GMA Network seeks review of COMELEC Resolution No. 9615

GMA Network, Inc. (“GMA” or “the Network”) expressed serious concerns and reservations on certain provisions of Resolution No. 9615, (the Rules and Regulations Implementing Republic Act No. 9006 otherwise known as the ‘Fair Election Act’) (the “New Rules”), affecting the broadcast industry.

In a letter dated January 23, 2013, GMA, through its Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, Consultant to the Chairman and CEO Pacifico A. Agabin, Vice President for Legal Affairs Atty. Ma. Luz P. Delfin, and Belo Gozon Elma Parel Asuncion and Lucila Law Office urged the Honorable Commission to recall and revisit said provisions based on certain procedural and substantive concerns.  

GMA raised its concern on the manner of passage of Resolution No. 9615 as COMELEC did not conduct any public hearing especially among those affected by the resolution. GMA noted that the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines requires due notice to all interested parties as well as an opportunity for the same to be heard.

Considering that substantive rights of various parties shall be affected by the New Rules, GMA questioned the propriety of its promulgation without public participation.

CTB Trustees pay courtesy call to BSP Governor

The incoming 2013 Board of Trustees of the Chamber of Thrift Banks (CTB) recently made a courtesy call to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr.  The CTB is the umbrella organization of the country’s thrift banks. The visit is in line with the 2013 CTB national convention slated on March 20 at Dusit Thani Manila with the theme:  “Thrift Banks: Building for Broader Horizons in 2013” where the Governor is among the guest speakers.

The meeting also highlighted discussions about the significant growth in the Philippine economy recently and positive outlook for more investments to be infused this 2013. The Chamber also introduced its new set of officers for the new fiscal year. 

Gov. Tetangco (seated, center); with (seated from left) CTB Auditor and Bataan Savings & Loan Bank President Lolita Simpao; CTB Trustee and University Savings Bank Director Ma. Consorcia Tamayo; CTB Convention Chair/Trustee and Isla Bank Chairman Jose Ma. Lopez-Vito III; CTB and BPI Family Savings Bank President Jose Teodoro Limcaoco; BSP Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla, Jr.; CTB Secretary and Security Bank Savings President Gina Go; CTB Executive Director Suzanne Felix.  Standing are (from left): CTB Second Vice President and Malayan Savings Bank President George Martirez; CTB Treasurer and China Bank Savings President Alberto Emilio Ramos; CTB Immediate Past President and  HSBC Savings Bank President Patrick Cheng; CTB First Vice President and RCBC Savings Bank President Rommel Latinazo; CTB Trustee and Wealth Development Bank President Gregorio Anonas III; CTB Trustee and Queen City Development Bank President Rogelio Florete; CTB Trustee and Palawan Development Bank President Eric Mondragon; and CTB Consultant Benjamin Yambao. 

Angeline Quinto Stars in ABS CBN's newest Kilig-serye "Kahit Konting Pagtingin"

From being the Queen of Teleserye Theme Songs of many of ABS CBN's successful shows in the past years, Angeline Quinto goes beyond singing the songs to actually be part of the show herself. She will be part of their newest kilig-serye "Kahit Konting Pagtingin" with not just one but two leading men, Sam Milby and Paulo Avelino.  

This would be a new love team up with the PBB Hearthtrob Sam MIlby and the 2012 Breathrough Artist Paulo Avelino fresh from the success of his previous show, Walang Hanggan.

Forever pilots with high TV ratings

The much awaited premiere of GMA Network’s latest drama series FOREVER topbilled by Heart Evangelista, Geoff Eigenmann and Ms Gloria Romero debuted with high TV ratings on its pilot episode yesterday, January 21.

According to the more widely recognized TV ratings data supplier Nielsen TV Audience Measurement (based on overnight data), Forever posted a Mega Manila household rating of 15.3 percent against its counterpart program Aryana which garnered 14.8 percent. 

Forever, which is another original creation of the GMA Entertainment TV Group, is directed by Ricky Davao. It is an original concept by Jun Lana with Headwriter Kit Villanueva- Langit.

Heart, who plays the role of Young Adora, is very excited with her new show in the Kapuso Station and feels overwhelmed with the great reviews and comments she has been receiving from fans and viewers. “I’m very thrilled with my new show and I really liked the concept. I didn’t expect na trailer pa lang ganun na kaganda.”

REEL DEAL: The Man With The Iron Fists - Jaime Chung SPOTLIGHT

THE HANGOVER LEADING LADY JAMIE CHUNG BACK TO HER ROOT AS LADY SILK IN THE MAN WITH THE IRON FISTS 

The Hangover Part II’s Jamie Chung plays Lady Silk in ‘The Man With Iron Fists’.  Producer Marc Abraham explains Lady Silk’s role in the action-adventure: “To buy the freedom of his beloved prostitute, the Blacksmith does what he has to do and builds weapons for bad guys.  He’s not proud of it, but he’s justified it.  In the end, he decides to free himself from all this and to do the right thing: to destroy those weapons and the people who have forced him to make them, and to hopefully free the woman he loves.  Ultimately, Jamie’s character is in love with him, but not so much that she would sacrifice her freedom.  She wants wealth, power and to get out.  She’s used him to some degree, but he’s touched her.”  

GMA Network fortifies regional presence at the start of 2013

Coming from an exceptionally productive 2012, GMA Network intensifies its commitment to further strengthen its presence all over the country and to reach more viewers this 2013. For January alone, GMA is set to launch its newest originating station and takes part in three of the country's grandest festivals.

As part of the Network's aggressive regional expansion efforts, GMA-7 launches the latest addition to its growing number of originating stations in the country: GMA Northern Mindanao.

Strategically located in Cagayan de Oro, GMA Northern Mindanao is expected to service over 1,404,183 estimated television households thereby effectively widening the Network's reach in the region.

GMA Northern Mindanao, which airs starting January 28, covers parts of Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Bohol, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Compostela Valley, North and South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Zamboanga del Sur, and Maguindanao.

REEL DEAL: The Man With The Iron Fists - Batista SPOTLIGHT

Move-over ‘The Rock’ Half-Filipino Wrestler Superstar Dave Batista is here!

Half-Filipino World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar and current MMA heavyweight fighter David Batista stars as Brass Body in Universal Pictures’ “The Man With The Iron Fists”. The performer shares that his nearly invincible character—who is able to deflect any weapon by turning his skin into brass at will—is brutal inside and out.  He says: “If you break Brass Body down, what he is really is a mercenary.  In his opening scene, he’s carrying the little kids around, but basically what he wants is money.  He would kill his own mother for money.”

The Man With the Iron Fists, an action-adventure inspired by kung fu classics as interpreted by his longtime collaborators RZA and ELI ROTH.  Making his feature-film debut as a director, co-writer and leading man, RZA—alongside an exciting international cast led by RUSSELL CROWE as Jack Knife and LUCY LIU as Madam Blossom—tells the epic story of warriors, assassins and a lone outsider hero who all descend on one fabled village in China for a winner-takes-all battle for a fortune in gold.