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| Brightlight Productions chairman/CEO Albee Benitez (third from left) with the cast members of Sunday Noontime Live (SNL, from left) Piolo Pascual, Catriona Gray, Maja Salvador, Jake Ejercito and Donny Pangilinan |
Regular viewers or listeners of Pasada 630, the Teleradyo show Peter Musñgi and I anchor weekdays from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on DZMM, would have noticed that I’ve not been on the program since last week. That’s because I formally bade goodbye to Pasada on Friday, Oct. 30.
Peter and I were first partnered in 2013 on DZMM Teleradyo’s Teka Muna every Saturday from 7 to 8 p.m. But I, of course, knew Peter way back in the ‘90s, when he was the head of DZMM and the unmistakable golden voice of ABS-CBN. I remember how surprised I was when Marah Capuyan, now head of DZMM, offered me Teka Muna. I had no experience in radio, but I took it as a challenge despite some reservations about working Saturday nights.
Peter told me to give it a few months. He convinced me to take on the challenge and said that though radio work doesn’t pay as much as television, the discipline and the experience the medium offers are invaluable. I even remember that our buena mano studio guest on our first airing on June 1, 2013 was then MMDA chairman and now Sen. Francis Tolentino.
And then, in September 2018, I got a call from News and Current Affairs head Ging Reyes, who asked if I was interested in doing a daily show. I remember replying, “As long as it’s not 5 a.m.,” and thinking how nice it would be to get my weekends back. And so, on Oct. 25, Peter and I became the new anchors of Pasada 630 weekdays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., replacing the tandem of Vic de Leon Lima and Karen Davila.
Fast forward to 2020, when the Philippines and the rest of the world fell victim to COVID-19. On March 15, President Duterte declared the nationwide ECQ. On May 5, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a Cease and Desist Order (CDO) against ABS-CBN to stop broadcasting on its free-to-air channels. On July 10, the House Committee on legislative franchises overwhelmingly rejected ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal application.
(UPDATED) The Supreme Court en banc on Aug. 25 also voted to dismiss the plea of ABS-CBN Corp. to stop the closure order issued by the NTC on May 5.
On Sep. 10, the National Telecommunications Commission recalled the frequencies assigned to ABS-CBN, which it said was “warranted” in the absence of a legislative franchise.
ABS-CBN was now revamping its content strategy to compete with other stations.
“The entertainment, lifestyle and news and current affairs will stay, substantially as it is. The sports content will still be there and we’re expanding the sports content. Then there will be some entertainment shows that we will be putting in,” the network said.
“It’s not a shutdown situation for ABS-CBN. I think it’s a selective kind of programming. I think it’s the only way for ABS-CBN to compete. The viewing habits for video are slowly changing, so we want to move in the direction rather than stay with the legacy where we are not competitive,” the network said.
According to David Michael Lopez: "Hopefully, ABS-CBN will apply for a brand new franchise in 2022 once Duterte steps out as President of the Republic of the Philippines on June 30, 2022 at 12:00 noon Philippine Time. Let me end the day with the very sad news. The Philippine government has ordered a recall of all the ABS-CBN's Frequencies on all radio and television stations throughout the Philippines."
The return and growth
The Securities and Exchange Commission granted their application for an increase in capitalization and amendments to ABS-CBN's articles of incorporation and by-laws. They were subsequently granted a permit to operate by the NTC.
It began test broadcasts on October 1, 2021; officially and finally returning to the air on June 30, 2022.
At 3:30 a.m. on June 30, 2022 Manila time (the inauguration of president Leni Robredo), ABS-CBN officially re-started broadcasting. At the beginning of the broadcast: HD SMPTE color bars, Lupang Hinirang by UP Madrigal Singers with the PNP Band (1998 Centennial Version), announcement, ABS-CBN 2 Station Notice 2022 (Sign ON Version), Pray the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary - Luminous Mysteries by Kris Aquino, Awit sa Ina ng Santo Rosaryo by Carol Banawa, 2014 station ID (5 seconds) and nationwide satellite broadcast advisory were first broadcast, and the first program that was Gising Pilipinas, the first day of the broadcast will be broadcast for 22 hours and 30 minutes. From the next day onwards, it will be broadcast for 24 hours a day with the airing of Movie Central Presents during late nights, except Tuesday mornings from 2:30 am to 3:55 am (sign-off) for its regular transmitter maintenance and scheduled interruptions during the Paschal Triduum of the Holy Week. This is ABS-CBN has being returned back on the air since the end of presidency of Rodrigo Duterte when the broadcast franchise expired last May 4, 2020 it's free TV and radio stations went off the air on May 5, 2020 following a cease and desist order from the National Telecommunications Commission and bid for a fresh 25-year franchise was denied by the House Committee on Legislative Franchises despite the position of several government agencies that the company has been compliant in various tax, trading and labor laws, among others.
ABS-CBN Program Schedule on the return of its broadcast (June 30, 2022):
Manila Time | Program Title |
03:10-03:30 | Test Card |
03:30-03:55 | Lupang Hinirang by UP Madrigal Singers with the PNP Band (1998 Centennial Version), Announcement, ABS-CBN 2 Station Notice 2022 (Sign ON Version), The Holy Rosary: Luminous Mysteries by Kris Aquino, Awit sa Ina ng Santo Rosaryo by Carol Banawa, ABS-CBN 2014 Station ID (5 Seconds), Please Stand By |
03:55-04:00 | Kape't Pandasal |
04:00-05:00 | Gising Pilipinas (Live) |
05:00-05:30 | Balita Alas Singko ng Umaga (Live) |
05:30-07:30 | Alas Singko Y Medya (Live) |
07:30-13:00 | Presidential Inauguration Coverage (Live) |
13:00-14:30 | Magandang Tanghali Bayan (Live) |
14:30-15:00 | Bagong Umaga (new episode) |
15:00-15:30 | Drama Series |
15:30-16:00 | Telenovela |
16:00-18:00 | Presidential Inauguration Coverage (Live): Inauguration Parade, Speech and Fireworks Display at the Quirino Grandstand |
18:00-18:30 | TV Patrol (Live) |
18:30-19:00 | Ang Probinsyano (new episode) |
19:00-19:30 | Make It with You (new episode) |
19:30-20:00 | Walang Hanggang Paalam (new episode) |
20:00-21:00 | Ipaglaban Mo (new episode) |
21:00-22:00 | Maalaala Mo Kaya (new episode)
|
22:00-23:00 | Nagmamahal, Kapamilya (new episode)
|
23:00-23:30
| The World Tonight (Live) |
23:30-00:30 | Ryan, Ryan Musikahan (new episode) |
00:30-01:00 | Martin Late @ Night (Live) |
01:00-01:30 | The Holy Rosary: Sorrowful Mysteries by Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, Stella Maris by Bukas Palad Music Ministry (1989 version), Feeling Quiet by China Central Television, Lupang Hinirang by UP Madrigal Singers with the PNP Band (1998 Centennial Version), Announcement, ABS-CBN 2 Station Notice 2022 (Sign OFF Version), Test Card |
At that time, free-to-air channels ABS-CBN and S&A, digital channels Asianovela Channel, Cine Mo, DZMM Teleradyo, Knowledge Channel, Movie Central, Myx, O Shopping and Yey are now broadcasted in 16:9 1080i HDTV and 2160p UHDTV from 4:3 480i SDTV, also before the signing on hours, it was HD SMPTE color bars.
This should be the Lupang Hinirang version of ABS-CBN and S&A (it re-aired the UP Madrigal Singers with the PNP Band (1998 Centennial Version) during the Presidency of Joseph Estrada full, digitally remastered version in 1080p HD widescreen and 4K UHD with end tagline saying: "Ang watawat at pambansang awit ay sagisag ng ating pagka-Pilipino. Igalang natin at ipagpitagan ang mga ito" plus Philippine Centennial Logo and special thanks to).
Just monitor for if at any point, ABS-CBN will update their TOCs or master controls for both channels.
Also, the announcement (without voice over): "Any comments, suggestions, and objections to the contents of the proceeding programs may be referred to the commissioner of the National Telecommunications Commission, Vibal Building, EDSA, Quezon City or the NTC regional offices & the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas."
In Sign-On and Sign-off Notice of ABS-CBN voiced by Peter Musngi, new permit number plus new Professional Electronics and Communications Engineers, Electronics and Communications Engineers and Technicians (PECEs, ECEs and ECTs), First Class Radio-Telephone Operators, Second-Class Radio Telegraph Operator and Provincial TV Stations Personnel, the term "All programs telecast on this station have been approved by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, seen via satellite in over 85 stations nationwide!" followed by the logo bumper (2014 version) and nationwide satellite broadcast advisory “Ladies and gentlemen, in a few seconds, we will be on simultaneous nationwide satellite broadcast. Please stand by.”
The newly-revived channel airs shows and movies produced by ABS-CBN, as well as international television shows from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, religious shows from Jesuit Communications Foundation, Kerygma Foundation, Family Rosary Crusade, Society of St. Paul, other Catholic groups, Light TV, Trinity Broadcasting Network and CBN Asia.
Its programming is generalist with a locally and foreign-produced shows, ranging from news, current affairs, politics, sports, opinions, features and business, talk, public service, lifestyle, drama, reality, kids, religious, movies and home shopping programs.
"the time ABS-CBN is full of acquired US, UK, Australia and New Zealand syndicated and network-produced shows"
On weekdays, after the sign-on, it aired the morning news block starting with Gising Pilipinas anchored by Johnson Manabat and Jeffrey Hernaez (simulcast on ANC, DZMM and DZMM Teleradyo), followed by Balita Alas-Singko ng Umaga anchored by Denice Dinsay and Alas Singko Y Medya hosted by Julius Babao and Christine Bersola.
At 8 a.m., Magandang Buhay hosted by Karla Estrada, Melai Cantiveros, and Jolina Magdangal airing live, followed by ETV shows such as Hirayamanawari on Monday and Wednesday, Epol Apple on Tuesday and Thursday and Bayani on Friday at 9 and Sineskwela aired with new episodes daily at 9:30, daily cartoons at 10 and 10:30 a.m. and the late morning talk show Today with Kris Aquino at 11 a.m. At noon, Magandang Tanghali Bayan goes on the air hosted by Randy Santiago, John Estrada, Willie Revillame, Roderick Paulate, Vanessa del Bianco and Amy Perez.
The show assumed most of the segments and staff from "It's Showtime". Among the most popular segments from APO's previous noontime show was "Calendar Girl", a daily pageant where pretty and sexy young girls 15–24 years of age participate in the talent and question and answer portions hosted by Estrada, Santiago and Revillame. To continue the chronology of the pageant (where monthly winners from January to December of the previous year converge to compete in the Grand Finals of following year). "Pera o Bayong" as "MTB"'s highlight game portion. The engaging elimination round and the suspense-filled jackpot round won the hearts of most televiewers. Other popular segments included: Sa Pula, Sa Puti (Tanggal ang Mali), Pakita Mo Puppet Mo, Munting Miss U, Super Lolo, Japorms, Mr. Ador-able, Wansa Funny Taym, Sing It and Winner Take All. When the show reformatted in 2002, other segments that made an impact were: Sing Alis, Ano Ka, Hilo?, Oo, Kaya Ko! and MTBGo.
Right after MTB, the Kapamilya Gold drama block comes at 1:30 p.m., with Bagong Umaga starring Heaven Peralejo, Tony Labrusca, Barbie Imperial, Kiko Estrada, Michelle Vito and Yves Flores, 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m are the untitled drama series, while at 3 p.m. SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon hosted by Boy Abunda and Bianca Gonzalez goes live, at 4 and 4:30 p.m. are the anime and tokatsu shows; at 5 is the late afternoon news program Top Story anchored by Ron Cruz (for regional stations is TV Patrol Local Edition) and 5:30 p.m. is Rated K hosted by Korina Sanchez reformatted from magazine talk show on Sunday, and merger with Hoy Gising! and Balitang K.
At 6 p.m., the news program TV Patrol anchored by Noli de Castro, Bernadette Sembrano, Julius Babao and Karen Davila. It returned the original four-anchor sitting format, new theme music which incorporates the elements of "Pulstar" and "Allegro" orchestra and original 1996-2001 version, the 1994-1996 ABS-CBN News Theme, TV Patrol's 2001 and 2010 theme, TV Patrol World's 2004 and 2006 theme music and the ABS-CBN's jingle.
The common studio for Headline Pilipinas, TV Patrol, Bandila and The World Tonight are the largest. The TV Patrol studio is the most high-tech of all because it can use Immersive graphics or Augmented reality throughout the Studio. If you're about Election in 2022 you can see how they're all high-tech. Add to that the new 360° news set which features Barco video walls, LED Floors, LED video walls, and nine LFD monitors. And their new set of Lighting and Design was designed by the United States-based FX Design group who also designed International broadcasters such as CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS, ESPN, CCTV, The Golf Channel, and CNBC.
ABS-CBN is also the second network in the country to use the award-winning "Towercam" camera used in Harry Potter movies, Casino Royale, and The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Right after TV Patrol, the evening drama series such as the longest-running action drama FPJ's Ang Probinsyano starring Coco Martin, Make It with You starring Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano and Walang Hanggang Paalam starring Angelica Panganiban, Paulo Avelino, Zanjoe Marudo and Arci Muñoz which aired after TV Patrol between 6:30, 7 and 7:30 p.m., similar to the timeslots of Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan, Pangako Sa 'Yo and Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka.
Right after Primetime Bida block, the weekly shows are Bida si Mister, Bida si Misis, Kabalikat, Loren Legarda and Abangan ang Susunod na Kabanata on Mondays, Bora, Okatokat and Palibhasa Lalake on Tuesdays, Puwedeng Puwede, Whattamen and Klasmeyts on Wednesdays, Ipaglaban Mo, Maalaala Mo Kaya and Nagmamahal, Kapamilya on Thursdays, Banana Split and Star Cinema Presents on Fridays.
The World Tonight airs with a live broadcast, first aired at 9 p.m. on ANC and 11 p.m. on ABS-CBN Channel 2, anchored by Tina Monzon-Palma, Tony Velasquez, Michelle Ong and Dyan Castillejo, it updated the theme music which incorporates the elements of Pulstar and The World Tonight's 1994, 2012 and 2015 theme. The newscast's theme was composed by Ryan Cayabyab, arranged by Jimmy Antiporda.
The current affairs and documentary divisions of the ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs, tasked for programs such as My Puhunan, Kuha Mo!, Failon Ngayon, and Rated K, resulting to these programs being returned, even Kalye: Mga Kwento sa Lansangan hosted by Jeff Canoy every Monday and The Correspondents hosted by Mari Kaimo, Karen Davila and Abner Mercado every Tuesdays right after the World Tonight; while Mission Possible, My Puhunan, Mutya ng Masa, Sports U and Red Alert would be aired on DZMM and DZMM Teleradyo at 9:30 before Bandila.
While Oh No! It's Johnny! produced by Silverstar Communications, Inc., it served as a blocktimer on ABS-CBN. In the future, the show became a co-production between ABS-CBN Entertainment and Silverstar Communications, Inc., the show marked as the comeback show of Litton in the network after twenty-two years; while Ryan Ryan Musikahan, hosted by Maestro Ryan Cayabyab will make a comeback after twenty-seven years and Martin Late at Night hosted by Martin Nievera will make a comeback after nine years, originally aired on Fridays, it is aired Tuesday-Saturday at 12:30 to 1:00 a.m.
On weekends, the informative show Salamat Dok hosted by Bernadette Sembrano and Alvin Elchico, it aired live on Saturdays and Sundays at 6 a.m., the religious shows such as Family Rosary Crusade hosted by Fr. Allan Samonte, Chi Datu-Bocobo and Claudine Zialcita and Ang Iglesia ni Cristo is making a comeback with new episodes airing on Saturdays at 7 and 8 in the morning; while Sunday TV Mass: The Healing Eucharist airing live from the ABS-CBN Chapel of Annunciation featuring a priest as mass celebrant and Sis. Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo, Del Vitangcol or Faith Abano as mass commentator, it aired at 7 a.m. on Sunday and during special occasions such as Christmas, it aired the Christmas Eve Midnight mass at 12 to 2 a.m. on December 25 and New Year's Day Mass at 12:30 to 2 on January 1.
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| ABS-CBN Chapel of Annunciation |
ABS-CBN Foundation-produced situational comedy and commentary show Dok Ricky, Pedia starring Dominic Ochoa, Louise Abuel, Yen Santos and Alessandra de Rossi comes at 8:30 a.m., followed by the cooking show Sarap TV hosted by Jon Santos and Manilyn Reynes and children's show Kulilits hosted by Cha-Cha Cañete, Bugoy Cariño and Izzy Canillo, blocktime produced Coke Studio, lifestyle program At Home Ka Dito hosted by Charlene Gonzales-Muhlach, Eugene Domingo and Pokwang and Perfect Moments sponsored by Pond's hosted by Jodi Sta. Maria, Angel Jacob and Rosanne Prieto while Sunday shows such as Cinema, Cinema, Cinema sponsored by Hope Luxury Cigarettes and Ajinomoto Ginisa Flavor Seasoning Mix, Bakbakan hosted by Dyan Castillejo, For Kids Only, educational shows Matanglawin and Gaby's Xtraordinary Files, travel and lifestyle show G Diaries and drama anthology Star Studio will return with new episodes; at noontime the longest-running musical variety show ASAP Natin 'To back to original title ASAP; hosted by Martin Nievera, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Gary Valenciano, Luis Manzano, Sarah Geronimo, Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez, it retains the segments (during the pre-COVID-19 lockdown episode) are: The Greatest Showdown, Regine Velasquez Collaborations, J.E.Z., ASAP Concert Presents and Just ASK.
At 2 p.m, the musical drama anthology Your Song and 3 p.m. fantasy and romance-based program Love Spell makes a comeback with new episodes, followed at 4 p.m. is the entertainment news and talk show The Buzz hosted by Boy Abunda, Kris Aquino and Toni Gonzaga and at 6 pm is the musical talk show Sharon makes a return with a live episode; at 7 p.m. is the fantasy anthology Wansapanataym with new episodes.
Reality shows such as I Can Do That!, Idol Philippines, Junior MasterChef, The Kids' Choice, Little Big Shots, MasterChef, Pilipinas Got Talent, Pinoy Boyband Superstar, Search for the Star in a Million, Star Power: Sharon's Search for the Next Female Pop Superstar, The Voice of the Philippines, The Voice Kids, The Voice Teens, The X Factor Philippines, U Can Dance, World of Dance Philippines, Your Face Sounds Familiar, Your Face Sounds Familiar: Kids and Your Moment will air on weekends at 8 p.m., before the airing, auditions of said reality shows took place in different key cities in the Philippines.
After the reality show, at 9 p.m. every Saturday the sitcom and sketch comedy Arriba, Arriba! starring Jolina Magdangal is making a comeback with new episodes, when Johnny Delgado is still alive, on Sunday is Ang Tanging Ina the series starring Ai-Ai delas Alas, while every Sunday at 10 p.m. is Sunday's Best with more and more foreign movies in English-audio language and Filipino classic and current movies in digitally remastered and restored in 1080p HD widescreen and 4K UHD, as well as TV specials and national events and Saturday at 10 is the mystery music game show I Can See Your Voice, at 11 is The Bottomline with Boy Abunda, at Sunday midnight is the blocktime produced Galing Pook followed by F hosted by Angel Aquino, Daphne Oseña-Paez, Amanda Griffin, Iya Villania-Arellano, Cheska Garcia-Kramer and Megan Young-Daez and Sports Unlimited hosted by Dyan Castillejo and Marc Nelson.
But at the end of day's programming with the station jingle, accompanied on television with video clips featuring station programming or personalities, a series of program trailers, the Holy Rosary, with the Joyful Mysteries to be led by Viel Aquino-Dee, followed by Ang Puso Ko'y Nagpupuri by Himig Heswita from the album Purihi't Pasalamatan: Mga Piling Awitin ni Fr. Honti Handog ng Himig Heswita (2000) every Monday and Saturdays, the Sorrowful Mysteries to be led by Ballsy Aquino Cruz followed by Stella Maris by Bukas Palad from the album Tanging Yaman (1989) on Tuesdays and Fridays, the Glorious Mysteries to be led by Pinky Aquino-Abellada followed by Mariang Ina Ko by Bukas Palad from the album Bukas Palad (1986) every Wednesday and Sunday, the Luminous Mysteries to be led by Kris Aquino-Yap followed by Awit sa ina ng Santo Rosaryo by Carol Banawa from the album Mysteria Lucis: The Mysteries of Light (2003) every Thursday, the China Central Television-produced closing song Feeling Quiet, Lupang Hinirang by UP Madrigal Singers with the PNP Band (1998 Centennial Version), announcement, ABS-CBN 2 Station Notice 2022 and HD SMPTE color bars.
In May 2025, ABS-CBN was granted a national franchise to provide radio and television broadcasting throughout the Philippines.
In November 2025, ABS-CBN was granted by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) a provisional authority to operate radio and television stations nationwide. A provisional authority was also secured from the NTC to operate and maintain radio and television broadcasting stations in Metro Manila, CAR, Bangsamoro and Regions 1 to 13.
Following that fateful day, the lives of thousands of ABS-CBN employees including myself changed overnight. And though I was among the thousands who were retrenched, I was lucky to still have work as a Teleradyo talent. But much as I wanted to stay on as a Kapamilya, I had to seek employment elsewhere. Like I said, radio work doesn’t pay much, certainly not enough to sustain the needs of a single mom who has two kids.
Fortunately, former Negros Occidental three-term congressman Albee Benitez, whom the press has labeled as an emerging entertainment mogul, saw the void that ABS-CBN’s closure created and seized the opportunity to take in some of its displaced talents and employees, myself included. He signed up with TV5 to be a blocktimer under his Brightlight Productions company, securing 18 hours per week.
Occupying these time slots are six new shows, including Lunch Out Loud (Mondays to Saturdays, 12 noon to 2 p.m.) with Billy Crawford, Alex Gonzaga, Bayani Agbayani, Kaye Brosas, Wacky Kiray, KC Montero, Jeff Tam and Ariel Rivera. Also in the line-up are Rated Korina with Korina Sanchez-Roxas (Saturdays, 4 to 5 p.m.); Oh My Dad (Saturdays, 5 to 6 p.m.) directed by Jeff Jeturian and starring Ian Veneracion, Dimples Romana, Sue Ramirez, Ariel Ureta and Gloria Diaz; I Got You directed by Dan Villegas and starring Beauty Gonzalez, RK Bagatsing and Jane Oineza; Sunday Kada (Sundays, 3 to 4 p.m.) directed by Bobot Mortiz with Daniel Matsunaga, Ritz Azul, Miles Ocampo, Sunshine Garcia and many more; and Sunday Noontime Live (Sundays, 12 noon to 2 p.m.) directed by Johnny Manahan with Piolo Pascual, Catriona Gray, Donny Pangilinan, Jake Ejercito and Maja Salvador.
I joined Brightlight Productions on Sept. 1, and it’s been quite fun and challenging. And though lots of work lies ahead, everyone’s just grateful to be working in these trying times and gung ho to help the new shows succeed. Brighter days are indeed on the horizon.
https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2020/11/09/2055476/why-brighter-days-are-indeed-horizon
