ABS-CBN unveils shows, movies and iWant originals for 2019

2019 is shaping up to be an exciting year for entertainment as ABS-CBN announced to advertisers its line-up of content on television, cinema and online streaming for the first quarter at the Family is Love Christmas trade event.

Three of the Kapamilya network’s best leading ladies are making a comeback on Philippine television led by Angel Locsin as the titular character in The General’s Daughter, which also stars Maricel Soriano, Albert Martinez, Tirso Cruz III, Janice de Belen, Eula Valdez, Paulo Avelino, JC de Vera, Ryza Cenon, Loisa Andalio and Ronnie Alonte.

Another talented Kapamilya actress who will mark her primetime TV comeback in 2019 is Jodi Sta. Maria in Mea Culpa, a thriller series with Dan Villegas at the helm. Joining Jodi are Bela Padilla, Tony Labrusca, Kit Thompson, Sandino Martin, Ketchup Eusebio and Ivana Alawi.

Gary Valenciano, Maja Salvador and Billy Crawford are judges of World of Dance Philippines

Kaye Abad also returns to TV as she topbills Nang Ngumiti Ang Langit, a drama series directed by FM Reyes. Cristine Reyes will play the lead kontrabida, while rising child star Sophie Reola, who played the role of a young Julia Barretto in Ngayon at Kailanman, will touch the hearts of viewers as the daughter of Kaye.

New Kapamilya talent reality shows are also in the pipeline, including World of Dance, a dance competition to be hosted by Pia Wurtzbach and Luis Manzano with Gary Valenciano, Maja Salvador and Billy Crawford as judges. The coveted prize for the grand winner is a chance to represent the Philippines and compete in USA’s World of Dance. Luis will also be seen again in the hit game show Minute to Win It: Last Man Standing as it returns with new challenges.

The biggest talent reality show of the Kapamilya network next year is Idol Philippines. The highly-anticipated TV program has attracted thousands of aspiring singers in its nationwide auditions since Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid was announced as one of the judges. 

From left: Paulo Avelino, Albert Martinez, Angel Locsin, Maricel Soriano, Eula Valdez and Janice de Belen of The General’s Daughter

When it comes to cinema, ABS-CBN Films is ready to bring a slate of exciting movies featuring a lot of first time team-ups and two comebacks on the big screen courtesy of Star Cinema and Black Sheep.

Film and TV icon and current ABS-CBN chief content officer Charo Santos-Concio teams up for the first time with award-winning actress Bea Alonzo in Eerie, a horror-thriller directed by Birdshot director Mikhail Red that will have its world premiere at the Singapore International Film Festival next month before hitting Philippine cinemas in 2019.

Movie fans will also be treated to the first team-up of Jennylyn Mercado, Richard Gutierrez and JM de Guzman in Heart of Mine, while the McLisse love team of McCoy de Leon and Elisse Joson will debut in cinemas as they topbill Sakaling Maging Tayo, a film directed by JP Habac. Completing the list of first-time team-ups is the pairing of Arci Muñoz and JC Santos in Open, a Black Sheep production directed by Andoy Ranay.

iWant’s Glorious stars Angel Aquino and Tony Labrusca

Jodi proves that she is on a roll as she takes on the lead role in Clarita, a period horror piece. On the other hand, fans of Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil can look forward to a more mature LizQuen in the still-untitled Black Sheep movie directed by Antoinette Jadaone.

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN continues to beef up its offerings on its online streaming service iWant with a string of new originals that can be streamed for free.

There’s an Alex Gonzaga romantic series called Everybody Loves Baby Wendy and an Arci and Pepe Herrera rom-com titled Jhon en Martian. Other original offerings of iWant that will feature many Kapamilya stars are High, Project Feb 14, Story of My Life, The End, Commuters, Touch Screen and Find the Wasabi.

Apart from sneak peeks of ABS-CBN’s upcoming content, advertisers were entertained by the biggest and brightest Kapamilya stars like Regine who performed her best hits, had an electrifying Adele medley performance with KZ Tandingan and did a number with the TNT Boys Mackie Empuerto, Francis Concepcion and Keifer Sanchez.

Halik’s Jericho Rosales and Yen Santos

iWant’s Glorious stars Angel Aquino and Tony Labrusca sizzled on stage during their duet, while Jericho Rosales, Yen Santos, Sam Milby and Yam Concepcion, the lead stars of the top-rating Kapamilya Primetime Bida program Halik, made advertisers go wild during their song number.

Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia, Jameson Blake and Elisse of the hit series Ngayong at Kailanman made waves at the trade event. On the other hand, teen stars Maymay Entrata, Edward Barber, Loisa Andalio and Ronnie Alonte spread love and kilig when they took to the stage.

Ngayon at Kailanman lead stars Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto

The leading men of the afternoon series Los Bastardos namely, Jake Cuenca, Albie Casino, Marco Gumabao and Joshua Colet heated up the venue during their appearance, while the crowd sang with JK Labajo as he performed his hit single Buwan.

The kids of ABS-CBN TVplus’ Team YeY, which airs on the children’s channel YeY, showed how adorable they were in a song-and-dance number. Meanwhile, the award-winning UST Singers serenaded advertisers with their best renditions of Christmas songs. Completing the list of performers of the evening was the star-studded, all-out performance of the FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano cast led by Coco Martin.

As a special treat, advertisers got to snap selfies with the Kapamilya stars of current and upcoming ABS-CBN shows for an unforgettable experience to cap off the year. The trade event was hosted by Robi Domingo, Kim Chiu, Alex Gonzaga and MYX VJs Turs and Samm.