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| (Image Source: People’s Television Network Inc.) |
People’s Television Network Inc. (PTV) proudly announces the launch of Congress TV, a dedicated free-to-air digital channel that will broadcast the sessions and regular legislative work and public service of the House of Representatives daily for the benefit of the viewing public. This groundbreaking initiative aims to provide Filipinos with unfiltered access to the decision-making process in crafting our nation’s laws by featuring the sessions of the House of Representatives and encouraging active participation and feedback via Congress TV’s online platforms and social media pages.
“Viewers will have the opportunity to witness the discussions, debates, and deliberations of Congress during its regular sessions. By way of Congress TV, we hope to promote greater transparency and accountability in our legislative process and encourage our people to actively interact with our lawmakers in the spirit of true democracy," said House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Moreover, PTV aims to forge a stronger connection between the government and the public as the country’s primary state broadcaster and engender a deeper understanding of the work of legislation and how Congress actively serves the needs of its constituency. PTV Network General Manager Ana Puod shares, “We are thrilled to announce Congress TV as one of our first major projects this year, on the occasion of PTV’s 50th anniversary as a broadcast institution in the country. By airing the sessions of Congress, we aim to present democracy in action, and show participative governance in the shaping of a new Philippines under our President’s vision of Bagong Pilipinas.”
House of Representatives Secretary General Reginald Velasco, having read the proposal on Congress TV by Puod in 2023, has expressed his support for the upcoming project, stating, “We found her proposal a welcome development as it gives Congress the opportunity to show to the Filipino people the good things that we do here in the House of Representatives. It also allows our countrymen to know more about how laws are created, how the national budget is examined and passed. It gives our people the opportunity to watch their representatives in action.” Congress TV airs daily from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm starting January 23, 2024 on PTV Digital Channel 14 in Metro Manila and online via Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). PTV reaches millions of viewers nationwide through the power of 16 analog transmitting stations and 6 digital transmitting stations and connects with the bigger, global community through its various digital platforms and official social media pages.
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Nippon TV's "Rebooting" Now Available On Netflix In Asia-Pacific Countries
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| (Image Source: Nippon TV) |
Nippon TV, Japan’s leading multiplatform entertainment powerhouse, announced that the company’s multiple-award-winning time loop drama series "Rebooting" can now be streamed on-demand on Netflix in Asia Pacific (APAC) countries including Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and many more countries in Southeast Asia. Netflix, the leading global entertainment service, has already began streaming the series in Japan and the series was extremely well received and reached #1 in the daily series TOP 10 (TV Shows) as of December 12, 2023.
"Rebooting" aired on Nippon TV from January to March 2023, amazing viewers with a completely new twist on the time loop genre and went on to receive Nippon TV’s record-making number of views on video-on-demand (VOD) all throughout the year. Due to popular demand, Nippon TV re-aired the full 10-episode series on December 2023 for viewers to binge-watch over the holidays as well as making the series available on the national VOD platform, TVer, for a limited time. The series has received multiple major national as well as international awards including ContentAsia Awards 2023 Gold Award for Best Drama Series/Telefilm made for a Single Market in Asia, Content Innovation Awards 2023 Best New Scripted Series Non-English Language, Asian Academy Creative Awards 2023 Best Director (Nippon TV’s Itaru Mizuno) and Best Trailer, and most recently the Asian Television Awards 2024 Best Scriptwriting (Scriptwriter Bakarhythm).
Nippon TV's Head of Finished Sales Keisuke Miyata said, “It is the perfect timing for viewers in Asia to view the long-awaited hit series Rebooting on Netflix, after its victories with many major awards. I have no doubt that this amazing time loop series will surely surprise the Netflix audiences throughout APAC.” Netflix Japan's Director of Content Rie Sawaoka said, “It is our pleasure to bring the Japanese hit series Rebooting to our APAC-based audience. We are extremely proud of our ongoing collaboration with Nippon TV and be able to introduce the award-winning Japanese drama to the wider viewers outside of the country.”
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Manila International Film Festival 2024 In US Unveils Official Poster
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| (Image Source: INQUIRER.net/Manila International Film Festival) |
The inaugural Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) unveiled its official poster honoring veteran Filipino actress Hilda Koronel who will receive the festival’s Monty Manibog Lifetime Achievement Award, representing the best of Philippine cinema. The award was named after the late outstanding community leader who became the first Filipino American to become an elected official in Southern California when he won a seat in the Monterey Park City Council.
The poster image is made up of hundreds of stills from Koronel’s movies with Lino Brocka, including “Insiang” and “Maynila: Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag" which are considered among the most important works in Philippine cinema. A closer look at the poster, designed by Elton Lugay and Adam Lang, will reveal that Brocka is beside Koronel, a detail that symbolizes the Philippines’ excellent filmmakers and talents. The MIFF, whose mission is to showcase, promote and help uplift Philippine cinema, has invited the filmmakers and stars behind the 10 official entries of the recently-concluded Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2023 to walk the red carpet in Hollywood and eventually attend MIFF events, including Q&As and personal appearances at select screenings. The 10 films debuting in America at MIFF, including the biggest winners and most nominated in the MMFF 2023 Gabi ng Parangal held last December 27, 2023 in Quezon City, are the following:
• Jun Robles Lana’s “Becky And Badette” (Eugene Domingo and Pokwang)
• Lemuel C. Lorca’s “Broken Heart’s Trip” (Christian Bables)
• Nuel Naval’s “Family Of Two (A Mother And Son Story)” (Sharon Cuneta and Alden Richards)
• Zig Dulay’s “Firefly” (Alessandra De Rossi and Euwenn Mikaell)
• Pepe Diokno’s “GomBurZa” (Enchong Dee, Dante Rivero and Cedrick Juan)
• King Palisoc’s “(K)Ampon” (Beauty Gonzalez and Derek Ramsay)
• Derick Cabrido’s “Mallari” (Piolo Pascual and Janella Salvador)
• Jason Paul Laxamana’s “Penduko” (Matteo Guidicelli and Kylie Verzosa)
• Mae Cruz-Alviar’s “Rewind” (Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes)
• Conrado Peru, Rommel Penesa and Christopher de Leon’s “When I Met You In Tokyo” (Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon)
Screenings and events will be held mainly beginning January 29, 2024 at the TCL Chinese Theatres located on the third level of Ovation Hollywood (formerly Hollywood & Highland), 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028. On the MIFF’s closing day on February 2, 2024, the screenings will be at the TCL Chinese Theatres and the DGA located at 7920 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90046. A closing night awards gala, where Koronel will receive the Monty Manibog Lifetime Achievement Award and to be graced by stars and filmmakers, is slated to take place during the festival. Tickets for MIFF, including bundles that offer free tickets, are now available via Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-manila-international-film-festival-tickets-771883764117.
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Paramount+ Coming To PH On June 2024 Via Blast TV
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| (Image Source: VideoAge International/Paramount Global Content Distribution) |
Paramount Global Content Distribution recently announced a partnership deal with Philippine-based TAP Digital Media Ventures Corporation to create a Paramount+ brand extension for licensed Paramount content on its Subscription Video On-Demand (SVOD) service Blast TV which is scheduled to launch on June 2024. This agreement reinforces Paramount’s strategy to expand the Paramount+ brand in more ways around the world including making Paramount+ available as a direct-to-consumer streaming service through bundled partnerships in key markets as well as through branded hubs in local markets through licensing deals.
Viewers can access their favorite scripted and unscripted series and feature films from CBS, Paramount+ Originals, SHOWTIME®, Paramount Television International Studios, Paramount Pictures, and more as well as discover the latest Paramount entertainment content from around the globe. Paramount+ branded areas are currently available via Cosmote in Greece and Streamz in Belgium and more to come. “We’re thrilled to welcome Blast TV and their subscribers in the Philippines to the Paramount family with this landmark deal to be the first partner in South East Asia with Paramount+ branded area on their service. With a vast offering of sought-after titles across multiple content pillars, this agreement truly showcases the breadth and strength of the Paramount Global catalog," said Paramount Global Chief Content Licensing Officer and Republic Pictures President Dan Cohen.
“Blast TV as the exclusive home to Paramount+ branded area is an exciting and key business initiative for our company in 2024 as we expand our streaming content offering. We are honored that Paramount Global extended us this fantastic opportunity to bring a multiverse of valuable IP such as Star Trek, Taylor Sheridan series, NCIS and Transformers among many others to our subscribers," says TAP Digital Media Ventures President and CEO Celinda de Guia.
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Harvey Bautista And Criza Taa Topbill ABS-CBN's New Youth Series "Zoomers"
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
Former "Goin Bulilit" star Harvey Bautista and ex-"Pinoy Big Brother (PBB)" housemate Criza clinched the lead roles of ABS-CBN Studios’ new youth-reality series “Zoomers”, which premiered last January 22, 2024, after undergoing a rigorous audition process and impressing three distinguished directors. Harvey and Criza were selected among 18 Gen Z artists by ABS-CBN Star Magic and TV production head Laurenti Dyogi, blockbuster film director Theodore Boborol, and "He's Into Her" director Chad Vidanes. Joining them are former "YeY" star Luke Alford, commercial model Ralph de Leon, and dancer Krystl Ball who also showed potential and charm to be part of the latest ABS-CBN Studios offering.
The newest Kapamilya series revolves around the lives of senior high students Jiggs (Harvey), Hope (Criza), Kokoy (Luke), Tania (Krystl), and Atom (Ralph) who have forged a special bond of friendship during the pandemic. As they find their footing in this post-pandemic reality, witness how their friendship will be tested as they will be challenged by their own pains, struggles, and dreams. Former child star Harvey opened up about how important the series is to him, saying, "Big deal ito para sa akin. Ito yung first project ko with a partner. May kaba konti and excitement. It is something that I've been waiting for, and it is something that I'm thankful for. I want to make them proud. I want to make the bosses proud. Criza, who was a part of hit series "Kadenang Ginto" and "He's Into Her", is honored to play one of the main characters in the series, saying, "Ito yung first bida role ko under Star Magic at ABS-CBN yung may hawak. Tumatak sa akin na I'm so grateful and thankful na pinagkatiwalaan nila ako sa ganitong role. Ang number 1 na mapapangako ko is ibibigay ko yung 199% sa character ko. Isasabuhay ko si Hope." Likewise, Luke, Ralph, and Krystl expressed their gratefulness for the opportunity to be part of a series tackling relevant social issues faced by their generation.
"Zoomers" is directed by Chad Vidanes and is written by Charisse Bayona and Michael Transfiguracion. Also part of "Zoomers" are Luis Vera Perez, Kei Kurosawa, Erika Davis, Hadiyah Santos, and Zabel Lamberth. Don't miss out on the newest youth-oriented series of ABS-CBN this 2024 and catch the episodes of "Zoomers" weeknights after "Can't Buy Me Love, 10:15 pm, on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, and TV5. Viewers all over the world can also stream its full episodes on ABS-CBN Entertainment's YouTube channel.
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Test Your Pop Culture Knowledge With PIE's Newest Interactive Game Show ISKOOL RUL3Z!
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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/PIE Channel) |
Are you ready to put your knowledge on all things Filipino Pop Culture to the test? Pinoy Interactive Entertainment (PIE) is excited to announce the premiere of their newest interactive game show ISKOOL RUL3Z! which takes our KaTroPIEs back to class to test their knowledge on Pinoy music, movies, TV shows, and more. Hosted by hilarious PIE Jocks Kevin Montillano and Nicki Morena, ISKOOL RUL3Z! promises to be a fun-filled experience.
Montillano shares, “Siguradong lahat tayo ay mag-eenjoy at maraming matututunan tungkol sa ating local pop culture sa show na ‘to." Morena adds, “Nag-handa kami ng exciting lineup para sa inyo kaya naman make sure to tune in para maging mas extra saya ang inyong mga Sabado!" ISKOOL RUL3Z! premiered on January 20, 2024 and will air on the following Saturdays, January 27 and February 3, at 5:00 pm on pie.com.ph. “As we look ahead, we’re incredibly excited about the new chapter that’s unfolding at PIE. ISKOOL RUL3Z! is just a glimpse of what’s to come and we remain committed to engaging our KatroPIEs with fresh concepts that remain true to our Pindot PIEnalo spirit,” says KROMA Entertainment's Head of Tradigital Channels Business Jil Go.
Log on to pie.com.ph on the show’s airing dates and answer several trivia questions in a multiple-choice poll. Every correct answer is worth Php200. Now’s the time for you to brush up to get marked PIEsado — and not PIEsang-awa! So, are you ready to take on the challenge? Don’t forget to follow PIE on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok for updates.
