On January 1, 2008, ABS-CBN draws the biggest metropolitan and nationwide audience welcoming the Year 2008, the eighth year of the third millennium by popular belief, with a special live marathon worldwide broadcast THE GRAND ABS-CBN WORLDWIDE CELEBRATION OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM. The network's top-rating broadcast includes 4 network-sponsored dusk-to-dawn millennium parties at Rizal Park, The Fort, Quezon Memorial Circle, and Alabang Town Center and live coverage of millennium midnight celebrations all over Metro Manila, across the Philippines and around the world.
New ABS-CBN Logo for the Century
Throughout the usage of the 1986 logo, ABS-CBN not only enjoyed success in broadcasting but also rapidly transformed itself into a media conglomerate. So, in 1999, ABS-CBN made a corporate decision to redesign its logo to meet the current demands and to respond to the then fast-approaching new millennium. However, ABS-CBN also decided to retain its symbol (as the network noticed that the symbol had become one of the most recognizable and identifiable in the country) and give it a total redesign.
It took a few months to design the new logo, which was developed in-house until finally, on January 1, 2000, with the dawn of the new millennium, ABS-CBN's most famous logo was launched. The logo, in extreme contrast to the previous logo, is considerably more "modern-styled". The reason for the retaining of its famous symbol despite the new design, according to ABS-CBN, was because changing its logo for the new millennium was a matter of "keeping the basics" which meant keeping its now historic symbol.
The previous logo, which featured the stylized Malayan letters and a box with three concentric circles and a line gave way to this logo's styling. In the fifth generation of the symbol, the three RGB circles and black vertical lines were retained and slightly modified. Also, the text was given the biggest redesign, as it had the ABS and CBN names merged into the name
ABS-CBN (this was done to indicate that both ABS and CBN are now owned by the one family, the Lopezes), and was given a more modern Rotis Semi Serif-like typeface and the box, which was part of the logo since 1967 "evolved" into a flat grey/white crystal plane (on the 2D version, the plane appears as a 2D grey/white square, and on some uses of the logo, the square is nowhere to be seen), with the rings and line placed above it. This was done to indicate that ABS-CBN has gone "out of the box", which means it has gone beyond its core business of broadcasting to cover other media platforms, and has transformed into a national and global radio and television broadcasting network covering 99% of the Philippines and 2/3 of the whole world.
The logo greatly departs itself from the previous logo not only in terms of design but also in terms of representation, because compared to the previous logo, which limited its representation of ABS-CBN as only a terrestrial radio and television broadcasting network and the largest media network in the country, the 2000 logo changed its representation of ABS-CBN from being just a terrestrial radio and television broadcasting network into a unified representation of ABS-CBN being a diversified multimedia conglomerate and global radio and television broadcasting network. This type of representation would soon be passed on to ABS-CBN's 2013 logo.
A new slogan was launched to coincide with the new logo's unveiling, entitled "Out of the Box... Into the New Millennium" (the slogan also used to celebrate the new millennium). The reason for the unveiling of the "Out of the Box" slogan, is to represent that ABS-CBN (because of its transformation from a radio-TV network to a total media conglomerate) and its logo (because it has replaced its box with a crystal plane) have indeed, gone "out of the box".
Along with this, the company also launched new theme music to replace the theme music used since the network's relaunch as The Star Network. In 2003, during the television station's 50th anniversary, ABS-CBN launched its present brand name, "Kapamilya" (literally means "a member of the family").
Although the 2000 logo of ABS-CBN is interpreted as a new logo, it can also be interpreted as a new millennium redesign of ABS-CBN's previous logo.
In 2013, the logo overtook the 1986 logo of ABS-CBN as the longest-lived logo of the network. The logo remained in use even when the unveiling of the new 2014 logo of ABS-CBN, retaining its role as the network's primary logo up until December 31, 2013, when it was finally discontinued.
As of 2014, however, the logo is now being used as a secondary logo, such as on the ABS-CBN website, but ABS-CBN will soon completely have the logo phased out sometime.
The Print Launch: "Out of the Box... in the New Millennium"
After over 50 years of committed communications and public service, ABS-CBN has successfully transformed itself from broadcast pioneer to a total entertainment and information company. ABS-CBN takes on a fresh look for the new millennium, all the while embodying the vision and ideals of our founder, the late Eugenio Lopez Jr., remaining true to our reason for being in the service of the Filipino, through and beyond year 2000.
—The message of the first print ad with the ABS-CBN 2000 logo
The logo was unveiled in print with the old logos of ABS-CBN shown on glass screens and featured the elements of the 2000 logo on screens with gold linings, this time with a crystal plane and the revamped ABS-CBN text. While they assemble, the elements denoting are described but this time, it is more different, because of ABS-CBN's evolution into a media and entertainment company and international presence.
| Element | Original Meaning (1967-1999) | New Meaning (2000-present) |
|---|
| A Vertical Line | Represents a transmitter tower. | Represents a transmitter tower, signifying ABS-CBN's core business of broadcasting. |
| Three Rings | Symbolizes ABS-CBN's signals representing the RGB colors which make up a pixel on television/The three divisions of the Philippines: Luzon (Red), Visayas (Green), and Mindanao (Blue). | Stand for ABS-CBN's presence in the lives of Filipinos, here and elsewhere in the world. |
| A Crystal Plane | Represents the broadcasting ideal of balanced programming. | Denotes ABS-CBN's dynamic spirit. |
| The Network's Call Letters | Stylized Malayan letters to denote modern, Filipino enterprise. | Merge below it and graphically underscore ABS-CBN's mission of being in the service of the Filipino, wherever he may be.
|
The TV Launch
During the ABS-CBN Countdown to 2000 special entitled "ABS-CBN Worldwide Celebration of The New Millennium", a plug called the "Millennium Overture" was seen on-air.
The first scene featured all the past logos and station IDs (along with the Sarimanok) of ABS-CBN during that time on television screens.
Later, a portal transports the viewers to a dark clear space and displays the 1986 ABS-CBN logo for one last time.
Then, all of a sudden, the 1986 logo began to shift its parts and transform them, starting its reconstruction into a new logo.
The box is removed and replaced by a new crystal plane, the rings, and line modify their appearance and start separating from each other, and the ABS and CBN names start to merge and morph into a newer ABS-CBN text with more modern typography.
As the 1986 logo reconstructs, the current logo of ABS-CBN becomes visible, and as the reconstruction finishes, the new logo becomes completely visible (with the line and text appearing in white), with the dark space becoming a black background with R-G-B light streams, and the slogan "In The Service Of The Filipino", now in Rotis Semi Serif font, cleaner font (appearing in white), appearing below a white line, which is seen between the logo and the slogan. Later, the 1986 logo ended its lifespan and the new logo started being used as the current corporate logo.
Celebrating the New Millennium
The world saw Regine Velasquez singing a millennium anthem from a giant circular stage on top of the Peninsula backed by 2,000 children. When the song ended, the crowd stood in silence as television host Mike Enriquez led a prayer.
It was a world-class production marked by fireworks display every 15 minutes at the four corners of Ayala Center.
The stage vibrated with excitement as giant laser beams projected from behind the stage all the way to the sky.
Aside from Valenciano, it was Kuh Ledesma who mesmerized the crowd with her singing of ''Ako ay Pilipino.''
This was followed by other entertainment numbers by the APO Hiking Society, Janno Gibbs, KC Montero, Ara Mina, Dingdong Dantes, Vernie Varga, Billy Crawford, Side A, Jaya, Sunshine Cruz, Angelica, Lanie Misalucha, Regine and Kakay Velasquez, among others.
The show was hosted by Miss Universe Philippines 2007 Anna Theresa Licaros, television host Paolo Bediones, image model Ryan Agoncillo, Antonette Taus, among others.
On stage were Philippine Vice-President Noli de Castro, the Zobels, the Binays, and Makati's 400.
Other well-heeled people, who had checked in at Makati's five-star hotels, chose to watch the celebration from their rooms. Still, others greeted the millennium inside hotel lobbies. The Manila Peninsula hosted a millennium party attended by people dressed in their most formal attire.
But, the millennium celebrations celebrated nationwide and worldwide, when the Ayala party eclipsed that at Rizal Park even with its crowd of 300,000 led by President Pascual and his family and his Cabinet.
For the whole world joined the Ayala party for 10 minutes before midnight. It was seen live by 800 million viewers around the globe through 57 television networks comprising the BBC-led global millennium broadcast. The world saw an estimated 30,000 frolicking Filipinos, a lot of local color in the array of jeepneys parked in front of the Peninsula Hotel in Makati City with its waterfalls cascading down twin stairways lined by the very Filipino parols, all-white and old-fashioned.
When the clock hit 12 midnight Tuesday on the official millennium Swatch clock beside the stage, the hushed crowd suddenly burst into jubilant singing, shouting and dancing. Confetti rained down on Ayala and more fireworks enthralled.
The Ayala celebration started with a big bang when close to a hundred boys and girls entered the giant stage carrying torches. They were dressed in gold and silver. They were joined by the Madrigal Singers. Then, without introduction, pop icon Gary Valenciano ran toward the stage to perform.
The ABS-CBN Millennium Extravaganza started with a history of the Filipino people presentation, simultaneous with other network presentations at the Fort Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.
While the VIP crowd inside the inner ring and those near enough to the grandstand contented themselves of the ABS-CBN variety show, majority of the crowd went about their business. Some slept on their mats while others sold El Shaddai items.
Alternately hosted by couples Ricky Davao and Jackie Lou Blanco; John Estrada and Willie Revillame and other stars, the show featured a host of artists who sang a medley of Philippine folk and pop songs.
The artists, which included Joey Ayala and Grace Nono, were accompanied by the Philharmonic Orchestra.
The sleeping El Shaddai members only stirred when President Pascual arrived together with the First Family and Cabinet members for the turn-of-the-century program at Monday, December 31 at 11:00 p.m. El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde was also among the guests.
They all rose to their feet when Mr. Pascual led the ''kapit-bisig'' ritual after delivering his speech.
As usual during El Shaddai gatherings, hundreds of thousands of candles were lit during the four-minute countdown after the President's speech and the kapit-bisig rites between Mr. Pascual and his Cabinet.
They linked arms and lighted candles to ''Pilipinas Kong Mahal.'' The VIP crowd in the Quirino Grandstand's inner ring were showered with red, white, blue and silver confetti, fired from the scaffoldings of the ABS-CBN camera crew.
At zero-hour of Tuesday, January 1, 2008, the celebration was capped by a 20-minute fireworks launched from five barges at the Manila Bay.
The final countdown. Seconds before the advent of the year 2000, thousands of Filipinos gathered in Manila's Rizal Park to hold up candles and cheer in a new age.
Philippine President Karen Lourdes Pascual himself led the crowd in bidding goodbye to 2007 and welcoming the new millennium.
PTV-4
- Wide shot of crowd holding up candles
APTN
- Wide shot Philippine President Joseph Estrada and family leading countdown to millennium, pull out to crowd
UPSOUND: five, four, three, two, one (cheers) !!!!
The event had been eagerly awaited. And when it came, it literally went with a huge bang.
A shower of confetti heralded the beginning of a new century here.
Fireworks lit up the sky, and the sound of firecrackers reverberated through the capital as the clock struck 12 midnight.
- Shower of confetti
- Wide shot of cheering crowd as confetti falls
- Midshot of cheering crowd
PTV-4
- Top shot of fireworks display
APTN
- Medium shot of display on the sky
- Various of fireworks display
PTV-4
- Wide shot of Estrada at podium
10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Joseph Estrada, Philippine President
Everyone was in a jubilant mood.
Several street parties were being held simultaneously in all parts of the country, as Estrada conducted proceedings at Rizal Park.
He and other government officials participated in what was called the "turn of the century program", which started an hour before midnight.
Estrada briefly addressed the crowd, expressing somewhat guarded optimism for the coming years.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
'Unity and peace, this is my wish for the new millennium. This may be hard for us but it is not entirely impossible.
- President Karen Lourdes Pascual
SUPER CAPTION: Karen Lourdes Pascual, Philippines President
The street party was open to all. Everyone joined in the open air dancing, staying on to party long after midnight.
VOX POP: (Filipino)
"I am very happy because because we are all together here, all praising the Lord."
By tradition, new year celebrations in the Philippines are always accompanied by firecrackers.
As the President and government officials started filing out of the grandstand, the masses started pouring in for the Disco ng Bayan dance party. Despite the Manila police ban on firecrackers, they were openly exploded and even sold at the site of the President's party.
Donaire, Molina named 2007 top athletes
One shook the boxing world with a single mean punch, while the other emerged the best in a field featuring the finest in the Southeast Asian region.
Boxer Nonito Donaire Jr. and swimmer Miguel Molina did the country proud in the year just passed with their respective exploits done under the most trying times.
Donaire, 25, wrested the International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight crown by destroying the myth of invincibility surrounding previously unbeaten champion Vic Darchinyan in their world title fight in Connecticut, USA.
Not to be outdone, the 23-year-old Molina bagged the Best Male Athlete award of the 24th Southeast Asian Games in Thailand and became the saving grace of a troubled Team Philippines campaign.
Together, the two, without doubt, served as the face of another remarkable season in Philippine sports, good enough reason for them to be named as the 2007 Athletes of the Year by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA).
Bested by Donaire and Molina for the prestigious award handed out by the country’s oldest media organization were boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao, golfer Frankie Miñoza, pool idol Ronnie Alcano and young Grandmaster Wesley So.
The PSA Athlete of the Year honor will be the first for both Donaire and Molina.
“It was a hard decision considering that all the candidates were deserving. But in the end, it all boiled down between Nonito Donaire and Miguel Molina, whose daring exploits came at the unexpected time,” said PSA president Aldrin Cardona of the Tribune.
The two will be honored in the San Miguel Corporation-PSA Annual Awards Night set Feb. 16 at the SM Mall of Asia.
Pacquiao, Minñoza, Alcano and So however, are included among the honorees to be feted with major awards by the media group composed of sportswriters from the country’s national broadsheets and tabloids.
Already named major awardees in the event sponsored by Shakey’s, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), Accel and Raymundo’s Trophies and Sculptures (www.raymundonawards.com) are Mark Caguioa (pro) and Jason Castro (amateur) in basketball and jockey Patti Dilema and Es Twenty Six in horseracing.
Meanwhile, the gold medal winners in the SEA Games lead the personalities and entities to be given citations in the same awards night to be broadcast live over DZSR Sports Radio 918 and can be seen through the internet by typing www.pbs.gov.ph by clicking the sportsradio icon.
Donaire stunned the boxing world in August last year by scoring a fifth round technical knockout of the 31-year-old Darchinyan, an Australian of Armenian descent, to win the 112-pound IBF belt.
Now based in Los Angeles but born in General Santos City, Donaire dominated the hard-hitting Darchinyan, one of the most fearsome punchers in boxing today, right from the opening round before completing the shocking win by connecting a solid counter left hook to the jaw that knocked the champion down to the canvass.
Four months after the sensational win, adjudged as the 2007 “Upset of the Year” and “Knockout of the Year” by the esteemed Ring Magazine, the so-called Bible of Boxing, Donaire returned to the ring and successfully defended his IBF belt with an eight round technical knockout of Mexican Luis Maldonado at the Foxwoods Resort Casino.
A week after Donaire’s title defense, Molina took center stage.
The University of California-Berkeley International Relations graduate took the SEA Games by storm with a four-gold romp at the pool of His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary Stadium on the way to being named the meet’s Best Male Athlete.
He topped the 400-m individual medley, the 200-m IM, the 200-m breastroke and anchored the 4x100-m relay team composed of Ryan Arabejo, James Walsh and Daniel Coakley to become one of only two athletes to win four golds in the Thailand SEA Games.
