Love your own...

I rarely, rarely tune to any of the telenovelas and fantaseryes in the local channels since those aren't really my cup of tea. From what little I saw of it, I think that they show promise but plenty are honestly influenced by other materials, it's hard for me to not to compare it from other productions.

Although this week, from Sept 17-24 on ABS-CBN Primetime, they're doing a preview of Lastikman (The Making, Behind The Scenes and whatnots). And I am obliged to tune to Channel 2, even as this early, I'm already sensing Lastikman is sort of "inspired" from Star Wars. I am gonna be glued to the channel sometime during Kokey (a show my son watches everyday). Bakit kamo? The Lastikman feature, which will run all week this week, for 15 minutes at least, will have the hubby on it. The teasers they ran the other night on TV showed behind the scenes from the photo shoot and that's what he and a few other photographers did for this show. The billboard of Lastikman that you will hopefully be in the streets soon (Edsa or Marcos Highway, I think?) are from his work. It will be another feather on his cap, borne out of this enthusiasm for his hobby (photography).

Not the actual photo release. Just stole this from the hubby's file, sssh! :D

Behind the scenes with one of the directors and two of the cast members.

Production people setting-up, retouching Vhong Navarro's make-up, for the photo shoot.

The two stars Archie Alemania and Vhong Navarro in a playful moment.

The photographers with Archie, who hubby attest is so much fun to be with.

Lastikman airs on ABS-CBN Channel 2 beginning next week. And I'm told this will be the very first TV show in the Philippines that will air on HD or High Definition.

[Lastikman], [ABS-CBN]

(Update) The SkyCable/Solar Entertainment Shake-Up, Part 3

(Guest Blog Post)

Wikipedia: Removal of Solar Entertainment's Channels. There were rumors that Basketball TV will be removed on SkyCable early next year and the Balls channel, that is under test broadcast will be the replacement. Some people speculate that this move by Sky and/or Solar will really disappoint avid basketball fans especially those who subscribed to SkyCable just only to watch NBA games live. Reports broke out stating that all Solar's Channels will be removed on SkyCable starting January 1, 2008. Some say there has been a feud between ABS-CBN Sports and Solar Entertainment, while some say its due to a bad deal between two parties. This explains the new channels SkyCable will be airing. Time will tell if subscribers will again switch to the competitor and how can Sky manage such loss of subscribers and how can Sky handle the loss of such great channels on their line-up.

Phil. Star Article, Entertainment Section page C-7 Sept. 6: In its bid to bring subscribers the best program choices, SkyCable recently announced programming enhancements that will introduce all-new and exciting channels produced both by well-established international cable brands and locally syndicated ones. Skycable will be one of the first cable providers in the world to carry AXN Beyond by Jan. 1, 2008. A spin-off channel of the widely popular action adventure station, AXN, which is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. AXN Beyond will spotlight more sci-fi, supernatural, paranormal and out-of-the-ordinary shows like The Dresden Files. Also availbale first on AXN Beyond is a sci-fi series called Painkiller Jane.

Another new internation channel to be introduced by SkyCable by next year is FOX-Crime, the most popular 24-hour factual and fictional entertainment TV channel dedicated to crime, investigation and mystery. Suspense buffs can expect to see a mix of facual and fictional shows with spine-chilling thrillers and fast-paced action-packed dramas like Dexter, Texas SWAT, Trace Evidence, Brotherhood, CSI Miami, CSI Las Vegas, Law and Order and Kojak.

Apart from these international channels, SkyCable will also be airing starting next year locally syndicated channles. Coming soon will be a chic channel for women called VELVET which whill carry some of the best programs of American TV. Among these are The View. Other exciting shows include Crossing Jordan, E! News Weekend, Desperate Housewives and Extreme Makeover Home Edition.

Letter of Solar Entertainment to its subscribers:Moving toward the last quarter of 2007 and into the New Year, We are happy to announce the following:

1. Solar has entered into agreement with the International Olympics Committee (IOC) covering all Exclusive Broadcast Rights including Free TV, Basic Cable, satellite, mobile television, pay television, closed-circuit television and internet television for the following:
* 2008 Beijing Olympic Games
* 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games
* 2012 London Olympic Games

Next year, 8/08/08, Solar will be bringing to the Philippines an unprecedented number of hours of various Olympic sports through Pay Per View, Closed Circuit, RPN, Solar Sports, Basketball TV, ETC and 2nd Avenue from Beijing. In addition, Solar will be sending its production crew to Beijing to cover the participation of the Philippines at the Games.

2. To continue our ability to deliver to our valued clients the most current entertainment programming, Solar has secured multi-year volume deals with major studios and production companies including the following:
* NBC-Universal Television
* Warner Brothers International Television
* Fox Television
* CBS-Paramount

The deals give Solar first choice of selection over all new products and properties from the studios and provide our cable affiliates the assurance that all hit series such as 24, Heroes plus the new series from the 2007 production slate will exclusively have its premieres and first telecast window on Solar Channels over our competition. Renewed hit series for the season are the following:
* Heroes
* Bones
*24
*Shark
* Prison Break
* My Name is Earl
* America's Next Top Model
* Project Runway
* Top Chef
* Saturday Night Live
* One Tree Hill
* Without A Trace
* Cold Case
* The Closer
* Men in Trees
* Hell's Kitchen
* Extreme Makeover
* Home Edition
* Beauty And The Geek
* Law and Order SVU
* Nip Tuck
* The Office
* The Simpson's
* Family Guy
* Survivors: China
* America's Got Talent.

Recently acquired for telecast this next few months are the following:
* The Sopranos
* Entourage
* My Boys
* The Tudors

And from the new television season in the U.S., the new series we have acquired are the ff:
* Bionic Woman
* The Sarah Connors Chronicles
* Pushing Daisies
* Chuck
* Big Bang Theory
* Alien In America
* Journeyman
* New Amsterdam
* Big Shots
* Moonlight
* Burn Notice

[SkyCable], [Solar Entertainment]

Update: Solar Entertainment pulls out of Sky Cable

So, yes apparently it's happening. The buzz is getting stronger and stronger. Solar-Entertainment is moving out of Sky Cable.

Sky Cable, on the other hand, is currently running the "BALLS" channel on Test Broadcast, with the USA Tennis Open, amidst really, really bad reception. And seriously, "BALLS"? Can't they think of any other name? It sounds so R-rated!

Sky Cable is also allegedly replacing all the channels that will be out of their line-up with five new ones. They could actually now bring in Fox Crime. And then I can watch Dexter for sure since the ones I have on my hard drive? I'm still finding the inspiration to continue watching. Maybe when I feel like killing somebody? Or if a friend lends their newly-purchased DVDs? *hint, hint*

Anyway, 5 new channels, huh? That doesn't sound too bleak for someone who's social life and social growth is dependent on TV. (And yes, I'm referring to myself. Heh.) Unless of course they bring in 5 new sports channels, what am I gonna do with that?

I have yet to hear if they're getting a channel with Conan on. So long as they have that, then the world is all better again.

But what am I talking about, I'm on Sun-Sky Cable! Our channels are slightly different! *please, please don't take away ETC!*

Source

[SkyCable], [ETC], [JackTV]

In the local news...

Something for those following the local entertainment scene. Here's what I wanna know:

A. Is the cast of High School Musical coming to the Philippines? This news from MSN:

Additionally, the soundtrack debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts, there’s a “High School Musical” video game, it won best film at Sunday’s Teen Choice Awards and Disney is also taking the show on the road internationally. The cast is currently in London and there are also scheduled stops in India and the Philippines .

B. Elliot Yamin is definitely coming to the Philippines. Are you going to his mall tours?

C. Is there a Philippine Idol Season 2? Wikipedia reports that there is.

It has been announced in a report in ABC 5's late night news show Sentro that a second season is in the works. This was also announced by Mau Marcelo during the concert of the first season's final 12 at the Araneta Coliseum in late March,2007. While there are no other details, it is possible that it will start soon after the airing of the finale of the sixth season of American Idol on May 24, 2007 in the Philippines. However, a recent report has appeared in the broadsheet Philippine Daily Inquirer (September 1, 2007 issue) that the show's second season will now be airing on GMA 7 instead of ABC 5. Reliable sources say that some executives from GMA are now negotiating with FremantleMedia ("Idol" franchise holder).

Exciting times on Philippine TV. And I did not have to bring up what happened just last week, huh?

Quick note: I think I'm gonna take a break for a couple of days. I'm recharging myself and I'm also celebrating turning 34 (Waaah!). And then when I get back, I'm hopefully taking this blog full blast, now that new season premieres are just an arms reach. (Whooo!)

[High School Musical], [Philippine Idol], [Elliot Yamin], [Philippine TV]

Etc, JackTV, C/S leave SkyCable by 2008?

Reference: this thread on PEX

If this is true, then I'm bound to lose my Conan? Oh, noes! :(

I'm actually very worried. This is sad news for me. *I'm having an out of body experience and there's me pointing and laughing at myself for being so pathetic.*

Solar-Entertainment's website has been down for two weeks now, too. What is going on?

Although, technically, we're on Sun Cable, a subsidiary of Sky Cable. We only got ETC 2nd Ave a few months ago, in fact. So, maybe if this internet gossip is true, it won't affect our subscription. *fingers crossed*

[SkyCable], [ETC], [JackTV]

O, Juday!

My 9year old is into telenovelas these days, particularly the one starring Juday. He reasons the drama series lets him sleep faster. And on top of that, he's brushing up on his Tagalog, something he really needs to improve on since he's having a hard time coping with his Filipino and Sibika subjects.

I don't mean that to sound like he's growing up elitist. We speak Tagalog at home, of course. I even sometimes speak in my proudly Dabawenyo intonation when mindlessly talking with family members (bitaw!).

What Filipino household still make use of the words "maneho" or "barbero" --- evidently simple Tagalog words --- in everyday conversation these days? Hardly, na man no? We don't say "maneho" anymore. We say drive, or dribe, or drayb. We don't say barbero anymore. We say parlor, barber or haircut. It's the same thing, anyway. Who still calls their better half "irog"? I bet even your grandpa doesn't use that word anymore and has taken to calling your boyfriend as "boypren" or sige na nga, "nobyo".

But it's a different thing when my son has to answer homeworks, test papers and quizzes or write theme compositions in Tagalog at school. His books contain words our grandparents or great-grandparents have been accustomed to. And rightfully so. The young ones still need to learn our beautiful language as much as they need to learn and practice old Filipino values.

Anyway, back to my 9year old.... I was actually the one who pushed him to start watching something Tagalog to brush up on his vocabulary. And as much as I know 65%-75% of what is on local TV is trash, (I'm being generous here, my friends claim it's 100% bad, haha!) if I wanted my son to increase his Tagalog vocabulary, it's one way of helping him out. I just hope he doesn't grow up becoming hysterically distressed, which most telenovela characters become. :P

In time, I will try to divert his interest with good old black and white Tagalog movies from the 60's era (Nida Blanca!!!) that sometimes air in Cinema One. Now, those have some deep Tagalog words that even I might have the need to check a Pinoy dictionary myself.



Last night, Juday said "Tiyong" to address an Uncle in the TV Show Ysabella. I asked my son if he knows what that means and naturally he didn't. So I told him it means Uncle and "Tiyang" would have to be the female equivalent.

This morning, he started calling my brother, his uncle, Tiyong [my brother's petname]. And he would snicker every time he'd say it because my brother's petname rhymes with Tiyong. My 9year old found something very amusing in that.

Crazy kid.

[Judy Ann Santos], [Ysabella ABS-CBN], [Tagalog], [Pinoy]

The Sanjaya Effect

I'm sure you've heard of Sanjaya. If you haven't, then you, my friend, need to start watching crap TV. :D

Well, what we have now on local TV is known as the Sanjaya effect. And this is not a story about the weather. What I'm talking about is the latest controversy surrounding Pinoy Big Brother in that --- Wendy gets to stay. She gets a 4 in 1 shot at the grand prize. I hear lots of people cursing. But can't say I'm surprised by the result. Won't even be surprised if Wendy wins it this Saturday.

Why did Wendy stay?

• Because she has loyal followers. Unfortunately. While they don't necessarily seem to be a big group...what they lack in numbers, they made it up for passion and devotion. Maybe they are stupid but you can’t fault them for their loyalty. Oh, yes they come to the Eviction Hall in full force. Booing at those who boo Wendy back. Shouting for Wendy if and when her face is flashed on TV. For someone like Wendy, who in a matter of one month, managed to become the most hated person on television, those are the kind of followers you need.

• Because the rest of us who are vocal about hating Wendy, are only just that --- vocal. We say we are appalled by her behavior. We hear many others agreeing with us. And they are plenty. But what we say does not actually convert to votes for those who are still inside the house, does it? While we remain disgusted with seeing her on TV and we tell people about it, Wendy's followers in the meantime are busy texting points for Wendy. Sly diba? Matinik. Wais. Admit it, did you honestly pick up your cellphones and texted BB Mickey, Bea, Gee-Ann or Bodie? I didn't.

Did she even deserve it?

Her spot at the Big 4? Yes, she did. People voted for her, didn't they? She may even deserve the grand prize. Everybody deserves the grand prize...because it's a contest. And she, per se, didn't cheat to earn the votes. She just showed her true colors. But by doing that, she did not deserve to earn the respect of many people, perhaps millions of people. Which one should matter, really? When all of these is over? In the history of RealityTV, not ALL who won, DESERVED to win. We are just learning that now with Season 2.


Why did I not vote?

Because I'm not stupid to buy into this gimmick. It is that simple. It's the honest truth. The total amount I have spent for any reality TV show comes to less than P200.00 I suppose. And I still feel I've wasted my money. I. Still. Wasted. Money. And perhaps, ever since Big Brother thought it was good to bring back evicted housemates into the house, the rest of you stopped caring to vote as well, no? Can't blame you. At least you've wisen up and realized it isn't worth buying into this gimmick.

You do realize now it’s all a gimmick, no?

Where’s the credibility?

Boys and girls, credibility is for the news department. It’s not something you find in a RealityTV show.

On Big Brother, you look for entertainment, not credibility. You watch this show because it feeds your inner chismoso, admit it. And because you like to peek into the life of another person and find pleasure in discovering that he or she is just pathetic as you are. That doesn’t sound like a credible activity, does it?

The producers, on the other hand, do not aim for credibility in a RealityTV show. If they did, they ought to be fired right away because a moralist and a do-gooder have no place in RealityTV programming. In fact, I think some amount of crafty-ness or deviousness should flow into the veins of a RealityTV producer to survive it. Hence, I am *this close [ ] * to bowing to PBB director, Dyogi.

RealityTV programming aims for what sells…even if that means bringing back ex-housemates into the house. That isn’t illegal. That’s producing a TV "spectacle". Note that I did not just say TV show. I said "spectacle", which sounds grander than a TV "show".

There are three formulas to a successful RealityTV, none of it involves credibility:

• Shock factor. Sex cannot happen on Philippine TV, so we leave that out. Where do we tap for the shock factor? On controversy. On all that drama for your mama. On the fact that people cannot stop talking about it.

• Surrealism factor. Or the fact that something unreal is happening to someone you watch on TV. And if it’s bad you say to yourself --- "Thank god it’s not happening to me!" And if it’s good you say to yourself --- "I wish that can happen to me". You wonder why so many are suckered into auditioning for Big Brother even at all costs?

• Show Me The Money factor. Ahhh, the biggest mitigating factor --- the what-happens-after-the-show-is-over. In most cases, RealityTV contestants end up having a career change, did you notice? Busboys become media personalities. Boring office staffers become media personalities. They make movies, TV shows, albums, endorsements. 15 minutes of fame well spent.

RealityTV is born from game shows. But these days nobody is contented with a game show that’s purely question and answer or something patterned after Kwarta o Kahon. And even if was patterned after Kwarta o Kahon, look at the amount of production they have to do to make you sit up and take notice: they have sexy dancers or family members in the background having a nervous breakdown just because you didn’t choose kwarta or kahon…those kinds of things.

These days, shows have to have spice, character and drama. And sometimes to do all that, people behind the show have to do a little tweaking in the production. I’m not saying things are scripted or manipulated because I have no way of knowing that myself.

I’m just saying that for the sake of entertainment --- this is what you get.

If you are smart enough to see through the cracks, then you will just sit back and watch, without buying into the gimmick.

But if you are smarter and you realize you are not liking it anymore? Hell, don’t go complaining…it’s not worth the wrinkles. It's not worth your time. Just change the damn channel.

Additional read, if you are interested: The Dangers of RealityTV: Ideology, Capitalism, Competition, Style and Education

[Sanjaya], [Reality TV], [Big Brother]

PBB Season 2

Hihihi...am back to jologs mode. Yeah!

PBB Season 2 is airing soon (Feb 25, yes?). Voyeurism, yey! Plus we get to hear Kuya again.

For the meantime, here are stuff I found on Youtube uploaded more than a year ago. I don't know what became of many of these Housemates from Season 1 after the show was done.

But inside Kuya's house I had so much love for them. These videos made me miss the good 'ol days...

Pinoy Big Brother
SEASON 1 Moments

Final Thoughts on PBB CE

After two months inside the Big Brother House, celebrity housemates end their stay inside the house tonight. A grand celebration is to take place in Manila later. Unfortunately, PBBCE ends with little bang and hoopla, compared to when this show started less than six months ago with the first season. It just wasn't that interesting, at least from where I sit. And yet I still watch it on TV .... but I've stopped watching my live feeds, even as I am subscribed till the season ends

Comparing this edition vs. the first one, here is what I have observed:

PBB 1: brought out the best in ordinary people
PBB Celeb: brought out the worst in celebrities

PBB 1: They had more to gain
PBB Celeb: They had a lot to lose because of a change in perception of image

PBB 1: They didn't know the concept of this whole thing, but ended up learning plenty from it.
PBB Celeb: They had various concepts of this whole thing and ended up challenging what they have learned.

Anyway, I think this is how they will rank tonight

4 - Bianca
3 - Zanjoe
2 - John
1 - Keanna

My Top Three Moments inside the PBB CE House:

TOP 1 - Rustom's Outing -

I am gay. Gusto kong malaman ng lahat na hindi ako masamang tao.

Whether this was his plan from the very beginning (to use the show as his stage to out himself), it cannot be denied that this made Pinoy TV history. The timing was just perfect. Nothing will top that in a long while.

TOP 2 - Last night's final episode, the final tests. After all attempts to defeat the ninjas and to whether the harsh conditions in the house, it was Kuya's last words to the housemates that made it all clear and the impact more meaningful than ever. Those were very beautiful words he said to Big 4.

To Keanna he said:

Alam ko na ikaw ay isang huwaran pero siguro'y kelangan mo na ring buksan ang puso na manalig at magtiwala.

As an escort girl, Keanna has had many traumatic experiences in the past. She has been lied to and violated many times. These experiences made her stronger, true...but it also made her less trusting of people, and Big Brother was teaching her to trust again.

To John he said:

John, di habang buhay ay may mga nakakatandang gagabay sa iyo, may mga pagkakataon na ikaw lang ang magdedesiyunan, walang pagtatanungan kung ano ang paniniwalaan mo.

John, the former child star and admittedly a mama's boy, has had someone taking care of him all his life. But the experiences he had in the house ought to teach him to be able to decide for himself and take responsibility for his future.

To Bianca and Zanjoe he said:

Zanjo may bago kang buhay na haharapin paglabas mo, sana kahit papaano ay tumibay ka sa pamamahay ko. You’ve always been quiet at nirerespeto ko yun. It’s a totally different world marami kang haharapin at kelangang harapin….. tibayan mo ang loob mo at manalig ka na mga taong tutulong sayo. People will question your friendship and you should be prepared for that. May mga masasaktan and in the end, what’s important is what’s right for you, Bianca

Because this two have forged a relationship that is questionable in the eyes of other people (Bianca has a boyfriend), once they get out, it is expected that the press will be hounding them to get the scoop. And it could get ugly, for sure. Big Brother sort of prepared them for what they should experience once they get out of the house.

TOP 3 - Keanna's outburst - When she said "KFC ka kasi!" to Mich, when she meant KSP (Kulang sa Pansin). The Keanna had a major outburts; it was tough to be fighting with her at that time, but when she said KFC instead of KSP, that broke the tension. Spontaneously funny!

--------------

The next Big Brother installment comes sometime April (?) and this time it's Teens who shall occupy the house for the summer. I think I will have to pass the live feeds for this, and if I don't catch the episodes on TV, I will not lose sleep over it. Teen angst --- I can't relate to this anymore. So I'll leave it to the 16, 17, 18 & 19 years old to analyze and draw their own lessons and conclusions.

Till the next real edition!