A show I look forward to watching on Sunday evenings is “Young Once (Upon a Time)” which airs on Eagle Broadcasting Corporation 's NET 25 at 8pm. The reason is obvious: I am a great fan of classic Filipino music and because two of the hosts, Anthony Castelo and Darius Razon are good friends of mine since way back.
Anthony, who like Darius forayed into politics after enjoying immense popularity as singer, was one of the performers we always tapped whenever we had fundraising concerts when we were building our church, the Good Shepherd Shrine in Fairview, in the late 70s. Our parish priest, Msgr. Fidelis Limcaco (who unfortunately has been bedridden for some time) was very grateful for Anthony’s (and the other top singers then) contribution to the construction of our church.
Anyway, I’m really glad that there’s a show on TV that gives appreciation and prominence to well-loved Pinoy songs now considered classic, definitely a legacy from talented Filipino singers and composers. Pilita Corrales Corrales, dubbed “Asia’s Queen of Songs,” who was one of the special guests along with Mike Hanopol, Jun Polistico and Eva Eugenio during the launch and first episode of “Young Once (Upon a Time)” last Aug. 26, said this kind of program that exclusively features classic Filipino favorites, is long overdue.
“Finally, there’s a show like this...na talagang OPM. Matagal na matagal na dapat na merong ganyan...” she said. What’s even more interesting is that the show, with its showcase of Filipino timeless music can unite generations of Pinoy music lovers. “Young Once (Upon a Time” is certainly a show even for the young, the so-called millennials, said the director, Elson Montalbo.
This is a show that will acquaint today’s millennials with the music of the past. It is also a show for the generation that saw the best of Philippine music from the 60s to the 90s.
For the third episode on Sept. 9, “Young Once (Upon a Time)” will have as guests Noel Cabangon, Richard Reynoso and Chad Borja among others. Needless to say, they will be rendering their trademark songs.
“Young Once (Upon a Time” is a production of NET25’s Edutainment TV (ETV) and is a special project of the Office of President of Eagle Broadcasting Corporation. It will also be simulcast on EBC’s Pinas FM 95.5 , the only FM station that plays 100 percent OPM hits.
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Rival networks keep ratings lead
Television broadcast giants GMA Network Inc. sustained its lead in viewer-rich urban areas around Luzon while ABS-CBN said it was the No. 1 across the country.
Both companies, citing different third-party research companies, released their audience share numbers for August 2018 showing each media group managed to protect leadership in their respective markets.
In a statement, GMA Network noted that for the month, it registered an average total day people audience share of 42.6 percent in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (Nutam) versus ABS-CBN’s 36.2 percent.
GMA uses data provided by Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.
For its part, ABS-CBN announced its nationwide dominance, with an average audience share of 44 percent against GMA’s 32 percent. ABS-CBN’s figures come from Kantar Media.
Viewerships scores are linked to the bottomline as these are closely followed by advertisers.
GMA has touted its leadership in urban areas, mainly in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila. It said these areas accounted for 72 percent and 59 percent of all urban viewers in the country.
Its average total day audience share in Urban Luzon stood at 48 percent versus ABS-CBN’s 30.2 percent in August. For Mega Manila, GMA said its audience share was at 49.4 percent against ABS-CBN’s 27.7 percent.
In NUTAM’s list of top-rating programs, GMA bagged 7 spots out of the top 10 with “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” (KMJS) still reigning as the most watched Kapuso program.
Following KMJS were “Kambal, Karibal,” “Pepito Manaloto,” “24 Oras,” “Victor Magtanggol,” “Onanay,” and “Magpakailanman.”
Completing the Network’s list of ratings drivers for August were “The Clash,” “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko,” “Amazing Earth,” “Inday Will Always Love You,” “Bubble Gang,” “Saksi,” “24 Oras Weekend,” “Contessa,” “The Stepdaughters,” “Hindi Ko Kayang Iwan Ka,” “Wowowin,” “Tadhana,” “Imbestigador,” “Kapag Nahati ang Puso,” “Eat Bulaga,” “Sunday Pinasaya,” and “Kapuso Movie Night.”
ABS-CBN, meanwhile, claimed leadership across a wide variety of areas, including Metro Manila— a crucial component of Mega Manila. It was also far ahead of competition in Visayas and Mindanao.
In its statement, ABS-CBN said ratings leadership in Metro Manila stood at 41 percent against GMA’s 28 percent. In total Luzon, ABS-CBN cornered 40 percent while GMA got 36 percent.
ABS-CBN’s lead in Total Visayas was at 51 percent versus GMA’s 26 percent. In Mindanao, the figure stood at 52 percent compared to GMA’s 26 percent.
ABS-CBN also sought to highlight its lead in primetime, which runs from early evening through midnight. The slot was coveted since advertisers allocated huge chunks of their placements during these hours.
ABS-CBN’s primetime ratings were at 48 percent versus GMA’s 32 percent, according to Kantar Media data.
The long-running drama “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” continued to be the country’s most watched program with an average national TV rating of 41.7%, followed by the reality show “Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids” (34.8%).
Also part of the top fifteen list are “TV Patrol,” new Kapamilya primetime drama series “Ngayon at Kailanman,” “Bagani,” “Halik,” “Since I Found You,” “Tonight with Boy Abunda,” “Bandila,” “MMK,” “Rated K,” “I Can See Your Voice,” “Gandang Gabi Vice,” “Goin’ Bulilit,” “Wansapanataym,” “Home Sweetie Home,” “Sana Dalawa ang Puso,” “It’s Showtime,” “ASAP,” “Asintado,” “Araw Gabi,” “Star Hunt: The Grand Audition Show” and “The Blood Sisters”.
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Tidbits: Happy birthday greetings today, Sept. 7, go to Madelaine Yorobe Alfelor, Jacqueline Ejercito, Regine Tolentino Vera Perez, Linda Amon, Rolando Josef, Paquita Maglaya, Sol Lavadia, Mary Elizabeth Timbol, Jane Garcia, Reggie Espinosa, Samuel Velasco, Lilia Uy Hao, Nenita Evans, Butch Roldan, Julia Lopez, Ali Vicoy, Regina Meer Castillo and Albert Morris.
