In its recent Christmas party for the press, and even before at the AD Congress, TV 5 has announced that it is venturing into movie production next year. And the TV station which has rocketed into being No. 3 in the TV industry promises to produce more than the number of movies being churned out by the established film outfits associated with the two giant TV networks. But one skeptic asked: This is a very encouraging bit of news but will they have enough stars to feature in their movies? Because as of now, the current crop of film and TV performers are tied up with contracts to film companies and/or TV networks.

But anyway, TV5 announcement of its plan to do movies will mean the local film industry is headed for an exciting and invigorating start in 2010. The announcement is indeed a shot in the arm of the still ailing Filipino film industry.

Aside from this, it also announced its plan to expand its network coverage across the nation in 2010 and beef up infrastructure and manpower to make it an even bigger player in the industry. The network will also be leapfrogging technology by investing in high-definition production equipment with a completely tapeless, digital workflow.

TV5 is now powered by MediaQuest, the investee company of PLDT’s Beneficial Trust Fund. MediaQuest was first to launch mobile television in the Philippines with MyTV. It has investments in NBC Radio as well as in Business World. Aside from being the major content partner of PLDT’s Watchpad and Smart’s Sandbox, MediaQuest also owns Cignal, the first digital direct-to-home satellite service and the first to offer full high definition service nationwide. Now that it is part of this big organization, TV5 will play a vital role in providing content actors all media platforms and help spawn groundbreaking possibilities for the growing multi-media group.

For its entry into film production, ABC Development Corp. Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan shared: “For many countries, like the Philippines, movies have become part of local culture. We want to do our part in reinvigorating the movie industry. That’s why we plan to produce more movies than the combined total of the two leading networks.”

The TV5 team is now headed by Ray C. Espinosa as president and CEO, and Bobby V. Barreiro as EVP and COO and will be opening its doors to the best and the brightest stars in the industry. The latest to join TV5’s growing roster of stars is popular TV host Paolo Bediones. According to Paolo, his decision to move to the country’s fastest growing network was greatly influenced by the network’s long-term plans and the career path laid out for him in TV5.

Indeed, now that the network is powered by a dynamic organization that is already experienced in providing the nation-widest telecommunications coverage in the country, people can expect the best developments in TV5 in the coming months.

Pangilinan vowed: “This is a long term investment for us, one that we know will benefit a lot of people, from those behind the cameras to those in front of them. And ultimately, the Filipino audience, whether they’re watching on television, on their computers, on their mobile phones or any other device. From here in the Philippines or anywhere in the world, we will reach them and they can reach us.”

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UST Quadricentennial countdown starts Friday

The countdown for the University of Sto. Tomas Quadricentennial on 2011 starts on Friday, Dec. 18, via a grand celebration at the UST Grandstand. With the theme is “400 Years Celebration of Unending Grace,” the Quadricentennial Prayer, the Quadricentennial song, the Quadricentennial Flag and Quadricentennial Countdown Clock will be launched.

Friday’s kick-off event will include the parade of 400 people composed of theater groups, high school students, dance troupes, the UST Marching Band and students of different colleges. Some 400 students will light candles symbolizing the spark and the light of Christmas and Christianity. About 40,000 people are expected to fill the UST Quadrangle.

Miriam Quiambao and Kuya Kim Atienza will host the celebration while JC Cuadrado will be the segment host.

Rev. Fr. Isidro “Didoy” Abano, OP, the executive director for the Quadricentennial Activities and Highlights, is inviting all Thomasians, the alumni, the students and friends to participate in this historical event because “it is not only the history of UST but also the history of the Philippines.”

The UST Quadricentennial event is organized by Five2Seven Entertainment Production headed by Candy Pangilinan, creative director, and GB Sampedro who is the over-all director.

UST has produced a list of illustrious students, among them: Dr. Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Emilio Jacinto, Antonio Luna, Apolinario Mabini, Claro M. Recto; four presidents (Manuel L. Quezon, Sergio Osmeña, Jose P. Laurel and Diosdado Macapagal); six Chief Justices of the Philippine Supreme Court, and National Artists among others. Even in showbiz, some of the biggest names are products of UST: Piolo Pascual, Sarah Geronimo, Charlene Gonzalez, Robert Seña, Isay Alvarez, Nonoy Zuñiga, Kim Atienza, Miriam Quiambao, Iza Calzado, Precious Lara Quigaman, Aiza Seguerra, Albert Martinez, Ali Sotto, Alma Concepcion, Archie Alemania, Dominic Ochoa, Eula Valdez, Maricar Reyes, Jamie Rivera, Jao Mapa, Jojo Alejar, and Rachelle Lobangco.

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Fashionistas get a taste of Heaven

From the pigeonhole:

A preview of next season’s fashion trends was not the only thing that proved to be a hit among fashion lovers. Fashionistas who flocked to the recent Philippine Fashion Week Spring Summer 2010 event at the SMX Convention Centre also lined up to experience the heavenly taste of Heaven by Nestlé Ice Cream.

Heaven by Nestlé Ice Cream was one of the sponsors of the year’s biggest and most anticipated fashion event, which gathered over 100 designers in simultaneous shows that happened at the SMX Convention Centre and at the SM Mall of Asia.

Heaven by Nestlé Ice Cream presented the newest collections of designers Arnold Galang, Dita Sandico-Ong, Enrico Carado, Happy Andrada, Tina Daniac, Raoul Ramirez for ESAC, and Lyle Ibañez for ESAC Plus in a one-night presentation dubbed “Heaven by Nestlé Ice Cream presents Premier C.”

“Heaven by Nestlé Ice Cream Presents Premier C” showcased a fresh twist on spring-summer fashion featuring divine creations inspired by the premier ice cream brand’s heavenly flavors: Belgian Bliss, Strawberry Dream, and Vanilla Secret.

Heaven by Nestlé Ice Cream also gave guests a palate-pleasing treat through a sampling activity that lasted the entire run of this season’s Philippine Fashion Week. Angelic looking brand ambassadors covered the whole length of SMX Centre, offering guests a free taste of this extraordinarily rich ice cream which is made with 60 percent milk – 5x more milk than ordinary ice cream. Heaven by Nestlé Ice Cream is also made with only natural food colors making it perfect for discerning ice cream lovers.

The designers themselves were seen enjoying Nestlé Ice Cream Heaven Strawberry Dream, rich strawberry and cream ice cream with real strawberry pieces that indeed gave a refreshing treat after the successful fashion show.

Supermodels, on the other hand, couldn’t get enough of Vanilla Secret, velvety vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce and chopped almonds, while other guests raved about the rich chocolate flavor of Belgian Bliss, which has chopped Belgian chocolate bits for those who are just into chocolate ice cream.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Dec. 18 go to Atty. Cirilo T. Tolosa, Gen. Narciso M. Cabrera, Cesar Buenaventura, Frank Evaristo, Anta Carpo, Sheila Dizon, Ditzler Jaotegan, Roberto A. Tabor, Gene Pamittan, Vivien A. Cajucom, Esperanza P. Latonio, Jojo dela Cruz and Mrs. Luna Viernes of PCSO. Happy wedding anniversary to Robert and Tey Tabor.