TV5 braces for big Rio coverage

MANILA, Philippines – TV5 continues to live up to its reputation as the Philippines’ premier sports channel as it brings the action in the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to the Philippine households through the “Road to Rio” program.

The network recently gained the rights to broadcast the 2016 Olympic Games slated Aug. 5-21, including the Filipino Olympians’ participation.

“Being the official Olympics broadcast partner is the network’s pride and an affirmation that TV5 is a true partner of the sports,” said Sports5 head Patricia Bermudez-Hizon in yesterday’s press launch at the Jade Garden in Glorietta Mall, Makati City.

Hizon was joined by Philippine Olympic Committee first vice president and the Phl team’s chief of mission Joey Romasanta, POC representative to International Olympic Committee representative Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, POC honorary member Frank Elizalde and Cignal head of channel Sienna Olazo.

Hizon said that as per Mediaquest chairman Manny V. Pangilinan’s long-standing belief, bringing the Olympics to the Filipino households is an important event in showcasing the value of sports as part of nation-building.

“As a group, we always believe in the value of sports in unifying the country in terms of sporting events and sports heroes,” said Hizon. “To be chosen as the official broadcast partner of a major sporting event like the Rio Olympics is a privilege and honor.”

Taekwondo jin Elaine Alora and table tennis’ Ian Lariba, two of the latest athletes to qualify in the quadrennial games, also graced the event.

“We’ll give it our best to make the country proud,” said Lariba, a La Salle standout and the first table tennis players to make it to the Olympics.

The other Rio-bound athletes are boxers Rogen Ladon and Charly Suarez and Fil-Am sprinter Eric Cray with golfers Miguel Tabuena and Angelo Que also eyeing to formalize their spots in July.

TV5 president and CEO Emmanuel Lorenzana, for his part, sent a video message encouraging Filipinos to support the Olympic-bound Filipino athletes.

“We encourage everybody to follow TV5 as we follow the Filipino athletes in their quest in the Rio Olympics,” said Lorenzana.

Action in the Rio Olympics will also be shown on Cignal as the official Phl Pay TV broadcaster, PLDT as official Phl online broadcaster and Smart as official Phl mobile broadcaster.

Olazo said the Olympic opening ceremony will be shown live on Aug. 6 starting at 7 a.m. on TV5, AksyonTV, Hyper, Cignal and Sports5.ph.

Meanwhile, Hizon said TV5 will also be the host broadcaster of the Olympic basketball qualifiers the country will stage this July.