Enjoy a double dose with 'Lunch Out Loud' and 'It's Showtime'

By Iza Iglesias, Manila Times

It’s official – Kapamilya Network and TV5 will simultaneously air 'Lunch Out Loud’ and ‘It’s Showtime’ from Monday to Saturday beginning this weekend.

Fans of noontime variety shows no longer need to switch between two out of three existing 12 o'clock sing-dance-and-games programs beginning Saturday, July 16. On Monday, free TV channels A2Z and TV5 and ABS-CBN's cable and online network Kapamilya Channel announced that "Lunch Out Loud" and "It's Showtime" will have back to back airing.

In other words, viewers no longer need to switch channels or platforms during commercial breaks between the respective Brightlights Production and ABS-CBN programs unless they also like check out "Eat Bulaga" on GMA Network in between.

At least for the two shows, ABS-CBN declared in a statement, "The collaboration among ABS-CBN Entertainment, Brightlight Productions, Zoe Broadcasting Network and TV5 [will provide] Filipino viewers with more fun and entertainment and bring an extended and enjoyable midday TV viewing experience."

As such, "Lunch Out Loud" (LOL) will air from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., followed by "It's Showtime" from 12:45 p.m. to 3 p.m. every Monday to Saturday, this weekend onwards.

For a look back, "Lunch Out Loud" premiered on October 19, 2020, with then newly-resigned ABS-CBN talents Billy Crawford and Alex Gonzaga. A production of business tycoon and newly elected Bacolod Mayor Albee Benitez, LOL quickly became a prominent blocktimer on Manny Pangilinan's TV5. Today, the show also features pioneering and lately added comedians and social media influencers as hosts. They are Bayani Agbayani, K Brosas, KC Montero, Wacky Kiray, Jeff Tam, Jobert Austria and Laboching.

Building a good fanbase in "Tropang LOL" — the hosts' nickname for their viewers —LOL is best known for fun and games. These include the "HOPE" dating game, "Maritest" showbiz quiz, "Beat The 2" battle of wits, "Pera Usog," and "Sagot Mo, Sagot Ko" that fulfills their wishes.

On the other hand, "It's Showtime" is now in its 13th year and still enjoys the support of its loyal audiences – the "Madlang Pipol" – despite the failed renewal of ABS-CBN's free TV franchise.

Quick to find a home on Zoe TV's A2Z before this development, the Vice Ganda- and Anne Curtis-led program is beloved for such segments as "Tawag ng Tanghalan," "Sexy Babe," "ReINA ng Tahanan," "Miss Q and A" and "MiniMe."

However, the move to go back-to-back hardly came as a surprise to the rest of the industry nor the public at the start of the week since many Kapamilya shows have been airing on TV5's Kapatid Network for a good while now. ABS-CBN's Sunday noontime show "ASAP Natin 'To" and its primetime originals have long been airing as block timers on TV5, led by "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano."

Damage to agriculture reaches P17M

 

By Francis Earl Cueto, Manila Times

THE National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Tuesday said estimated damage to agriculture brought by flash floods and landslides in Benguet reached P16.6 million.

NDRRMC spokesman Mark Timbal said at the Laging Handa Public Briefing that the estimated damage to infrastructure is P860,000.

While there were no fatalities due to the flash flood, six people were injured, and 1,054 families were evacuated from 10 affected villages.

As of noon Tuesday, only two families remain at the evacuation centers, with the rest returning home to clean their houses. A total of 1,048 houses were damaged.

Meanwhile, a total of P2.4 million worth of assistance was given to the evacuees.

"The clearing operations are being rushed to allow the residents to return home," he said.

The Philippine National Police reported that a woman died after her house was buried by a landslide due to the incessant rain on Sunday in Abucay, Bataan.

Abucay Police chief Maj. Dennis Duran identified the victim as Roselyn de la Cruz, 27, caretaker of a resort in Abucay.

He said that rescuers found her body under the mud along with a car.

Earlier, the Agriculture department estimated the damage due to the monsoon rains in Ifugao, Benguet at P14.6 million.

The figures came from the devastated rice crops and high-value crops, including vegetables.

Europe swelters as heatwave spreads

A woman fills a bottle of water during a heatwave in Seville on July 12, 2022

IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES

Soaring temperatures have gripped parts of Europe, which has barely recovered from its last heatwave.

Droughts and forest fires have hit Spain and Portugal and the scorching heat has spread to France and the UK.

Temperatures are set to peak on Thursday in France and Spain and authorities have cancelled traditional fireworks displays on France's national day to reduce the risk of fires.

Heatwaves have become more frequent, more intense, and longer-lasting because of climate change. The world has already warmed by about 1.1C since the industrial era began.

This is the picture as seen by our BBC colleagues sweltering on the continent.

Extreme heat in northern Spain

By Guy Hedgecoe, Madrid

The heat sweeping across Spain is unusual in that it is affecting almost the whole of the country.

High temperatures are often registered in the summer months, particularly in southern and central areas of the country.

That is certainly the case during this heatwave, with Andalusia, Castilla La Mancha and Extremadura all seeing temperatures in the low 40s Celsius so far this week. However, northern Spain, which usually avoids extreme temperatures, is also being hit, with the north-western region of Galicia on red alert - the highest category - as it braces itself for temperatures of up to 42C in the Miño valley.

Temperatures are expected to keep rising in many areas over the next two days. The north-eastern city of Zaragoza is forecast to see temperatures of up to 42C, while Badajoz, in the south-west, could register up to 47C on Thursday.

Air quality is poor in many areas across the north because of the heat. That adds to existing health concerns caused by the hot weather, which mean that the streets of towns and villages tend to be much quieter in the afternoon.

With the heatwave expected to continue into the weekend, it could break records in terms of length if it goes on into next week.

Soaring temperatures across Portugal

By Alison Roberts, Lisbon

An unprecedented 80% of mainland Portugal is at "exceptional" risk of fires, according to national meteorological institute IPMA.

The government has put the whole of the mainland under a "state of contingency" until Friday - one notch above "state of alert" and the second-highest of three levels.

That triggers local, regional and national responses, putting police and other forces at the ready, and releasing funds to hire more firefighters.

On Tuesday there were 849 firefighters in action at the scene of 30 fires, only three of which were deemed not under control. That is down from well over 2,000 the day before.

Several major fires burning over the weekend have now been extinguished or brought under control, though not before consuming thousands of hectares of forest.

But conditions are expected to gradually worsen between now and Thursday, as temperatures soar and winds are seen picking up at night in some areas. The IPMA forecasts maximum temperatures as high as 47C in the coming days.

While there may be some thunderstorms, meteorologists warn that any rain may evaporate before reaching the ground.

Tourism is already being affected, even in areas as yet untouched by fires.

In the popular tourist destination of Sintra, near Lisbon, the national palaces, castle and other attractions are closed by government order.

There are also fears that a big music festival scheduled to take place from Thursday to Saturday near the beach at Meco, in Sesimbra, south of Lisbon, and a motorbike rally in the Algarve which is one of Europe's largest will have to be cancelled.

Heatwave hits Bastille Day

By Georgia Goble, Paris

Temperatures in France are set to reach 39C in some areas of the south-west in a heatwave that will last between eight and 10 days, according to Météo France.

While rising temperatures are not predicted to break records as in other European countries, there are concerns about the possible consequences.

With 23 departments placed under a yellow warning, and with orange alerts potentially coming into place from Wednesday, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has urged ministers to take action to minimise health risks, especially for vulnerable groups.

A health plan has also been rolled out by the government in all areas on alert. Meanwhile, Thursday's 14 July Bastille Day will be somewhat less colourful, with fire risks leading to the cancellation of firework displays in some areas of the country.