Thursday, March 2, 2017

ABS-CBN maintains ratings lead in February

ABS-CBN is still the most watched network in the Philippines as it kept its lead over rival network GMA in February.

According to data from Kantar Media, ABS-CBN hit an average audience share of 44% among urban and rural homes in February, higher than GMA’s 35%.

The Kapamilya network continued to rule primetime with an audience share of 47%, the morning block with 38%, the noontime block with 45%, and the afternoon block with 44%.

Kantar Media used a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural homes to represent 100% of the total Philippine viewing TV population.

ABS-CBN’s primetime series “Ang Probinsyano” starring Coco Martin remains the most watched program in February with an average national TV rating of 37.9%.

Out of the 20 most watched shows in the country last month, 14 were produced by ABS-CBN.

Aside from “Ang Probinsyano,” the other top-rating Kapamilya shows include “Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids”, “Wansapanataym”, “MMK”, “TV Patrol”, “My Dear Heart”, “Home Sweetie Home”, “Goin’ Bulilit”, “Wildflower”, “Rated K”, “Ipaglaban Mo”, “Langit Lupa”, “Doble Kara”, “It’s Showtime - Saturday” and “TV Patrol Weekend” (18.5%). 

Fil-Am director collaborates with Cambodian businessman

Hollywood International Film Academy (HIFA) and LLC Chairman H.E. Oknha Rat Sokhorn (a respected businessman in Cambodia) wins the 2016 International Award for Leadership in Image and Quality, presented recently by the Global Trade Leaders’ Club from Madrid, Spain.

Rat Sokhorn Incorporation Co. Ltd, is a multi-functioning company in mining, rubber manufacturing, athletic training in Vovinam martial arts, table tennis and filmmaking courses in Hollywood.Chairman Sokhorn has been awarded in the past by the Royal Government of Cambodia the National Development Medal Award for helping the poor.

The award was accepted, on his behalf, by Fil-American film director and CEO of HIFA, Ace Cruz. Ace was responsible for bringing to the Philippines Hollywood actor Michael Madsen which led him back to Asia to do a film “Fight For Life” with Chairman Sokhorn.

“Fight For Life,” about how a young man, whose mother was a victim of Pol Pot’s Genocide Régime in Cambodia, surmounts numerous challenges using the Vovinam martial arts philosophy.

Cruz intends to submit the histprical epic to the Academy Awards (The Oscars) in 2018. He plans on casting Filipino actors to play the leads as Cambodian characters. If interested in auditioning (from ages 13 to 24 only), email a self-tape to spiritfilms@gmail.com.

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Three wins

Congratulations to Ms. Baby F. Go, executive producer of BG International Productions Inc. for winning three special awards during the recent Gawad Tanglaw Awards.These are for Presidential Jury Award for Best Film for “Area,” directed by Louie Ignacio; Presidential Jury Award – Students Choice Award for Best Film (“Laut”) and Presidential Jury Prize for Best Children’s Film (“Child Haus,” by Louie Ignacio).

Other awards won by BG International Productions were for Best Actor for Allen Dizon (for the film “Iadya Mo Kami”), Best Supporting Actress for Aiko Melendez (“Iadya Mo Kami”), Best Story for Ferdinand Lapuz (“Area’), Best Editing, Gilbert Obispo (“Area”), and Best Production Design, Cyrus Khan (“Laut”).

Ms. Go has stressed her desire to continue producing relevant and timely indie films if only to help the local movie industry survive by providing jobs to movie workers.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, March 2, go to Cocoy Laurel, Paquita Revilla, Alice Cuazon, Rebecca Guinto, Dr. Hermie M. Isaac, Monette Guevara, Dick E. Orense, Danny Mangahas, Ferdie Salinas, twins Manny Calanno and Mike Calanno, Romeo A. Milan, Jenny Ella Juico, Danny Cabulay, Nini Alvero, Nicollo Paulo Quizon, Jonathan Rochelle Rzje, Mary Ann Macahindog-Dela Cruz, Chris A. Datol, Mark Anthony Lara and PPL talent Gabby EigenmannMarch 3: Michael Agassi, Erlinda D. Panlilio, Atty. Lulu T. Castañeda, Bambi Mendoza, Connie Mopas, Nena del Rosario, Benita Galang vda. De Gallardo, Marna Leah N. Guinto, Ms. Zenaida Luna, writer Roy Iglesias, Brian Ong, Rowena Carranza Paraan, Baby Gil of Viva Entertainment, Luz Cruz, Marina Escaño and Edith D. Caligacion of Toronto, Canada… Belated b-day greetings to MB’s Pau Aguilera (March 1)…