Proposed provincial division of Zamboanga del Norte

On February 21, 2017, House Bill No. 5040 was introduced in the House of Representatives that seeks to carve out a new province from Zamboanga del Norte. This new province, called Zamboanga Hermosa, is proposed to consist of the 12 municipalities and 2 legislative districts that make up the 3rd legislative district of Zamboanga del Norte:

• Baliguian
• Godod
• Gutalac
• Kalawit
• Labason
• Leon B. Postigo
• Liloy (Proposed capital)
• Salug
• Sibuco
• Siocon
• Sirawai
• Tampilisan

Plus:

• Malayal
• Senuyak 
• Sitog

GMA Network increases nationwide TV ratings lead in July

Broadcast leader GMA Network continued to widen its lead over the competition in nationwide television ratings based on the latest data from widely-trusted ratings service provider, Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

From July 1 to 31 (with July 22 to 31 based on overnight data), GMA posted an average total day people audience share of 41.8 percent in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM), beating ABS-CBN’s 36.7 percent.

GMA’s solid ratings performance was a result of the Network’s continued leadership across all dayparts. The Kapuso Network strengthened its lead in the morning block, registering 38.6 percent people audience share as against ABS-CBN’s 34.9 percent.

GMA likewise posted a bigger margin in the afternoon block with 43.4 percent, while ABS-CBN only managed to get 35.9 percent.

In the evening block, GMA was also ahead of the competition with an average of 42 percent versus ABS-CBN’s 38 percent.

The Kapuso Network continued its dominance in the viewer-rich areas of Urban Luzon and Mega Manila, which respectively account for 72 and 59 percent of all urban viewers in the country.

GMA recorded an average total day people audience share of 46.1 percent in Urban Luzon, which toppled ABS-CBN’s 31.3 percent.

Similarly in Mega Manila (with official data from July 1 to 21), the Kapuso Network ruled competition with an average total day people audience share of 47.2 percent versus ABS-CBN’s 29.5 percent.

More GMA shows also made it to the list of top programs in NUTAM with Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS) keeping its spot as the most watched Kapuso program nationwide. The newly-launched Kapuso telefantasya and Alden Richards-starrer Victor Magtanggol immediately entered the list following KMJS.

Joining them were Magpakailanman, 24 Oras, Lip Sync Battle Philippines, Pepito Manaloto, Kambal, Karibal, Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, and The Clash.

Completing the list of top-rating programs were The Cure, Amazing Earth, Inday Will Always Love You, Bubble Gang, Saksi, 24 Oras Weekend, Wowowin, Imbestigador, You’re My Destiny, Tadhana, The Stepdaughters, Kapag Nahati ang Puso, Sunday Pinasaya, Eat Bulaga and Contessa.

Kapuso programs also dominated the Urban Luzon and Mega Manila lists, respectively taking 23 and 25 spots out of the top 30.

More viewers nationwide also preferred GMA Network’s coverage of Manny Pacquiao’s fight last July 15 as well as President Rodrigo Duterte’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 23.

GMA’s coverage of the much-awaited bout between Manny Pacquiao and Lucas Matthysse garnered a people audience share of 49.1 percent in NUTAM which topped ABS-CBN’s 30.8 percent.

“SONA 2018: The GMA News Special Coverage” was likewise the most watched with 41.2 percent overnight people audience share in NUTAM versus ABS-CBN’s 32.6 percent.

Nielsen data is gathered through a greater number of sampled homes nationwide in comparison with Kantar Media. With approximately 900 more homes surveyed in Total Urban and Rural Philippines compared with Kantar, Nielsen data is statistically considered more representative of the total TV population.

In 2018, Nielsen TV Audience Measurement’s client pool covers a total of 34 clients/subscribers consisting of 8 local TV networks including ABS-CBN, TV5, Aksyon TV, CNN Philippines, and Viva Communications Inc., among others; 3 regional clients; 2 blocktimers; and 21 agencies (17 media agencies, 3 consulting agencies, 1 digital agency).

A movie about people living in a cemetery

Lou Baron

Coming over very soon is our good friend, the multi-faceted Fil-Am Lou Baron. This time, Lou will be working on her latest project, the short film “Tombstone Pillow.” She said the movie, to be shot entirely in the country, is about poor people living in a cemetery.

“This is a very compelling film, something I’m really committed to do. I intend to offer it for consideration in the various international film festivals, especially Cannes,” she said, adding that the screenplay was written by award-winning scriptwriter in Hollywood, Fraser Scott.

To prepare for her character as Sophia Zaragoza, a filthy rich widow, Lou has been taking one-on-one acting lessons from a noted acting coach in California. “I play a very rich and condescending woman who was married to a corrupt politician. My director wants me to look like the one in ‘The Devil Wears Prada,’ with really expensive taste,” she laughed.

The twist in the story is that Sophia Zaragoza was born dirt poor, and the ghost of a young girl she met at the cemetery will change her. “I will become a kind person because of her.”

A vocalist, songwriter, actress, producer and author rolled into one, Lou won Best Producer (for a documentary) at the Telly Awards 2017. She’s the only Fil-Am producer to win the award so far.

Also last year, she was honored at the Global Pinoy Web Radio Awards for her contribution to the music, film and entertainment industry.

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An inspiring theme song

More and more viewers are tuning in to GMA’s newest singing competition, “The Clash,” aired Saturdays and Sundays at 7:30 p.m.

Apart from the intense battles between its clashers, avid viewers of the program like the program’s inspiring theme song ‘Mangarap Ka, Laban Pa,’ sung and composed by Filipino singer, rapper and songwriter Quest. At present, the theme song already has 18,000 views on YouTube.

After intense one-on-one battles, the number of clashers is down to 30. The clashers remain clueless as they don’t know when they will be called to fight, nor who their opponent at the Clash Arena would be. As the number of available slots for the next round decreases, the pressure for the Clashers to deliver an amazing performance increases. Who among them will impress Comedy Concert Queen Ai Ai Delas Alas, Asia’s Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista and Asia’s Nightingale Lani Misalucha?

Find out on “The Clash,” hosted by Regine Velasquez-Alcasid.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Aug. 2, go to Dingdong Dantes, Baby Bueno Coady, Nenuca Blardony, Violeta Villanueva, Jennifer Ejercito, Benjamin Laxa Pangilinan, Eva Jacinto, Shonee Greene, Jay Mendoza, Jay Santos, Romulo "Kid" Pena and Sen. Joel Villanueva… Aug. 3: Judge Espie F. Victorino, Alex Libongco, Jayce Bautista, Linda Venago, Alex Javier, Polly Chua, Geraly Japuz, Ricky Cobiangkiat and MB publisher and editor-in-chief Cris Icban Jr.…