Closing the gap from 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 of us who have lived in the Philippines for most of our lives, it is not difficult to imagine the longing and homesickness endured by those who have to leave everything and everyone they hold dear to brave a completely new life overseas. Luckily for Filipinos living abroad in this time of digital communications and the Internet, the pangs of loneliness has been somewhat mitigated by our ability to “reach out and touch someone” regardless of space and time. They not only get to chat with and “see” friends and loved ones back home in real-time over the Internet, they also get to watch TV as if they are back in their own living rooms in the Philippines.

TV5 has been a trendsetter in expanding the reach of Philippine television far beyond our shores. It has harnessed the power of modern telecommunications bannered by PLDT of the MVP Group of Companies to reach out to Pinoys living overseas and to share with them a slice of home and thus giving them solace in watching Filipino shows on TV including keeping tabs with what’s latest in local showbiz. More than that, the network has thrilled our overseas Kapatid to see their idols in person especially when TV5 through its international operations marshalled its efforts to bring the Philippines’ biggest stars abroad to touch base with overseas Filipinos.

Last June 2, 2012 Filipinos in New York City had the biggest treat from TV5 when the network flew Aga Muhlach, Derek Ramsay and Sharon Cuneta to the US to join the East Coast’s well-celebrated Independence Day Parade. It was one memorable day for the thousands of Filipinos in New York as their hearts swelled with joy while watching Sharon Cuneta sing her signature hits Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko, Maging Sino Ka Man and Sana’y Wala Ng Wakas. The Megastar also sang a duet with Aga Muhlach, crooning Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang with the charismatic and ever-handsome heartthrob to the delight of the audience. Derek also serenaded the crowd and even gave roses to the ladies who all but swooned at the sight of the hunk actor. According to TV5 International head Clarito “Ito” Ramirez, “the warm response of our kababayan made the whole event memorable for all of us as we are able to bring to them the names that they see only on the screen.”

It was a dream come true for the Pinoy New Yorkers to see their idols in person. A lot of them have been away from the Philippines for years and even decades, and seeing the biggest stars of their homeland right before their eyes brought a surge of nostalgia, excitement and gratitude that had them beaming all throughout the event.

TV5’s participation in New York’s Independence Day Parade is just one of the network’s efforts to close the gap between overseas Filipinos and the country they will always call home. Presently, the network has two international channels now airing TV5’s shows in the Middle East, Guam, Europe, Canada and the US. One of the channels is called Kapatid TV5, which airs TV5’s entertainment, news and current affairs programs. The other one is Aksyon TV International, which brings the latest in news and sports to overseas Pinoys and is also the official worldwide broadcaster of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball game.

The two TV5 international channels are made possible through Pilipinas Global Network Limited (PGN Ltd.), a joint venture between Philippine Long Distance Company (PLDT) and ABC Development Corporation (ABC5), the operator of TV5.  It was almost the same time a year ago when TV5 launched its channel in the West Coast, specifically Los Angeles and San Francisco and partnered with satellite cable provider DISH Network. I was witness to the longing and homesickness of our Kapatid who queued to watch Wil Time Big Time both at the Shrine Auditorium (L.A.) and Billy Graham Theater (San Francisco). It was for this reason, according to Ito Ramirez, “That TV5 emphasized in its mission/ vision that the network will make available the best in Filipino arts and culture to Filipinos wherever they may be in the globe.” PGN has partnered with Orbit Showtime Network (OSN) for the airing of Kapatid TV5 and Aksyon TV International in Europe, Guam and the Middle East. In Canada, PGN makes TV5’s channels available through the Turbo TV bar, an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV)-powered device that transforms regular TV into a smart TV.

Interestingly, as PGN continues to expand TV5’s international reach and connect with millions of Filipinos across the globe, even non-Filipinos are apparently getting hooked to several TV5-produced dramas that are being dubbed in different languages and aired on free TV across various countries.

Through PGN’s syndication deals, TV5’s drama shows The Poor Heiress (Babaeng Hampaslupa), Roses and Thorns (Mga Nagbabagang Bulaklak) and Glamorosa were dubbed in English and gained impressive viewership in the early primetime free TV of Cambodia, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia and Nigeria. This year, it will be the turn of Valiente, PS I Love You, Felina The Cat Princess (Felina Prinsesa ng Mga Pusa), My Brother The Hoodlum (Ang Utol Kong Hoodlum), In the Name of the Mother (Sa Ngalan ng Ina), Enchanted Garden and Third Eye to be shown in Indonesia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Lesatho, Swaziland, Namibia and Tanzania. The said TV5 dramas will be dubbed in different languages, including Swahili, Portuguese, French, Khmer, and Bahasa Malay (Indonesian).

With the growing popularity of TV5 dramas in these countries, non-Filipinos may well blend in the crowd of Pinoys waiting to see their favorite stars in person the next time the Kapatid Network brings its talents abroad to entertain and mingle with Filipinos across the world. It will surely give our kababayan more reasons to be proud because Pinoy programs and talents are now being appreciated by the natives of the countries they consider their home away from home.