March 2014 Kapuso Magazine

IM READY PORTAL LIVE

DZBB's

NEW PROGRAMS

A Splash of Twin Love

MARCH 2014

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Contents COVER STORY

UPDATES

British Ambassador Visits GMA Network Manilyn Reynes Signs Exclusive GMA Contract Integrity Initiative

4 5

RATINGS

GMA Keeps Urban Luzon and Mega Manila Ratings Advantage UPDATES

‘IM Ready’ Portal Live

6-7

8-10

AWARDS

Anvil Awards Hildegarde Awards Digital Filipino Web Awards 2014 NW Samar State University Students’ Choice Awards Gawad Tanglaw Gawad Bagani UmalohokJuan

ONTHECOVER:

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UPDATES

DZBB’s New Programs

GMA News TV Campaigns for Good Manners and Right Conduct

CAROL VELAGIO KATHLENE CHAVES & JOVANI GUSTILO Ilonggo viewers wake-up to the fresh faces of Arangkada’s anchors.

12-13

LOUISE DELOS REYES AND ALJUR ABRENICA GMA Kapuso Magazine (Electronic) is a monthly publication of GMA Network, Inc. published by the Corporate Affairs Division, 16th Floor, GMA Network Center, EDSA cor. Timog, Ave., Diliman, Q.C. Trunkline No. (632) 982-7777.

MARCH ISSUE

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ISSUE N O . 2 6

Cleaning Up with GMA G.I.V.E.S.

UPDATES

British Ambassador Visits GMA Network

British Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines Asif Anwar Ahmad recently paid a courtesy visit to GMA Chairman and CEO Atty.

Felipe L. Gozon.

Manilyn Reynes Signs Exclusive GMA Contract

Photo shows (L-R) GMA First Vice President for Regional TV Rikki O. Escudero, Second Secretary (British Embassy) Colin Glen, Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, Ambassador Asif Anwar Ahmad, GMA Executive Vice President and CFO Felipe S. Yalong, GMA Senior Vice President for Entertainment TV Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable and GMA Vice President for International Joseph T. Francia.

Did You Know That?

(L-R) GMA Senior Vice President for ETV Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, Manilyn Reynes and GMA Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon Manilyn is very excited to be officially part of the Kapuso family.

“Thank you sa GMA. Masarap po ang pakiramdam na finally, nandito na ako ulit and matagal-tagal po ito kaya magkakasama tayo sa maraming palabas. Sana subaybayan nila ang lahat ng palabas na involved ako at siyempre lahat ng palabas dito sa Kapuso Network dahil dito Puso Ang Una,” Manilyn said.

Manilyn is currently part of the top-rating reality sitcom, Pepito Manaloto: Ang Tunay na Kwento. She is very happy with the program’s success over the years, “It’s a happy set, it’s a happy cast, and it’s a happy show. Everybody is getting along well. I think kapag comfortable na talaga kayo sa mga kasama niyo and you’re doing things na pareho ninyong hilig gawin, maganda talaga ang kalalabasan, and that’s what’s happening sa Pepito Manaloto.”

GMA KAPUSO MAGAZINE |MARCH 2014 ISSUE

Among 2000 plus companies that have signed the Integrity Initiative, GMA Network is one of the 100 that has gone beyond signing the pledge and has taken the next steps - taking the online Integrity Self Assesment (ISA) and being validated for integrity practices by a third party.

The Integrity Initiative is a multi-sectoral campaign that pushes for acceptable standards of integrity among various sectors of society. GMA was the first broadcast company to sign the pledge.

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RATINGS

GMA Keeps Urban Luzon and Mega Manila Ratings Advantage Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho Leads All Programs

GMA Network remained ahead in television ratings in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila in February, according to Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

Leading across all timeblocks, GMA also maintained its over-all lead in Mega Manila with 35.3 percent, surpassing ABSCBN’s 29 percent by 6.3 points and TV5’s 13 percent by 22.3 points.

From February 1 to 28 (February 23 to 28 based on overnight data), GMA (34.1%) beat rivals ABS-CBN (31.8%) and TV5 (12.1%) in Urban Luzon.

Sixteen out of the top 30 programs in Urban Luzon are from GMA, with multiawarded news magazine program Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS) leading the list.

Urban Luzon’s share in the country’s urban TV household population increased to 77 percent from last year’s 76 percent.

KMJS’s winning streak continued in Mega Manila, where it also emerged as the most watched program in February.

Mega Manila’s urban TV household population share grew to 60 percent from last year’s 59 percent.

MICHAEL V.

URBAN LUZON

MEGA MANILA

14 GMA programs in the top 30

PROGRAM NAME

RANK

PROGRAM NAME

1

KAPUSO MO, JESSICA SOHO

1

KAPUSO MO, JESSICA SOHO

6

PEPITO MANALOTO ANG TUNAY NA KUWENTO

4

CELEBRITY BLUFF

7

CELEBRITY BLUFF

5

MAGPAKAILANMAN

8

MAGPAKAILANMAN

6

PEPITO MANALOTO ANG TUNAY NA KUWENTO

11

VAMPIRE ANG DADDY KO

8

VAMPIRE ANG DADDY KO

12

IMBESTIGADOR

10

IMBESTIGADOR 24 ORAS

RANK

24 ORAS

11

16

EAT BULAGA

12

EAT BULAGA

17-18

CARMELA ANG PINAKAMAGANDANG BABAE SA MUNDONG IBABAW

13

19

ADARNA

CARMELA ANG PINAKAMAGANDANG BABAE SA MUNDONG IBABAW

24-25

RHODORA X BUBBLE GANG

14

ADARNA

19

BUBBLE GANG

27

I-WITNESS

20-21

RHODORA X

29

PICTURE! PICTURE!

25

I-WITNESS

26

A 100-YEAR LEGACY

29

PICTURE! PICTURE!

30

VILLA QUINTANA

13-14

JESSICA SOHO

4

16 GMA programs in the top 30

GMA KAPUSO MAGAZINE |MARCH 2014 ISSUE

UPDATES

To be Forewarned is to be Forearmed

‘IM Ready’ Portal GMA Senior Vice President for News and Public Affairs Marissa Flores says, “Calamities such as Ondoy, Yolanda, and the Habagat floods have all taught us painful lessons about the need to prepare. We hope Filipinos will embrace the IM Ready portal as a valuable public safety information tool towards what GMA has been advocating over the years – Magplano para sigurado.”

GMA Network’s IM Ready public safety portal, in partnership with Google, Waze and key Philippine government agencies, is now live.

The portal (www.imready.ph) is the first single online solution providing realtime updates on weather, flooding, geo-hazards, traffic situations, class suspensions, gas pump prices, and soon, even commuting route options, metro train services and fare rates.

The IM Ready portal is the product of GMA Network’s awareness campaign that started in October 2010, a year after the devastation caused by Typhoon Ondoy.

The portal consolidates information from GMA’s government partners, namely the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Metro Rail Transit Authority (MRTA), Philippine National Railways (PNR) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Partnering with DOST also paved the way for collaboration with its weather forecasting arms - the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and Project NOAH.

Global partners On the technology side, GMA partnered with Waze – the world’s largest social community-based traffic and navigation app. Google acquired Waze last year for a reported estimate of $1 billion.

Visitors of the IM Ready portal will be able to compare information reported by both the MMDA and Waze users who share real-time traffic and road information.

The portal is also powered by The Weather Company, a global leader in weather forecasting services for media companies. GMA Weather makes use of this infrastructure to deliver interactive reports and highlight the extent of a weather disturbance’s potential impact on a specific location.

Just beginning Heading the IM Ready Public Service Group is climate change expert Dr. Carlos Primo “CP” David, a faculty member of National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS) of the University of the Philippines, Diliman.

“The project team is thrilled with the possibilities that the latest technologies and the partnerships have allowed us. We’ve made available a lot of information out already, but we know that we are just scratching the surface.

Eventually we want to strengthen our information base to more provinces, especially those which are most at risk to natural calamities,” David shares.

Coming soon are mobile versions of the IM Ready portal for Apple iOS and Android.

Be part of the IM Ready community: Facebook.com/imreadyph twitter.com/imreadyph @imreadyph

GMA KAPUSO MAGAZINE |MARCH 2014 ISSUE

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AWARDS

GMA’s Winning Streak Continues Anvil Awards

The Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) recognized GMA News and Public Affairs’ “Dapat Tama” electoral advocacy campaign at the 49th Anvil Awards. Dapat Tama earned merit honors in the Public Relations Programs in a Sustained Basis category.

(L-R) Dapat Tama Executive Producer Regina Estrada, AVP for Public Affairs Neil Gumban and Production Manager Gemma Gonzaga.

Hildegarde Awards

Digital Filipino Web Awards 2014

(L-R) Bayan Ko lead actor Rocco Nacino, Creator and Program Manager of Bayan Ko and Titser Nessa Valdellon, Titser lead actress Lovi Poe

GMA News TV’s original series “Bayan Ko” and “Titser” were both lauded with Outstanding Achievement in the Broadcast Media recognition at the 8th Hildegarde Awards for Women in Media and Communications held recently at the St. Scholastica’s College in Manila.

Established in 2006 in honor of the 12th Benedictine century saint and healer Hildegarde von Bingen, the Hildegarde Awards celebrates women’s achievements in mass media and its allied fields.

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Produced for the voters of the 2013 mid-term elections, “Dapat Tama” urged the public to “do the right thing” and cast their ballots according to their conscience.

(L-R) DigitalFilipino.com’s Janette Toral, GMA Online Content Director Leda Beltran, GMA AVP for Digital Media Butch San Agustin and GMO GlobalSign’s Moises Merin

The GMA Network portal - www.GMANetwork.com – was awarded best website in the Television category of the 6th Digital Filipino Web Awards on March 5 in Makati City.

The Digital Filipino Web Awards recognizes “the changes with the way web sites are being perceived now.” The winners were chosen based on search engine competitiveness, technical performance and social media engagement.

GMA KAPUSO MAGAZINE |MARCH 2014 ISSUE

AWARDS

NW Samar State University Students’ Choice Awards GMA Network was named Best TV Network with Balanced Programming at the 5th Northwest Samar State University Students’ Choice Award for Radio and Television (NSCART).

The Northwest Samar State University Students’ Choice Award for Radio and Television is an annual event that recognizes excellence in broadcast media arts.

Other GMA Winners: BEST NEWS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM

BEST PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAM

BEST ACTRESS IN A PRIMETIME TELESERYE

BEST FEMALE PUBLIC AFFAIRS ANCHOR MEL TIANGCO

BEST PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAM HOST

BEST DOCUMENTARY

24 ORAS

BEST MALE PUBLIC AFFAIRS ANCHOR & BEST INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM PROGRAM HOST

MIKE ENRIQUEZ

JESSICA SOHO

BEST MAGAZINE PROGRAM

BEST MORNING SHOW

BEST VARIETY SHOW HOST

BEST MORNING SHOW HOST

CARLA ABELLANA

UNANG HIRIT

BUBBLE GANG

BEST GAME SHOW

CELEBRITY BLUFF

BEST COMEDY SHOW HOST

EUGENE DOMINGO

BEST NOONTIME VARIETY SHOW

EAT BULAGA

BEST NOONTIME VARIETY SHOW HOST

VIC SOTTO

ARNOLD CLAVIO

Gawad Bagani

BEST AM STATION DZBB

BEST DRAMA ANTHOLOGY MAGPAKAILANMAN

BEST NEWS PROGRAM WISH KO LANG

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS MS. JEAN GARCIA FOR HINAGPIS NG ISANG INA, MAGPAKAILANMAN

BEST MAGAZINE SHOW KAPUSO MO, JESSICA SOHO

KARA DAVID

IMBESTIGADOR

GMA Network’s programs and talents were recognized in the 12th Gawad Tanglaw Awards held recently at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran University in Calamba Laguna.

BEST DOCUMENTARY PROGRAM I-WITNESS

BEST DOCUMENTARY PROGRAM HOST

BEST INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM PROGRAM

Gawad Tanglaw

BEST PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAM WISH KO LANG

I-WITNESS

VICKY MORALES

KAPUSO MO, JESSICA SOHO

BEST MAGAZINE PROGRAM HOST

MARIAN RIVERA

WISH KO LANG

BEST COMEDY PROGRAM

BEST ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE (TV SERIES) MY HUSBAND’S LOVER DENNIS TRILLO TOM RODRIGUEZ CARLA ABELLANA CHANDA ROMERO ROI VINZON KUH LEDESMA

Jessica Soho and Mike Enriquez were named best Public Service Broadcasters for TV and radio, respectively, in the Gawad Bagani sa Komunikasyon 2014: Gawad Para sa Makabagong Mandirigma sa Larangan ng Radyo at Telebisyon.

Kara David and Mel Tiangco also made the list of top 5 TV broadcasters based on the poll conducted by the CAMANAVA Studies Forum and UE Caloocan students.

Gawad Silangan

MIKE ENRIQUEZ

Jessica Soho, Kara David and Julie Anne San Jose won awards in the Gawad Silangan 2014: Dunong, Sining at Parangal.

Soho won the Gawad Lualhati for Broadcast Journalist of the Year.

David was named Best Documentary Host of the Year while Julie Anne San Jose was awarded as Inspiring Artist of the Year.

LPU UmalohokJuan

GMA Network bagged the Best TV Station Award at the 1st UmalohokJuan by the Lyceum University of the Philippines.

Here is the list of GMA winners:

Television Special Awards DEVELOPMENTAL COMMUNICATION AWARD FOR COMPREHENSIVE REPORTAGE ON YOLANDA TRAGEDY - MS LOVE ANOVER BATA (BIBO, AKTIBO AT TALENTADONG ANAK NG SINING) - RYZZA MAE DIZON OF THE RYZZA MAE SHOW NATATANGING GAWAD TANGLAW SA SINING NG TELEBISYON - MS. NOVA VILLA

BEST NEWS PROGRAM 24 ORAS BEST PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM KAPUSO MO, JESSICA SOHO BEST TV MALE PERSONALITY VIC SOTTO BEST ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM EAT BULAGA

GMA KAPUSO MAGAZINE |MARCH 2014 ISSUE

(L-R) Senior Manager for Corporate Affairs Ramir L. Orteza, GMA News’ Dano Tingcungco and KMJS Associate Producer Aileen Perez

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COVER STORY

A Splash of Twin Love

Louise Delos Reyes

88

GMA KAPUSO MAGAZINE |MARCH 2014 ISSUE

COVER STORY

What do Mrs. Jinkee Pacquiao, Pacman’s better half and Hollywood actors Ashton Kutcher and Scarlet Johanssen have in common? Aside from being rich and famous, they are each one half of a pair of twin siblings.

Twins are said to have a unique bond, as has been gleaned by many studies over the years (the scientific study of twins is called gemellology).

GMA’s newest primetime offering presents the story of twin mermaids, Alona and Perlas. While both born with unusual physical traits – Perlas with her gills behind the ears and Alona with a mermaid’s tail - and forced to be apart by life’s circumstances, the inexplicable bond that binds them makes their lives intertwined, falling in love as they do with the same man.

This original story presents sibling love and rivalry amidst the breathtaking pageantry of the sea, courtesy of state-of-the-art production design and spectacular visual effects.

Dondon Santos directs the series with Dode Cruz as head writer. Production is supervised by GMA executives SVP for Entertainment Lilybeth G. Rasonable, VP for Drama Redgie Acuña-Magno, AVP for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, Sr. Program Manager Cathy Ochoa-Perez and Executive Producer Kaye Cadsawan.

Mike Tan

The creative team is composed of Creative Director Jun Lana, Creative Consultants RJ Nuevas and Suzette Doctolero, writers Christine Novicio and Luningning Ribay and brainstormers Gilda Olvidado, Jonathan Cruz and Liberty Trinidad.

Louise de los Reyes plays Perlas and Alona while Aljur Abrenica essays the role of Kevin, with whom the twins both fall in love with. Others in the cast are: Lotlot De Leon; Mickey Ferriols; Ryan Eigenmann; Mike Tan; Tessie Tomas; Nova Villa; Pancho Magno; Wynwyn Marquez; Chanda Romero; Yul Servo; Hershey Garcia; Angelika Dela Cruz; Rich Asuncion; Polo Ravales; and, Gladys Reyes.

Aljur Abrenica

GMA KAPUSO MAGAZINE |MARCH 2014 ISSUE

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Q

&

A

W I T H

SIDEBAR STORY

COVER STORY

DIREK

DONDON SANTOS

Direk Dondon Santos Admits He’s Very Meticulous in Directing ‘Kambal Sirena’ Text by Michelle Caligan Photo by Elisa Aquino, GMANetwork.com.

Angelika Dela Cruz

Pangatlong proyekto na ni Direk Dondon Santos sa Kapuso network ang sirenaseryeng Kambal Sirena. His previous projects were Indio and Prinsesa ng Buhay Ko, at sa lahat ng mga programang ito ay nakatrabaho niya ang Kapuso hunk na si Aljur Abrenica.

May mga pagbabago ba siyang nakita kay Aljur mula nang nakasama niya ito sa Indio?

“I think he’s really improving as an actor, from those that I have heard about him before I entered GMA. Kasi, may mata si Aljur. Isa sa mga pinakaimportant ‘yan sa acting, ‘yung sa mata pa lang nakikita mo na ‘yung emotions ng tao. I think nade-develop na ni Aljur ‘yun,” pahayag ni Direk Dondon in an exclusive interview with GMANetwork.com sa press conference ng Kambal Sirena last March 4.

As for the show’s lead actress Louise delos Reyes, Direk has nothing but praises for her. “Si Louise, dalawang beses ko pa lang nakakatrabaho. Okay si Louise. From what I heard, dito sa station natin, isa siya ‘sa magaling talaga ‘yung pagarte. We’re excited to work with Louise on this one.”

Gladys Reyes 10

We also asked him about the challenges of being at the helm of a grand production, and he admits that it is very time consuming.

GMA KAPUSO MAGAZINE |MARCH 2014 ISSUE

“Technically, kapag mayroon kang kambal at isang tao lang ang nagpo-portray, that would mean na ang one sequence mo times three agad ‘yan kapag shinoot mo. Una, isushoot mo siya bilang isang tao.

Pangalawa, as ‘yung isa pang character, and then ‘yung pangatlo mo, ‘yung silang dalawa na pinagsama mo kunwari.”

Dagdag pa niya, mahirap magkamali sa shots kaya dapat very detailed ang bawat anggulo. “Magkamali ka lang kasi ng galaw ng artista, mahihirapan ang effects people natin sa kung paano siya gawin. Very meticulously namin sinu-shoot ‘yung mga eksena na kambal sila at saka ‘yung may buntot sila. Hopefully hindi dumating doon sa point na masyado na nating mamadaliin.”

When asked what viewers can expect from the show, this is Direk Dondon’s reply.

“Marami nang nagawang shows about sirena, so tinatry namin na ibang look ang maibigay namin para mas abangan ng audience. Gusto namin maging as visual as kaya naming gawin dahil sa mga batang manonood.”

Don’t miss Kambal Sirena starring Louise delos Reyes and Aljur Abrenica, Mondays to Fridays after 24 Oras, on GMA Telebabad.

UPDATES

DZBB’s New Programs ARNOLD CLAVIO AND ALI SOTTO

Super Radyo DZBB 594 khz, the flagship AM radio station of GMA Network, boosts its programming with the launch of three new programs.

The tandem of Arnold “Igan” Clavio and Ali Sotto is back with of Dobol A Sa Dobol B every Monday to Friday at 10:00 -11:00AM. Apart from lively discussions and incisive analysis of current issues, Dobol A Sa Dobol B is known for its casual and light manner of presenting the news. “It is essentially a political satire,” explains Sotto.

“You will see the humor in the situation, which is what the Filipinos are all about – we see the humor, however dire the situation is. It is how we survive.”

The program’s prelude is a satirical segment called Jeng Jeng. Written and sung by Clavio, Sotto and Mike Enriquez to the tune of well-known songs, Jeng Jeng is a musical commentary on the day’s issues.

GMA News TV Campaigns for Good Manners and Right Conduct

HOWARD MEDINA “Mahilig ako sa political satire. Ayoko ng diretsong banat, gusto ko dinadaan sa jokes. And Ali is a singer so I wanted to maximize that talent,” says Clavio of the Jeng Jeng segment. “Nag-click siya sa morning, panggising sa mga taong natatraffic. Ang maganda sa Jeng Jeng pati yung mga tinitira mo natutuwa.”

The two other new DZBB programs are Easy Easy Lang and The Long Tall Howard Show.

From 11:00AM -12:00NN, Mondays through Fridays, a variety of health, wellness, and social issues are discussed by veteran TV/radio anchors Susan Enriquez and Lala Roque on Easy Easy Lang. The familyoriented lifestyle program tackles relevant issues that everyone will find informative and entertaining.

LALA ROQUE AND SUSAN ENRIQUEZ malaliman. ‘Yun ang maaasahan nila sa programa namin,” adds Lala Roque.

The Long Tall Howard Show is hosted by pioneering radio personality Howard Medina who brings everyone back in time with the music of yesteryears.

Listeners will be treated to hits from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s every Monday to Friday from 1:00-2:30PM. “There is a new phenomenon that is happening, not only in radio. If you notice, even young kids like the old songs,” shares Medina. “This is purely music and entertainment. I’m trying to cross the barrier because before and after my show puro talk shows eh. So mag break tayo, relax muna.”

“Listeners can expect a wholesome, informative and entertaining show. Lilihis tayo sa mga isyu na nakakabigat sa puso natin.

Nakikinig ka at natututo ka, at the same time, nag-eenjoy ka,” says Susan Enriquez.

DZBB News Operations Manager Norie Temblor says, “The launch of our new programs is just the beginning. There will be more in the next few months.

Exciting times, indeed, for DZBB and for Philippine radio.”

“Di ba, sa panahon ngayon puro bad news? Kami naman ‘yung good news.

Kasi kailangan din natin ng positivity sa pang araw-araw na buhay. Simpleng bagay kaya nating pag-usapan ng

For the latest news, commentaries and entertainment updates, tune in to DZBB (AM 594 khz) or via livestream at http:// www.gmanetwork.com/radio/streaming.

GMA NEWS TV launched an ad campaign that focuses on a matter so often forgotten today – good manners and right conduct.

Each scenario is presented in a 45-second comics style plug, drawn by GMA News TV Art Director Jay Javier and written by Copy Specialist Ruth Guhit.

Entitled UGALING WAGI, the campaign features the tandem of clueless Juan and the goofy Kalabaw who gives him advice. Kalabaw and Juan present good manners and right conduct in various scenarios – at the dining table, in school, on the road and even during funerals.

Presented in a short and humorous way, the capsules are enlightening for both kids and adults.

“We’re great believers in television for social change so we hope UGALING WAGI serves as a cheerful reminder for our viewers to be more disciplined and respectful of others,” says GMA News TV channel head Nessa Valdellon.

GMA KAPUSO MAGAZINE |MARCH 2014 ISSUE

UGALING WAGI comes on the heels of GMA News TV’s successful FILIPIKNOW capsules on Philippine culture and traditions.

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SPECIAL JG: The challenge really is getting ahead of the competition both in content and form. Arangkada always offers something new instead of being a monotonous sleepy bore.

Q&A with GMA Iloilo’s

CAROL VELAGIO KATHLENE CHAVES & JOVANI GUSTILO Ilonggo viewers wake-up to the fresh faces of Arangkada’s anchors.

Kapuso Magazine (KM)finds out what makes them click.

Kapuso Magazine (KM): What are Arangkada’s unique offerings to its viewers?

KM: What memorable issues/coverage have been aired by Arangkada?

CV: To be honest, every day in Arangkada is memorable for me because every single day is different. The election coverage and even the episodes before the May 2013 elections were memorable because we got to meet, talk to, and really get to know the different people who wanted to “serve” us.

KC: I was already with Arangkada during Typhoon Frank in 2008.

To me, that was the most memorable experience I had, good or bad. Never has Iloilo experienced a calamity of the same magnitude. The days and weeks after Frank were a challenge to the whole team because we were operating minus the usual equipment. Every story we had was nothing short of inspiring.

Aside from that, I can also say the coverage we had during special events like the Dinagyang, Ati-Atihan, Masskara, Paraw regatta, and others were also worth remembering. I always have fun telling people about events and it’s heartwarming everytime I get positive feedback about them.

JG: I’ve been in Arangkada for a year only, but I’m happy to have experienced a lot of unforgettable stuff. Top on the list is definitely the relief operations we did at a far-flung island off the town of Concepcion. We had to travel by pumpboat for two

Carol Velagio (CV): We always give them news and issues that matter. We see to it that they learn the hottest news and issues through the “Una sa Arangkada” segment. We talk to the person/s at the center of the news in and outside the studio. Of course, there’s “Arangkada Exclusive” where we dig deeper into the most-pressing issues.

Kathlene Chaves (KC): Arangkada is very dynamic. We try to know the latest happenings and we get ideas from these “in” stuff. Maybe it helps that we are a group of young people who think of what’s new and what’s edgy so we often cook up new things. Recently, we introduced the “OOTD” segment which shows the Outfit/s of the Day of our interviewees.

Jovani Gustilo (JG): Kate hit the bull’s eye when she mentioned that we like to experiment a lot. This gives us unique segments like “Kongregasyon,” which features various congregations of priests and nuns, “Casa Hermosa” that features beautiful heritage houses, and “My School is Cool” that features students acting as tour guides in their schools.

KM: What are the most challenging parts of hosting a local morning newscast?

CV: Aside from waking up early, it’s the ability to air the story of the day first, to air scoops or exclusive reports from the previous night. It’s a big challenge to interview the people who are in the news but are media shy.

KC: I feel challenged when doing interviews because when the interviewee answers either lengthily or very briefly I have to adjust and make sure that we don’t go overtime or undertime.

So it’s either I change the question into a “yes” or “no” type to make the guest speak shorter, or to ask an “open-ended” question to one who is a person of few words.

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GMA KAPUSO MAGAZINE |MARCH 2014 ISSUE

SPECIAL hours just to get there. Before the trip, I told myself it was not a good idea on my part since I have always feared travelling by boat. Good thing the sea was calm. But when we got to our destination, it was all worth it. The happy faces that greeted us, the gratitude of the people after receiving something they did not expect, those were stuff I wouldn’t trade for anything. Aside from that, I was also part of relief operations in Lemery, Carles, and the medical mission in San Dionisio. I’ve been to northern Iloilo only twice my whole life, but during a span of two weeks, I went there at least five times!

KM: How does the emergence of social media affect the program?

CV: Our Arangkadista viewers are able to communicate and interact with us whether they are here in Iloilo or somewhere else or even abroad. We get a lot of greetings and messages from abroad. We have become more accessible to them through Twitter and Facebook.

KC: We learn a lot from what we read or see on social media as much as our viewers also learn from us. Their posts or tweets give us ideas for our features and segments. And of course we feel closer to our viewers through their greetings and private messages.

JG: We are the first local morning TV program to establish our presence on Facebook and Twitter. The benefit has been mutual such that we know what our viewers think about us and we are also able to tell them ideas which they should know. We are also able to help because a lot have sought help through Facebook.

KM: Please describe yourself off cam.

CV: Because I am from Guimaras, I love to just while away the time and play with my baby.

KC: I love to be with my friends so we party regularly and have loads of fun. I also love to pamper myself in the spa. I used to eat a lot but now I enjoy going to the gym.

JG: I’m a very simple person who stays at home reading books or watching TV. I am a registered nurse and so people would see me at Iloilo Mission Hospital doing clinical work.

KM: What is your message to aspiring journalists?

CV: Be conscious of what is happening around and be involved.

Read the newspapers or watch Arangkada, Ratsada and even the national news programs. We must be informed so that our decisions are guided.

KC: They must hone their skills by practicing at home. It’s better to join workshops but if they can’t afford to, they can stand in front of the mirror and act as if they are reporting. Soon they will be comfortable to stand in front of the camera and in front of so many people.

JG: There’s no substitute to being informed. That’s what a journalist should be first and foremost because how can you inform others if you yourself don’t know what’s happening around you? You need to read a lot to know the news and issues so that when, for example, you are made to interview someone, you would know what questions to ask. But of course it will help if you naturally have a sense of humor. It always helps.

(L-R) Carol Velagio, Kathlene Chaves and Jovani Gustillo

GMA KAPUSO MAGAZINE |MARCH 2014 ISSUE

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MARCH ISSUE

ISSUE NO. 26

CLEANING UP GMA G.I.V.E.S.

WITH

By Rhemz Lingcoran Program Support Department

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Drive with one goal, as one body. GMA G.I.V.E.S. (Guide, Interact, Volunteer, Educate, Serve) employee-volunteers trooped to Daang Tubo, Diliman, Quezon City with our broomsticks, dustpans and sacks in our hands to carry out a clean-up activity.

between GMA Network, Sagip Ilog Pilipinas Movement, Philippine Biochar Association and Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association.

The clean-up proper started at 7:30 on the sunny Saturday morning of March 15. Bonded with optimism, GMA GIVES blissfully worked together with some Barangay officials and members of the community.

Aside from us, GMA G.I.V.E.S. volunteers, CRZBCP partners and some community members participated in the throwing of 150 bokashi balls into the creek. We also gave our cleaning materials to the community after the activity.

The said activity, which is under the Clean River Zone Biochar Community Project (CRZBCP), aimed to instill in the hearts of the residents proactive concern for their environment, particularly improving the worsening condition of their creek. CRZBCP is collaboration

As the activity ended, we volunteers were hopeful that, in our own little way, we have at least changed the attitude of the residents about maintaining the cleanliness of their environment.

We first cleaned the surroundings of the community and gathered the waste from the creek before doing the most exciting part - the throwing of Bokashi balls! Bokashi balls are made of biochar and are used to clean polluted creeks, ponds and esteros so that river systems will not be further degraded and the good quality of water will be restored.

GMA KAPUSO MAGAZINE |MARCH 2014 ISSUE