TFC Live’s TIKIM Fun Run Goes to the “Big Guava” on November 17

Historic Philippine Enrichment Complex in Tampa, Florida plays host to 3rd leg of the touring TIKIM Fun Run this year

The month of November in the U.S. is usually associated with the Thanksgiving tradition that marks the start of the Christmas holiday season for many.  But while others bring out and parade their fall or winter fashion and gear that month, just know that the average weather temperature in Tampa, Florida in November is still somewhere between the 70s and 80s.  So, the weather outside may be frightful in other states, but Tampa outdoors remain delightful.

Thus, TFC Live made sure people have a warm place to go in the usual brrr months of the year by taking its TIKIM Filipino Fun Run to the Philippine Enrichment Complex in Tampa, Florida on November 17, 2018, Saturday, starting at 10:00am.

This is the third installment of the TIKIM Filipino Fun Run this year, kicking off last Mother’s Day at the Coyote Point Recreation Area in San Mateo, California, then followed by another last September 22 at the Earl Bales Park in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  This original, one-of-a-kind 5k fun run (or walk) that celebrates Filipino culture and the value of giving back is fast becoming a touring event juggernaut that is drawing hundreds of multicultural participants of all ages.  Its main attractions other that the run itself?  It takes the runners through a course with a unique Filipino food tasting station at each kilometer and part of the proceeds of the registration is donated to the feeding program of Bantay Bata (Child Watch), a pillar program of ABS-CBN Foundation International.

ABS-CBN International’s “The People’s Queen” reality show produces its first real beauty queen in Ms World Philippines Katarina Rodriguez

“The secret to success in every pageant is recognizing the queen in every female,” says Rodriguez

In just a week after Variety magazine announced it as part of its TV Fall line-up, ABS-CBN International’s The People’s Queen – the glamorous reality TV boot camp for beauty pageant hopefuls – has produced its first real beauty queen. Last weekend, cast member Katarina Rodriguez was crowned Miss World Philippines 2018 at the pageant’s coronation night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in the Philippines.

Love to withstand every challenge in “Araw Gabi” finale

Adrian (JM de Guzman) and Mich (Barbie Imperial) will stand together to surpass and finally end Celestina’s (Vina Morales) evil plans against their family in “Araw Gabi” finale, streaming via TFC Online (www.TFC.tv) on October 12

Adrian (JM de Guzman) and Mich (Barbie Imperial) may have proven their love for one another to be strong, but it will be tested once again as they face Celestina (Vina Morales) one more time in the final episode of “Araw Gabi”, which is seen outside the Philippines via The Filipino Channel (TFC), with its final episode streaming in most countries worldwide via TFC Online (www.TFC.tv) on October 12.

ABS-CBN International presents first U.S.-produced reality show with an All-Asian American cast via “The People’s Queen”

What happens when you bring 5 beauty pageant hopefuls to live in a mansion for 6 weeks with 2 over-the-top coaches and a team of fashion and media specialists? The People’s Queen, the glamorous new reality show that is taking the pageant world by storm, becomes available globally starting October.

The People’s Queen is being called a cross between Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and America’s Next Top Model. The show follows Cecilio Asuncion and Voltaire Tayag as they challenge five of the top Filipino pageant hopefuls in their quests for international titles.

Cecilio and Voltaire are not simply shaping the perfect beauty queen; they’re creating The People’s Queen.

“The pageant community is looking to redefine its role in an era of female empowerment and gender equality,” Asuncion explains. His history with the pageant system extends to before he was even born. His grandmother was Miss Manila. Today, Asuncion is the Director of Slay Model Management, the world’s first all-Transgender model agency and National Director of Miss Supranational USA. He judged the Miss Universe 2017 pageant in Las Vegas and hosted this year’s Miss Teen USA pageant in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Travelers explore the mystical Cordilleras of the Philippines in Discovering Routes’ new digital exclusive series

This month, Discovering Routes travels with Diskubre on another epic journey.

The series trailer for Discovering Routes travels with Diskubre opens with a mesmerizing incantation, a traditional prayer of an Ifugao shaman of indigenous people who live in the mountains of the Cordilleras, north of the Philippines. Right away, you’re transported to a different place of magical energy, ancient architectural wonders, and a utopic reality. The show’s new digital exclusive series features four young travelers who embark on some big adventures for a journey of self-discovery. New episodes are scheduled to be released on Thursdays at 5:00 P.M. pacific on DiscoveringRoutes.com beginning September 27, 2018.

Diskubre Tour Featured in Award-Winning Series “Discovering Routes”

Discovering Routes travels with Diskubre Team. From left:
Jacob Acueza, Consul Khrystina Corpuz Popov, Calvin Santiago,
 Feih Hidalgo, Elaine Ficarra, Alexandra Brown,
Director/Executive Producer Keesa Ocampo, Angelo Balanon,
 Executive Producer Aileen Paredes, Sofia de Jesus.
 (Lambert Parong/Kabayan Media Photo)

The pilot batch of Diskubre, the heritage tour founded by the Philippine Consulate General in New York (PCGNY) for young Filipino-Americans, is featured on ABS-CBN International’s award-winning travel reality series Discovering Routes travels with Diskubre as digital exclusive content, premiering 27 September on DiscoveringRoutes.com.

The Philippine Consulate General in New York hosted an exclusive premiere last 14 September at the Philippine Center to give guests and interested participants a preview of the series which documented the journey of four young travelers around Manila and the Cordilleras, earlier in July.

Consul General Claro Cristobal revealed that one of his first official acts as Consul General was signing the agreement between PCGNY and ABS-CBN International, to greenlight the project that had taken over two years to plan and implement. He expressed hope in sustaining the program for the youth in the community for the years to come.

A strained marriage turns to a home in ABS-CBN series “PlayHouse”

Six years after their movie together, Angelica Panganiban and Zanjoe Marudo reunite in the series “PlayHouse”, with its pilot episode streaming on TFC Online (www.TFC.tv) today, September 17

The story of a modern-day couple and a child who is seeking a new home will touch the viewers’ hearts in the newest ABS-CBN program offering “PlayHouse”, seen outside the Philippines via The Filipino Channel (TFC), with its pilot episode streaming via TFC Online (www.TFC.tv) in most countries worldwide today, September 17.

UAAP Season 81 highlights student-athletes’ journey to success

Student-athletes show how sports paves the way to their success in UAAP Season 81, airing outside the Philippines via TFC and with same-day Video On Demand (VOD) plus livestreaming via TFC online (www.TFC.tv) and TFC IPTV starting September 8

The level of excitement is getting higher as university students and alumni anticipate the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season 81 opening happening on September 8 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Philippines and seen outside the country via The Filipino Channel’s (TFC) different platforms, in most countries worldwide.

“The Hows of Us” – From Hopeful Dreams to Unbearable Misery, Is Love Worth Fighting for?

How does a relationship that started cozy and happy, and has progressed to shared fantasies of making it big in their respective careers, reach unbearable feelings of frustration and regret?

How do the fire and hopeful dreams of youth shift into the indifference and unbearable misery of adulthood?

TFC at the Movies’ latest release, “The Hows of Us,” follows the story of Primo (Daniel Padilla) and George (Kathryn Bernardo), a couple who are in a long-term relationship, building and planning their future together.

However, their love will be put to the test as their relationship faces hurdles - from misunderstandings to different career paths, among others.

Angeline Quinto and Enchong Dee add happy vibes at the “MOR Global Pop Icon in Korea”

Belt out and dance to your heart’s desire with the ABS-CBN stars and MOR 101.9 DJs Jhai Ho and Eva Ronda at the “MOR Global Pop Icon in Korea” on September 30 at the Dong Sung High School Auditorium in Hyehwa-dong, in Seoul, South Korea.

ABS-CBN stars Angeline Quinto and Enchong Dee will join the fun in South Korea as they headline the TFC Hour at the upcoming “MOR Global Pop Icon in Korea” event, happening on September 30 at the Dong Sung High School Auditorium in Hyehwa-dong, in Seoul, South Korea.

Drugs, Crime, and the Neon Lights of Manila in the Eye-Opening, Mind-Blowing “BuyBust”

Following its world premiere at the New York Asian Film Festival, the action-crime movie“BuyBust,” starring Anne Curtis and MMA fighter Brandon Vera, opens August 10 in theaters across the U.S. and Canada.

“BuyBust” is directed by Erik Matti, of the highly-acclaimed “On the Job,” from a script also written by Matti and Anton Santamaria.

After surviving the slaughter of her entire squad in a drug raid compromised by dirty cops, anti-narcotics special operative Nina Manigan (Anne Curtis), is eager to go head-to-head with the drug cartels that hold a bloody grip on Manila. But when her new mission in the city’s most dangerous slum goes south; the angry civilians turn on her squad.

Love and lies intertwine in ABS-CBN series “Halik”

ABS-CBN premieres yet another intriguing series, “Halik”, which is a story of love tested by time and temptation, starring Jericho Rosales and Yen Santos, seen outside the Philippines via The Filipino Channel (TFC), with its pilot episode streaming simulcast its local airing via TFC online (www.TFC.tv) on August 13 (Manila time), in most countries worldwide.

Rounding out the leading cast are Sam Milby and Yam Concepcion, who play the role of a husband and a wife, respectively, who cannot be trusted to uphold their commitment to their respective marriages.

TFC Store Hosts TGIF Photo Op Sessions With Pia Wurtzbach and Daniel Matsunaga

The TFC Store in Daly City, California continues to animate early Friday evenings with creative community events that excite TFC employees, fans and neighborhood folks.

Just last Friday, the TFC Store, in partnership with O Skin Med Spa, brought ABS-CBN stars Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and actor-model Daniel Matsunaga for Photo Op sessions at the TFC Studio.  The TFC Store was also transformed into a veritable pop-up spa with the O Skin Med Spa team offering beauty treatments like facials to visitors.

Asian American International Film Festival to screen Cinematografo Original “Bitter Melon” in New York

The Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) -- proudly known as "The First Home to Asian American Cinema” – kicks off this week its 41st annual festival in New York City, starting from July 25 to August 4, 2018.  Acclaimed Filipino American director-screenwriter H.P. Mendoza’s Bitter Melon, a film project chosen last year for funding and support under Cinematografo Originals, is an official selection and will be shown by AAIFF at the prestigious Asia Society on Park Avenue on August 4.

Bitter Melon has been doing the festival route since debuting as a work in progress at the 2017 Cinematografo International Film Festival in San Francisco.  It had its world premiere as a centerpiece film at CAAMFest in San Francisco in May, followed by a screening as a narrative feature in Outfest Los Angeles this July, before going to the East Coast for AAIFF in August.

Outfest Los Angeles Kicks Off on July 12; Filipino American Entry and Cinematografo Original “Bitter Melon” to Screen on July 13

Outfest Los Angeles -- the oldest film festival in Los Angeles and considered the preeminent LGBTQ film festival in the world – kicks off on July 12 a full 11 days of not to be missed world-class films, panels and parties.  One of the more than 150 feature and short films to be shown to an audience of more than 40,000 people is Bitter Melon, a film project chosen last year for funding and support under Cinematografo Originals.

Bitter Melon is the third feature film that filmmaker H.P. Mendoza directed (Fruit Fly, I Am a Ghost). The film had its world premiere at the CAAMFest in San Francisco last May. Dennis Harvey of Variety has described it as “invigorating” and Mendoza’s “best directorial feature to date.”  KGO Radio praised it as “a rare and wonderful movie.”  Tim Sika of the San Francisco Film Critics Circle hailed it as “an indie masterpiece.”

ABS-CBN Star Cinema’s “I Love You Hater” posts the truths and lies about love and what’s in between

Is it possible to love someone you hate? The generational movie “I Love You Hater” from one of the Philippines’ sources of tried and tested movies  

Star Cinema, tries to answer this question in the contemporary romance – comedy that enumerates the many ways plus the reasons why the movie is the next big movie to love this year.

One, the movie brings together one of Philippine entertainment’s biggest loveteams JoshLia that combines respected young actor Joshua Garcia and one of Philippine cinema’s loveliest faces Julia Barretto in a story that presents them in a fresh light – two young professionals Joko and Zoey fighting for the same role, borne out of their individual motivations and life goals.

TFC and ABS-CBN Foundation International Invite All to the TFC Unity Cup and Gala 2018 for Bantay Bata

Take part in two great TFC events and help raise funds for the Bantay Bata (Child Watch) program of ABS-CBN Foundation International. On July 30, 2018, play in the TFC Unity Cup 2018 golf tournament. On August 4, 2018, dine and dance at Gala Night with Philippine Concert King and TFC’s First Goodwill Ambassador Martin Nievera.

TFC UNITY CUP 2018 DETAILS

Date: July 30, 2018

Time: Registration at 9:00am | Shotgun at 11:30am

Place: Green Hills Country Club | Millbrae, CA

Format: 2-man Scramble

Limited to 110 golfers

Donation of $200 includes green fee, cart, lunch, dinner, goodie bag and a chance to win raffle prizes worth thousands

Tickets: Call 650-839-3860 or 650-995-1915

Iza Calzado and Martin Nievera join ANC’s lifestyle block “ANC-X”

ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel, launches the “ANC-X” lifestyle block to provide their viewers the right mix of news, business, and lifestyle programs to catch daily

Viewers of ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel, from the Philippines and across the world will find more reasons to stay tuned to the channel with the launch of the “ANC-X” lifestyle block, featuring local and international shows that will satisfy their love for food, travel, fashion, and the arts.

This June, late nights on ANC will light up with world-class lifestyle programs led by “State of the Art,” a first of its kind art show hosted by actress Iza Calzado.  Calzado will share the stories of our local artists as we experience a golden age in Philippine Art and Design in this visually seductive but relatable program. 

NCAA upholds its legacy at Season ‘94 opening

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) will continue the tradition of bringing decades of pride to the Philippines, at the opening of the NCAA Season ‘94 happening on July 7 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, Metro Manila, which will be seen outside the Philippines via The Filipino Channel’s (TFC) different platforms in most countries worldwide. 

NCAA has produced world-class athletes in the likes of Carlos Loyzaga, product of San Beda University, who has been part of the Olympics twice as a player of the Philippines’ men’s national basketball team. There was also Lauro Mumar, a product of San Juan de Letran University, who also represented the country internationally by being part of the national team that participated in the 1954 FIBA World Championship where the Philippines took home a bronze medal.

“Bitter Melon” – a Cinematografo Original – makes its way to Outfest this July

When the very first Cinematografo International Film Festival (CIFF) launched in November last year, it also introduced select originals and new projects that their committee has carefully selected to fund and support. One of these is Bitter Melon.

Bitter Melon is the third feature film that filmmaker H.P. Mendoza directed (Fruit Fly, I Am a Ghost). It is the story of a Filipino-American family who reunites for a Christmas party, only to find out that Troy, the second oldest child, has been ruling the house with fear-intimidating everyone who lives there-including his mother, and even physically abusing his wife. What starts as a fun holiday reunion turns into a darkly humorous crime scene as Declan, the youngest son, leads the family as they conspire on how to best murder the violent and abusive Troy.