From the pigeonhole:

To welcome 2011 with a bang, UNTV CEO Daniel Razon launched the station’s News and Rescue Command Center. Quite different from the usual TV reporting, UNTV now incorporates rescue operations as part and parcel of its operations.

It is to be remembered that the idea of including rescue was first broached during the public service channel’s sixth year anniversary last July.

UNTV also deployed news and rescue mobile units for its massive emergency response operations during the peak of the New Year revelry.

The UNTV News and Rescue Command Center, together with the rescue mobile units, completes Razon’s advocacy that contemplates the combination of bolder news with rescue mission. This initiative is dubbed as “Tulong Muna Bago Balita (Rescue First, Before News).”

As another first in Philippine broadcast history, the UNTV News and Rescue Command Center has fulfilled Razon’s promise to come up with a Rescue 911-like hotline. Like the American version, hotline numbers are opened for rescue and medical services. However, unlike Rescue 911, the UNTV service is free of charge.

“It doesn’t matter if we come late in reporting if we come first in giving aid,” said Kuya Daniel in the vernacular during UNTV’s year-end special presentation.

Titled “Panibagong Taon ng Pagkakawang-gawa, Panibagong Taon ng Pagbabalita,” the special coverage was broadcast live from 9 p.m. of Dec. 31 to 5 a.m., the next day. The theme embodied the station’s desire to render rescue and urgent assistance to people in need while making an all-out effort to deliver large-scale reportage.

In Metro Manila alone, 10 mobile units were deployed around its five districts, backed-up by Ang Dating Daan ambulances, to provide emergency assistance for various incidents like firecracker injuries. UNTV reported that the 10 Rescue-and-News vehicles were equipped, not only with rescue gears and devices sufficient to administer immediate medical and safety needs, but also with portable video-over-cellular backpack solution for mobile broadcast called, Live U.

Meanwhile, rescue mobile units were also deployed at major points of Northern and Southern Philippines. UNTV also opened “Clinic ni Kuya” branches around the country.

Joining UNTV’s News and Rescue Team were the Search and Rescue Unit Foundation (SARUF) and the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) headed by Gen. Nick Bartolome. SARUF is an army rescue unit in the Philippines that trained UNTV’s correspondents and staffs for emergency response.

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Bianca proves mettle via ‘Juanita Banana’

Proving her acting mettle via ABS-CBN’s toprating afternoon drama “Juanita Banana” is beauty queen Bianca Manalo. She is of course Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2009. “Juanita Banana,” is based on one of the late Pablo S. Gomez’s well-loved novels.
Before “Juanita Banana,” Bianca showcased her acting talent in an episode of “Maalaala Mo Kaya” where she starred opposite Rayver Cruz. In “Magkaribal,” Bianca proved her comedic skills. Her versatility prompted ABS-CBN management to launch the beauty queen to her first major series.

When asked how she felt about this opportunity, Bianca said, “Masarap po sa pakiramdam ang pagkatiwalaan ka ng isang proyekto lalo na sa isang baguhan na katulad ko.”

She added: “The whole ‘Juanita Banana’ team is very supportive kaya di rin naging masyadong mahirap for me to adjust. Ang saya-saya namin sa set. Magaan sa pakiramdam, parang ‘yung ‘feel’ rin ng kuwento ng ‘Juanita Banana.’”

In the daily afternoon series, Bianca is teamed up with Rayver Cruz and Matt Evans who were very happy to be working with the former beauty queen. “By nature kasi, nakakatuwa si Bianca, so I’m sure this whole project will be a fun experience. I’m so excited that we were given another project after our stint in ‘Magkaribal,’” said Matt.

“Juanita Banana,” a remake of the 1968 movie of the same title, is the story of Juanita and Prince Rikitik. It is a fantasy comedy based on the Pinoy folk belief that catching a teardrop from a banana tree’s heart will give a person magical powers.

For updates on “Juanita Banana,” log on to www.abs-cbn.com or http://teamkapamilya.multiply.com and follow abscbndotcom on Twitter.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Jan. 11, go to Roger Serafica, president of Burgundy Realty Corp., Anos Fonacier, Atty. Eric Aguiluz, Butch Dans, Las Vegas-based Lyn D’ Amor, Atty. Malou Sarao, Dr. Manny Palabrica, Dr. Harry Lockhart, Glenny Calleja, Dr. Fernando A. de Mesa of UST Hospital, Sheila Lina, Jojo Bacasmas, Maricel Soriano’s son Tien-Tien, Marlon Cezar A. Esteba, Nap Alip, Tony Molina and Cindy Khan of UK…