Kapatid network’s new home

(Editor’s Note: While Bibsy Carballo is on her month-long annual vacation abroad, representatives from the three networks will alternate in writing Live Feed: Butch Raquel for Kapuso, Peachy Guioguio for Kapatid and Kane Choa for Kapamilya. Every now and then, Bibsy will email a story from wherever in Europe she is.)

For many TV5 guests and audiences who troop to its Novaliches broadcast studios, those days will soon be gone and the commute will be much easier as the Kapatid Network moves sometime this year into its new state-of-the-art TV5 Media Center. The new TV5 headquarters marks the ascendancy of the Kapatid Network not only as a national and international/global presence but also as a forerunner in the digital transformation of the Philippine broadcast industry.

TV5 chairman Manny V. Pangilinan during the groundbreaking ceremonies for the facility earlier said that the TV5 Media Center is the Kapatid Network’s response to the need to upgrade and beef up its programs and broadcast capabilities to international standards in line with its goal of serving the Filipino audiences wherever they may be. 

TV5’s new home is at the heart of Mandaluyong City’s Central Business District, located at Reliance corner Sheridan Streets. The TV5 Media Center is an architectural masterpiece highlighting 63,000 square meters of corporate office, TV production space and cutting-edge broadcast facilities. A convenient urban broadcast complex right at the heart of Metro Manila, it will house six ultramodern TV studios, radio booths, post-production facilities and other creative environments which will all incorporate current technologies from Europe and America. The Media Center would consolidate TV5’s operations that include corporate offices and studios in Novaliches and Delta Theater (Quezon City), Broadway (New Manila), Marajo Tower (Bonifacio Global City) and at the PLDT Locsin building (Makati).

According to project manager Helen Marquez, the media center’s Phase I is almost done. “We are now in the process of planning how to fully utilize the facility which includes the transfer of News & Public Affairs. We have to carefully plan the transfer as it also involves upgrade of the news system so we have to make sure that news operations are smoothly transitioned and mitigate risks of any disruptions or downtime and that the major broadcast equipment arrives and properly integrated with the news setup,” she added. 

Let me walk you through the media center and hand in hand, let us explore what soon would be a “must-see place” not only for talents and audiences but also for the curious visitors, in the same vein as the American NBC Studios in New York has become one of the favorite tourist spots in the “city that never sleeps.” Actually, for the prospective visitors, the oft chance of coming across or standing close to an actual program shoot is quite likely as the whole broadcast complex, according to Marquez, is configured to handle any photography or video shoot anywhere. She said, “Although we have three closed studies, almost all areas can be configured to handle shoots. Technically, the broadcast systems architecture including the sophisticated acoustic design of the facility will allow us to conduct multiple shoots at the same time.”

Based on its architectural perspective, there are three entrances coming from the main gate: First of which is the news center lobby leading to the cathedral-like space of the newsroom and adjacent news studios. Second is through the grand lobby leading to the nine-storey corporate tower and production studio complex. The third is the audience entrance, comfortably accommodating people who want to be part of the network’s taped and live programs.

One of the interesting sights that you will see once the building is done is a dynamic facade representing the network’s futuristic directions as well as a noble tribute to the achievements of “Broadcast Through the Ages.” Thus, the very early start of broadcast telephony is represented by some sentences in Morse Code — in rhythmic bas relief marching across the front elevation of the Media Center. It is subtly repeated in other areas of the facade both as a design unifier and a reminder of humanity’s communication journey across the centuries and to our present Digital Age that marks the 21st century.

For the itinerant visitors, tours will be arranged for a walking exploration of the Media Center’s labyrinth of studios and broadcast facilities. According to Marquez, “We have a studio that is big enough to handle a live audience-base which is ideal for existing and new shows. What makes this studio ideal is the ready access designed to move props and sceneries. This shortens the ingress and egress period which essentially maximize the use of the studios.” After all, the Kapatid Network’s new home is also a home for the Filipino viewer; curious and mystified on the wonders and sights of broadcasting in flesh and blood. “We never lose track that the building should be able to serve our TV audience, talents, guests, partners and employees. While space segregation was integrated to promote safety and security to all types of people that will walk in the facility, we made sure that the ambience stays friendly and warm,” she emphasized.

At the same time, the Media Center will also be a creative fount, nurturing and developing the genius of Filipino arts and crafts that have made Philippine broadcasting, overall, one of the best in the Southeast Asian region. “Being part of the MVP Group of Companies, TV5 takes pride of living in a corporate culture that continually looks for opportunities to improve customer satisfaction and operational efficiencies. It is anchored in using best-in-class technology and facilities. With improved process and upgraded skills, the facility is designed to be a premier content creation facility. It was space-planned with easy access to promote creation of shows without sacrificing quality and employee services. It was designed to continually buzz, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” according to Marquez.