Cebu prefers Kapuso Sinulog Specials over other networks’

CEBU, Philippines - The Queen City of the South jumpstarts each year to the beat of the Sinulog drum.  Aside from the thousands of devotees of the Sto. Niño who flock to  Cebu City to take part in religious activities, domestic and foreign tourists also make time to participate in the cultural activites, especially the mardi gras-like streetdances leading up to and capping the festival.

GMA Network joins the annual celebration by taking its biggest and brightest stars to Cebu bringing cheer to Kapusong Cebuanos. And through the live coverage of the Sinulog Grand Parade, the Kapuso Network brings Sinulog to the world not only through television but also through live streaming via gmanews.tv.

With lively, colorful, innovative, and meaningful renditions of the Sinulog dance by contingents from different parts of the country, the Sinulog fever heats up the airwaves through GMA Cebu’s “Kapuso sa Sinulog” and “Pit Senyor!” coverage sequences.

On January 20, survey showed that Cebuanos who preferred to watch Sinulog on television were glued to the Kapuso Network’s coverage, choosing it over similar documentations by other networks.

Overnight household ratings data from the more-widely recognized TV ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement show GMA’s Sinulog coverage specials “Kapuso sa Sinulog” and “Pit Senyor!”, registering 16.1 percent and 21.7 percent, respectively, clearly defeating ABS-CBN’s “Mag TV Na”’s 11.0 percent and “Pit Senyor! Kapamilya’”s 14.9 percent, and leaving behind TV5’s “Sinulog 2013” which only managed 9.5 percent.

The top-rating coverage featured the Sinulog Grand Parade which showcased streetdancing and floats including GMA’s own Indio galleon bannered by Indio lead star and box-office King Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., together with co-stars Rhian Ramos, Ehra Madrigal, and Alden Richards.

“With its unique blend of religious and cultural highlights, Sinulog continues to be the festival to beat in our side of the globe. GMA Network continues to showcase the uniqueness of Filipino culture and tradition through its well-planned activities and coverage. But proud as we are of our continuous win in the ratings in our live programs for Sinulog, what really warm our hearts are the expressions of gratitude from Filipino viewers all over the world who say they feel closer to home because of our programs,” said Cel Rosales-Amores, AVP for GMA Regional News and Public Affairs.

Meanwhile, Rikki Escudero, Vice President of GMA Regional TV and Concurrent Head of Expansion and Production Services Division of GMA News and Public Affairs, added that “The Sinulog coverage of GMA TV Cebu only proves that our regional programs are capable of delivering not only the latest happenings but also the most interesting events that our Kapusos from all over the nation value. Knowing our programs and specials are preferred by viewers inspires us all the more to deliver more of our trademark Serbisyong Totoo to Filipino viewers wherever they are.” (FREEMAN)