05/05/2024
7:52 PM, May 5, 2020.
One of the darkest days in Pinoy media. ABS-CBN aired it's last broadcast on Channel 2 due to Cease and Desist Order from the National Telecommunications Commission. A day of sad emotion in what was described as an attack on freedom of expression and the death of democracy.
But in the months and years that followed, the network proved that democracy was not dead as they started their next chapter as an independent producer (like what happened with Thames Television in 1992 after losing its ITV franchise) forging partnerships with former rivals to bring its programs back to FTA television including with TV5, ZOE channel 11, and most recently, It's Showtime on GMA and Jeepney TV+TV Patrol on ALLTV. It's flagship pay-TV network Kapamilya Channel has become the Philippine version of influential basic cable networks tvN/JTBC of South Korea, WOWOW of Japan, GMMTV of Thailand, FX of the United States and Sky Max (formerly Sky One) in the United Kingdom with it's cutting edge programming such as Dirty Linen which became a viral hit and even reaching Amazon Prime. It's news personalities returned to radio with the launching of Radyo 630 last June and the station is still growing to this day as it makes a steady climb up the AM radio ratings. It's Kapamilya Online Live streams now reach thousands of concurrent viewers not only on Smart TVs, but also on computers, phones, and tablets of people always on the move with the rapid deployment of 5G technology accross the nation. And this year is also TFC's 30th anniversary of connecting Filipinos accross the globe in the Americas, Europe, Australia, and Japan, making Filipinos overseas feel at home with Kapamilya content. And just today they had a Bida Kapamilya live event at the open grounds of SM Pampanga marking the return of fanmeet events allowing the network's stars to thank loyal Kapamilyas for their unwavering support through many trials in the last few years.
That night marked the bittersweet end of an era, but also sparked the flame of a new era for ABS-CBN, moving ahead with technology to be In The Service Of The Filipino Worldwide.
To paraphrase what Dick Clark said as he witnessed the 2001-2002 Times Square Ball Drop in what is considered the most emotional times he hosted New Year's Rockin Eve:
"They are playing "Kapamilya Forever" because everybody remembers the night of May 5th, 2020 with great reverence, great support, great sympathy. It was not the happiest time in Philippine media history, but we are pressing on and the solid Kapamilyas are with it.
They are dynamic, resilient people, they're ready to go, they're ready to look forward to the new ABS-CBN on its way to becoming one of Asia's largest production house."
"They were wondering if a crowd would show today at SM Pampanga for Bida Kapamilya, never did I doubt it, never ever. Kapamilyas are resilient people, they are strong. There was a time when the Kapamilyas were the butt of jokes but they're tough and they are hard, uh uh. All of that has changed. The world is supporting ABS-CBN, and they are moving forward."
By Request - New Years Eve with Dick Clark, after 9/11.
