“This is ABS-CBN Corporation Channel 2. In the service of the Filipino. Now signing off.”
After nearly 74 years in service of the Filipino people, the Philippines’ top broadcasting network, ABS-CBN, left millions of people in silence after going off the air on May 5. This was due to the Cease and Desist Order from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) ordering them to halt broadcast operations.
Aside from losing a number of entertainment shows and news shows that Filipinos look forward to during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, over 11,000 workers are in fear of losing their jobs. As an alternative, the media giant is using other platforms such as Facebook and Youtube livestreams and Twitter threads to continue delivering news.
Each of these 11,000 workers has a story. Discover how The Benildean unraveled stories of five ABS-CBN workers affected by the shutdown.
A family beyond tv screens, radio frequencies, behind-the-scenes
Karla Andrea Bonifacio, 27
“ABS-CBN knows how to take care of its people. I’ve been in the company for six years and it never crossed my mind to find another job; because we and our family are very much taken care of.”
Ms. Karla Bonifacio, Program Associate of News Program and Production Services of DZMM 630 and Teleradyo, shared how ABS-CBN taught her to become confident. As she used to avoid arguments and debates before, now she describes herself as “bold, outspoken, innovative, logical, independent, and strong-willed” with her “opinions to defend press freedom” for her second home.
Bonifacio explained how ABS-CBN serves not only through news dissemination or entertainment, but also as a helping hand to Filipinos through Lingkod Kapamilya, Bantay Bata, and relief operations during calamities. She also shared how employees are offered continuous learning by providing free courses such as script writing, video editing and filmmaking.
Amidst the “bullying, injustice, power tripping, and abuse of power,” as Bonifacio has lost her only source of income, she still strongly believes that “justice will prevail.”
“Many journalists have been killed in the previous years but I hope this won’t stop all of us to do our jobs.”
With this, Bonifacio considers this a wake-up call for everyone. “Now that ABS-CBN signed off, let us all use different platforms to voice out our opinions. Back in Marcos’ era, we have already won. We won’t let another man deprive us of our freedom.”
Kristoffer Michael A. Dimalanta, 33
“I believe ABS-CBN has touched so many. From kids, to teens, to our moms, our dads, lolos and lolas, it has always been a part of each “Kapamilya” member’s lives.”
As a motion graphic artist of ABS-CBN Integrated News and Current Affairs, Mr. Kristoffer Dimalanta reminisced about his work for 10 years. With the fast-paced and nonstop routines of their duties and responsibilities in the network, he would “lighten up the mood inside the newsroom by throwing silly jokes or making funny conversations with colleagues.”
Dimalanta described the essence of being a “Kapamilya” as a promise and a service catered by the network to masses, providing entertainment and news not only for the country but also, in other parts of the world through The Filipino Channel (TFC). His experiences taught him to “gain confidence at work”—learning to “stand up for what is right, [owning] up to [his] decisions and [not being] afraid if there are things needed to be asked and [said].”
From long hours of television production to reporting natural disasters, they had each other’s back as they had grown as a family. During the seasons they had to work on Christmas and New Year’s Day, they always looked forward to the annual “Kaway-Kaway” as they will be shown on screen before news programs end.
“We were given the chance to wave our his and hellos to our friends and relatives who are watching [as] our way of showing our love for our Kapamilyas,” he said.
Dimalanta also elaborated on the impact of the media giant to people. “Because of the company’s global reach, we can disseminate information and updates about COVID-19 to many Filipinos who lack these sources” together with utilizing “different media platforms.” Ultimately, he extends his gratitude to those people who continuously support their jobs on the network as well as battle for press freedom.
Shiela Adora G. Marcelo, 51
“Working in the network is not a job—it’s a calling—because employees are trained that service should be first and foremost; that we should learn to sacrifice our time if needed.”
Starting as a DZMM news writer in 1994, Ms. Shiela Marcelo is a “team player” who now works as a News Executive Producer (NEP) at DZMM.
Being in the industry for 26 years, she shared that [as a NEP] she doesn’t only let the writers do the script, but also help them. As a recipient of Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster (KBP) ng Pilipinas “Best Radio Newscast Program-Manila” for Radyo Patrol Balita Alas Dose in 2015, she says, “I don’t really play “boss” with my co-workers, like after work, we can go and eat somewhere or have some coffee.”
Moreover, she explained how the network “taught its employees to “voice out” from the very basic issues to the most sensitive or controversial ones.”
“In fact, we always have this “Chat with the Chairman,” a forum wherein employees can directly ask questions to the executives. So, it’s not surprising if you see posts of ABS-CBN employees on different social media accounts expressing sentiments over the closure of the network,” she said.
Marcelo is also a mother to four children. When The Benildean asked about her adjustments because of the recent shutdown she replied, “None. Working in ABS-CBN is my bread and butter.”
Furthermore, even though their bosses don’t ask them to, she shared that “because of our training of “speaking out,” we feel that it is our obligation to defend press freedom.” She also looks forward to “#IStandWithABSCBN” be continuously supported.
Ricky R. Rosales, 36
“It’s not only ABS-CBN’s position as the country’s largest network that paved the way for my continuous improvement. I am fortunate as well to have been mentored by some of the best in Philippine broadcast journalism…When you are with the best people, there is no way you can continue to join them [by not being] the best the way you can be.”
DZMM News Anchor Mr. Ricky Rosales is also a head and full-time faculty member at Centro Escolar University (CEU) Manila’s Communication and Media program. He has been working in ABS-CBN for 11 years. In 2019, he was a finalist for the 27th Golden Dove Awards in the “Best Newscaster” category.
By having countless moments as a standby anchor for typhoons, hostage-taking, and other special coverages—from sacrifices of sleepless nights to wearing the same clothes for days for a continuous event—he shared that “the most rewarding of all is when we are able to effect social change [through] our programs.”
He cited the termination of 13 University of Santo Tomas’ (UST) hospital workers amidst the pandemic due to financial losses as one of those instances.
“I aired the side of the employees and was able to connect to some authorities. PhilHealth denied the allegation. Subsequently, the UST hospital management recalled its decision to terminate the employees. In short, the employees won their first fight,” Rosales said.
He has also improved on-air discussions through the help of broadcast journalists in the industry. “Ted (Ted Failon) continues to guide me in my style of commenting on social issues, while ‘Kabayan’ (Noli de Castro) serves as my motivation in tackling issues that ordinary people understand.”
Acting as a teacher during broadcast and a broadcaster inside the classroom, Rosales adheres as being a journalist and an academic—two roles that complement each other despite their different functions to the society.
On the other hand, as for ABS-CBN’s recent shutdown, he emphasized that “[It] may be a legal battle on the side of the network, but you cannot separate ABS-CBN’s function in Philippine society as [a] “watchdog” of the three branches of government. The essence of democracy is plurality of voices whether these voices are critical or in favor of the government. By silencing one of these voices, you are undermining democracy.”
Maria Kristina E. Illana, 44
“Pakiramdam ko malaki ang naging epekto sa akin ng word na “service” [dahil[ sa ABS-CBN kasi personally, I want to help people. I don’t want to be in the limelight so I am always behind the scene.”
Another motion graphic artist of ABS-CBN Integrated News and Current Affairs, Ms. Tin Illana shared how the ABS-CBN core values namely, “Excellence, Teamwork, Teaching and Learning, Meritocracy, Honesty and Integrity, and Service Orientation” had made her into a mature individual as she served in the network for almost 20 years.
In her Facebook post, Illana revealed her behind-the-scenes experiences in different television shows from working as an on-the-job trainee during a Halalan coverage in 1998 until her present work, learning the tricks of the trade.
She also put her heart in serving the masses despite missing family events and risking herself in the field during calamity coverages or rallies.
“Kasi alam kong kailangan malaman ng mas nakararaming tao kung ano ang nangyayari kaya kailangan kong pumasok. Kailangan kong tumulong sa paraan na alam ko,” she said.
Furthermore, she added how their duties impart truthful information to the public. “We also abide to just tell the facts; no more, no less. Kailangan factual and may basis lahat so, we also need to know all the facts not just make graphics to be aired. [Hence,] we double check.”
Illana expressed her thoughts on the injustice of the media network’s shutdown as it doesn’t only affect their livelihood as employees, but also the service it gives—“the means of the people to be heard and the right of the people [to know] information na nangyayari sa buong bansa.”
With the network’s shutdown, these employees have shown how being a Kapamilya honed them to be who they are today—the voice of Filipinos, especially in times of crisis.
Looking back at their experiences, whether on-air or off-air, the stories created in their second home will never be forgotten. As they fight for the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, they continue to serve until their voices are heard again on the air waves.
TV Patrol and DZMM programs are still aired on other channels such as ANC, TV Plus (Channel 5), and Sky Cable (Channel 26). ABS-CBN’s live streams can be checked through their respective social media account links below:
Website: https://news.abs-cbn.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheABSCBNNews
FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/abscbnNEWS/
