 |
| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
ABS-CBN announced the retirement of Integrated News and Current Affairs head Regina “Ging” Reyes by the end of the year after 36 years of dedicated service and excellence in the field of broadcast journalism including 12 years as the news chief of one of the country’s leading media companies. Ging successfully transformed ABS-CBN News into a fully integrated news organization that delivered news and public service to Filipinos worldwide across different platforms even during the pandemic. She was also hailed as the 2022 Southeast Asia Laureate for Women in News Editorial Leadership by the World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) in Spain last September for her editorial integrity and outstanding leadership.
Under Ging’s leadership, ABS-CBN News won numerous awards such as the Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards, Society of Publishers in Asia, and the U.S. International Film & Video Festival Awards. She also became part of the advisory board of the New York Festivals (NYF) World’s Best TV & Film Awards. Ging leaves a remarkable legacy of excellence and service which she started to build when she joined the network as a production assistant in 1986. She rose from the ranks to become executive producer and head writer of the award-winning “The World Tonight” and other special events before being promoted as director for news production. Prior to her appointment as news chief in 2010, Ging led the expansion of ABS-CBN News’ operations in the United States of America and Canada as North America news bureau chief for eight years. She was even named by the Filipina Women’s Network as one of the 100 Most Influential Filipino Women in the U.S.
* * * *
MOONTON Games Taps ABS-CBN As M4 MLBB World Championship Broadcast Partner
 |
| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/MOONTON Games/ABS-CBN Corporation) |
International gaming developer and publisher MOONTON Games has forged a partnership with the Philippines’ leading media and content company ABS-CBN Corporation to stream and broadcast the M4 Mobile Legends Bang Bang (MLBB) World Championship in Jakarta, Indonesia on January 1-15, 2023. ABS-CBN Corporation has vowed to deliver a premium live streaming experience for global Filipino fans anticipating the M4 World Championship. This is in line with MOONTON Games’ goal to provide the best eSports experience to its fans. M4 World Championship’s Group and Knockout Stages will be shown live on the network’s streaming platform iWantTFC with the Grand Finals showcased on iWantTFC, ABS-CBN Entertainment, and ABS-CBN Sports YouTube channels on January 15, 2023 while select matches will be aired exclusively on ABS-CBN's Kapamilya Channel (SKYcable SD channel 8 and HD channel 167, Cignal SD channel 22 and HD channel 23).
“ABS-CBN and iWantTFC continue to find ways to expand its content offerings to cater to more viewers. With our partnership with MOONTON Games, one of the leaders in eSports, it is a great opportunity for us to bring premier eSports content to even more audiences in the Philippines, which is already one of the biggest eSports communities in Southeast Asia,” said ABS-CBN Corporation Head of Digital Jamie Lopez. “We are grateful for this partnership with ABS-CBN to level up the streaming experience of our fans. Now, Filipinos can watch the much-awaited M4 World Championship on multiple streaming platforms and rally behind both ECHO and Blacklist International as both teams strive to bring glory to our country through another world title,” said MOONTON Games Senior eSports Marketing Manager Tonyo Silva.
* * * *
GMA Network Reveals Second Collaboration Project With Wattpad Via "LUV IS: Love At First Read"
 |
| Sparkle couple Mavy Legazpi and Kyline Alcantara topbills GMA Network and Wattpad WEBTOON Studios' second collaboration project entitled "Luv Is: Love At First Read" (Image Source: Manila Bulletin/GMA Network) |
Expect more good vibes and kilig as GMA Network unveils another TV adaptation with Wattpad WEBTOON Studios via “LUV IS: Love at First Read". Coming this June 2023, the series will be bannered by one of the most sought-after Sparkle loveteams, Mavy Legaspi and Kyline Alcantara, as they play the lead roles of Kudos and Angelica/Abby.
Love at First Read is based on the hit Wattpad webnovel with the same title amassing 23.3 million reads. The said masterpiece is written by author “Chixnita". It follows the story of Kudos, a secret romantic searching for the perfect girl. He finds a diary and believes that the owner of it, Abby, is the one for him. However, he also meets Angelica, a jaded girl who distrusts men and has no interest in love. They clash at first but as they get to know one another, their feelings begin to grow. Now, Kudos is torn between Angelica and Abby — not knowing that they are actually one and the same. But how is this possible? Will their fears and the lies they weave hinder their love for each other?
Completing the cast of the much-anticipated adaptation are Josh Ford as Train; Pam Prinster as Hazel; Bruce Roeland as Risk; Larkin Castor as Shield; Therese Malvar as Abigail; Mariel Pamintuan as Sandy; and Gabby and Kiel Gueco as Psalm and Philemon. Also starring are seasoned artists Maricar de Mesa as Yumi, Abby’s mom; Jestoni Alarcon as Hector, Kudos’ dad; and Ms. Jackie Lou Blanco as Truly, Kudos’ mom. Love at First Read will come after LUV IS: Caught In His Arms headlined by Sparkle sweethearts Sofia Pablo and Allen Ansay slated to be aired on GMA Network's Telebabad primetime block beginning January 2023.
* * * *
Valenzuela City's Shalom Choir Is Grand Champion Of TV5's Christmas Chorale Showdown
 |
| (Image Source: Starmometer/TV5 Network Inc.) |
TV5‘s successful ‘Sama-Samang Tinig ng Pasko’ chorale competition officially proclaimed the Top 3 winning chorale groups during the Grand Finals at Ayala Malls Feliz last December 17, 2022. Prior to the Grand Finals, the network organized a series of barangay showdowns in Manila, Valenzuela, Quezon City, and Marikina where the best two out of ten chorale groups in each city became part of the Top 8 who would compete at the Grand Finals.
The 8 groups that battled during the Grand Finals were Manila’s University of the East and San Sebastian Chamber Singers; Valenzuela’s Ictus Vocal Ensemble and Shalom Choir; Quezon City’s The Disciple Choir and San Antonio de Padua Choir; and Marikina’s New Anthem and Marikina Gospel Chorus. Valenzuela’s Shalom Choir won 1st place and bagged the grand prize worth Php300,000 plus the opportunity to perform during the PBA halftime show. Marikina’s New Anthem won 3rd place and received a cash prize of Php100,000 while Valenzuela’s Ictus Vocal Ensemble won 2nd place with Php150,000 cash.
In partnership with Joy Expert Dishwashing Liquid and with special thanks to Sting, Milkita Lollipops & Candy, Flanax, Paracetamol Tempra, Alaska, Eden, Dr. S. Wong’s Sulfur Soap, C2, Knorr, and its venue partner Ayala Malls Feliz, TV5 gave away amazing prizes and freebies from event sponsors. With the engaging activities and entertaining serenade brought by the talented participants, TV5’s ‘Sama-Samang Tinig ng Pasko’ chorale competition truly resonated with the network’s “Iba’ng Saya ng Pasko ‘Pag Sama-Sama” Christmas message.
* * * *
Critically Acclaimed Thriller "Nocebo" Out In PH Cinemas January 2023 Via TBA Studios
 |
| (Image Source: INQUIRER.net/TBA Studios) |
TBA Studios has acquired the Philippine theatrical distribution rights to "Nocebo", the Filipino-Irish suspense thriller starring Eva Green ("300: Rise of an Empire”), Mark Strong ("Shazam!”) and Cebuana actress Chai Fonacier ("Patay na si Hesus”). Directed by Irish Film and Television Awards-winning filmmaker Lorcan Finnegan ("Vivarium”) and written by Garret Shanley ("Without Name”), "Nocebo” centers on Christine, a fashion designer (Green) who suffers from a mysterious illness that confounds her doctors and frustrates her husband, Felix (Strong). Help arrives in the form of Diana, a Filipino nanny (Fonacier) who uses traditional folk healing to reveal a horrifying truth.
"Nocebo” was the opening film at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival and had limited runs at Sitges Film Festival, Cork International Film Festival, Singapore International Film Festival and QCinema International Film Festival. It was the first recipient of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP)’s International Co-production Fund (ICOF) in 2020. "Nocebo” was produced by Brunella Cocchiglia and Emily Leo and co-produced by the Filipino production company Epicmedia. It was executive produced by XYZ Films. "TBA Studios is ecstatic to bring ‘Nocebo’ to a wider audience in the Philippines featuring our very own Chai Fonacier in an international film steeped in Filipino folklore. It is only fitting that our kababayans watch the movie on the biggest screen they could find with a crisp sound system to immerse in the world of ‘Nocebo’,” said TBA Studios President and Chief Operating Officer Daphne O. Chiu. This is TBA Studios’ first project with Bianca Balbuena of Epicmedia and Chiu looks forward to a promising partnership with her fellow producer. "Bianca and I go way back since our Cinemalaya days and I’m thrilled to have a chance to work with her again after more than a decade. We hope this is the start of more exciting ventures for us both,” Chiu added.
The film acquisition comes on the heels of the much-talked-about local releases of Cannes-winning films "Triangle of Sadness", a cinematic masterpiece which actress Dolly de Leon made history as the first Filipina to be nominated for Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actress; and "Plan 75", Japan’s entry to the Academy Awards that likewise stars a thespian of Filipino descent, Stefanie Arianne. TBA Studios also distributed the award-winning "Everything Everywhere All At Once” which had a successful theatrical run in the Philippines. This winning streak of highly acclaimed film releases continues in "Nocebo” set to be released in Philippine cinemas on January 18, 2023.
* * * *
SIMPLE PLAN's 'Harder Than It Looks Tour' Coming To Manila And Davao On March 2023
 |
| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Wilbros Live) |
Multi-platinum rock band SIMPLE PLAN is bringing their ‘The Harder Than It Looks Tour’ in Southeast Asia 2023 to Manila and Davao. The Canadian band will be performing in Manila on March 11, 2023 (Friday) at the New Frontier Theater and in Davao on March 13, 2023 (Sunday) at the SMX Convention Center Davao.
Simple Plan boasts worldwide sales topping 10 million with chart-topping hits in the Philippines like “Perfect”, “I’m Just A Kid”, “Welcome To My Life”, “Jet Lag”, “Addicted”, “I’d Do Anything”, “Shut Up!” and “Untitled (How Could This Happen To Me?)”. Accolades include the 2005 Teen Choice Award, 2006 JUNO Fan Choice Award, 2012 Allan Waters Humanitarian Award, 2012 Yahoo! Canadian Impact Award, 2012 NRJ award, and the 2013 Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award. The Montreal-based band has remained an international sensation for over 20 years with worldwide sales topping 10 million and over 1 billion streams across all streaming platforms! The #ImJustAKid trend on Tik Tok has over 4.3 billion views and the #ImJustAKidChallenge hashtag has over 590.9 million views and counting. Plus, they’ve received numerous awards and accolades the world over, and to date, they have performed for insatiable audiences in over 60 countries.
Tickets to Simple Plan’s ‘The Harder Than It Looks Tour’ in Manila will go on sale on January 15 via TicketNet.com.ph and TicketNet outlets nationwide. For Davao, it will also go on sale on the same day via SMTickets.com and SM Tickets outlets nationwide. Follow @WilbrosLive on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok for more updates on #SimplePlanTour2023 and other upcoming concerts.
