Stand tall, SKY is alive

“The Oscars has become too expensive for ABS-CBN to broadcast,” Sky Cable Corp. chief operating officer March S. Ventosa replied when ABS-CBN Corporate Communications Media Relations head Aaron Domingo introduced us at SKY Alive and I asked why the Kapamilya network did not broadcast the last Academy Awards ceremony.
“We pay big money and promote it heavily and it is not on an exclusive basis so we decided not to broadcast. But SKY did carry it through HBO,” Ventoza added. SKY celebrated its 25th anniversary with the first and exclusive weekend theme park-inspired cable fair free for all its subscribers at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia.
“It took a year to launch SKY Alive!” proudly revealed Domingo.
For sure, Sky Alive brings the world closer to Filipino families’ home. As part of the 25th year celebration, Sky Cable held a grand launch of Sky Direct. Participating channels included ABS-CBN HD, ABS-CBN Cable Channels, HBO, FOX, AXN, Discovery Channel, History Channel, Cartoon Network and RTL CBS Entertainment.
Divided into zones composed of the different participating channels and their top-rating shows, each showcase had interactive games, as well as art sessions, selfies with mascots and cosplayers and a replica of HBO’s iconic Game Of Thrones with a model as Daenerys Targayen at the iron throne.
Featuring games galore, AXN’s Cash Cab Philippines gave guests a chance to enter the actual Cash Cab and play the role of contestants of the only mobile game show in the country. For music enthusiasts, MYX channel allowed them to join the open karaoke booth, while RTC CBS had a mock recording studio where aspiring artists recorded their performances.
Aside from fun and games at the booths, participants got the chance to watch live performances by Kapamilya stars Erik Santos, Angeline Quinto, Morisette Amon, Jed Madela, Jason Dy, Tippy Dos Santos, Sharlene San Pedro, Jairus Aquino, Darren Espanto and Juan Karlos Labajo. It’s Showtime’s Hashtags also performed.
Ventoza took over SKY when ex-head Carlo Katigbak assumed the role as ABS-CBN president and CEO. With Charo Santos accompanied by granddaughters Julia and Thalia, they inaugurated the two-day event organized like a festive fair.
As the innovator of the national cable industry offering great value for money, it currently holds the leader position. To give subscribers more reasons to celebrate, it opens once again over 190 of its cable channels for free until tomorrow, March 20 (Sunday). “We always offer more for them,” Ventosa shared.
Sky Direct is a prepaid subscription package that allows subscribers from non-franchise area to enjoy the services of the company. They also plan to have more HD channels this year, noting that they will add at least 10 to 15 channels. As of now, they have 50 HD channels.
SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT. Made to believe that he was presenting an award, Ogie Alcasid was presented the evening’s highest award at MYX Music Awards 2016, The MYX Magna Award for his contribution to Original Pilipino Music after a massive showcase of his biggest hits, among them Jed Madela, Erik Santos, Christian Bautista, Jaya, Yeng Constantino, Kyla, Angeline Quinto, Jona, Matteo Guidicelli, Jay-R, Aicelle Santos and Top Suzara.
But the biggest twist of the night was the appearance of Charice. Wearing an oversized black hoodie with a tattered black slim fit jeans with her stylized blonde bob, she sang Nirvana’s “Smells like Teen Spirit” with Mayonnaise.
Aired live on MYX and online from the Kia Theater at Araneta Center in Quezon City recently, the MYX Music Awards presented a world-class show in striking-in-stripes motif complete with a red carpet and a celebrity corral reeking of youthful spirit.
Still reeling from the phenomenal success of the Nadine Samonte and James Reid starrer, On the Wings of Love, the lead actress was in seventh heaven after winning five awards. Nadine bagged the Favorite Female Artist and Favorite Artist awards, Favorite Song and Favorite Music Video awards for her single “Me and You” and Favorite Collaboration for her duet with James in “Hanap Hanap.” Kyla won Favorite Remake for “On The Wings of Love” and Favorite Media Soundtrack also for “On The Wings of Love.”
Other winners were:
Favorite Male Artist: Darren Espanto
Favorite Group: Silent Sanctuary
Favorite Mellow Video: “Dance Without the Music” by Yeng Constantino, Directed by Cristhian Escolano
Favorite Rock Video: “Firepower” by Bamboo, Directed by Paolo Valenciano
Favorite Urban Video: “Diwata” by Abra feat. Chito Miranda, directed by Marco Gatchalian and Mark Ginolos
Favorite New Artist: Jason Dy
Favorite Collaboration: “Hanap Hanap” by James Reid and Nadine Lustre
Favorite Guest Appearance In A Music Video: Alden Richards for “Kapangyarihan ng Pag-ibig” by Aicelle Santos
Favorite International Video: “Bad Blood” by Taylor Swift
Favorite MYX Celebrity VJ: Darren Espanto
Best Music Video: “Cerberus” by Abra feat. Loonie and Ron Henley, Directed by Willian Rivera
Myx Blogger Award: Sunny Ki.
TLC AT TULONG CENTER CELEBRATION. With TLC (Teaching, Learning, Caring). The ABS-CBN Tulong Center of the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc. (ALKFI) adhered to its mission of extending assistance to Kapamilyas in various ways to celebrate its second anniversary,
For the entire day of the celebrations, the center gave free medical consultation, medicine distribution, dental services, reading glasses distribution, legal consultation with “Ipaglaban Mo,” storytelling with Jolina Magdangal and Sarah Lahbati, and a feeding program at the Sacred Heart Parish in Old Sta. Mesa, Manila.
The day of activities was opened welcome remarks by Fr. Tito Caluag, head of ABS-CBN Integrated Public Service, and Robi Domingo hosting. Adding fun and treats for Kapamilyas were a number of special raffles, games and a fun karaoke contest.
Martin Nievera livened up the crowd even more while the love teams of Loisa Andalio and Joshua Garcia, together with Miles Ocampo and Inigo Pascual rendered special song numbers. They also helped serve food and distribute medicines to Kapamilyas.
The Boto Mo Patrol Mo team was also present to show support for the advocacies of the center.
“In 2016, we hope to continue to help our Kapamilyas and further improve all the services being offered at Tulong Center,” according to Higino Dungo Jr., head of ABS-CBN Public Service Group.
For more information on how to get help and help the ABS-CBN Tulong Center, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Tulongcenter or call 4141296/4145431. You may also e-mail them at Tulongcenter@abs-cbn.com.