Speaking in front of over 1,200 students and teachers of mass communication nationwide, ABS-CBN Head for Research and Business Analysis Vivian Tin said this is because the Kapamilya network values what the Filipino viewers think and feel. “We don’t need to look at what competition is doing. What we do is look at our audience and understand what they need,” she told the delegates.

Based on their studies, Filipinos turn to television programs to escape, even for a while, from the hardships of their everyday lives. They also watch shows which offer them the right values to live by amid crises and poverty.

Tin said through knowing what the viewers are watching and the reasons behind their preferences, ABS-CBN has been able to put up programs that capture the taste of the viewers.

ABS-CBN president Charo Santos-Concio added that ABS-CBN programs mirror the lives of Filipinos – their hardships and triumphs – which makes it easier for viewers to relate to them.

Indeed, viewers got to see the struggles and the bravery of soldiers in “Tayong Dalawa,” the conflict of the Church and state, and the power of faith in “May Bukas Pa,” and the trials faced by a single mom and the joy of love in “Only You.” These programs were about real people and real situations, and they were all well-received by the viewers.

Meanwhile, delegates also got a treat when “Showtime” hosts Vhong Navarro, Kim Atienza, and Jugs Jugueta brought two monthly champions from their hit program to PUP.

The crowd went wild as they saw ordinary Filipinos take the stage, have fun and have their moment to shine. But beyond the fun of the act, the delegates of “Pinoy Media Congress” understood it was watching a success story unfold before their eyes that made them applaud and smile.

“Our programs give hope and inspiration because they highlight the strengths of Filipinos. We believe in the Filipino,” Concio said.

The annual “Pinoy Media Congress” is co-organized by ABS-CBN and the Philippine Association of Communication Educators. It has been awarded by prestigious groups such as the International Association of Business Communicators and the Public Relations Society of the Philippines since its inception in 2005.

Lead by ABS-CBN Chairman and CEO Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III, President and COO Charo Santos-Concio and Channel 2 Head Cory Vidanes, executives will engage participants in a discussion of issues in media and communication in this two-day forum organized by ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation and the Philippine Association of Communication Educators (PACE).

ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs head Maria Ressa, who led ABS-CBN’s election campaign “Boto Mo, iPatrol Mo,” will encourage the audience to take an active role as citizens with her talk on Citizen Journalism while head of abs-cbnNEWS.com and News Mobile Charie Villa, together with Atom Araullo, will discuss the eithical issues involved in news gathering.

ABS-CBN Corporate Communications head Bong Osorio will analyze this year’s crop of political advertisements and what they do to candidates, electorate, and society

On the entertainment realm, Channel 2 Head Cory Vidanes tackles the current state of the television entertainment while ABS-CBN Head of Research and Business Analysis Unit Vivian Tin gives an introductory lecture on TV ratings in the Philippines.

The highlight of this year’s summit will be a presidential debate featuring candidates Sens. Noynoy Aquino, Richard Gordon, Manny Villar, former Defense Sec. Gilbert Teodoro, and Eddie Villanueva who will present to the students their agenda for the country.

Pinoy Media Congress won an Award of Excellence from the Philippine Quill Awards and another Award of Excellence from the Anvil Awards in 2008.

ABS-CBN’s top management headed by ABS-CBN Chairman and CEO Gabby Lopez, President and COO Charo Santos-Concio, Channel 2 Head Cory Vidanes and ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. (AFI) Managing Director Gina Lopez, together with other executives and production heads, spent one whole day of fun and games with the Calaueños and fed more than a thousand families WHO were mostly residents of Estero de Paco and other areas along the sides of Pasig River.

These families were relocated to Calauan as part of the AFI’s Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig seven-year plan to clean up the Pasig river. Victims of the recent storms in Luzon also joined this newly built community in. Brgy. Dayap.

“We intend to reach the 6,000 families by next year,” said Lopez. “I’m just so happy because in two to three momths, their lives were completely transformed.”

Other than the feeding facilitated by the network executives, ABS-CBN also gave cash prizes to the winners of the recently held community song and dance competition ‘Sayawit’ and to the cleanest and most organized blocks in the community.

“Such recognitions give them inspiration and encouragement so they can be a good example to our fellow Kapamilya,” said Concio.

Meanwhile, Kapamilya stars Piolo Pascual, Erik Santos, and Rhap Salazar also graced the event and rendered their song numbers.

“Bayanijuan sa Calauan” was the last the final leg of ABS-CBN’s Christmas Campaign. The campaign started in November with the simultaneous parol lighting ceremonies held in ABS-CBN offices in and out of the country, which was followed by other activities such as the launching of the Christmas Station ID “Bro Ikaw ang Star ng Pasko,” selling of Parol ni Bro lanters for the benefit of AFI and Bayanijuan, and the recent ABS-CBN Christmas Special held at the Araneta Coliseum.

Kapamilya online Christmas promos are still on going. Log on to http://www.abs-cbn.com/parolnibro/ for more information.

A true blue Kapamilya style celebration, don’t miss the special ‘May Bukas Pa’ production number plus the launching of ABS-CBN’s face of 60 years of soap opera – Judy Ann Santos for her newest series ‘Habang May Buhay’ – followed by sneak peeks of the newest teleseryes to look forward to in 2010. Various stars carol the night away with Pinoy Christmas songs while the Kanto Boys bring the house down with their never ending quirkiness. Expect more surprise treats plus an inspirational message by the one and only King of Comedy, Dolphy.

ABS-CBN Chairman and CEO Gabby Lopez, ABS-CBN President Charo Santos Concio as well as other network executives grace the night.

The Christmas special is part of the Bro, Ikaw ang Star ng Pasko campaign which started last November with a lighting ceremony at ABS-CBN building, followed by the launch of the Christmas station ID and the Bayanijuan sa Calauan and the ongoing Win sa Bituin promo.

It’s going to be a night of pure fun and entertainment! Catch the ABS-CBN Christmas Special Part 2 on December 20, 10pm on Sunday’s Best.

MEGA Magazine’s beauty issue this month of May features their list of the 10 Most Beautiful A-List Celebrities topped by no other than Angel Locsin.

It is interesting to note that Angel Locsin is Starmometer’s Most Beautiful Woman in the Philippines for 3 years in a row. She ranked 1st in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Also in MEGA magazine’s list are ABS-CBN President Charo Santos Concio, Myx Veejay and recording artist Nikki Gil and Kapuso primetime-turned-daytime star Heart Evangelista.

In no particular order, here is the complete list of MEGA’s 10 Most Beautiful A-List Celebrities:

1. Angel Locsin
2. Korina Sanchez
3. Charo Santos Concio
4. Nikki Gil
5. Heart Evangelista
6. Carmina Villaroel
7. Stef Henares
8. Joanne Ramirez
9. Audrey Tan Zubiri
10. Michelle Panemanglor

Check them out on the May 2009 issue of MEGA Magazine now available nationwide wherever magazines are sold.

Hosted by Ms. Charo Santos-Concio, the Bugoy Drilon episode will be aired this coming Saturday, October 11, 2008. It will feature Bugoy’s real life struggle from being a janitor to joining the the reality talent search in order to fulfill his dreams.

Bugoy will be appearing on the last part of the episode having filmed for MMK for one whole day.

“Happy po ako pero hindi ko alam kung ano ang magiging reaksyon ng tao at saka pamilya ko,” he said.

Mark Bautista will play the role of Bugoy while Malou de Guzman, Soliman Cruz, Paw Diaz, Sarah Palad with the special participation of PDA’s mentor Monet Silvestre, Hansen Nichols, Maria Lizel Garcia and Chivas Garcia will also appear in the said episode.