The Heart of Asia

Eagle Eye

yogoole — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:46:54 +0000

Shia LaBeouf, reteams with “Disturbia” director D.J. Caruso as a young slacker whose overachieving twin brother has died mysteriously. When the young man returns home, both he and a single mother find they have been framed as terrorists. Forced to become members of a cell that has plans to carry out a political assassination, they must work together to extricate themselves.

Two unsuspecting Americans are separately drawn into a conspiracy by a mysterious woman they have never met, but who seems to know their every move. By the time they discover her frightening identity, they have become her unwitting accomplices in a diabolical assassination plot.Shia LaBeouf, reteams with “Disturbia” director D.J. Caruso as a young slacker whose overachieving twin brother has died mysteriously. When the young man returns home, both he and a single mother find they have been framed as terrorists. Forced to become members of a cell that has plans to carry out a political assassination, they must work together to extricate themselves.

www.movieweb.com

Charice back in Manila, shares unforgettable moments with Celine Dion

yogoole — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 04:32:07 +0000

International star and Philippines’ pride Charice is back in the country Tuesday morning after her unforgettable duet with Celine Dion in Madison Square, New York last September 15. In an exclusive interview with abs-cbnNEWS.com, Charice shared her experiences singing with her idol during Dion’s concert dubbed as “Taking Chances World Tour” and performing in front of thousands of American people. “Siyempre dream come true na naman kumbaga. Celine Dion iyon. Iyong mga songs niya pinanglalaban ko po sa mga contest. Tapos iyong songs niya ang una kong natutunang kantahin. Kaya dream come true na maka-duet siya,” Charice said. Charice and her mother, Raquel Pempengco, landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport tarmac around five in the morning on board PAL flight PR 103, which they thanked for providing them VIP treatment.

Great talk, hugs after

The young diva said that before her actual performance with Dion she had a great time talking to the international diva — Dion.

“Nag-usap muna kami at binigay niya sa akin iyong kanta sabi niya aalalayan niya ako dahil iyong kanta naman po ay para sa mama ko,” she said.

Charice praised Dion for being good to her and for treating her so special.

“Sobrang bait po talaga siya wala po akong masabi sa kanya,” adds Charice.

Charice said that she will never forget the concert night with Dion wherein the audience gave her another standing ovation.

“Sa gitna pa lang ng song tumayo na sila standing ovation na. Kasi bago iyon paglabas ko na ng dressing room para nga kumanta ‘yong mga tao ay nagsisigawan. ‘yon pala kilala nila ako, lalo na paglabas ko nakatutok iyong spotlight, lalo silang nagsigawan,” she said.

The young diva admitted that she was nervous performing with Dion on the same stage.

“Kung makikita lang niyo nanginginig talaga ako at halos hindi na ako makapagsalita,” she said.

After the concert Charice said that she waited for Dion at the performers’ exit. For the last time Dion talked to her and hugged her.

“Niyakap niya ako at naluha-luha siya. Sabi niya ako ang inspiration ng mga tao. Nag-iyakan kaming dalawa tapos nagpasalamat na siya kay mommy,” she said.

‘Never stop dreaming’

Charice who stayed outside the country for almost four weeks said that the most important lesson she learned during her international performances is that people should never stop dreaming and be patient while waiting for their right time.

“Basta maghintay lang po kumbaga ayaw kong mag-expect,” she said.

Again, Charice thanked all her fans and supporters for their unending love and support.

“Maraming maraming salamat po at lagi kong sinasabi huwag silang magsawang sumuporta. Mahal na mahal ko kayo at sana ay magkita tayong lahat,” ended said.

Charice was able to perform with Dion with the help of Oprah Winfrey. In Charice’s second guesting for Oprah show, she burst into tears when her idol Dion invited her to do a duet of the the song “Because You Loved Me” that they will dedicate to Charice’ mom Mrs. Raquel Pempengco.

Charice boosted her international career when she appeared in the Paul O’Grady Show in London last April 8 and on the Ellen DeGeneres show in December of 2007.

On April 11th, abs-cbnNEWS.com broke the story that she just finished taping a special episode for Oprah. Her special appearance on Oprah was aired May 12th.

Aside from performing with famous musician David Foster, Charice also performed a duet with Italy’s Andrea Bocelli.

Charice who is now on her way to Laguna also performed at Ontario, California for ABS-CBN’s “One Kapamilya Go!” last Sunday, September 21.

The Kapamilya’s concert was dedicated to all Filipinos supporting The Filipino Chanel abroad.

Aside from Charice, ABS-CBN’s big stars John Lloyd Cruz, Bea Alonzo, Sheryn Regis,Carol Banawa and Concert King Martin Nievera were also present.

Charice will only be staying for two days in the Philippines. This Saturday she is set to be in Winnipeg, Canada as guest star for ABS-CBN’s popular noontime show “Wowowee.”

REYMA BUAN-DEVEZA, abs-cbnNEWS.com

Huge Diamond Discover

yogoole — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 04:13:11 +0000

LONDON (AFP) – Gem Diamonds, a London-listed mining firm, said on Sunday it had recovered a 478 carat diamond from its mine in Lesotho: the 20th-largest rough diamond ever found. The discovery of the gem, which the company said had the potential to become one of the largest round-cut diamonds in the world, was made on September 8 at the Letseng mine in Lesotho. “Preliminary examination of this remarkable diamond indicates that it will yield a record-breaking polished stone of the very best colour and clarity,” the company’s Chief Executive Clifford Elphick said in a statement. The diamond, which has not yet been named, has the potential to yield a 150 carat polished stone, a company spokesman said. That would be far bigger than the 105 carat round-cut Koh-i-Noor diamond seized by Britain from India in the 19th century and now part of the Crown Jewels. It would still only be a fraction of the size, however, of the Cullinan diamond discovered in 1905, which was 3,106 carats when recovered and yielded a teardrop shaped diamond of 530 carats: the Great Star of Africa. The Letseng mine is owned by a mining company that is 70 percent owned by Gem Diamonds, with the remaining 30 percent held by the Lesotho government. Gem Diamonds’s share price on the London Stock Exchange was 741.50 pence at the close of trading on Friday.

Yahoo News

Boracay, Palawan among Asia’s top vacation spots: poll

yogoole — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 22:44:42 +0000

Travelers from all over the region have chosen Boracay Island and Palawan province in the Philippines as two of the best holiday destinations in Asia this year, according to a Web poll by online travel magazine Smart Travel Asia.

The 2008 online poll showed Boracay and Palawan ranking seventh and eighth respectively in the top 10 holiday destinations in Asia. Palawan shared eighth place with Chiang Mai, Thailand. Both Philippine destinations were jointly ranked seventh in the 2007 Smart Travel Asia poll.

Boracay is famous for its white sand beaches, which make it a popular tourist spot in the country. On the other hand, Palawan is rated by National Geographic Traveler magazine as the best island destination in East and Southeast Asia region in 2007, and the 13th best island in the world having “incredibly beautiful natural seascapes and landscapes.” Some of the most famous tourist spots in Palawan are the Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary, Coron Bay in Busuanga and the El Nido Marine Reserve Park.

The otherworldy Bali, Indonesia was chosen Asia’s top holiday destination in the Smart Travel Asia poll for the third straight year followed by Phuket, Thailand; Kerala, India; the island republic of Maldives; shopping mecca Hong Kong and Bangkok, Thailand. Angkor, Cambodia ranked ninth place while Koh Samui, Thailand and Rajasthan, India both shared tenth place.

Smart Travel Asia said the poll results revealed the continued dominance of Thailand as a “holiday brand” with four destinations in the Top Ten, and the strong emergence of India.

The same poll also showed El Nido Resort Lagen Island in Palawan ranking among the top 25 leisure hotels and resorts in Asia this year.

According to Smart Travel Asia, the poll results reflect the online voters’ “substantial hands-on travel experience, word-of-mouth at dinnertime chats, as well as an idea of the brand drawn from advertising and editorial exposure in the media, which is mostly online.” Smart Travel Asia is the region’s only dedicated online travel magazine with over one million readers worldwide.

Vijay Verghese, Smart Travel Asia editor, said voters in the annual travel poll took an average 15.5 annual air trips and earned $175,162 with roughly 60 percent based in Asia, 20 percent in UK/Europe and 20 percent in the United States. – David Dizon, abs-cbnNEWS.com

Autodesk Inventor in the Philippines

yogoole — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 22:28:11 +0000

Autodesk® Inventor® software provides a comprehensive set of 3D modeling and mechanical design tools for producing, validating, and documenting complete digital prototypes. The Inventor model is a 3D digital prototype that helps users visualize, simulate, and analyze how a design will work under real-world conditions before a product or part is ever built—helping manufacturers get to market faster with fewer physical prototypes and more innovative products.

Now is the time to take a look at Autodesk Inventor software and experience the benefits of Digital Prototyping at your own pace with the most trusted resource for leveraging and safeguarding your DWG™ data. Inventor software is not only the leader in bringing innovative capabilities to the manufacturing market, but is also the best-selling 3D mechanical design design software, having outsold all competitors seven years running.

You may contact details below for further inquiries regarding this software with their Manila and Cebu Office.

For price quotation, software demonstration, or other concerns please contact us.

Mailing Address – Manila Office

Unit 705-I Park Trade Center 1716 Investment Drive, Madrigal Business Park Alabang, Muntinlupa City,
1780 Philippines

Contact Numbers – Manila Office

Telephone: +632 8090495
Fax Number: +632 7723478

Email – Manila Office

Technical Support:
gtampoc@vector-data.com
jdelacruz@vector-data.com
customer.support@vector-data.com

Sales Inquiry:
rblancaflor@vector-data.com
marketing@vector-data.com

Mailing Address – Cebu Office

U #5,FCB Financial Center Bldg. A,C. Cortes Cor. Burgos St. Alang-Alang, Mandaue City Cebu, Philippines

Contact Numbers – Cebu Office

Cellphone: +63 927 384-2079

Telephone: +63 032-2361525
Fax Number: +63 032-2361524

Email – Cebu Office

Sales and Technical Support:
tech_cebu@vector-data.com

Hours of Operation

Monday – Friday
08:30 a.m. – 05:30 p.m.

‘Mad Men,’ ’30 Rock’ take top Emmy awards

yogoole — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 05:00:04 +0000

LOS ANGELES – The sleek ’60s drama “Mad Men” made Emmy history Sunday as the first basic-cable show to win a top series award, while the sitcom “30 Rock” and its stars Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin also emerged as big winners.

“We’re all so very grateful to have jobs in this turkey-burger economy,” Fey said after accepting the best comedy series trophy for her satire about a late-night TV show.

“This is the greatest job I’ve ever had in my life,” Baldwin said of his role an a network executive.

He paid tribute to Fey, the NBC show’s star and creator, as “the Elaine May of her generation.”

“I thank my parents for somehow raising me to have confidence that is disproportionate with my looks and abilities. Well done. That is what all parents should do,” said Fey, who also won for best actress and writing in a comedy series.

Emmy voters rewarded quality, not ratings: Many of the winners draw relatively small audiences. AMC’s “Mad Men,” which looks at America through the prism of Madison Avenue, is lucky to get 2 million viewers.

Glenn Close of FX’s “Damages” and Bryan Cranston of AMC’s “Breaking Bad” captured drama acting trophies.

Close, honored for her portrayal of a ruthless attorney, complimented her fellow nominees, including Holly Hunter and Sally Field.

“We’re proving that complicated, powerful, mature women are sexy in high entertainment and can carry a show,” she said. “I call us the sisterhood of the TV drama divas.”

Cranston won the trophy for his role of a desperate man who turns to making drugs.

Dianne Wiest of “In Treatment” and Zeljko Ivanek of “Damages” won supporting acting honors for the drama series. Jean Smart of ABC’s “Samantha Who?” was honored as best supporting actress in a comedy series, with Jeremy Piven her actor counterpart for “Entourage.”

Piven took aim at the five reality hosts who helped open the ceremony in what could charitably called a rambling way, saying, “What if I just kept talking for 12 minutes — what would happen? That was the opening.”

The crowd at the 60th annual Primetime Emmy Awards laughed heartily, not a good sign for the hosts, who included Ryan Seacreast of “American Idol.”

Don Rickles was honored for best individual performance in a variety or music program for “Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project.”

“It’s a mistake,” Rickles said. “I’ve been in the business 55 years and the biggest award I got was an ashtray from the Friar’s in New York.”

Best reality-competition program went to “The Amazing Race,” the show’s sixth award. It and “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” are now tied for most consecutive awards in a best-series category.

Jeff Probst of “Survivor,” one of the ceremony’s masters of ceremonies, claimed the first award for best reality series host. “We feel honored to be part of this family. Thank you for letting reality in,” he said.

As the evening progressed, politics went from having a cameo to a co-starring role.

“I really look forward to the next administration, whoever it is,” Jon Stewart said as he accepted the best variety, music or comedy series award for “The Daily Show.” “I have nothing to follow that. I just really look forward to the next administration.”

Later, Stewart and Stephen Colbert, whose “The Colbert Report” won a writing trophy, teamed to present an award — and exchange banter in which they used a package of prunes as a metaphor for the upcoming presidential election.

“America needs prunes. It may not be a young, sexy plum. Granted, it’s shriveled and at times hard to swallow. But this dried-up old prune has the experience we need,” Colbert said.

Tommy Smothers received a commemorative writing achievement for his work on the cutting-edge and controversial “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” from the late ’60s — and turned serious.

“It’s hard for me to stay silent when I keep hearing that peace is only attainable through war. And there’s nothing more scary than watching ignorance in action,” he said, dedicating his award to “all people who feel compelled to speak out, and are not afraid to speak to power, and won’t shut up and refuse to be silenced.”

Martin Sheen, who played a president on “The West Wing,” lauded television for giving America a front-row seat to real presidential campaigns. Then he urged viewers to vote for “the candidate of your choice, at least once.”

The award for best TV movie went to “Recount,” about the contested 2000 Bush-Gore contest.

HBO’s “John Adams,” about the founding father, was named best miniseries and won other awards including acting trophies for Paul Giamatti, Laura Linney and Tom Wilkinson.

The historical drama set a record for most awards, 13, including five trophies Sunday and eight previously announced. The record of 11 was held by HBO’s “Angels in America,” the TV academy said.

HBO was the most-honored network, with 26 awards earned Sunday and at the creative arts ceremony held earlier this month. ABC was second with 12 awards, followed by CBS, NBC and PBS with 10 each; AMC with eight, Showtime with five and Fox with four.

Throughout the evening, the ceremony kept its landmark 60th birthday in the spotlight with salutes to television’s past.

Pop star Josh Groban offered a marathon medley of TV theme songs, ranging from “The Simpsons” to “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” to “South Park” to “Gilligan’s Island.” At one point, Ed McMahon kicked in a “Heeeere’s Johnny!” to salute Johnny Carson‘s “Tonight” show.

A tribute to memorable TV dialogue of the past was delivered by the stars of today in an opening clip package.

“One of these days, Alice, pow, right in the kisser!” Helen Mirren said, quoting Jackie Gleason’s line from “The Honeymooners.”

As the show opened at the Nokia Theatre, Howie Mandel and his fellow hosts riffed about a lack of material for the ceremony.

They then turned to slapstick: “Boston Legal” star William Shatner came on stage to help Tom Bergeron rip off co-host Heidi Klum’s modest suit to reveal hot pants and more skin.

By LYNN ELBER, AP Television Writer

Apple’s new iPod Nano hits RP market

yogoole — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 15:16:05 +0000

It would not be hailed as the “funnest (not funniest) iPod ever” for nothing. Apple’s new iPod Nano is an “impossibly thin” music device that comes in vibrant colors – silver, purple, blue, green, orange, yellow, pink, and black. “I think the reaction is similar to the first Nano. You see it in pictures, you see it in the Web and it doesn’t do justice. But if you finally see it up close and you hold it you realize it’s impossibly thin,” Elbert Cuenca, chairman of the Philippine Macintosh Users Group, said in an ANC interview. The colors of the new and thinnest iPod are not the only sleek features it offers. Cuenca said iPod fanatics can now store more music, videos, games, and pictures onto the new curved aluminum and glass enclosure Nano because it is available in 8 gigabytes and 16 GB, more than twice the capacity of the first 4 GB Nano. A check on Apple’s Web site says the breakthrough Genius technology is incorporated to the new device. The feature allows the software to look for songs that “would go well” with the current music the user is playing. Apple Web site said: “It’s like having your own highly intelligent, personal DJ.” Its “shake-to shuffle” feature also makes the new music device more exciting. “While listening to music and you don’t like what you’re listening to, shake it and it will give you a new song,” Cuenca said. “Even Tagalog songs. It will match the Tagalog songs with other Tagalog [or] English songs. It sounds similar to that (current song). I cannot say it’s 100 percent accurate, maybe 80 to 85 [percent]… it essentially simplifies the creation of playlist you don t have,” he added. This is possible because of the built-in accelerometer that also allows the user to find his music faster. The user can also tilt or turn the Nano on its side so that, as what the Apple Web site says, you can “listen, watch and play in new ways.” It is touted as the “world’s biggest small screen” because of its two-inch widescreen display.

The new iPod Nano is now available in the Philippines. Cuenca said 8GB costs P7,250, or the price of the 4GB Nano. For 16 GB, the techies can avail of the new device for P10,200.

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 09/18/2008 4:01 PM

Gina Pareño wins Best Actress for “Serbis” in Russia

yogoole — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 12:32:47 +0000

Brillante Mendoza’s Serbis won the Best Director and Best Actress award for Gina Pareño in the Pacific Meridian International Film Festival of Asian-Pacific Countries held in Vladivostok , Russia from September 13-19. Director Mendoza attended the festival to accept the awards, both of which have substantial cash prizes. Serbis which premiered to mixed reviews in Cannes main competition last May had its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Regent Entertainment has acquired the U.S. distribution and they have confirmed that Serbis will open theatrically in select cities in the U.S. this November. It will have its U.S. premiere as an official selection in the New York Film Festival next month. Regent Entertainment executives Mark Reinhart (VP for acquisitions) and Jonathon Aubry (VP for Theatrical Marketing) hosted a dinner for Serbis after its first screening in Toronto. Also present in the dinner were director Mendoza, French co-producer Dider Costet, producer Ferdinand Lapuz, and Fortissimo executives Michael Werner and Wouter Barendrecht. With the release of Serbis this year, Regent said it is possible that it will qualify for the best foreign language film category in the Golden Globes awards and critics awards like the Los Angeles and New York Film Critics Awards. Michael and Wouter announced that they have finalized the Canadian deal of Serbis for Maximum Distribution for English Canada and Seville Pictures for French Canada. French co-producer Didier Costet is also releasing Serbis in France this November. Equation (the distributing arm of Swift Productions) is handling the French distribution of the film. Mendoza’s Foster Child was released in France last February by Ad Vitam and the DVD will be released this month.

The movie about petty thieves operating in Quiapo, Tirador, acquired by Swift Distribution will be released in France next year. Thailand ‘s Sahamongko Films plans to release Serbis later this year. Other territories which acquired Serbis so far are Benelux with Paradiso Entertainment, Singapore and Brunei with Cathay , Portugal with Lusomundo, Greece with Seven Films and in Israel with United King. Serbis produced by Centerstage Productions and Swift Productions was written by Armando Lao also featured Jaclyn Jose, Julio Diaz, Kristoffer King, Mercedes Cabral, Dan Alvaro, Roxanne Jordan, and Coco Martin. Earlier this year, Direk Dante’s Tirador won the Caligari Prize Award in Berlin’s Forum section and the Best Film, Director and Netpac Awards in Singapore. Foster Child won the Signis Award in Las Palmas and the Best Film and Best Actress (for Cherry Pie Picache) awards in Singapore. The acclaimed Filipino director will attend the New York screening of Serbis on October 12. He will also serve as instructor at the Asian Film Academy (September 25 to October 12) in Pusan, Korea. World-renowned Asian director Hou Hsiao Hsien will be this year’s Dean of the AFA. This November, Direk Dante will be a jury member in the international competition section of the Thessaloniki International Film Festival in Greece where Serbis is screening in the Independence Days section with Francis Pasion’s Jay. Paolo Villaluna and Ellen Ramos Ongkiko’ Selda is in the main competition section.

Ferdy Lapuz

Philippine Entertainment Portal

Sunday, September 21, 2008
05:33 PM

“Himala” is included in Top 18 Asian films—CNN

yogoole — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 08:17:32 +0000

Twenty-six years after it was shown in the Philippines, Nora Aunor’s Himala is once again in the spotlight. The 1982 Ishmael Bernal film about a faith healer is the only Filipino film that entered the Best Asian Films of all Time chosen by CNN UK (United Kingdom).The writer of this piece, Mairi Mackay, points out that Asia is home to 4 billion people in 70 countries. As such, it responsible for half of the world’s film output.The Ishmael Bernal movie is cited for having “austere camera work, haunting score and accomplished performances sensitively portray the harsh social and cultural conditions that people in the third world endure.”In Himala (which translates to Miracle), Nora Aunor portrayed Elsa, a simple barrio lass who believes that she has seen apparitions of the Virgin Mary–allowing her to go on a healing crusade in her small town. Locally, Himala won nine of 11 awards given at the 1982 Metro Manila Filmfest including Best Story/Screenplay, Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, and Best Production Design. Written by Ricky Lee, this dramatic film also won the Bronze Hugo Award during the 19th edition of the Chicago Film Festival.

ASIA’S BEST. The other entries are works of acclaimed Asian directors such as Akira Kurosawa (Ikiru, 1952) and Wong Kar-Wai (In the Mood for Love, 2000). CNN grouped New Zealand as part of Asia and came up with 2 entries for this list: Whale Rider (2002) and Utu (1983)Mother India (1957) was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film of the Academy Awards. Others were shortlisted for the Cannes Film Fest such as In The Mood for Love (2000) and The Ballad of Narayama (1958), which won the Palme d’Or in 1984.
Some of the films chosen proved to have a major influence on Hollywood films. Japan’s 1998 film Shall We Dansu? is the basis of the 2004 Hollywood flick starring Jennifer Lopez and Richard Gere. A Touch of Zen (1969), a kung fu movie from Hong Kong/Taiwan, had a massive influence on Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon starring Chow Yun Fat and Michelle Yeoh.
Completing the list are The Host (South Korea, 2006), Syndrome and a Century (Thailand, 2006), Still Life (China, 2006), Shower (China, 1999), Infernal Affairs (Hong Kong/China, 2002), Mandala (South Korea, 1981), To Live (China, 1994), When the Tenth Month Comes (Vietnam, 1984), and Gabbeh (Iran, 1996).

Jocelyn Dimaculangan

Philippine Entrtinmen Portal

Sunday, September 21, 2008
12:09 PM

ABS-CBN goes digital on its 55th anniversary

yogoole — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 15:00:15 +0000

As ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation celebrates its 55th anniversary, the media conglomerate marks a new milestone in Philippine broadcasting history by being the first to do tapeless TV production in and out of their studios.

The Kapamilya Network was the first among Philippine networks to recognize the digital trend in broadcasting by setting up a 100-percent non-linear post-production workflow. From 2003 to today, ABS-CBN has been increasing its number of editing and audio workstations and server storage to cope with the rising volume of content.

“ABS-CBN is unique to all other broadcasters in the world because we create our own content, about 90 percent. Not even CNN produces this much,” cites Raul Bulaong, head of the Kapamilya Network’s technical operations division. “With the size of our organization and the amount of work that we do, only Avid matches us.”

Avid Technology, Inc. is considered a leader in digital nonlinear media creation, management, and distribution solutions.

Patrick Ongchangco, ABS-CBN head of technical research and development, said the digitalization of TV production will improve the company’s efficiency in TV production, save time and costs, and improve video quality.

He said ABS-CBN can now record a game show like Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal in its studio or tape a teleserye like Kahit Isang Saglit on location without using video tapes.

“All our recordings whether from our studios or at the sets outside will be using servers instead of video tape recorders. These servers transfer the videos as files through our computer network like emails,” he said.

By going tapeless starting this September, Ongchangco said TV production staff can easily bring its new OB boxes to far flung areas for their tapings, giving them more flexibility and convenience than using the current OB vans.

In terms of post-production work, ABS-CBN technical production operations accounts head Arvin De la Vega said the shift from tape to tapeless also means shorter editing time by as much as four hours for a game show like The Singing Bee.

As of this writing, De la Vega said Kapamilya Deal or No Deal is one of the fortunate programs to use EVS (through Avid Interplay) and into Avid ISIS in a tapeless environment. He said, “The production teams have seen the benefits of tapeless production. There are no more apprehensions on using the new technology.”

Avid, ISIS and Interplay are also ABS-CBN’s gateways to Digital Media Asset Management, which provides a secure media archive. “That’s very exciting for us because it will allow our audience to access our library of TV shows—a mesmerizing 200,000 hours of video and counting—from their PC, laptop or TV,” said Bulaong.

With this development, the Philippines becomes the first country in Southeast Asia to go tapeless in TV production. This step is another addition to the innovations that ABS-CBN has introduced over the years such as launching Internet TV via TFCnow (formerly abs-cbnnow) in 2004, and rolling out Internet Protocol TV or IPTV via TFCko outside the country in 2007.

Philippine Entertainment Portal

Saturday, September 20, 2008
06:49 PM