Luzon is still Kapuso country

By Isah V. Red

Believe it or not, GMA Network remains on top of the ratings game in Luzon. That is according to AGB Nielsen Research, the company ABS-CBN no longer trusts.

Yet, AGB Nielsen Media Research, a private ratings provider, has long been recognized by the advertising industry as its source of particular ratings services. In its report that encompasses Urban Luzon, which, by the way accounts for 77 percent (more than half of all TV households in the country including emerging urban areas like Cebu and Davao) and which represent the main source of business advertisers, GMA Network has clearly overtaken ABS-CBN, which is bitter pill to swallow for the network that harps on being no. 1 nationwide.

GMA-7 has overtaken ABS-CBN in ratings in Urban Luzon since September in 2007 and had maintained its strong lead since. The official fourth quarter 2008 ratings data from AGB Nielsen shows GMA?s household audience share already at 42 percent, 7 percent higher than ABS-CBN.

For the period of Feb. 1 to 11, 2009, nine out of the top 10 primetime programs in Mega Manila are Kapuso shows. Seven out of the top 10 daytime shows and three out of the top five news and public affairs programs are also Kapuso.

Even the data for the same periods in Mega Manila of the middling TNS Media Research, the survey firm ABS-CBN trusts, show similar trend: seven out of the top 10 primetime programs were from GMA; six out of the top 10 daytime and three out of the five top news and public affairs programs were similarly from the Kapuso network.

Both surveys say the top program in all day parts are from GMA Network with 24 Oras as the most-watched primetime newscast. Among the top programs in primetime are Luna Mystika, Ang Babaeng Hinugot Sa Aking Tadyang, La Lola, Gagambino, Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho, 24 Oras, and Bitoy?s Funniest Videos.

In the daytime block, GMA?s top programs include Pinoy Records, Eat Bulaga, Saan Darating Ang Umaga, Family Feud, Daisy Siete and Wish Ko Lang. Included in the top news and public affairs programs are 24 Oras, Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho, and Imbestigador.

Interesting to note is the nationwide ratings of AGB Nielsen reveal a drop of 2.8 rating points in ABS-CBN?s lead over GMA in the 4th quarter of 2007 to only single point in the fourth quarter of 2008. In terms of people ratings, the 1.3-point lead of ABS-CBN in the fourth quarter of 2007 has also been reduced to only 0.4 point in the fourth quarter of 2008 with GMA closing the gap in both segments.

In the last quarter of 2008, GMA-7?s Dyesebel was the most-watched program nationwide based on both household and people ratings. From the second to the fourth quarters of 2008, this popular program consistently topped the quarterly people ratings charts.

What do these figures mean, really to us? Nothing much, except that, ABS-CBN should start looking at figures of Metro Manila and stop giving themselves a pat on their already calloused shoulders that they are still the top network in the country. What is important is that they should be able to wrestle the ratings back to themselves by giving the audience the kind of shows they?d like to watch, and not shows that they?d like the audience to watch.

Thousands set free

The malls have never been alive as thousands of women from all over the metro have broken free from chains.

Hordes of women of different looks, sizes?both young and old ? clamored for the truth.

Soaps of all sizes and colors filled balikbayan boxes to the brim.

This was the Dove Toilet Soap Swap event series, where thousands trooped to stand in snake-like lines in three different SM malls, waiting patiently and eagerly to swap their dry, old bars of soaps for Dove Cream Bars.

The event had women?s enthusiasm rubbing off on others, hence doubling the excitement and mystery to mall-goers. Many of them resorted to buying other soap brands at the supermarket and then line up to swap it with Dove Cream Bars. The women were all in excitement as they stood to break free from the shackles of tight, dry skin.

Following months and months of exposing the truth, ordinary toilet soaps will never be looked at the same way again. Beginning with an intriguing billboard in the middle of Edsa last New Year?s that said, ?The Truth Will Set Your Free,? women from all over the metro were left puzzled at the meaning of such. The question was: Could it be that we have yet to find out what?s real?

After countless Skin Mildness Tests all over the metro, where ordinary soaps revealed a scary bright hue of pink against Dove?s unchanging white color that indicates pure mildness, thousands of women opened their eyes to reality. The Dove Toilet Soap Swap event series that happened Feb. 1 at SM Megamall, Feb. 8 at SM Fairview, and Feb. 15 at SM Mall of Asia, brought together a staggering number of the female population, all eager to change their habits for the truth.

On Feb. 22 at SM The Block the soap-swapping series went on a greater scale, with three of the ?Truthsayers? ready to wave the banner of truth for all the women in the northern side of town.

Dove ?Truthsayer? Wilma Doesnt shared her experience with soaps and Dove, ?Pwede mong sulatan yung skin mo sa pagka-dry pag naligo ka with soaps. That doesn?t happen with Dove.? Fellow ?Truthsayer? Claudine Trillo couldn?t agree more. ?After I?ve tried Dove and compared it with the soap I was using, I felt the difference.? Grace Lee and Lexi Schulze joined these women who embody real beauty, with no pretenses. Instead, it?s all about celebrating the beauty within. Grace believes that when a woman is beautiful inside, she inevitably shines. Lexi said it perfectly, ?Sa tinagal-tagal ko nang pag-gamit ng Dove, I?ve come to realize the truth that beauty is really about taking good care of yourself?both inside and out.?

With the overwhelming response to the Skin Mildness Test, and the astounding number of women who have chosen to be set free, Dove?s brand manager Dennis Perez said ?With the thousands in pursuit of the truth, real beauty now stands out like never before. The truth has set it free!?

Tell that to Vicki Belo and Boy Abunda.

Lawmakers get thumbs up

?We are grateful to all the lawmakers who supported the bill that will significantly help the movie industry. Because of the reduction in the amusement tax, producers will be encouraged to produce more films and will consequently result in more jobs for members of the entertainment industry,? says Orly Ilacad, Philippine Motion Pictures Producers Association (PMPPA) president.

Local movies continue to be a source of pride and entertainment for Filipinos. Locally-produced films have consistently gotten the nod of various international award-giving bodies, while watching movies remains among the top choices of entertainment among the Filipinos. Despite these, however, the number of local movies continue to decline, year after year.

?In the 1990s, an average of 160 films were produced annually. However, in the year 2000, only 80 films were produced. It dipped further in 2007 where only 47 films were produced. With this bill, we are confident that the number of locally-produced films will increase significantly,? shares Ilacad.

?Nowadays, with only a meager percentage of earnings left to producers, producing films not only becomes unprofitable but more so, impractical,? adds Ilacad.

To arrest the slide, the movie industry has tirelessly lobbied for the passage of a bill that will save the industry and the roughly 300,000 people that it employs.

The industry?s efforts did not go unrewarded. On Jan. 26, House Bill 5624 (HB 5624) was passed on third reading by the House of Representatives. HB 5624 will reduce the amusement tax on local films from 30 percent to not more than 10 percent.

The passage of the bill was made possible through the efforts of several lawmakers headed by Speaker Prospero Nograles, Reps. Al Francis Bichara (whose family owns a chain of movie houses in the Bicol Region), Irwin Tieng (whose family is into movie production, importation, and operation of cable television channels), Rufus Rodriguez, Roilo Golez, Mikey Arroyo (occasional actor), George Arnaiz (chairman of the committee on local government), Exequiel Javier (chairman of the committee on ways and means), and Arthur Defensor Sr., chairman, committee on rules.

The Senate version of the bill unanimously passed on third reading last June 11, 2008 was authored by Senators Bong Revilla, Manny Villar, Noynoy Aquino, Chiz Escudero, and Loren Legarda.

With the tax reduction, the industry will be relieved from the burden of paying redundant taxes, which has, for the longest time, been one of the major factors why the number of locally-produced films continue to decline.

With tough competition from foreign films and the high cost of production, not to mention the unending fight versus piracy, the movie industry needs all the help it can get to keep itself afloat. The bill is certainly a welcome help, one that the industry will always be grateful for.

But will it change the quality of movies being produced in this country? I doubt it.

More from seasoned performers

Carmen Soriano returns to the Captain?s Bar of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Makati on Saturday (March 7) with balladeer Anthony Castelo for another edition of Romancing.

This is the first time that the ?demure diva? will be performing with the heartthrob of the ?80s who popularized ?Balatkayo,? ?Nang Dahil Sa Pag-ibig,? ?Kaibigan,? ?Hahanapin Ko,? among others.

This is Carmen?s second Romancing concert at the Captain?s Bar. Her first was with Jun Polistico last Feb. 20.

Meanwhile, Legends of OPM returns to the PICC on March 5. Starring Rico J. Puno, Rey Valera and Nonoy Zu?iga, Claire de la Fuente, Joey Albert and Eva Eugenio.

The first one at the PICC last Dec. 30 was very successful Viva Concerts had no choice but to stage a repeat.

The Legends of OPM are all singing stars whose recordings have stood the test of time and continue to be heard frequently here and abroad. Rico, Nonoy and Rey, Claire, Eva and Joey were responsible for many of the biggest hits in the ?70s and ?80s. Their rendition of these classics was what made Legends of OPM a resounding success. They will perform all of the songs heard in the first show and have added some new numbers that will surely delight everybody.

There are Rico and his ?Kapalaran,? ?May Bukas Pa,? ?Buhat,? ?Macho Guwapito? and his own version of ?The Way We Were.? Nonoy with ?Kumusta Ka,? ?Init,? ?Doon Lang? and ?Never Ever Say Goodbye,? Valera with ?Walang Kapalit,? ?Naaalala Ka,? and Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko.?

Claire will sing ?Sayang,? ?Unang Pag-Ibig,? ?Something In Your Eyes,? and ?Minsan-Minsan.? Eva has ?Tukso,? ?Kunwari Ay Ikaw,? ?Ano Ang Gagawin Kapag Wala Ka Na,? ?Pag-Ibig Na Walang Dangal,? and ?Mahal Mo Ba Sya.? Joey is set to do ?Iisa Pa Lamang,? ?Tell Me,? ?A Million Miles Away,? and ?Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin.?

There are also grand production numbers in the program that includes duets, Pinoy dance hits and a stunning medley of songs discovered in the Metro Manila Popular Music Festival like ?Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika,? ?Hahanapin Ko,? ?Ewan,? ?Bulag Pipi Bingi,? ?Ako Ang Nagwagi,? ?Be My Lady,? ?Isang Mundo Isang Awit? and ?Salamat Musika.?

Legends of OPM is a Viva Concerts and Events production directed by Roxanne Lapus with Gerry Mathias, a musical director.

Romancing is a Viva Concerts & Events production directed by Roxanne Lapus. Tickets are priced at P3,500; P3,000; P2,500; and P2,000 and are now available at all Ticketworld outlets, 891-9999; Viva Concerts, 687-6181 Loc. 620 and 745; and the Mandarin in Makati.

The Legends of OPM tickets are available at all SM Ticketnet outlets, The Araneta Coliseum and at Ticketworld outlets. Call Viva 687-6181 locals 620 and 745 for inquiries.

In the Name of the House party

Six top Manila deejays and one based in Tokyo will alternately play house music at Socialista Bar and Restaurant on March 7 from 8 p.m. until the wee hours.

In the Name of the House party intends to attract night owls who love to listen to pop icons Madonna and George Michael, New Order, Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys and others.

It will be the first time seven deejays will get together in one evening. They are Manolet Santos, Arnel Castillo, Ivan Constantino, Cocoy Puyat, Mattex Carbonell, Deejay Angelo and Jun Himeno from Tokyo, Japan.

Entrance ticket is P300 with one free drink. Socialista is located on Remedios St., Malate.

Klaudia K getting married

Klaudia Koronel (remember her when the boldies were hot stuff in the early ?90s?) is now in Atlanta, Georgia. She is busy attending to her wedding preparations this week.

If you don?t remember her, she was like a farmer?s daughter in the Visayas who came to Manila to find her luck. And lucky was when she was discovered for the movies by some agent and cast her in quickies for Regal films.

But the movie industry then was already mired in deep shit, five movies later and she was out of commission. She matriculated at the AMA for a degree in computer science, put up an Internet shop, and met his mate later whom she will wed this month.

She?ll be back here on March 17. Best wishes, Klaudia K.