top tenpin bowler with six medals (four of which is gold).

1991 (16th Edition)

• DATES: November 24 to December 3
• NUMBER OF SPORTS: 28
• PHILIPPINES’ OVERALL RANKING: 2nd of 9
• BROADCASTERS: People’s Television Network (PTV), ABS-CBN, IBC and RPN

While the host city was in Metro Manila, four sports (archery, canoeing, sailing and triathlon) were held in Subic Bay. At that time, Subic was packing up after the decision of the renewal of the US naval base was rejected by the Senate two months prior.

This edition was the only edition where the overall championship was heavily contested; the deciding medal came from the last sporting event — the women’s triathlon — where Indonesia got the gold medal.

Athletes associated with the said edition include Eric Buhain, Akiko Thompson (swimming) and Bea Lucero (gymnast turned taekwondoka). Lydia de Vega redeemed her title as the “Asia’s Fastest Woman” and Elma Muros was celebrated for the long jump. Our men’s basketball team regained the cage supremacy by defeating Thailand in the finals.

2005 (23rd Edition)

Most readers were alive and remembered when we hosted the last time.

• DATES: November 27 to December 5
• NUMBER OF SPORTS: 40
• PHILIPPINES’ OVERALL RANKING: 1st of 11
• BROADCASTERS: National Broadcasting Network (NBN), ABC and IBC

This was the first SEA Games that some events took place outside Luzon and first that both ceremonies were not staged in a stadium — they were staged in Quirino Grandstand.

While the official hymn was “We’re All Just One,” Rivermaya’s “Posible” will forever be associated as the popular song of this Games.

This was the edition where basketball, our national pastime, was not held due to the suspension by FIBA to compete internationally. Nevertheless, this was the first time that we became an overall champion.

In this edition

There are 530 events in 56 sports taking place for this 12-day affair (not counting the days before the opening ceremony) across Luzon.

For the first time, the bookend ceremonies will take place separately; tomorrow, they will open at the Philippine Arena but they will close in their ambitious New Clark City Athletics Stadium on December 11.

The theme of this edition is “We Win as One,” with its corresponding theme song performed by Lea Salonga:

The Broadcasters

While Pittsburgh-based NEP Group will produce these sports events but there are local broadcasters that will supply the coverage.

Initially, TV5 and ABS-CBN are potential candidates.

For the former, it was a no-brainer since they have significant sportscasting experience placed in their dossier before the organizing committee despite criticisms of putting commercials during the ceremonies (you can watch them sans interruption through their YouTube Livestream). With their broadcast franchise safe for another 25 years, hence, they became the official media partner. Cignal TV has allocated three channels for this one-off event, in addition to One Sports.

Regarding the latter, it was initially screened due to their technological advancements but its franchise will expire in four months and Congress has not prioritized it. Also, their main channel’s biggest concern is that their schedule is completely committed to competition shows (the opening ceremony is a Saturday) and teleseryes (closing ceremony falls on a Wednesday) but they have S+A and Liga to the rescue.

CONFIRMED: By secret agreement, the OC will be carried live on ABS-CBN (pre-empting any shows that follow) and iWant with S+A catching up in delay by 15 minutes. TV5 will be delayed by an hour and a half — harmonizing with the rest of the Cignal channels.

PTV almost left out

By intuition from history, PTV must be there to cover this biennial regional sports meet. This is the usual trend for other Southeast Asian nations. In the last iteration in Kuala Lumpur in 2017, we have done so but under last-minute pressure by then-Philippine Olympic Committee President Peping Cojuangco.

Because of the initial screening, the state broadcaster was almost left out causing concern for Senator Francis Tolentino during the 2020 budget deliberations on the Presidential Communications Operations Office last September 26.

There is a valid, consensual justification to include this state TV network: President Rodrigo Duterte is required to be present — as it is a traditional protocol for a head of state — and to simply read the opening formula (i.e. no alibis and no cussing) after the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee’s (PHISGOC) chair, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, delivered their welcoming remarks.

Who’s taking the slice?

Per common reports, at least 11 events will be carried live: aquatics (diving and swimming), athletics, badminton, basketball (5×5 and 3×3), boxing, football, gymnastics, sepak takraw, taekwondo, indoor volleyball, and E-sports.

As per individual media entities, ABS-CBN is said to cover exclusively on volleyball and soccer while ESPN5 will supply the rest, with emphasis on basketball (on the main channel), eSports (certainly on 5Plus) and aquatics.

On the other hand, PTV is reportedly taking care of skateboarding and BMX (cycling); although they will cover random sporting events that are not exclusive to private entities.

The rest of the sporting action will be covered through the Facebook live streams, on YouTube channel of ESPN5 and in iWant.

Of course, there will be always highlights throughout each progressing day, regardless if they are media partners or not.

 

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Photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons / Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC)

Swiping Through the 2010s: 2018

HOW can you remember 2018 for? Well, there are so many to remember since it’s the past year (as of press time).

 

Economy

• This year’s concern is about inflation arising from the recent enactment of TRAIN Law. The percentage spikes high but it tapers off in the fourth quarter just as the government’s economic advisers expect.
• February 19: The Philippine Stock Exchange moves to its new, unified building in Bonifacio Global City.

Politics

• February 14: A school shooting in Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida triggers a March for Our Lives protest a month after, calling for stronger gun control.
• March 26: The poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in England triggers expulsion of hundred of Russian diplomats in 20 countries.
• April 26: From this date until the next six months, Boracay is closed from the public for rehabilitation to its pristine state resulting in overtourism.
• May 9: In Malaysia, the ruling Barisan Nasional alliance loses to Pakatan Harapan in the general election. Mahathir Mohamad returns as Prime Minister.
• May 11: Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno was ousted — not by impeachment (as constitutionally intended) like what they have done to her predecessor, Renato Corona — but by a quo warranto as decided by her colleagues in the Supreme Court.
• May 21: Tito Sotto becomes Senate President.
• June 12: US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un meet in Singapore.
• July 1: Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is elected as President of Mexico with a majority of votes.
• July 23: During the afternoon of President Duterte’s third State of the Nation Address, the plenary hall of Batasang Pambansa turns into a boisterous classroom setting. Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo swears in as Speaker of the House.
• October 17: Marijuana is legalized throughout Canada.
• October 28: Brazil elects Jair Bolsonaro as President.
• November 6: In President Trump’s first midterm election, the US House of Representatives flips blue (Democratic) while the Senate keeps red (Republican).
• November 17-18: Chinese President Xi Jinping visits the Philippines.
• December 1-8: Fifty years after the protests of 1968, civil unrest is experienced in France — The Yellow Vest Movement.
• December 7: Sandiganbayan acquits Bong Revilla of plunder, making all three officials (alongside Juan Ponce Enrile and Jinggoy Estrada) tagged in the Napoles’ pork barrel scam cleared to run in the Senate elections next year.
• December 14: The Balangiga bells, which were considered a war booty after the Philippine-American War, comes home to Eastern Samar.
• December 22: The US federal government is shut down over the disputed funding over the US-Mexico border.

Sports

• January 25: Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) is inaugurated.
• SUPER BOWL: Philadelphia Eagles defeat New England Patriots, 41-33 in Minneapolis.
• 2018 WINTER OLYMPICS:
  • Skier Asa Miller joins figure skater Michael Christian Martinez in the Philippine contingent team.
  • In a gesture of goodwill between the two Koreas, both contingents march under the Unification Flag in the Parade of Athletes. (The same move is repeated in Asian Games in Indonesia.)
• July 2: In the Philippine Arena, the Gilas’ game against Australia ends up in an ugly brawl.
• July 10: Twelve boys and their football coach of Wild Boars are successfully rescued from the flooded cave in Thailand after 17 days.
• July 15: Manny Pacquiao defeats Lucas Matthysse via technical knockout on Round 7 – the first to taste a victory other than unanimous and/or split decision in nine years.
• FIFA WORLD CUP: France defeats Croatia in the Finals, 2-0 in Moscow, Russia. (July 15)
• ASIAN GAMES: Margielyn Didal bags home gold in women’s street skateboarding. Other gold medalists are garnered by women like Hidilyn Diaz (weightlifting), Yuka Saso, Bianca Pagdanganan and Kaye Go (golf).
• UAAP: The University of the Philippines heads to the finals in Men’s Basketball after 32 years but loses to Ateneo de Manila University twice.

Media

Television

• The first half of the year marks the local cable shakeup from ending channels (ABS-CBN Regional Channel, CT and Hero), renaming (Lifestyle Network becomes The Metro Channel) to replacing (Bloomberg Philippines to ONE News).
• May 19: Prince Harry weds Meghan Markle.
• June: While 2nd Avenue’s agreement with RJTV 29 expires and the free channel ends its analog service, Easy TV Digibox goes on the commercial market with the apparatus’s sale and usefulness last until next year.
• ABS-CBN’s TVPlus expands its subchannel offerings (O Shopping, Movie Central, Asianovela Channel, Jeepney TV and Myx) on a free trial basis.
• NET 25’s analog broadcast ends without public notice. SMAC Television Production begins its television recognition by tying up with the said broadcast network.
• YEAR OF PTV 4: In April, the Commission on Audit flags the transaction between DOT (which was headed by Sec. Wanda Teo) and the Tulfo brothers. In August, they aired four programs from mainland China. On October 14, two bettors win the jackpot of P 1.2 billion in the Ultra Lotto 6/58, making it the largest prize ever awarded.
• September 1: CNN Philippines allot children’s time with Newsroom Junior Edition and new cartoons from its sister channel, Cartoon Network.
• October 17: Regine Velasquez returns to ABS-CBN.
• October 21: Barangay 143 premieres on GMA, becoming the first locally made anime.
• December 8: Eat Bulaga departs Broadway Centrum after 23 years for their very own APT Studios in Cainta, Rizal.
• December 17: Catriona Gray becomes the fourth Filipina to be crowned as Miss Universe.
• GMA’s Heart of Asia extends beyond Koreanovelas by airing Wings of Love (from Turkey) and Princess Hours (from Thailand). Meanwhile, ABS-CBN airs mainland China’s remake of Meteor Garden.
• Ed Caluag, a self-proclaimed paranormal expert, becomes a star thanks to KMJS.
• Some criminals hearing out on police reports become a popular parlances.

Teleseryes

• ABS-CBN
  • Asintado (their longest)
  • Bagani
  • Kadenang Ginto
• GMA
  • The Stepdaughters (their longest)
  • Contessa (the longest 6-day)
  • Onanay
  • My Special Tatay
  • Victor Magtanggol

Radio

• May: Retro 105.9 becomes Like FM.

Cyber

• The Securities and Exchanges Commission revokes online news site Rappler’s certificate of registration. Since then, the news outlet has been a target by attacks and charges against the sitting administration. Nonetheless, Maria Ressa (the chief) became one of the Persons of the Year as part of “The Guardians” in Time Magazine.
• The Cambridge Analytica scandal is the major international cyber scandal of the year. The firm harvests personal data of millions of Facebook profiles without consent and uses it for political purposes (as a result of the recent elections of populist leaders and decisions in recent years).
• The U.N.’s International Telecommunication Union reports that, by the end of this year, more than half – a full 51.2 percent – of the world’s population are now using the Internet.
• TikTok domination and ASMR videos are all the rage.
• Challenges: Tide Pod and Bottle Water
• Game of the Year: Fortnite

Cinema

International

• Avengers: Infinity War becomes the international gross box office hit of the year.
• Other MCU films: Black Panther and The Ant-Man and The Wasp
• Aquaman
• Bohemian Rhapsody
• Crazy Rich Asians

Local

• Top gross film: The Hows of Us (Star Cinema)
• Citizen Jake
• Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral
• BuyBust
• MMFF Best Picture: Rainbow’s Sunset

Musicians

• Post Malone
• Juice Wrld
• Ella Mai
• XXXTentacion (Murdered on June 18)
• Avicii (Committed suicide on April 20)
• SZA
• Childish Gambino (Donald Glover’s musical alter-ego)
• Blackpink
• Momoland

Music

• Girls Like U
• Dame Tu Cosita
• This is America

 

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The final episode of this series (2019) will be up this December 29.

The National Holidays for 2020 are Here but It’s Too Late for Planner Publishers to be Informed

WHY did it take so long?

Malacanang has just released Proclamation No. 845, signed yesterday (November 15), to the public that details the national public holidays for the head of the new decade (2020).

These holidays effectively supersede the common template of typical, physical (i.e. blue, white and red) wall calendars that include tides, lunar phases and tax reminders as company giveaways for Christmas. In addition to the planners which already promoted and marketed by bookstores and coffee chains.

Those public holidays are divided into two categories: regular and special non-working. Such categorization is served for calculating their salaries and wages in the human resources department.

This year, two regular holidays fall on one date: April 9 (Maundy Thursday and Araw ng Kagitingan). Unfortunately, you cannot have a quadruple pay when you work on that day as there is no legal treatment for a substitute holiday.

The Holidays at a Glance

Assuming that you work regularly from Monday to Friday, those mark in RED automatically makes a long weekend while in ORANGE will take one day of leave between the particular holiday and the nearest weekend.

Regular Holidays

• January 1 (Wednesday): New Year’s Day*
• April 9: Maundy Thursday and Araw ng Kagitingan
• April 10: Good Friday
• May 1 (Friday): Labor Day
• June 12 (Friday): Independence Day
• August 31 (Monday): National Heroes’ Day
• November 30 (Monday): Bonifacio Day
• December 25 (Friday): Christmas Day
• December 30 (Wednesday): Rizal Day

Special Non-Working Holidays

• January 25 (Saturday): Chinese New Year (Metal Rat)
• February 25 (Tuesday): People Power Day
• April 11: Black Saturday
• August 21 (Friday): Ninoy Aquino Day
• November 1 (Sunday): All Saints’ Day
• November 2 (Monday): All Souls’ Day
• December 8 (Tuesday): Immaculate Conception
• December 24 (Thursday): Christmas Eve
• December 31 (Thursday): New Year’s Eve

Muslim Holidays

Both are classified regular holidays but dates are tentative, pending proclamation upon recommendation by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF).

• Eid al-Fitr: May 25 (Monday)
• Eid al-Adha: July 31 (Friday)

*Long weekend is already created from December 28, 2019.

Issued Too Late

This promulgation came at an unusual time. Normally, it should be issued within the third quarter of the year so that calendar and diary publishers will be notified.

This coming year, the legal and non-working holidays fall mostly on Mondays and Fridays, automatically creating long weekends and lessening vacation leaves.

How to prevent this from happening again?

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and other related agencies should inform the dates to the Executive Secretary.

Proposal for Reduction

Alarmed by the most number of holidays in the Southeast Asia region, Albay Representative Joey Salceda filed House Bill No. 5032 to reduce the list of national non-working holidays. If it passes, this will be the overhaul of the holiday policy since 2007.

In his classification of regular holidays, they will strike off Araw ng Kagitingan, Maundy Thursday, Eid Al-Adha and National Heroes’ Day for Eid ul-Fitr. All special non-working holidays that we enjoy right now will be demoted to a working holiday.

The good news from this bill though is if one holiday falls on a Sunday, it will be observed on the following Monday (giving a fair treatment).

Last year, we conducted the survey to determine the pulse of the people and to determine which will be included or not. Last April, during our federalism policy series, we added that the local government will observe their own holiday in addition to the region it encompasses, which is close to Salceda’s sentiments.

However, there will be problems arising from this bill:

1. Celebrating Labor Day on Monday nearest May 1 will not amuse labor groups (particularly, the left-wing). This lesson has been learned from the holiday economics policy.
2. The range of celebrating Rizal Day on Monday near the actual anniversary will mean they will celebrate between December 27 and January 2 the following year (which includes New Year’s Day).
3. The December 8 holiday is liturgically called the Immaculate Conception — not the Nativity — of the Virgin Mary (which actually falls on September 8, which in turn was already a special working holiday).

When it comes to the probability of passing into law, it will be slim since his fellow colleagues in Batasan aren’t that bothered as they enjoyed their bonuses (hello, P 100 million) to construct their own ivory towers and ruin local infrastructure to secure their next mandate.

Not to mention, they’re supposed to prepare for on any reconciliation of any line items for the 2020 budget if the Senate concurs it with amendments to avoid another case of re-enacted budget.

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Photo courtesy of KWIQ.com

 

 

South Triangle Duopoly’s Early Christmas Specials with Top E-Commerce Platforms

CALL IT an early Christmas TV special for the South Triangle Duopoly but unlike the usual pre-recorded annual show, both of the shows will happen live tomorrow night but with a bold, new experiment.

Both ABS-CBN and GMA have tied up exclusively with the top two e-commerce platforms — Lazada and Shopee, respectively.

In both online shopping platforms, they strategically and competitively bring down their prices on selected — if not all — items with free shipping with little or no minimum spending.

On both particular specials, their respective platforms will have the livestream of the said event. Their televised specials will start from 10:30 p.m. to midnight of their culminating day’s eponymous sale.

So what are the differences between the two, you might ask?

Lazada 11.11 Super Show (ABS-CBN)

Lazada’s 11.11 is considered a one-day event. To promote them further, their Super Show will broadcast from Sofitel Tent, Pasay City but the livestream will start half an hour ahead of the television broadcast.

They will star Vice Ganda, James Reid, Maja Salvador, Karylle, Billy Crawford and Maja Salvador with performances of Maymay Entrata, Edward Barber and other Kapamilya stars.

Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas TV Special (GMA)

On the other hand, Shopee 11.11’s promo lasted almost a month — well, since October 15.

For this year, Senator Manny Pacquiao is their brand ambassador.

Like Lazada, Shopee will star the Kamuning counterparts with an emphasis on top celebrities like Alden Richards, Maine Mendoza and Heart Evangelista. They will join last year’s ambassador — the Mr. Pinoy Christmas himself — Jose Mari Chan, where he will perform exclusively the latest jingle of this e-commerce platform.

Unlike the rival, there is no specific place where their live performance; thus, we assume that it will broadcast within the Network Center. Also, there is a bonanza of exciting prizes within the show including a motorcycle, a car and a house and lot.

NOTE: GMA’s Christmas Station ID will be released ahead of the show during or before Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho. (Consider this as a bonus.)

Smelling a New Tie-Up

That being said, the tie-up could turn into an opportunity for network executives’ chance of exclusivity for the holiday seasons to come. (Well, if one’s franchise will survive next year.)

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Photos courtesy of Lazada/LhyzieBongon.com and Shoppee/TheSummitExpress

Timow’s QuOP No. X: Dead TV Program Genres

(Photo by Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash)

UNDAS may have been behind us and we are about to focus on Christmas decorating but at least we’re trying to catch up as we are occupied with the ongoing Swiping through the 2010s project, despite that this post will not be part of it.

Put on your scary expressions on a la Kabayan Noli De Castro and let’s begin finding out which of the programming genres in Philippine television are considered dead, as of this imminently ending decade.

 

How Can A Program Genre Consider To Be Dead?

To be considered “dead,” there must be no surviving, stand-alone program of a particular genre running as of press time.

Noticeably, the most dominant yet contemptible Philippine Movie Press Club’s Star Awards for Television has few categories that are discontinued to be awarded, which would be helpful for the development of this post.

So far, three categories are deemed no longer airing:

Game Shows

• Last programs known: People vs. the Stars (original), Minute to Win It (franchised)

Game shows may be original or franchised but their goal, other than to entertain us, is to gain knowledge. For the Batang 90s, they will remember the Battle of the Brains, Digital LG Quiz, Who Wants to Be A Millionaire (under Christopher de Leon) and Pilipinas, Game KNB? (under Kris Aquino)

As this decade progressed, the type of players of game shows shifted away from ordinary people to exclusive celebrities (who don’t have any committed projects or has free time) as a form of preventing defection to another network. This happened when the Turf observed and expressed over Family Feud under ABS-CBN in 2016.

Consequently, they moved on by capitalizing on other types of game shows that do not need stock knowledge (like MTWI) before being scrapped altogether for more teleseryes and expanding competition shows on weekends.

While they enjoy success in ratings and in the bottom line, it comes at a cost — audience participation and other functions of cerebral capacity. In other words, the accusations of promoting “escapism” and “dumbing down” the audience while the network execs fear of cheating since Internet access is now an easy reach to get the answers.

If there are any plans to revive this thing; well, good luck with that.

 

Youth-Oriented Programs

• Last program known: Luv U (ABS-CBN)

For B90s and 2Ks, this genre used to be part of their weekend afternoon lineup usually before their respective showbiz-oriented shows. You may have watched Tabing Ilog, Gimik, T.G.I.S., Click, Joyride and Tween Hearts.

This particular genre used to exemplify the struggles of adolescence and how they coped with it. We guess it fell out of relevance with the generational divide due to the radical change of preference; Generations Z and Alpha would rather watch their suited shows on Netflix and other video-on-demand (VOD) platforms over television the earlier phases of Millennials harnessed.

Hey, what about Maynila? Despite some young thespians acting, it’s considered an anthology; sorry, it’s not counted.

 

Showbiz-Oriented Shows

• Last program known: Startalk (GMA)

During weekend afternoons, we used to dedicate at least an hour for straightforward news and interviews from their exclusive talents. It ended in 2015 when The Buzz and Startalk pulled the plug and replaced it with comedy (Banana Sundae and Dear Uge, respectively).

They blamed it on the prevalence of social media. But then, the new platform is not as best as it’s perceived due to its angle on the netizens’ comments and ownership of online outlets. For example, LionHearTV was accused of aligning with ABS-CBN while Philippine Entertainment Portal happens to be a subsidiary of GMA Network, Inc.

Nevertheless, the pullout has made a big mistake.

Just last month, the scuffle of the Barretto sisters during the wake of their patriarch has set two separate days of exclusive interviews in TV Patrol by separate journalists (Karen Davila and Noli de Castro) to hear their sides, consuming significant airtime that should have been for more important items.

Hence, netizens are mulling for their revival. To be fair, why can’t they even learn from Entertainment Tonight?

ET is still alive for almost four decades, despite social media presence and competitors. A salient difference is that their show is syndicated and its editorial policy reaches beyond the borders of the media conglomerates, for which we are obviously lacking. (Sad to say, this is irredeemable to get out of that mindset.)

 

Not Dead Yet / Unclear

Gag Show

Bubble Gang is the only surviving show of this particular genre since Goin’ Bulilit bowed out last August. Unless their founder, Michael V, retires or leaves the network for good, the answer is NO for now.

Children’s Show

This doesn’t mean anime or cartoons; it’s an informative genre produced by the network or third-party producer that has an existing partnership with the network for the said particular group — think of it like 5 and Up (1992-2002) or Penpen de Sarapen (RPN, 1987-2001).

Today, the South Triangle Duopoly doesn’t care about putting this anymore*; the last program under them was Tropang Potchi (GMA 7, 2009-15).

Thus, it’s up for denomination-backed UHF networks to the rescue; no wonder, NET 25 consistently got Anak TV Seal Awards and with that, they plastered the Anak TV logo proudly during their episodes.

LITTLE FUN FACT: In the recent edition of the PMPC Star Awards for TV, the best of this genre and its hosts were awarded to Talents Academy of IBC 13.

*SIDE NOTE: While we said that the main channels of the South Triangle no longer airs, ABS-CBN’s exclusive digital subchannel for kids, Yey, has its own children show Team Yey! Yet, the PMPC has not realized it existed and thus, were not included in the four consecutive years of nominations.

 

Reality Shows

This genre is generic and unclear. Some shows are labeled “reality” (i.e. a misnomer) such as The Voice and Pinoy Big Brother; the former is considered a talent competition but we will elaborate a bit later on the latter.

But first, does anyone remember Extra Challenge that was once hosted by Paolo Bediones? After six years of hiatus, they rebooted as Extra Challenge Extreme (which was hosted by Richard Gutierrez) by from 2012-2013 but it aired on weekends and ended up in a dud.

PBB was a successful, franchise reality show — in terms of the unique style of chronicling — but this show’s initial purpose was defeated right after its first season. From then on, whoever wins (or almost) after each iteration will use it a springboard to stardom in the main network.

 

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Are there other genres you considered to be “dead?”

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Swiping Through the 2010s: 2017

FROM all the noise that we had in 2016 lead to the consequences of 2017.

On January 20, Donald Trump took the oath as the 45th President of the United States, signaling the seismic shift of geopolitical uncertainty. The following day, Women’s March took place around the world but it does not stop there.

In the rest of the world, riots in Catalonia over separatism. Canada turned 150 and Finland turned 100.

In February, two outspoken women senators were in the spotlight. Leila de Lima was detained in Camp Crame after hearing some detainees’ hearsays against her and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren was silenced after raising objections over the confirmation of her fellow colleague, Jeff Sessions, to the Cabinet as the Attorney General. (Nevertheless, in the eyes of their supporters, they persisted.)

We hosted Miss Universe after 23 years. Just like in 1974, our own Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach crowned her successor (in this case, Miss France Iris Mittenaire) at home.

It was also a gracious honor to host ASEAN, particularly on its Golden Jubilee. We even gave Trump a taste of our warm hospitality, even if protesters make the best protest gimmicks.

Resorts World Manila, Grenfell Tower and NCCC Mall in Davao were ablaze. In Manchester, an explosion rocked after an Ariana Grande concert.

Marawi City was flattened for five months. Martial Law in Mindanao was declared but it’s not yet lifted, as of now.

The greatest dud of the year is the Fyre Festival, which is supposed to take place in the Bahamas. Despite the promotion by social media influencers, the logistics problem arises and the luxury music festival was crushed. Billy McFarland (the organizer and founder of Fyre Media) was charged with fraud.

While Wildflower (ABS-CBN) was the most discussed teleserye for the year, GMA successfully expanded a teleserye duration to six days a week with Ika-6 na Utos. On the other hand, Trops remained a successful regular 5-day teleserye.

Honorable mention not mentioned in the attached video is Destined to Be Yours.

Light TV became the first TV network to shut down its analog transmission for good.

The Philippines Football League kicked off this year but its television coverage on PTV was cut short. After a long time, the coverage package of SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur package was also with there with their basketball games on 5.

In radio, Philippine Broadcasting Service has expanded and reformatted its existing radio frequencies. Radyo ng Bayan became Radyo Pilipinas while their FM assets became FM1 87.5 and FM2 104.3.

The year 2017 marked the boost of Cardi B, Bebe Rexha, Rita Ora and Marshmello. Inigo Pascual’s career began, thanks to the launch of Billboard’s local counterpart (which lasts until January).

While MMFF went back to its old commercialized ways, Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino was inaugurated that year to save the quality of Filipino films.

While Spiderman: Homecoming and Star Wars: The Last Jedi were successful in the box office, the Emoji Movie got negative reviews.

In youth culture, dabbing and fidget spinners were associated in that year. Oh yeah, the Paul brothers (Jake and Logan) were the controversial and most-discussed YouTube celebrities.

Five ad interim Cabinet members (Perfecto Yasay of DFA, Gina Lopez of DENR, Judy Taguiwalo of DSWD, Rafael Mariano of DAR and Paulyn Ubial of DOH) were rejected by the Commission of Appointments, the most in history. Another member, Mike Sueno of DILG, was sacked for alleged corruption.

A simple mishandling of Dengvaxia that lead to 600 deaths after its administration has led to the rise of distrust of vaccinations through scaremongering and disinformation.

Continuing the streak of Big 4 beauty pageants, Karen Ibasco was crowned as Miss Earth.

Super Bowl LI became the first of the NFL’s overall championship to decide a win into overtime. Atlanta Falcons was about to win its first championship but its lead was erased by the New England Patriots. (This was the first and only time S+A covered this American football game championship.)

For the first time in almost a century, the continental United States was fascinated with the solar eclipse.

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We apologize for incoherent writing, we were in the rush.

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The next episode (2018) will be up in November.

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The Highs and Lows of TV5 Before and During MVP’s Era

[REQUESTED BY: Miggy Tapuyao. This post is dedicated to Lester Jeff Banatao, webmaster of DryedMangoez.com]

[AUTHOR’S WARNING: This post may not be agreeable on what you believe. Please comment civilly.]

 

This year’s PHTV anniversary special, we will tackle about TV5’s highlights and lowlights.

 

TODAY marks the 66th anniversary of television in the Philippines. Here on the Turf, this is the third consecutive year that dedicates this particular endeavor on this exact anniversary date.

On this year’s established publication, however, we will tackle neither on ABS-CBN nor on GMA but on the third national TV network: TV5 (formally, The 5 Network).

Particularly, we will tackle the highs and lows of the transactions and how memorable or forgettable the programs were before and after the acquisition by Manny V. Pangilinan.

5 B.M. (Before MVP)

Forging in partnership with MPB Primemedia Inc., TV5 was launched (read: rebranded from ABC) on Saturday, August 9, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. as an alternative from their currently, never-ending frustration within the Network War Culture of the South Triangle Duopoly (in today’s terms, that’s toxic).

Highs (Memorable)

• The segment Word of the Lourd was born under TEN: The Evening News.
• Gag show Wow Mali came back for the second time, which would carry over until 2015.
• For the young at heart, Nickolodeon shows continued to serve as usual. In addition, AniMEGA started as a better, fresher alternative to the Duopoly’s repetitive classics.
• Juicy! (This is a precursor to Showbiz News Ngayon.)

Lows (Forgettable)

• Toogs (If you don’t remember that show, do you remember BJ “Tolits” Forbes? If you do, then he was one of the hosts.)
• Children’s show Kiddie Kwela was presented by Bayani Agbayani. (No award-giving body recognized that the show existed.)
• Lokomoko (It’s like Bubble Gang or Banana Split but at Sunday lunchtime.)

Their success in the “Shake Mo, TV Mo” era was spoiled when a lawsuit from GMA Network was filed as it is constitutionally prohibited of foreign ownership of any mass media entity, despite the company is registered as Filipino-run.

5 A.A.M. (At & After Acquisition)

When Media Prima generated losses, they announced their divestiture and Manny V. Pangilinan came to the rescue under the MediaQuest Holdings.

The acquisition was sealed in March but the formal identity did not come about until the evening of Easter Sunday (that was on April 4) with a new nickname as the “Kapatid Network” so as to get along with the Duopoly’s established names.

In December, they acquired 92.3 FM to become the first news FM radio station in Metro Manila. In February 2011, they launched Aksyon TV a week ahead of GMA News TV, operating round-the-clock until 2013.

As they want to offer direct competition to and/or alternative offerings against the Kapusos and the Kapamilyas, their sports block AKTV was transferred to IBC 13. The following year, TV5 acquired the rights to cover the London Olympics but their acquisition costs took the toll on the blocktimer marking its fate the following year.

While the New Media Center is inaugurated in Reliance, Mandaluyong City, its first full year (2014) of operation was the year of sports craving. They acquired and aired for the first time: the Super Bowl and NCAA (U.S.) March Madness.

Despite this, Wattpad got its own anthology series, adapting the stories by Filipino authors that are initially published from the Canadian-based story-sharing website.

Teleserye productions continued under their own entertainment department, save in 2015, where they experiment with their Korean drama adaptation. In 2016, their own production department vanished and they delegated it to Viva Television. This was the last time teleseryes and the overall entertainment on 5 was last seen.

In the same year, significant personalities like Martin Andanar, the Tulfo brothers (except for Raffy) and Cherie Mercado left to serve the present Duterte administration. Their engineering head was appointed as the General Manager of PTV.

As their sports acquisition overflows, AksyonTV came to their rescue, defeating their initial purpose as a news channel. Such moments cemented in 2017 when the network signed the deal with ESPN. To avoid the awkwardness, they renamed into 5Plus earlier this year.

Highs (Memorable)

• Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?
• Barangay Utakan (Despite being produced by the News Department, this was the last true, blue the last, true blue, stand-alone, original quiz show.)
• Face to Face (Including its successor Face the People, this is the most associated show with the main channel.)
• T3 (The pre-newscast public service program by the Tulfo brothers before they left to PTV.)
• Wattpad Presents
• Pidol’s Wonderland (The first program under a new acquisition)
• Madam Chairman (Sharon Cuneta’s only teleserye)
  
• Batibot (Well, at least they tried.)
• Artista Academy

Lows (Forgettable)

• KIS Pinoy (Carried over the broken promises from PTV, the show abruptly ended due to the blocktimer’s bankruptcy after three episodes.)
• Million Peso Money Drop (It lacked staying power than Millionaire.)
• Jeepney Jackpot and Quiet Please!: Bawal Ang Maingay.
• The Mega and the Songwriter
• P.O.5 (Trying hard to crash ASAP and Party Pilipinas)
• The Jose and Wally Show

 

Afterthought: Today’s State

Today, TV5 is under the current steering of Jane Basas and is under the O-BER-loaded mode.

Inside it is reruns of the best shows (which their former artists are not in conflict) and replays of shows from One News and One PH. For the Turf, this campaign is a temporary placeholder because of the forthcoming coverage of the SEA Games (there will be a special edition about that next month).

In order to make that channel “great again,” a gadfly media professional mulled in restoring entertainment programs (but not teleseryes or anime) to its pre-TV5 zeitgeist.

To be honest, who knows what they’ll bring; this media entity will be a key network as the new decade approaches. (Don’t worry tho, they had their franchise renewed.)

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Photo courtesy of 5 Network/Wikimedia Commons

Counting Down to NBA’s New Season, Counting on a New Deal

 

The past week, the NBA went to China for the international, pre-season exhibition games. However, the relation went into hot water when a team’s general manager tweets in defense of protestors in Hong Kong.

 

EIGHT DAYS.

That’s the number of days left until NBA tips off the new season at the time of this publication.

As the countdown comes to an end, this month faced two problems in one continental market.

The passing week, Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted expressing support for the persistent protestors in Hong Kong. The tweet crushed state-owned China Central Television’s (CCTV) plan to broadcast the preseason games, especially between Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers in Shanghai, China at that time.

Though the tweet is deleted, the damage is already done. The host country’s business partners severed ties with the league, which in turn would ruin a big reputation for the biggest international market. It is a big deal.

Speaking of it, the Philippines has its own share.

When BTV and NBA Premium TV (of Solar Entertainment) ceased operations at the start of this month, sports fans, writers and analysts were shocked. They are now puzzled and then, speculated whimsically on who will save the most cherished league of their lives.

While few media professionals were discouraged to do such things, we just cannot blame them to do so as Tep Nazario mentioned that we are the people where basketball is the most sought-after institution, right next to religion.

An outsider media practitioner placed the fingers on to Solar Sports’ ambitious decisions over the years — in addition to the exclusion on the lineup by another cable provider due to unpaid carriage fees in 2017 — that lead to their eventual downfall.

As we said earlier, the NBA is a huge deal — both in terms of money and its fanbase. Because the broadcast contract is enormous, having it on one entity is obviously “unfair;” thus, Sky and Cignal, who supplied the defunct cable channels, are said to be “in the talks” of a joint bid.

SWOT Analysis

While there is NBA League Pass, it’s not affordable and the internet connection is not even that great to stream them smoothly. Hence, they stick to the traditional modes of over-the-air or cable television.

The Turf devised the SWOT Analysis on the two most discussed media outlets that are currently and prospectively carrying this league.

ABS-CBN (Current co-holder)

• S (Strength): Experience in broadcasts and in social media following. (Nuff said.)
• W (Weakness): Biased local commentaries (Why did they keep on talking about LeBron James, if he is not playing in the particular game?)
• O (Opportunities): They have the moolah; so, the unallocated Sky Cable channels can establish their own exclusive channels. For a petty former sportswriter, expansion to Sundays is possible (but expect backlashes).
• T (Threats): Franchise non-renewal, which may not finish the regular season and would not cover the Playoffs.

ESPN5 (Prospective co-holder)

• S: Significant experiences in carrying different sports. Local commentators would try to be better and more professional than those from ABS. Lastly, the brand name speaks for itself.
• W: Implementation cannot be realized as they have to juggle with the current running of NFL’s 100th season and they are committed to carrying almost all events of the SEA Games.
• O: Cignal-exclusive sports channels’ programming can be diversified.
• T: Analog transmissions of 5Plus (Ch. 41) remains unimproved and unresolved. Other programs that are in store for 5 could be shelved.

If you have any reasons that should be included in the SWOT Analysis, you can comment below.

Until they have settled, we have to be patient or we might have to resort with an unsatisfying sharing alliance between ABS-CBN and Fox Sports.

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Photo courtesy of SB Nation

Let’s Talk SMAC

[AUTHOR’S NOTE: This post may offend certain supporters or die-hard loyalists of any network or entity involved. For that, I apologize if it hurts but I have to stand on my perspective.]

Five nominations from PMPC in two TV networks are associated with SMAC Television Production this year.

LAST MONTH, the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) announced the nominations for their 33rd Star Awards of Television. The winners will determine this Sunday (October 13) and its delayed telecast is expected to be at least on the following Sunday (October 20) on ABS-CBN.

With much of a surprise, for the first time since 2012, IBC 13 was nominated more than once — seven to be exact (excluding the Best TV Station):

• ASK TV: Artihan, Sayawan at Kantahan for Best Variety Show
• SMAC Pinoy Ito! for Best Musical Variety Show*
• Cooltura for Best Travel Show
• Talents Academy for Best Children Show
• JB Paguio on Bukas May Kahapon for Best New Male TV Personality*
• Kris Tiffany Janson and Pat Natividad on Cooltura for Best Travel Show Host
• Fred Lorinz Bacay, Janella Glissman, Zandi Gabriel Miranda and Anastacia Paronda on Talents Academy for Best Children Show Hosts

Their nominations are now one more than TV5. Two of the aforementioned items in asterisk were associated with SMAC Television Production, which also produces three other nominations (classified under NET 25, though they no longer air there):

• Bee Happy, Go Lucky for Best Variety Show
• Klinton Starto for Best New Male TV Personality
• Rayantha Leigh for Best New Female TV Personality

Brief History of SMAC

Okay, what does SMAC stand for?

It does not stand for SM Advantage Card but Social Media Artists and Celebrities. As it says on the tin, their talents are hired in the age of social media since 2013. In their official website, they also have their own charity program called Gawad Kabataan Pilipinas.

In its early years, their series was exclusively online through their YouTube channel Celebrity Channel TV (now defunct).

However, to further expand their presence and recognition, they had to sign a deal with a TV network. In 2018, they have a TV deal with Net 25. During their stay at the UHF network, their finished products include the Koreanovela-inspired teleserye “Prodigal Prince” and “Galing ng Pinoy.“

Enter Ms. Kat de Castro as the boss of Old Balara earlier this year, the production company moved and christened a new slogan for the station as the Kaibigan Network.

In March, they aired the first teleserye in their new home called Bukas May Kahapon. Then, they aired reality competitions: My Ultimate Modelo and Artista Teen Quest. They also have a Sunday special there but not at the evening.

Without a doubt, SMAC’s portfolio is on local entertainment content and not sports nor foreign programming. (Please do not request for tokusatsu shows and animes.)

For those who missed any highlights of any of their shows, there is an official (current) YouTube channel.

Current Plans

New Noontime Show

SMAC is planning to air their own noontime variety show titled Yes Yes Yow, marking the revival of broadcasting that particular genre for Channel 13 since Chowtime Na! ended in 2006.

Last August 17, an audition post was published on their official Facebook page:

Later on, they are scouting other talents for named segments.

Deductively speaking, their noontime show will be hosted by Generation Z for Generation Z. They will premiere this Monday (October 14) and will air weekdays (i.e. no Saturdays) from noon to 1:00 p.m.

However, bear in mind the following warnings:

• It may not be live. Their initial audition bill suggests that the show might be taped. If it is true, it is considered one sign of easy program mortality.
• The potential hosts will have to adjust. Teenagers — especially, below 18 — who auditioned and are qualified by the talent scouting entity will have to balance their studies and work.
• The TV network airs at low power. The ongoing financial and operational crunch in the network has led to transmitting power to be downgraded since April 2017. In addition, some cable providers delisted IBC 13 from their lineup, even though it would violate the must-carry rule. For sure, they could do a live stream on their official handles.
• There is barely public recognition. If you tell the general public about this program, they will just shrug dismissively since the respondents — even on its intended market — are almost all accustomed to belong in either of the two of the South Triangle Duopoly. In addition, running this show in an hour affirms another greater risk of program mortality since the giants’ end theirs at 2:30 (for GMA) and 3:30 or later (for ABS-CBN). (Although, the latter sentence is excusable due to their capability.)

Whatever it takes, whatever it happens, we wish them the very best.

Other Shows

Other offerings of SMAC happening this month include:

• Sayaw Pilipinas (premiering October 19, every Saturday, 4-5 p.m.)
• Pare Kuys (also premiering on October 19, every Saturday, 5:30-6 p.m.)

SMAC Pinoy Ito returns on its third season in a new timeslot every Sunday, 5-6 p.m. beginning October 20.

Conclusion

Although they may certainly not win the nominations this Sunday (we’re not going to say any further reasons), we hope that their nominations are good enough as badges of their honor.

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Photo courtesy of SMAC Television Production/ TrendBloggeronline.com