US Federal District Court orders 27 pirate site operators to pay ABS-CBN $27M total in damages

Southern District of Florida, the Fort Lauderdale Division, April 5, 2019 - ABS-CBN, the largest media and entertainment company in the Philippines, has scored yet another legal victory in the United States.

A US Federal District Court in Florida has ordered 27 pirate site operators to each pay $1million for a total of $27 million in damages to media giant ABS-CBN which has scored several victories in US courts this year.

Overseas Filipinos voting to commence on April 13

Overseas Filipinos will be given one month to cast their votes for the 2019 mid-term election, which will start on April 13 until May 13 at 5:00 p.m. (Manila time)

The overseas Filipinos are now counting days before the start of the overseas voting for the 2019 mid-term election, which will start on April 13 and will last until May 13 at 6:00 p.m. (Philippine time).

According to the data provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs-Overseas Voting Secretariat (DFA-OVS), there are more than 1.8M registered voters overseas with the majority coming from the Middle East.

The 2016 election marked a milestone for the overseas voting in terms of voter turnout as it tripled the total number of turnouts for the 2013 and 2010 elections, while it doubled the turnout for the 2004 election.

ABS-CBN unveils new, exciting opportunities for brands at LA trade event

If there is one thing that all Filipinos in North America could agree on, it’s that Filipino-language television will never be what it was before.  ABS-CBN, the world’s leading and largest Filipino media and entertainment company, has adopted new rules of engagement in its journey of evolution that follows the changing demographics of Filipinos in America: from immigration-based to U.S.-born-based.

Just recently, ABS-CBN held a trade event at L.A. Banquet before clients, advertising agencies and business partners.  The main message: this is the best time to reach out to Filipinos in the U.S. -- one of the fastest growing ethnic markets in the U.S., whether to the immigrants or to the U.S.-born and/or -raised.  ABS-CBN has exciting opportunities for various customer segments of the market that are thoughtful, research-based, and relevant to their specific needs and interests.

ABS-CBN names Kerwin Du as new Country Manager for Canada

ABS-CBN Global, the organization that oversees all international subsidiaries of ABS-CBN Corporation, the world’s largest Filipino media and entertainment company, has recently named Kerwin Du as the new Country Manager of Canada.

As Country Manager of Canada, Du is responsible for strategy execution, business operations, profitability, growth and expansion in the country.  He reports directly to ABS-CBN Managing Director for North and Latin America Jun Del Rosario.

Epic Youth Leadership Awards recognizes youth as critical in nation-building

A news story on the United Nations Population Fund site states that “Young people are increasingly recognized as critical actors in matters of global importance.” The same story quotes Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon saying, "I place great hope in their power to shape our future.” Globally, young people are taking charge of their future, speaking out, and standing up for what they believe in. This is evident in various youth initiatives in different fields that push for positive change and social justice. Erin Blakemore writes in nationalgeographic.com that “teenagers and young adults have a history of pushing social change forward. Look at passionate young people from any era and you’ll find impressive catalysts for change.”

The Epic Youth Leadership Awards (EYLA), under the parent banner Gawad Geny Lopez, Jr. Bayaning Pilipino Awards, seeks to recognize the movers, innovators, and changemakers serving the youth whether in the U.S., Canada, or in the Philippines. The awards’ Project Director Fr. Nilo Tanalega says that with the EYLA, “we are making a statement that the future has come with these young people that we will look for and recognize.” Similar recognitions are valued by the youth as shared by the 4-H Science in Urban Communities. They say that “Recognition is a basic youth need and provides them with motivation to not only complete projects, but to complete them in an exemplary manner.”

ABS-CBN Global Head of Anti-Piracy & Content Security Elisha Lawrence speaks at secureCISO San Francisco

“It’s no longer an IF, but WHEN,” claims secureCISO, the premier event series of Enterprise IT Security.  That “it” refers to the clear and present dangers of enterprise vulnerability: the world of hackers, cybercriminals and data breaches.

On January 24, secureCISO gathered 100 InfoSec leaders to a by-invitation only collaboration in historic Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, marking its first in a series of 15 events in 2019.  ABS-CBN AVP and Global Head of Anti-Piracy and Content Security Elisha Lawrence was invited to speak on The Predictions Panel.  According to secureCISO, the panelists were tasked to predict unknown future vulnerabilities. Here, the event gave its prediction panel an opportunity to look into their crystal ball and advance insight into what they believe this year’s threats are homing in on; whether it’s mobile, cloud, application or social hacking.

Ms. Barkadahan 2018 winner receives triple treats from TFC

Ms. Barkadahan 2018 titleholder Melodie Duag’s surprise homecoming was made extra-special by a visit at the ABS-CBN studios

The queen comes home! Ms. Barkadahan 2018 titleholder Melodie Duag did a surprise homecoming to her family in Batangas in December 2018, and The Filipino Channel (TFC) gave her and her family a treat that fits a queen.

“TFC acknowledges the hard work and dedication that our Kapamilya overseas Filipinos exert in their everyday work. We hope to celebrate all of these by providing them world-class entertainment and once-in-a-lifetime experiences that they could fondly remember throughout their overseas journey,” said Maribel Hernaez, ABS-CBN Global Asia Pacific Regional Marketing Head and Country Manager for South Asia.

K.O. eyed in upcoming Pacquiao vs. Broner bout

Manny Pacquiao will defend his WBA (Regular) Welterweight title against Adrien Broner, which can be seen in the Middle East via pay Per View on January 20, brought exclusively by Showtime and TFC

Boxing enthusiasts already have their bets as the bout between Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Adrien “The Problem” Broner draws near, which can be seen in the Middle East via Pay Per View (PPV) on January 20, brought exclusively by Showtime and The Filipino Channel (TFC).

The eight-division titleholder Pacquiao will defend his WBA (Regular) Welterweight title against the four-division titleholder Broner, with boxing fans expecting a knock out result.

One Peace Festival brings interactive art, music, and film together to benefit the Philippines

A Hollywood style celebration, all for the environment in the Philippines. Mama Earth, Regime 72, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, and ABS-CBN Foundation International teamed up for the One Peace Music Festival to benefit #Pride4PI.

The evening featured a night of food music and artwork, with a portion of the proceeds going to the ABS-CBN Foundation International.

Filipino celebrities like Lou Diamond Philips, boxing champion Brian Viloria, and Fox’s Maria Quiban and Bobby de Castro added to the star power — which featured a ukulele autographed by Kailani’s brother, Bruno Mars.

TFC welcomes newly reopened Philippine Consulate General in Houston

At the newly reopened Philippine Consulate General
 in Houston Texas: (LEFT) From left are TFC agent Dina Javier,
Consul General Jerrill Santos and ABS-CBN Territory Account
 Sales Head for Midwest Joy Espinosa. (RIGHT)
 From left, Consulate Communications Officer
Nadjefah A. Mangondaya, Joy Espinosa and Cultural & Information
Officer Mary Jane A. Mariano. (Courtesy of Joy Espinosa/ABS-CBN)

A full quarter of a century since it closed, the Philippine Consulate General in Houston, Texas reopened this year to provide the consular needs of the fast-growing Filipino population in Texas and south central U.S. It is now serving some 179,000 Filipinos in the states under its jurisdiction, namely, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, the second largest state next to Alaska in the U.S.  Just to show scope, Texas alone is about two times bigger than the Philippines in land size.

ABS-CBN North and Latin America, through its Sales and Distribution team under Ray Olano, assigned Houston-based Territory Account Sales Head for Midwest Joy Espinosa to reach out to the new consular team under Consul General General Jerrill Santos and offer assistance through TFC services. An IPTV demo unit was set up at the Consulate.  Consul General Santos thanked ABS-CBN TFC for the warm welcome and support.

Silicon Valley visionary Dado Banatao is keynote speaker at ABS-CBN North and Latin America Sales, Marketing and Operations Summit

Silicon Valley visionary Dado Banatao (center) with ABS-CBN North and Latin America (NOLA) Managing Director Jun Del Rosario, ABS-CBN Canada Country Manager Kerwin Du, global officers and participants of the ABS-CBN NOLA Sales, Marketing and Operations Summit (Photo by Eugene Libadia/ABS-CBN International)

Dado Banatao, multi-awarded venture capitalist and legendary Silicon Valley technology visionary who pioneered the personal computer chip set and graphics acceleration architecture, was invited to be the keynote speaker of the recently concluded ABS-CBN North and Latin America (NOLA) Sales, Marketing and Operations Summit held at the ABS-CBN International office and TFC studio in Daly City.  Banatao, the current Managing Partner of Tallwood Venture Capital and Founder-Chairman of Wave Computing, a Silicon Valley company that is accelerating artificial intelligence or AI from the cloud to the edge, spoke on the need for companies to have a founder’s mentality, to act like start-ups and to always have a drive for continuous learning. 

TFC named Business of the Year by Daly City

At the historic installation of newly-elected City Councilmembers at the City Council Chambers of Daly City’s Civic Center, TFC was named Mayor’s Business of the Year.  According to Mayor Juslyn Manalo, TFC provides entertainment and offers shows that reflect the Filipino culture and values. But more than that, Manalo adds that “it’s really through the work they’ve done for the community. For the past two years they’ve partnered with the city of Daly City to do the Filipino American History Month celebration and it’s wonderful to partner with a business that cares about the community. We see a long-term partnership with The Filipino Channel and it’s an honor to present this award to them.”

ABS-CBN Global Head of Corporate Affairs & PR Nerissa Fernandez accepted the award on behalf of Global COO Olivia De Jesus and North and Latin America Managing Director Jun Del Rosario. In her speech, Fernandez quoted the late Chairman Emeritus Don Eugenio Lopez, Jr when he was asked if ABS-CBN is about values first or service first? “ABS-CBN is about values first because values comprise the soul of service.” She added that “Daly City provided us a business environment wherein we could freely put into practice our cherished corporate values.”

Discovering Routes Is Featured On NBC Bay Area's Asian Pacific America

Discovering Routes travels with Diskubre, ABS-CBN Global Studios’ digital exclusive series featuring four young travelers who embark on some big adventures for a journey of self-discovery, was featured on NBC Bay Area’s Asian Pacific America with Robert Handa.

Handa sat down with Discovering Routes Executive Producer and Project Manager Keesa Ocampo to talk about the many ways that people explore their history. Ocampo shared the amazing adventures that young travelers Feih, 14 (New York), Calvin, 21 (New Hampshire), Elaine, 17 (Pennsylvania), and Alex, 22 (Sydney, Australia) have embarked on. Discovering Routes travels with Diskubre followed them on their 11-day sojourn around the Philippines as they took the “route to their roots.”

TFC’s digital series “Lines and Letters” nominated at the 23rd Asian Television Awards

The Filipino Channel’s (TFC) digital series Lines and Letters is nominated at the 23rd Asian Television Awards under the Best Digital Non-Fiction Programme Series category.

Asian Television Awards Asian Television Awards is an award-giving body in Asia which recognizes excellence in programming, production and performance. For over a decade now, ATA has showcased and gave recognition to quality television productions within Asia.

BA Documentary “Box City” wins 1st place in San Francisco Press Club’s Greater Bay Area Journalism Awards

San Francisco Press Club’s outgoing president, Antonia Ehlers
(center) with the Box City team (L-R) Jon Santos, Jeremiah Ysip,
 Henni Espinosa, and Mike Carrion.

A distressing design of cardboard roofs and plywood floors hunched and cramped beneath the majestic backdrop of San Francisco’s glossy high-rise apartments, sparkling condominiums, and million-dollar homes is captured in BA’s documentary, Box City. It is also an encampment that many homeless in the community call home.

Box City won 1st place, besting AJ+, in the TV/Video Documentary category of San Francisco Press Club’s 41st Annual Greater Bay Area Journalism Awards. The team behind Box City – Producer/Writer Henni Espinosa; Director of Photography Jeremiah Ysip; Cameraman Patrick Luna; Editor Jon Santos; and Graphic Designer Mike Carrion were awarded certificates of excellence for their notable work.

It’s Ready, Set, Go for TFC Live’s TIKIM Filipino Food Fun Run in Tampa, Florida on November 17

Philippine Queen of Soul Jaya, Adobo Nation’s Lee Robin Salazar to join day-long fun activities for the whole family

The best time to visit the major city of Tampa in Florida is from September to December, except probably in February of 2021 when it hosts Super Bowl LV – an event everyone wants a piece of.  Otherwise, aside from the best hotel discounts during the last three months of the year, the weather is near perfect for enjoying Tampa’s outdoor attractions considering it’s in the high 70s to mid-80s most days.

Taking the leap of faith "To Love Some Buddy"

Maja Salvador and Zanjoe Marudo team up for the first time in a film that gives a glimpse of what is at stake when one takes a friendship to the next level

Films like “My Best Friend’s Wedding” and “Love, Rosie” demonstrate how friendships that blossomed romantically could turn into crazy rollercoaster rides.

Maja Salvador and Zanjoe Marudo portray the role of best friends who will take us on their turbulent journey of falling in love, riding the waves, enduring the bumps, and confronting the dilemma of staying friends or fighting for their relationship in the film “To Love Some Buddy.”

Maris Racal, Inigo Pascual, Moira Dela Torre, KZ Tandingan and Aegis all hyped-up for “One Music X Abu Dhabi 2018”

These five artists promise to have everyone singing at the top of their lungs and leave them with lasting memories

The level of excitement is getting higher as we count weeks before Maris Racal, Inigo Pascual, Moira Dela Torre, KZ Tandingan and the Aegis band perform at the upcoming “One Music X Abu Dhabi 2018”, happening on November 9 at the Mubadala Arena, Zayed Sports City.

Coming from the success of the “One Music X Dubai” in 2017, “One Music X” is now considered as a premier Filipino-produced music festival in the Middle East, which brings together a large crowd of overseas Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike to spend one weekend full of great music, fun activities, and lasting memories, made possible by Star Music, MOR 101.9, Myx, One Music PH and The Filipino Channel (TFC).

Maja Salvador takes over the half-time break at TFC’s “Kapamilya Playoffs in Taiwan”

The Dance Royalty will perform for the crowd as the overseas Filipinos’ team in Taiwan and the Star Magic team take a break from their basketball match

It is a back-to-back win for the overseas Filipinos in Taiwan with The Filipino Channel (TFC) bringing not only an all-star basketball team lineup but also a world-class half-time break performance from no less than Maja Salvador, at the upcoming “Kapamilya Playoffs in Taiwan” happening on November 18 at the Fengyuan District Stadium, Taichung, Taiwan.

The “Kapamilya Playoffs in Taiwan” event will be kicked off by the game between the champions from the RJD Basketball League and in the Tai-Phil Basketball League.

A different view on love, life, and second chances in "First Love"

Aga Muhlach and Bea Alonzo team up for the first time in a film that sparks hope in taking chances and living each moment at its fullest

Roman poet Horace popularized the philosophical phrase carpe diem which means “seize the day.” This is similar to YOLO, “you only live once,” of today’s younger generation.

Seize the day. This is the core message of the Aga Muchlach-Bea Alonzo starrer “First Love,” directed by Paul Soriano and produced by TEN17, ABS-CBN Films Star Cinema, and VIVA Films.