March 14, 2017 (Tokyo, Japan) – This 2017, ABS-CBN Japan Inc. celebrates a decade of service by bringing more avenues for Filipinos in Japan to feel at home even while they are outside the homeland. Anchored on its theme “Isang Pamilya Tayo,” the international arm of ABS-CBN Corporation’s flagship service The Filipino Channel (TFC) defines its Kapamilya service through shows that bring homegrown entertainment and news from the Philippines, events that entertain, and service beyond content that inspires.
While it first launched its flagship service The Filipino Channel (TFC) in 2000 via direct-to-home (DTH) service SkyPerfectTV, ABS-CBN Japan launched its full broadcast service – Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) first in 2007. Since the launch of its IPTV or video-on-demand (VOD) service ABS-CBN in Japan has been bringing in more of the best homegrown programs to ease the homesickness of Filipinos in Japan
TFC has been sharing top-rating shows from the homeland, including live news from flagship “TV Patrol.” TFC has been bringing a comprehensive line-up that also included localized programs for overseas Filipinos in Japan with “Barangay Japan,” via satellite and online (TFC.tv). This year TFC brings its online service a notch higher with more movies, and sub-titled shows at very affordable packages.
CORE SERVICE
Aside from its news and current affairs programs, TFC has been providing programs that mirror the lives of Filipinos and their families in the Philippines such as “Maalaala Mo Kaya” and showcase world-class entertainment via “ASAP.”
Today, TFC continues to offer programs that speak of the core of Filipinos –- family and values. These programs include: “A Love To Last” that shows that family comes first; “My Dear Heart” that shows unity in adversity; “The Better Half” that speaks of how commitment can withstand challenges; and “Wildflower” that shows that family love inspires a person to withstand challenges.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Community-based to large scale, TFC has been reaching out to Kapamilyas in many prefectures of Japan to provide that live ABS-CBN experience. Every year, TFC joins barrio fiestas to reach the local community during this tradition of Philippine Fiesta in Japan. Notable performances were Richard Poon’s serenades during the 2012 “Barrio Fiesta” and music with comical injections from the Concert King and one of the early TFC Ambassadors Martin Nievera and then “Be Careful With My Heart” tandem Tart “Yaya Doris” Carlos and Viveika “Yaya Sabel” Ravanes at the “Barrio Fiesta” in Yokohama in 2013.
Bringing the biggest stars from ABS-CBN are full house events that include the “Pamaskong Handog sa Nagoya” with Piolo Pascual and KC Concepcion in 2012; “Kapamilya Fiesta World” in Tokyo with Bea Alonzo, John Lloyd Cruz, Richard Yap, Paulo Avelino plus Chokoleit in 2012, and with Coco Martin, Bamboo, Kim Chiu plus Kakai Baustista in 2013.
Meantime, TFC’s iconic “One Kapamilya Go” kicked off 2016 with a bang as it brought no less than iconic loveteam Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz, headlining the roster of Kapamilya stars including Dance Royalties Maja Salvador, Shaina Magdayao and Enchong Dee plus Pooh.
PHILIPPINES’ BLOCKBUSTER HITS
From the silver screen, TFC has also been sharing Pinoy movie hits from ABS-CBN production and film outfit Star Cinema. In 2012, TFC organized “Friday Movie Nights” to bring together Kapamilyas at the TFC home in Tokyo for a chance to watch favorite Star Cinema hits. In 2015, TFC partnered with Speed Money Transfer to bring back cinematic hits on the big screen via Cinefiesta that featured blockbuster hits such as “You’re My Boss,” and “Crazy Beautiful You.”
This March, via Pay Per View on TFC IPTV and TFC online (TFC.tv), Filipinos in Japan will get to enjoy more of these hits from Star Cinema and other movie outlets. Kicking off the line-up is a movie that talks about old and newfound friendships in “The Super Parental Guardians” and the youth-oriented film “Vince, Kath, and James” in May.
SERVICE BEYOND TELEVISION
On print, TFC has also been bringing customized content via Star Studio Magazine Japan edition. Taking off from one of the widely read publications in the Philippines, Star Studio magazine features lifestyle articles about Kapamilya stars as well as community articles about Filipinos living in Japan.
IN THE SERVICE OF THE FILIPINO WORLDWIDE
Consistent with the theme “Isang Pamilya Tayo,” TFC launched “Kapamilya Reunion” in 2015 to bring together OFs and their families in a virtual Christmas reunion. Kapamilya stars provided the warm company of Kapamilyas plus entertainment, noche buena feasts filled each participant missing the Pinoy Christmas celebration while exchange gifts completed the Christmas feel.
Taking the meaning of service beyond, TFC had also been recognizing heroes of their time via the Gaward Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino awards. In 2014, TFC awarded organizations who have devoted their efforts to providing better lives for their less fortunate kababayans in formal rites most recent of which is in Chiba on May 2014 where Philippine Ambassador to Japan H.E. Manuel Lopez awarded regional winners while Kapamilya stars Angel Locsin and Mitoy Yonting paid tribute to the modern day heroes.
Most importantly, the TFC team in Japan, along with the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, extended their helping hand to survivors of the Great Big Earthquake in 2011. In 2012, TFC in Japan donated ¥1.123 million to the Japan Philippine Red Cross. To date, TFC still continues to imbibe this corporate social responsibility.
For updates on shows, events and other information, visit facebook.com/TFCJapan
