Francis Toral named new head of ABS-CBN News, Nadia Trinidad is News Digital Media head

by Manila Bulletin Entertainment

Francis Toral

ABS-CBN has appointed Mary Anne Francis Toral as the new head of ABS-CBN News, succeeding Regina “Ging” Reyes who retired on Dec. 31, 2022.

Prior to her appointment, Francis served as ABS-CBN’s News Production head and was instrumental in the successful 2022 Halalan marathon coverage. She also led ABS-CBN News’ DocuCentral group that produced several award-winning documentaries, including “Di Ka Pasisiil,” a documentary on the Marawi siege that won a Gold World Medal in the New York Festivals – World’s Best TV & Films in 2018.

During her tenure as ABS-CBN head of Breaking News and Live Events, Francis was also responsible for the special coverage of the Visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines in 2015 and “PILIPINAS 2016,” the Presidential Town Hall Debate held in Pangasinan. 

Dan ‘Baroy’ Morga

Francis, a 25-year veteran of ABS-CBN News, rose from the ranks and produced various programs including “The World Tonight” with Angelo Castro Jr. and Tina Monzon Palma, “Talkback” with Tina Monzon Palma, and “Beyond Politics” with Lynda Jumilla.

She graduated magna cum laude from the University of the Philippines with a degree in Broadcast Communication in 1998. In 2009, Francis was awarded the Benigno and Corazon Aquino Fellowship by the United States Embassy in Manila.

Meanwhile, Nadia Trinidad has been appointed as News Digital Media head, and will now be responsible for ABS-CBN News Online and its digital news properties. Nadia was previously the head of the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) prior to her new appointment.

Nadia Trinidad

She began her career as a reporter and news advisory anchor for Studio 23 and eventually took on bigger roles including being the North America Bureau chief in 2011, News Production head in 2013, and managing director in 2021. Nadia is a Communication graduate of Ateneo De Manila University and holds a postgraduate degree from Stanford University as a John S. Knight Journalism Fellow.

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She succeeds Lynda Jumilla who retired last Dec. 31 after serving as news digital head for three years. A veteran broadcast journalist, Lynda was named the Marshall McLuhan fellow in 2012 by the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines. She was the anchor of “Beyond Politics” on ANC and previously served as ABS-CBN chief of reporters.

Taking the helm as the new ANC head is Alvaro Dan “Baroy” Morga. He will be in-charge of ANC’s content production and lead its editorial production teams. He previously served as ABS-CBN News’ head of Strategy and New Business. Baroy graduated with a degree in Economics from Ateneo De Manila University.

ABS-CBN, TV5 drop merger deal

By Aric John Sy Cua  and Arlie O. Calalo 

RIVAL networks ABS-CBN and TV5 have called off the investment deal they signed earlier following an initiative in the House of Representatives to have the agreement investigated.

Competing cable companies Sky Cable and Cignal have also terminated their deal.

In a statement it released on Thursday, ABS-CBN said: "In disclosures to both the Philippine Stock Exchange and the Securities Exchange Commission today, Sky Vision Corporation ('Sky Vision'), ABS-CBN Corporation, Lopez Inc. and Cignal Cable Corporation ('Cignal Cable') announced that they have mutually agreed to terminate the sale and purchase agreement dated August 10, 2022."

The agreement involved the acquisition by Cignal Cable of a 38.88-percent equity interest in Sky Cable and the subscription by Cignal Cable to an "exchangeable debt instrument to be issued by Sky Vision and the proposed acquisition by Cignal Cable of a convertible note issued by Sky Cable."

ABS-CBN said that the termination was formalized through a memorandum of agreement.

In a separate disclosure, the two networks said they have "mutually agreed to terminate" their agreement covering the proposed acquisition by ABS-CBN of 34.99-percent equity interest in TV5 and the subscription by ABS-CBN to a "convertible note" to be issued by TV5.

TV5 has been broadcasting some ABS-CBN shows after the franchise of the former media flagship of the Lopezes was not renewed in 2020.

The two networks then revealed they were working out some kind of a merger.

Sagip Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, who was at the forefront of the campaign to deny ABS-CBN a new franchise, promptly declared he will have the House investigate the deal.

Another critic of the merger, lawyer Lorenzo "Larry" Gadon, said on Thursday TV5 might have eventually realized that the agreement could jeopardize the company's future.

"What cannot be done directly, cannot be done indirectly," Gadon told The Manila Times.

"The TV5-ABS-CBN deal on the sale of 35 percent stockholdings may cause the revocation of the franchise of TV5 or may cause the denial of its application for a renewal once its franchise expires," he said.

Gadon ran for senator last May under the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, the party of the father of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., former president Ferdinand E. Marcos.

He said that because the ABS-CBN is tainted with foreign funds, "the whole equity of TV5 will also become tainted with foreign funds."

Such a merger will also violate the constitutional requirement that a mass media organization must be fully Filipino owned, he said.

ABS-CBN, TV5 call off investment deal

By Aric John Sy Cua

RIVAL networks ABS-CBN and TV5 have called off their investment deal, amid a hearing at the House of Representatives on their "merger."

Disclosures reveal that Sky Cable and Cignal, rivaling cable companies, have also terminated their deal.

"In disclosures to both the Philippine Stock Exchange and the Securities Exchange Commission today, Sky Vision Corporation ("Sky Vision"), ABS-CBN Corporation, Lopez, Inc., and Cignal Cable Corporation ("Cignal Cable"), announced that they have mutually agreed to terminate the Sale and Purchase Agreement dated August 10, 2022 covering the proposed acquisition by Cignal Cable of 38.88 percent equity interest in Sky Cable Corporation and the Debt Instruments Agreement dated August 10, 2022 covering the proposed subscription by Cignal Cable to an Exchangeable Debt Instrument to be issued by Sky Vision and the proposed acquisition by Cignal Cable of a Convertible Note issued by Sky Cable," a statement posted by ABS-CBN on social media said.

ABS-CBN said that the termination was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement.

In addition, another disclosure read that the two networks have "mutually agreed to terminate" their August 10 investment agreement.

"In a separate disclosure, TV5 Network, Inc. ("TV5") and ABS-CBN Corporation ("ABS-CBN") also announced that they have mutually agreed to terminate the Investment Agreement dated August 10 2022 covering the proposed acquisition by ABS-CBN of 34.99 percent equity interest in TV5 and the Convertible Note Agreement dated August 10, 2022 covering the proposed subscription by ABS-CBN to a Convertible Note to be issued by TV5," according to the network.

"The termination was also formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement. The Parties confirmed that they have not implemented any of the transactions covered by the Investment Agreement and the Convertible Note Agreement."

TV5 has been broadcasting some ABS-CBN shows after the network's franchise was not renewed in 2020, which led to the deal between the two networks but Sagip Rep. Rodante Marcoleta was not in favor and called for a hearing in the House of Representatives on the matter.

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."

Summer 2017: Tarsier sanctuary-turned-resort shows a different side of Bohol

By: Jeeves de Veyra

Abs Cbn

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A view of Tarsier Botanika from offshore. Photo by author

When one thinks of Bohol, images of beaches and Chocolate Hills immediately come to mind. An image of a forest paradise is probably not on that list. And yet, that is exactly what Tarsier Botanica is: a resort situated in the middle of a forest.

Tarsier Botanika is an exclusive resort nestled in the forests of southern Panglao. It used to be a tarsier sanctuary until the local government moved the endangered creatures to their facility in Bohol. With only 14 villas in the entire complex, this resort guarantees privacy and a place to really get away from it all.

This resort was dreamed up by its architect owners. There is a museum that houses collectibles and objets d’art that they have brought home from their travels. The curated collection in the museum reflects the European and Asian aesthetics that has made its way into the resort.

Birds diving in and out of the water can sometimes be seen at the swimming pool. Photo by author

Everything in the resort was made according to the owners’ designs: the resort layout, the villas, the restaurant, and special furniture in the buildings.

As a guest in Tarsier Botanika, you don’t walk through claustrophobic hallways to get to their rooms. Rather, you wander through lush forest paths to get to your villa with the soundtrack of the wind rustling through the leaves and birds chirping in the trees.

Every step inside the resort is a picture waiting to be taken. Photo by author

A Balinese reclining Buddha in the forest pathways. Photo by author

A Santorini-inspired deck. Photo by author

With every step on the paths is an Instagram moment waiting to be captured. There’s a sleeping Buddha from Bali, there’s the Santorini-esque cliffside walkway that leads down to a private beach, the swimming pool which occasionally has birds diving in and out of the water,

And then, there are the villas themselves.

The grand interiors of a Tarsier Botanika villa. Photo by author

The villas, which resemble large nipa huts, dwarf a standard hotel room. It can easily house an entire family. The bathroom is massive with storage space for luggage. A comfortable king size bed adorns the main room with a classy desk and a breakfast nook in a corner, which comes with a CBTL Caffitaly espresso machine with a complete selection of espresso pods.

The coffee nook has its own espresso machine. Photo by author

Tarsier Botanika is not shy about the construction of the villa as the massive structures that support the roof are there to see when you lie down on the bed. The supports are an imposing sight and yet, it just shows how well made these houses are. Little touches like a foot wash outside the villa and various drying racks show how much thought was given to the design of these levelled up huts. The villa just invites guests to cocoon themselves inside for the duration of their stay.

And yet, there is a lot more to do and see in Tarsier Botanika. There is a mini-zoo that houses all sorts of birds and animals from the island. There is a stable with horses and ponies that guests can ride though their Tarsier Equestria package. Professional equestrian athletes from Cebu regularly come here for dressage and Show Jumping practice.

Tarsier Botanika has a stable and equestrian grounds. Photo by author

There is also a Tarsier Aquatica package that includes boat trips to nearby islands for scuba diving guests.

Though Tarsier Botanika has its own beach, guests can catch a boat and sun themselves at the beaches of nearby Pamilacan Island. The resort occasionally hosts beachside barbecue brunch for guests which also features snorkeling at the nearby marine sanctuary to check out Bohol’s marine biodiversity.

Barbecue brunch at Pamilacan Island. Photo by author

For those looking for a party atmosphere, the resort provides a shuttle to Panglao Beach. The resort’s shuttle station is located at its similarly named sister restaurant. The beachside branch’s menu is more down-to-earth than the gourmet menu of the resort.

A sample of desserts from the Tarsier Botanika branch at Panglao Beach. Photo by author

Tarsier Botanika is an emerald in the sea of Bohol’s beach resorts. It offers is not just a resort offering a place to stay, it is a complete experience for the world-weary who’re looking for a couple of days of disconnection from the world and a place to enjoy peace and quiet.

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Es war schon irgendwie aufregend. Und, es hat viel Spass gemacht. Ich war Gast bei ABS CBN in der Radiosendung von Ian Garcia, Freund, Mindanao Times Kolumnist, Chefredakteur des M-Magazins (Mindanao Lifestyle and Living) und TV-Moderator...