Capitol TV back on air

CEBU, Philippines - After two months since its closure, the Capitol-run television channel is back on air starting last night.

Replacing Sugbo TV, which was established by suspended Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, the channel is now named “Cebu TV Ato Ni” airing over SkyCable Channel 31.

The launching of the TV channel as well as of the new official publication, Cebu Monthly, was originally scheduled yesterday but was moved to February 28 due to the hectic schedule of acting governor Agnes Magpale.

Cebu TV Ato Ni initially has nine programs while others are revivals of some previous Sugbo TV shows that were renamed.

These include the travelogue, Suroy Suroy Sugbo; Sports na Bai, a documentary promoting Cebu through sports; Ms. UP, a documentary promoting culture and arts using the Cebu Cultural Center; Tingog Lokal featuring local Cebuano bands.

Kasadya sa Sugbu features Dalaguete’s pride of vegetable products and trade. Kasadya sa Sugbu explains how vegetables are treated, nurtured and loved by way of exotic dance pertaining to Dalaguete.

Other programs are Handurawan, featuring Cebuano filmmakers; Maghikay Ta, a cooking show featuring Cebuano foods; Bahandi, featuring museums where caretakers are given the time to talk about their towns; and Zumba, featuring the wellness activities of the Capitol employees every Friday.

Jules Regner, information officer-external, said that the show runs six hours but Cebuano films are shown after every program. The shows shall be changed every other day.

Last December, Magpale ordered to stop the operations of Sugbo TV and province-paid radio programs while Sugbo News publication was also stopped upon the review of the provincial budget.

For Sugbo TV, the province reportedly pays US$14,000 a month for the satellite connection and P100,000 a month for Skycable.

Magpale earlier questioned the purpose of the media outlets paid by the province since it was allegedly used to promote One Cebu, the political party of Garcia.

Regner yesterday said that under the new management, Cebu TV and Cebu Monthly are not allowed to do no political coverage. — /MBG (FREEMAN)