ENTERTAINMENT
| March 13, 2019
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| (Image Source: Wikipedia/Wikimedia Commons) |
I've
just watched The Original Number One: IBC 13's Legacy To Philippine Television
on my LED TV set powered by Sky's HD digibox on a warm Friday night and I was highly
overwhelmed to learn the network's contributions to the history of the
Philippine television scene considering that it was among those who have
brought local television's golden age during the infamous Martial Law period
under the administration of then Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos. Who
would have thought that IBC was a springboard to many of the country's finest
and most popular personalities and showbiz icons as well as television
industry's most notable today?
Now,
under the freshly promising regime of its new president and CEO Katherine Chloe
"Kat" De Castro which was appointed by no less than the current
Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte in August 2018 ahead of its impending privatization,
what is regarded by many critics and television buffs as the worst Philippine
TV station in recent memories is beginning its own road to prominence and relevance
and is slated to renew its commitment to Filipino viewing households with a mix
of old and new content that would surely cater them to their own delight.
For
starters, IBC 13 has brought back some of the most popular and well-loved shows
on Philippine television in the 80s and 90s which aims to remind young and old
Filipino viewers of what the network is known for through the past 60 years.
Dubbed as the Ultimate Throwback block, these include T.O.D.A.S. (Monday to
Friday, 7:30 pm), the multi-awarded Filipino political satire show Sic O' Clock
News (Monday to Friday, 6:00 pm), Hapi House (Monday to Friday, 4:00 pm), Retro
TV (Monday to Friday, 7:00 am and 11:00 pm), Travel and Trade (Monday to Friday,
5:00 pm) and Cooltura (Monday to Friday, 10:30 pm). And this is just the
beginning as we can expect more throwback shows coming to the network that are
sure to be delightful in the coming months.
Meanwhile,
IBC 13 is already keen on providing fresh and intriguing programs that
literally bring a bit of fresh air to one's viewing experience. These include the
Community Basketball Association, Chinese News TV, ASK TV, Talents Academy,
SMAC Pinoy Atin 'To and Bukas May Kahapon among others. Heck, it even began to refresh
its news and public affairs department with the rebranded of its flagship weekday
news program under the name Tutok 13 (Monday to Friday, 5:30 pm) and the addition
of #OOTD: Opisyal Of The Day (beginning March 19th at 8:30 pm), featuring the
life and style of the senatoriables, and new episodes of Cooltura which are
slated to be aired soon.
Furthermore,
as more Filipinos are starting to catch up on the latest trends and innovations
of today's modern world, IBC began to strengthen its presence beyond television
with the activation of its digital TV signals followed by the network's official
social media accounts with its official YouTube channel featuring throwback
clips and snippets of the channel's new bevy of shows coming sooner than we
think. With these on hand and more coming up, it is no question that IBC 13
will reintroduce itself as Filipino viewers' new bestfriend as abided by its
new vision in three words: Iconic, Bold and Chill.
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| Katherine Chloe "Kat" De Castro, the new president of Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (Image Source: Philstar.com) |
In
case you didn't know about IBC 13's new head honcho, Kat De Castro is the daughter
of former Philippine vice president and veteran newscaster Kabayan Noli De
Castro and news personality/TV executive Arlene Sinsuat and a Communication
Arts graduate at Miriam College. Before entering IBC, she worked at the Philippines'
premiere media and entertainment company ABS-CBN as part of its news department
but was first known as one of the hosts of the renouned weekly travel show Trip
Na Trip. She was a former Tourism Undersecretary before being appointed as a member
of IBC's Board of Directors during the time the network is undergoing
rehabilitation and slated to be legitimately privatized.
