Jeepney TV is an amazing invigorating concept from ABS-CBN

Going through the channels one morning, our attention was caught by a familiar tune, and the even more familiar home setting with Dolphy listening to how son Smokey Manaloto had fallen hard for Anjanette Abayari and will pose as a rich boy to win her heart. Of course, he is discovered and the episode ends with Dolphy assuaging his son that nothing can ever be gained by untruthful means. Hey, this is Home Along Da Riles which also had Nova Villa, Bernardo Bernardo, Claudine Barretto and Cita Astals, and true enough, the train comes beeping through, the house starts shaking, and a jeepney TV logo appears.

We tuned in again later and this time caught Gary Valenciano singing his Nawawala Bumabalik, Eto Na Naman! composition with a twist and stumble on a prized performance called The Music Man at 50, a Ryan Cayabyab birthday special. What a treat! The entire ABS-CBN family appeared in the show to pay homage to the music man. Surely, we thought, there would be Ryan Ryan Musikahan, which no certified music student and music lover ever missed.

Determined to find out more about Jeepney TV, we were told it was an ABS-CBN cable channel offering well-loved and timeless programs that are close to the hearts of the Filipino audience, and have helped define and highlight Filipino TV. The project is under Antonio Ventosa, head of the Narrowcast group, ABS-CBN; with Cindy de Leon, channel head, Jeepney TV; and Lala Ventura-Lazaro, channel manager. Jeepney TV is under CPI (Creative Programs, Inc.) of the Narrowcast group.

According to Lala, hardly had the channel begun operating last October when it received comments on Facebook, and inquiries regarding its schedule. We decided to research on the Internet and picked some shows that interested us. The earliest was Two for the Road (1967-1972), the latest Wowowee (2005-2010). Normally, however, the cut-off date for airing would be around 2009 so as not to compete with current offerings on free TV. In our list of shows, we will surely watch Goin’ Bananas, Palibhasa Lalake, Coney Reyes on Camera, Pangako Sa ’Yo, Dong Puno Live, Gus Abelgas: Nag-Uulat, Probe, Martin and Pops Twogether, Ryan Ryan Musikahan, ’Sang Linggo nAPO Sila, The Sharon Cuneta Show, Tonight with Dick and Carmi and Ang TV.

Already, the top favorites on Jeepney are Pangako Sa ’Yo and Home Along da Riles, according to Lara. Pangako, which aired from 2000 to 2002, had 480 episodes of 30 minutes each, starred Kristine Hermosa and Jericho Rosales and has been tagged the first teleserye on Philippine TV. After its initial airing on daytime TV, it was re-aired evenings from 2006-2007, and on TFC; then re-aired March to August 2011 daily from early morning 1:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m.; and now on Jeepney. Others in the cast are Eula Valdez who made a name as Amor Powers, Jean Garcia, Tonton Gutierrez, Jestoni Alarcon and Amy Austria. Director is Olivia Lamasan, theme song by Rey Valera, sang by Vina Morales and April Boy Regino. From the few episodes we have followed, we can understand why it has such staying power.

As for Dolphy’s Home Along da Riles, the show depicts the life of the Cosmes, headed by Kevin Cosme (Dolphy) who despite poverty raised his four children, Smokey Manaloto, Gio Alvarez, Vandolph, his only girl Claudine Barretto, and an adopted Boy2 Quizon in an atmosphere of love and a positive outlook on life. There is always a lesson to be learned in each episode. A running gag is that when a train passes by, their house shakes violently.

Since then, we have caught My Gift, Piolo Pascual’s full-packed emotional first solo concert at the Araneta; and Martin’s first episode of Late@Night with guests Wilma Doesnt, G Tongi, Troy Montero, Bernard Palanca and Victor Neri which was hilarious.

 Congratulations Antonio Ventosa who cooked up this project. To us, it places today’s TV shows in perspective, showing us our hits and misses; why we often hear from elders how much better the shows of their time were; and what we can still learn in terms of substance and passion in performance. Get on the jeepney and go back in time, when there was less traffic and people were more content with what they had. You will witness the tentative first steps of those who are stars today. It is an amazingly invigorating concept that teaches lessons. For details, call ABS-CBN (924-4101) or tune in to channel 69 on Skycable.

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