Filipinos worldwide stay tuned to witness a historic milestone in Philippine broadcasting, with three of the nation’s most admired news icons—returning news anchors Korina Sanchez and Noli “Kabayan” De Castro and Ted Failon, joining forces for ABS-CBN’s flagship newscast “TV Patrol.”
Starting last Monday (Nov 8), Failon, Sanchez and De Castro did what they do best, and that is to deliver news and information that matter to every Filipino.
Failon, regarded as the “Sandigan ng Bayan” for his relentless coverage of every issue until its resolution, said he is honored to be part of what is said to be the most experienced and tested news team ever assembled in Philippine history.
“Ito na ho ngayon ang team ng ABS-CBN News na magbibigay inspirasyon sa bawat isa para gampanan ang aming tungkulin,” Failon said.
Sanchez, the “Kakampi ng Bayan,” who is known for her brave reports and insightful features, meanwhile, said she feels very good having returned to the ABS-CBN newsroom, which she first joined in 1986.
In a surprise welcome ceremony organized for her and De Castro by their peers before Monday’s airing, Korina tearfully said, “Hindi namin inasahan na ganito pa rin kainit ang pagtanggap ninyo sa amin. Maraming salamat.”
“TV Patrol’s” original anchor De Castro, more popularly known as “Kabayan,” is also back as the reliable “Boses ng Masa.” With his well-known modulated voice, Kabayan also made viewers wax nostalgic when he uttered his trademark line “Magandang gabi, bayan.”
“Umaasa ako na muli kaming magiging instrumento ng bansa sa pag-unlad,” said De Castro, a former Vice President and arguably the country’s most popular broadcaster. He and Sanchez anchored “TV Patrol” separately before Failon stepped in with Karen Davila and Julius Babao.
From the get-go, it was business as usual for the three anchors, who flawlessly presented comprehensive reports on a wide variety of news, from the volcano activity in Sorsogon, the gas leak in Makati City, the newest witness in the Maguindanao Massacre, the condition of flood victims in Cagayan and Isabela, to light human interest stories on former starlet Janice Jurado’s new source of livelihood and showbiz fare like a glimpse at international singing sensation Charice’s song in the upcoming NBC Christmas special. The anchors also fielded in questions to reporters that added context and depth to reports.
ABS-CBN Head for News and Current Affairs Ging Reyes said it wasn’t hard to convince De Castro and Sanchez to come back to “TV Patrol.”
“They are just returning to their first love. This is their true calling,” said Reyes, who is also a true-blue Kapamilya as she began her career in ABS-CBN as a production assistant in 1986. Reyes rose from the ranks to work as a reporter, a news producer, and eventually the chief of ABS-CBN North America Bureau for eight years.
Reyes added their comeback will further strengthen “TV Patrol,” which continues to be the most watched newscast and the number one program in its timeslot nationwide. In the nationwide TV ratings data from Kantar Media for Monday (Nov 8), “TV Patrol” got a rating of 28 percent compared to 19.5 of “24 Oras”, while “Willing-Willie” registered only 14.5%. “TV Patrol” also lorded over the TV5 show in Mega Manila that day with a rating of 20.9% versus 19.4% of “Willing-Willie,” and in Metro Manila, where it got 22.2% compared to 19.3% of the game show.
ABS-CBN also turned out as the most credible news source according to a study by Pulse Asia. 72% of the Filipinos believe ABS-CBN gave the most credible TV news coverage of the May 2010 elections, higher than GMA, which had only 63% believing in its credibility, and TV 5’s 32%.
For news that matter to Filipinos, watch Ted Failon, Korina Sanchez, and Noli “Kabayan” De Castro on TV, cable, radio, and online. Catch “TV Patrol” from Monday to Friday, after “Kokey @ Ako” on ABS-CBN, with simulcast on DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 and DZMM TeleRadyo Skycable ch. 26, and live streaming at http://tvpatrol.abs-cbnnews.com.
