ABS-CBN Sports + Action to air 2016 Palarong Pambansa

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ABS-CBN, the Philippines’ leading media and entertainment company, is putting the spotlight on the future of Philippine sports as it partners with the Department of Education and the Province of Albay to broadcast the 2016 Palarong Pambansa on ABS-CBN Sports + Action and ABS-CBN Sports + Action HD.

ABS-CBN Sports + Action channel head Vince Rodriguez, ABS-CBN Regional head Atty. Abigail Querubin-Aquino, Department of Education assistant secretary Tonicito Umali, and Albay Gov. Joey Salceda from this year’s Palarong Pambansa’s host province formalized the historic partnership, which gives a huge boost to Philippines sports and Filipino athletes.

ABS-CBN Sports + Action channel head Vince Rodriguez, ABS-CBN Regional head Atty. Abigail Querubin-Aquino, DepEd assistant secretary Tonicito Umali and Albay Gov. Joey Salceda on Tuesday formalized the partnership in a press conference.

"The Palaro is a perfect showcase, with a beautiful, beautiful backdrop of Albay," Rodriguez said. "It is a breeding ground of sports heroes."

“If you are a group that is committed to sports development, how can you tell the story of our athletes, understand their struggles and celebrate their victories, if you do not start the story from the beginning?” said Rodriguez. “As a channel committed to sports development, we know it’s important to show the stories of our heroes, both big and small, in inspiring Filipinos especially the youth,” Rodriguez added.

ABS-CBN's sports division has committed to air some of the games and matches of the Palaro on its sports channels, and will also produce a documentary and feature stories on the event, as well as its former and present athletes.

The 2016 Palarong Pambansa opens on April 10 at the Bicol University Sports Complex, Albay Province..

The opening ceremonies will start at 4 p.m. and will be aired at 7 p.m. Games of various sports – not just basketball and volleyball – will be shown on ABS-CBN Sports + Action starting 4 p.m. until 6 p.m., except on UAAP game days, on which they will be aired on primetime.

Through this partnership, ABS-CBN Integrated Sports fulfills its objective to help promote sports development in the Philippines by giving exposure to young Filipino athletes.

Follow the journey of the Philippines’ best young talents in the world of sports at the 2016 Palarong Pambansa on ABS-CBN Sports + Action and ABS-CBN Sports + Action HD Ch166, starting April 10. 

For more information, visit sports.abs-cbn.com and follow ABS-CBN Sports’ official Facebook and Twitter accounts, @abscbnsports.

ABS-CBNnews.com is now world's top 4 Facebook publisher

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ABS-CBNnews.com is the only Philippine and Asian website included in the top 10 Facebook publisher. 

ABS-CBNnews.com moved from being the 5th to becoming the 4th biggest Facebook publisher worldwide, beating gigantic global news companies, such as The New York Times, BBC, NBC, CNN and more.

According to the latest data released by news aggregator NewsWhip, ABS-CBNnews.com garnered a total of 30, 302, 069 Facebook interactions for June 2015, bringing it to the 4th place from being 5th last January.

Facebook interaction is the combined number of all likes, shares, and comments that the Facebook page received through its posts.

ABS-CBNnews.com is the only Philippine and Asian website included in the top 10.

The top 10 Facebook publishers are (in order): huffingtonpost.com, buzzfeed.com, foxnews.com, abs-cbnnews.com, nbc.com, littlethings.com, goal.com, dailymail.co.uk, yahoo.com and mirror.co.uk.

Jazz artists mount "Heal Our Land" as a gift of Love!

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“Heal Our Land”, produced by All That Jazz Promotions, Inc., with the support of ABS-CBN, Lifestyle Network, and other partners. This was composed of the “ABS-CBN Jazz Gala Night” and “California Smooth Jazz”. 

International artists perform at the ABS-CBN Jazz Gala Night

 It featured favorites from the jazz scene such as pianist David Benoit and singers David Pack and Kevyn Lettau, with keyboardist Brian Simpson, American saxophonist and singer Jessy J, percussionist Richie “Gajate” Garcia, and guitarist-singers Ray Parker, Jr. and Jonathan Butler.

It was in this month of hearts that the Philippines felt the love from countries beyond its own shores, as represented by some of today’s finest international music acts who performed in a 2-leg benefit concert held for support of the ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya campaign and Gawad Kalinga.

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Also featured in “Heal Our Land” were Filipino-American saxophonist Michael Paulo, pianist-singer-songwriter Spencer Day, pianist Gregg Karukas—and Freddie Schreuders, Eric Valentine, and Nate Phillips of the LA All-Star Band.

Some of today’s local talents also took the stage, including Jaya, Sitti, Side A, Southborder, Freestyle, Mulatto, Zoo, True Faith, Chad Borja, and recent “voice of the Philippines” contender Thor Dulay. The concert was directed by the Philippines’ own Bert de Leon.

All the participating artists in “Heal Our Land” chose to generously waive their fees for this concert, directing proceeds to the relief efforts of ABS-CBN’s Sagip Kapamilya and Gawad Kalinga projects.

The ABS-CBN Jazz Gala Night

Kevyn Lettau

The concert also proved to be a chance for some of the international artists to reconnect with the Filipino people in their recovery. Kevyn Lettau was among those who felt a strong bond with the country from her first visit years ago, saying that she instantly fell in love with the country and its people. “I feel like an adopted daughter of the Philippines, which has virtually become my second home,” said Lettau. She even took her love a step further in performing a rendition of “Sana Maulit Muli”.

Peter White is also another artist who has been to the Philippines before, and chose to return eighteen years after his last visit—especially in this time. He brought with him in his performance the full ensemble of Gregg Karukas, Spencer Day, Michael Paulo on sax, and Eric Valentine on drums to create a full-blown performance to bring the best of California Smooth Jazz to our own shores.

ABS-CBN's 2013 Christmas Station ID:“Magkasama Tayo sa Kwento ng Pasko”

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ABS-CBN pays tribute to different Filipinos, whose inspiring stories have touched the hearts and ignited the passion of people working for the network on and off cam, in its newest Christmas station ID launched on Wednesday.

In celebration of the 60th anniversary of Philippine Television, ANS=CBN like to focus the spotlight on he audience... whose lives we mirror... whose stories ignited our passion... the reason for our existence.

Dubbed as “Magkasama Tayo sa Kwento ng Pasko,” this year’s Christmas station ID becomes a vehicle to share these stories to Filipinos here and across the globe. It also highlights the bond that ABS-CBN have forged with its audience through the years.

Seven stories were researched by ABS-CBN’s Integrated Creative Communications Management division and for each story, an artist was chosen based on who would best help tell their touching true-to-life tales.

“These stories of simple yet remarkable individuals will always be ABS-CBN’s inspiration in delivering its commitment to be of service to every Filipino. And for the many years that they have allowed us inside their homes, we only have gratefulness. Being accepted by Filipinos as their Kapamilya is by far our greatest achievement. Our journey with them has been remarkable. We can only look forward to many more years with them,” said Robert Labayen, head of Integrated Creative Communications Management.

“Magkasama Tayo Sa Kwento Ng Pasko” was written by Labayen, with music composed, arranged and produced by Bojam De Belen, Thyro Alfaro, Jeli Mateo. It was performed by “The Voice of the Philippines” coaches Sarah Geronimo, Bamboo and Lea Salonga with grand winner Mitoy Yonting and finalists Klarisse De Guzman, Janice Javier and Myk Perez.

The 2013 ABS-CBN Christmas station ID was created by ABS-CBN Integrated Creative Communications Management headed by Labayen, Johnny Delos Santos, Patrick de Leon and Ira Zabat. It was directed by Johnny Delos Santos, Peewee Gonzales, Paolo Ramos and Carmelo Saliendra.

Filipina beauty reigns worldwide

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ABS-CBN Publishing releases print and digital editions of Binibining Pilipinas magazine

In this golden year of the prestigious Binibing Pilipinas, ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc. has recently released the Binibining Pilipinas magazine in print and digital editions to pay homage to the institution’s 50thanniversary.

Turning sight to all the years and accomplishments past, the pages of the Binibing Pilipinas magazine serve as a commemorative showcase of the institution’s rich history and exciting future.

Over the past 50 years, Binibing Pilipinas has produced countless beauty queens that have brought pride to the Philippines in various international competitions. Among those that have accomplished this unique feat are Miss Universe 1969: Gloria Diaz, Miss Universe 1973: Margie Moran-Floirendo, and Miss International 2005: Precious Lara Quigaman. 

As such, the magazine provides a look at how the Philippines’ participation in the institution has since evolved to produce the beauty queens that grace the cover—Miss Universe 2012 First Runner-up: Janine Tugonon, Miss Universe 2010 Fourth Runner-up: Venus Raj, Bb. Pilipinas International 2012 Nicole Schmitz, Bb. Pilipinas Tourism 2012 Katrina Dinmaranan, and Bb. Pilipinas 2012 First Runner-up Elaine Moll. They are aptly portrayed alongside the country’s natural beauty, as their stunning looks perfectly complement the gorgeous islands of El Nido, Palawan.

From the reign of these beauties, the Binibing Pilipinas magazine turns the spotlight to the candidates of 2013, who take their turn donning retro swimsuits that past Bb. Pilipinas queens once wore. Featured in this editorial are Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2013 Ariella Arida, Bb. Pilipinas International Bea Rose Santiago, Bb. Pilipinas Tourism Joanna Cindy Miranda, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational Mutya Johanna Datul, and Bb. Pilipinas 2013 First Runner-up Pia Wurtzbach.

Take part in the celebration of this momentous year in the realm of Filipino pride with ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc.’s Binibing Pilipinas magazine. The Binibining Pilipinas magazine is available at newsstands and bookstores nationwide, and its digital edition can also be purchased through Zinio and the Apple App Store.

DOT joins ABS-CBN’s Bantay Kalikasan's Green Initiative

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Photo shows (from left) Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, ABS-CBN president Charo Santos-Concio, ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. managing director Gina Lopez, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje and Ateneo de Manila University acting VP for Loyola schools and dean of science and engineering Evangeline Bautista during the launching of Green Initiative.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) last May 6, 2013, with media conglomerate ABS-CBN to launch Bantay Kalikasan’s Green Initiative.

A joint program involving ABS-CBN Foundation Incorporated’s (AFI) Bantay Kalikasan, the government, media, and academe, Green Initiative responds to protect and nourish the country’s natural biodiversity, while alleviating poverty and enriching the lives of people through various livelihood projects.

Other signatories of the MOA are the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (DENR-PAWB) represented by Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources Ramon Paje, Secretary of Agriculture Proceso Alcala, and the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU).

Under the MOA, each signatory is to implement strategies that are geared towards improving the quality of life in the grassroots. The DOT, for its part, is tasked to facilitate the investment of tourism infrastructure and complementary facilities through convergence projects with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), paving the way for more tourism opportunities. DOT will also take the lead in promoting the projects as prime tourist destinations in the country.

On the other hand, ABS-CBN Corp. commits to manage and ensure the media exposure of projects, with the support of Miss Earth Foundation in public relations and marketing aspects.

“My conviction is that we would not only alleviate poverty but also drive in a new paradigm of thinking, one that benefits the environment and the community,” ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. Managing Director Gina Lopez said.

The DOT has been a long-time partner of the ABS-CBN Foundation’s Bantay Kalikasan in promoting and positioning the Philippines as a world-class ecotourism destination. Some of the joint projects in the past are the ecotourism sites of Sibuyan and Cobrador Islands in Romblon, Puerto Princesa, and Brooke’s Point in Palawan, and La Mesa Ecopark in Quezon City.

“The complex issues of climate change and biodiversity are some of the biggest challenges facing society today. Going green is no longer just a fad, no longer for a small slice of the population. Going green has rather become a necessity and lifestyle in which we all must participate for the welfare of future generations.  The Philippines is uniquely positioned to lead the way, and the DOT remains supportive of programs such as the Green Initiative. With the protection of the environment as one of the major thrusts of tourism, our role in DOT is to generate positive awareness and create demand for these ecotourism destinations. Through convergence programs with partner agencies and private sector, we are working very hard so that infrastructure is built to ensure seamless travel and that sustainable practices are implemented in these areas,” Secretary of Tourism Ramon Jimenez Jr. said.

Enjoy the wonderful world with itsmorefuninthephilippines.com. 

A simple step-by-step guide on how to vote this May 13, 2013

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INFOGRAPHIC: How to vote on May 13

Involving young and old people in election-related learning, activities and discussion can have an impact on the person’s household and communities, increasing the likelihood that others in the household and communities will vote. Be wise and be informed. 

This May 13, 2013 for all voters, this is a simple step-by-step guide on how to vote.

Visit  abs-cbnnews.com for more information and updates.
Source: INFOGRAPHIC BY FRANCIN CRUZ