Biantan: ABS-CBN's gamble on Azkals pays off

Friday, February 25, 2011

LONDON -- THE Philippines’ largest TV network ABS-CBN gambled on showing the Philippine Azkals matches over at its sister station Studio 23 in December last year.

Studio 23 showed all the Azkals matches during the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup in Vietnam.

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It was a coup for ABS-CBN as millions of Filipinos tuned in to Studio 23 to enjoy the Azkals crushing the Vietnamese in the elimination round. Millions more watched as the Azkals met Indonesia in the semis.

The success of the Azkals made Filipinos converts to the beautiful game. Their Vietnam adventure was so successful that they out-rated the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) in the TV ratings war.

Because of this success, the giant broadcast company then signed a one year contract with the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) to televise all the Azkals matches for 2011.

Studio 23

The Kapamilya network out-bid two other stations to show the Azkals matches. Beginning this year, Studio 23 started televising the matches, kicking off with the Mongolia match in the Asian Football Federation (AFC) Challenge Cup in Feb. 9.

It was another blockbuster as millions once again tuned in to Studio 23 when the Azkals thumped the Mongolians, 2-0. More than 20,000 fans also trooped to the Panaad stadium in Bacolod City to witness the historic event.

Whoever decided to give the contract to sign the Azkals broadcast rights is a genius. It has given our national players continued TV exposure.

That is the reason why the Azkals are all over ABS-CBN programs. You can find them daily in TV Patrol news, Bandila and many other feature programs like Rated K, including Boy Abunda's daily showbiz show SNN.

Controversies

Everyday I watch Filipino TV programs from my laptop in my bedroom here in my flat in London. This keeps me sane.

I also watched the drama that unfolded in the fight of ABS-CBN with popular TV host Willie Revillame. It was one of the stupid mistakes that the network has committed. I could write an entire column about the controversy but to elaborate it here will be inappropriate.

I also watch soaps. I finished the entire series of the Alyna of Shaheena Magdayao and Jason Abalos. Now I am starting to love the Green Rose love story of Ann Curtis and Jericho Rosales and the Mana Po comedy soap of Melay Cantiveros and Jason Francisco.

My heart bled when Cebuana Akiko was eliminated in Sharon Cuneta's Star Power search show. The lovely Akiko was an early favourite to win but she blundered in the finals. However, with her beauty and her talent, she is expected to be a new rising star among the talent ridden ABS-CBN stable. Manila's bet Angelina surprised everyone with her powerful voice to claim the top prize.

Power of TV

The power of television has made heroes out of the Azkals. Had the victory over Vietnam not been televised, would you think the Azkals would enter into the Filipino consciousness?

Aside from ABS-CBN, other TV networks have also joined the bandwagon of popularity of the Azkals. GMA 7, through its chief sports reporter Chino Trinidad, has given our football heroes air times in its news programs.

Even Jessica Soho has been bitten by the Azkal bug. Her latest feature included a segment of the Younghusband brothers endorsing their football academy.
Many football fans frown over the inclusion of some Azkals into show business. But does it really matter if our football heroes join or rather have a taste of showbiz?

Phil Younghusband has tasted showbiz for a while when he and his brother James quit the national team for two years because of their tiff with the previous PFF administration. He joined the GMA-7's show Duets with Celebrities.

He liked it at the start but later commented in a news interview that he disliked it because of the intrigues and gossips. “Ayoko na nang showbiz, and daming chimis,” he said. (I do not like showbiz anymore, there is so much gossip.)

As long as the Azkals do not sacrifice their football careers and do not get involved in scandals, there is nothing to worry. Let showbiz embrace them. GOD BLESS jackbiantan@yahoo.com