Out to charm, inspire & entertain

Philippine television has undoubtedly become an integral part of the Pinoy’s daily lives, prompting television networks to strive to make it to the broadcasting industry’s banner.

Making it to the hearts of the Filipinos, however, is what ABS-CBN’s thrust is all about. Through service, the network has not only historically enlivened the days of the Filipino audience, but also secured its place in the broadcasting industry. And with 50 glorious years of blazing this arena, the company readily perceives what will be the next entertainment and inspirational materials for the Filipinos. Thus, for the year 2004, ABS-CBN once again made things happen by launching programs that adapt to the tempers of the time.

Fresh from the successful programming and rousing ratings of 2003, ABS-CBN conceived another string of innovative shows designed to charm, entertain and inspire the Filipino audience.

After bringing out tears and applause through their legendary teleserye, ABS-CBN will now tap our imaginations as teleserye queen Claudine Barretto explores a mermaid’s adventures while taking us to a sea of magic, fantasy and half-told tales of love, revenge, passion and destiny in the all-new fanta-serye Marina weeknights after Basta’t Kasama Kita.

For the first time, primetime television will taste the brazen mix of style and depth reserved for the movies. Filmed in a spectacular seascape setting, brought to life by bizarre yet adorable characters, and adorned with state of the art production effects, Marina is indeed a feast for the eyes. And with the unusual, engaging story of the mermaid Marina, this fantaserye is predicted to mark the start of a new genre. Andoy Randay and Wenn Deramas direct.

Stories of deep longings, arduous search, and high hopes of reuniting with a lost family member — this familiar formula that used to run merely in teleserye and drama anthologies, will now change lives as ABS-CBN’s new reality show, Lukso ng Dugo, helps ordinary people see the day when their parted beloved finally comes home.

Seasoned broadcaster Bernadette Sembrano joins this important quest, from the tracing of documents to the day of their reunion. The show airs on Sundays from 3 to 4 p.m. Heartwarming and inspiring, Lukso ng Dugo will surely appeal to the Filipinos to whom family ties are always held close to the heart.

What’s funnier than spontaneous gag acts? Yet another first from the television’s biggest network, Yes, Yes Show is the newest and the only interactive live gag show to hit the screens.

Yes, Yes Show presents that practical jokes and spoofs are not everything gag shows are made up of. Its rich line of segments includes a live talent search for the funniest comic Clown in a Million, a novelty song segment Side Epek, a hidden-camera segment Ang Pinoy nga Naman, and improvisational musical segment Sing About.

Mainstays of the show — Bayani Agbayani, Vhong Navarro, Aiko Melendez, Candy Pangilinan, Tuesday Vargas, Long Mejia, Dagul, Lito Camo, Ishko "Brod Pete" Salvador, Mel Villena, and the Viva Hot Babes — will unleash their comic potentials every Wednesday night, 10 p.m.

Sometimes they frighten; sometimes they mystify, as if carrying a crucial message; but often, they come uninvited. This time, however, they are welcomed in two reality shows that go beyond the real and reach what dreams — or nightmares — are made of: Nginiig! and Nginiig! Hidden Files, the firsts in mainstream TV to confront paranormal mysteries and give thrilling visual access to the terrifying world of the unknown.

Feed your fear as renowned actor Raymond Bagatsing and a team of psychics heed the cries of restless souls in Nginiig!, Saturdays at 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on ABS-CBN. Test your courage further on Sundays, 6:30 to 7 p.m. in Studio 23’s Nginiig! Hidden Files and see how young stars Danilo Barrios, Jhong Hilario and Spencer Reyes lock gazes with supernatural beings walking around a haunted house, an old school, a typical office, a busy mall — and even around you.

ABS-CBN definitely knows how to make anybody, from bystanders to the most popular movie stars widen their eyes, drop their jaws and shake their heads in a mixture of awe, surprise and disbelief that they prey to the subtle, cleverly outwitting practical jokes of top-rating reality show, Victim.

Be extra careful since Carlos Agassi is back with either your favorite celebrity or fellow fan as accomplices to do pranks around the Metro. Or else, you might find yourself in TV on a Saturday night, hailed as the latest victim of the show’s second season.

After almost 12 years of paving the way for stardom and making names for the likes of Piolo Pascual, Diether Ocampo, Jericho Rosales, Kristine Hermosa and Claudine Barretto, ABS-CBN’s Talent Center now invites the fans to witness how stars are made through Star Circle Quest, the newest reality-based talent search for the country’s new superstars.

Aside from the promise of stellar careers, lucky weekly finalists from two categories (Star Circle Kids Search, for 5 to 8 year-olds and Star Circle Teens Search for 13 to 21 year-olds) will be intensively trained through acting, singing and hosting workshops. This fateful discovery for young stars is hosted by Luis Manzano and Jodi Santamaria, and seen every 7 p.m. on weeknights.