Monday, October 09, 2006 Costanilla: Homegrown TV going national? By Sam Costanilla Spotlight
THE Cebu Catholic Television Network (CCTN) channel 47 may be a small broadcast outfit, but it has a big dream—to eventually penetrate the entire Philippine television viewership as well as the rest of Asia. Network top honcho Nonito Limchua a.k.a. Tatay Dodong informed me that come October 26, Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) Company bigwig Manuel Pangilinan and his Mabuhay Satellite Corporation counterpart Gabriel Pimentel will be signing a memorandum of agreement at Parklane Hotel here in Cebu city.
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WHAT does the document provide? Tatay Dodong told me that the agreement provides for the PLDT to lease two E-1 lines to CCTN channel 47 so that its Cebu signal could reach Subic where Mabuhay could then transmit it nationwide as well as to a number of Asian countries. Sounds ambitious, yes, but it’s doable. Very viable. Tatay Dodong stressed that this realizable dream is meant to enable his local network to hit it big and make its mark in the global television business.
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AT the same time, Tatay Dodong also wants to plug in this corner that effective next Monday, October 16, five more Cebuano productions will be aired on a nightly basis. Aside from the ongoing Tres Metros (6-6:30 p.m., directed by Pepe Tariman), two other comedies are sure to tickle our funnybone. These are Secret Angel (6:30-7 p.m., directed by Rey Samaco and written by Stella Monteño) and Gugmang Dakog Mata (7-7:30 p.m., written and directed by Marcos Navarro Sacol). Dear Tatay (7:30-8 p.m., directed by Roderick Bontilao) is an advice program while Ay Kinabuhi (8-8:30 p.m., directed by Elma Vestil) is a local sitcom. Capping the nightly treat is Vendita Amor (8:30-9 p.m., directed by Feliciano Ymbong).
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IT is indeed commendable on the part of Tatay Dodong to put premium on Cebuano television productions because doing so gives a big boost to our homegrown talents. CCTN channel 47 (which can also be seen over Skycable channel 56) has the advantage in this respect because it has no live satellite-fed programs emanating from Manila that could only distract or cut off the airing of local productions. In other words, CCTN channel 47 is ahead of the race compared to the bigger television networks whose Cebu-based stations are helpless when it comes to the uninterrupted airingof locally-produced programs. For instance, CCTN channel 47 is alloting three straight hours every night for those local shows I just mentioned, something that the bigger networks do not and cannot do. For this, CCTN channel 47 should take a bow and acknowledge the applause from the public.
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THERE should be a repeat performance of the Halad concert that the Cebu Malay Society of Composers, Artists and Producers successfully staged last September 30 at the Mandaue city cultural and sports complex. This was the common suggestion and appeal from those who were lucky enough to witness the show that featured 38 purely Cebuano songs and certified homegrown performers. Yes, there were no such big stars as Pilita Corrales, Dulce, Vina Morales, Verni Varga, Raki Vega, Ann Feji, Jimmy Marquez and Sheryn Regis in the concert but the members of the audience were mesmerized and amazed.
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MAESTRO Doy Montaña and his orchestra did a splendid job. Performers Baby Condeno, Dr. Bernard Pino, Dr. Warfe Engracia, Armistice Abayan, Thea Domingo, Michelle Arizabal, Edison Monternel, Mario Jadraque, Chit Ortiz and the Cemscap Choir Ensemble were able to prove to the spectators that local entertainers can ably stage a world-class and quality show. The Cebu Normal University Diwa-Sugbo Dance Troupe members were so terrific in those backup dance numbers. After the two-hour Halad concert, I felt prouder to be a Cebuano.
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THIS notorious radioman is the butt of jokes in coffeeshops here. Even his peers are talking behind his back. They even label him as Mr. Jukebox for obvious reasons. This self-proclaimed broadcaster is definitely a paid hack. Sadly, even his own relatives and townmates no longer believe him and hispronouncements on the air. Talk of lost credibility.
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THIS former recording artist here wants to resurrect his career by asking interested individuals to produce an album with him as the featured artist. In the meantime, he is performing as a novelty singer in barangay variety shows.
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IN a radio interview, the program host asked a local militant leader to comment on allegations that he is encouraging informal settlers (read: squatters) to occupy land they do not own. His reply: “Pataka man lang na sila. Why do I must to encourage squattering here and there?”
