Tv5's Plans for CEBU

And so my concern about the signal of TV5,  also known as the Kapatid Network, in Cebu was answered a few days after our column came out in this section two weeks ago. This

was when the network's entertainment head Perci Intalan came to town, so to speak, to promote "Star Factor's" Cebu auditions, along with talent management head Audie Gemora. In fairness to the young, dynamic and very hands-on Perci, he right away admitted the problem when asked about it in a presscon, and then revealed that its engineering department is now working double time to improve its signal in Cebu just in time for the airing of its talent search probably end of next month.

Perci also announced that text voting, which was among my worries then, will not figure much in the selection of the first-ever "Star Factor" winner by December. He reiterated that the chances of the winner will depend on the judges---direk Joey Reyes, maestro Ryan Cayabyab, ace fashion photographer Raymund Isaac, Gemora and talent manager and our very own Annabelle Rama.

Members of Cebu’s E-Group believe that this is so far the strongest and the best panel of judges seen so far in nationally-televised talent searches over the years. Therefore, it is only fitting that judges’ decision gets 95% of the total score of the winner.

According to Perci, there might be episodes where text voting will be required but it will have very little impact. They have decided not to give text voting that much importance because of the criticisms that other talent searches got--that usually, only those who have the money will win, even if he or she is not really as talented or "artistahin" as the runners-up or losers. Also, they considered the fact that they are still improving its signal throughout the country. With signal problems, not everybody can watch the show and be acquainted with the finalists’ potentials, which should be the barometer for audience to decide on whom to vote.

But this may soon become history as it was revealed that the network allotted a P7 billion budget for infrastructure, which certainly includes procurement of the best equipment and technology to remedy the matter. Although the time frame is within two to three years yet, Cebu is a priority.

Speaking of priorities, TV5 will soon come up with its own local newscast to make its presence more felt in Cebu and at the same time, send a message that it's really serious in getting ahead of competition in due time. After its local news department is set up, entertainment shows will follow, maybe in a year or two from now. In fact, during the callback of the 51 hopefuls from Visayas and Mindanao last Sunday afternoon at the Marriot Hotel, the judges thought of developing those who will not make the cut, for the network's local shows. The idea was broached when a 12-year-old girl, who was really talented and who got the look but had a difficulty in speaking Tagalog, came in.

Direk Joey believed that the girl was still too young to handle the pressure and will be upstaged easily by older finalists, so she might as well be reserved for local shows where her potentials will be honed and then she will be trained in speaking Tagalog, before she will finally be brought to Manila.

Hopefully, a lot of the 39 hopefuls from Cebu who got the callback, will eventually make as part of the 24 semi-finalists who will battle it out for a slot in the Top 12, who will only be the ones assured of a yearlong contract from the network.

I’m really keeping my fingers crossed for the Cebu bets, because from what I saw in the Director’s Room before I left at around 4pm in last Sunday's auditions, only three from batch 1 got a "Star Factor" logo in their application form--two boys and a girl. My colleague, Vanessa Balbuena, also told me that a lot of the Davao hopefuls got good reviews from the judges. Therefore, good luck Cebu!

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I was amazed to see a monster crowd of about 15,000 in Ayala Terraces last Friday afternoon, an hour before GMA-7’s 60th Anniversary Show started. I believe the crowd estimate increased when Kapuso stars led by Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes, with their "Endless Love" co-stars Marco Alacaraz, Nadine Samonte, and Dennis Trillo arrived at the venue.

Jillian “Trudis Liit” Ward was also present together with Roxanne Barcelo and Tonipet Gaba. Of course, the very talented and very promising La Diva, composed of Jonalyn Viray, Aicelle Santos, and Maricris Garcia, were in-charge of the singing.

But this was before tri-media personality Bobby Nalzaro went up the stage and sang his signature songs “Sumayaw Sumunod” and "Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang” with the men and women of "Balitang Bisdak" as back-up dancers, much to the delight of the eager crowd.

It rained at around 6pm but the crowd did not disperse. Gosh, that was so far the biggest turnout I’ve seen in all Kapuso events in Cebu. And judging from the screaming, cheering, and chanting, I would say, Marian and Dingdong still have the most solid following in Cebu among the artists in the Kapuso stable, and it's still safe to say that they are GMA-7’s hottest properties.

We were told that a day before, a group of doctors from Cebu Doctors Hospital went to GMA-7 Complex in Busay to inquire how they could donate lechon for their idol Marian. That’s a wow! Plus, a lot of those who failed to see Marian after arriving late were mostly office workers, who seldom show up in events like that. Therefore, Marian cuts across all market segments. From masa to executives, she’s got a following. Another proof was the fact that Ayala management allowed for such an event to take place at the Terraces, after having been assured that something will be done so that its landscape worth P5 million will not be ruined.

Now, was the crowd turnout a manifestation that GMA-7 has finally arrived in Cebu or did the thousands of people simply show up out of curiosity? It may take long before the answer to this query will be made, but I’m certain that applauding GMA-7 for that achievement will not take a minute.

Congratulations Kapuso for that huge turnout! React@ banatentertainment @hotmail.com