Kapamilya viewers made the #IbalikAngABSCBN trend today, as it marks the first year since ABS-CBN went off-air due to the expiration of its congressional franchise.
The loss of its franchise made a huge blow not only to the Network but also to the information dissemination in the Philippines.
And with the largest and most-watched network out of free TV, Netizens supported the station by making it the most talked about topic on Twitter.
LOOK: #IbalikAngABSCBN is the top trending topic on Twitter Philippines, as of 10 a.m. this Wednesday.
ABS-CBN marks a year since it signed off the air on TV & radio after the expiration of its congressional franchise. | via @anjo_bagaoisan pic.twitter.com/4MxKJquYzm
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) May 5, 2021
Meanwhile, Kapamilya celebrities also reminisced the unfortunate time in ABS-CBN history.
Actor and “It’s Showtime” host, Vhong Navarro, expressed his optimism despite the Network being franchise-less. Navarro promised to continue making the viewers happy to the best of his ability.
Isang taon na ang nakakalipas pero patuloy kaming nagpapasaya sa abot ng aming makakaya
pic.twitter.com/cHoajxIKZM
— Vhong Navarro (@VhongX44) May 5, 2021
Navarro’s co-host in the noontime show, Anne Curtis-Smith expressed her gratitude to the Network’s loyal supporters. The actress also stressed that ABS-CBN, which is making everything possible without the franchise, owes everything to its solid Kapamilyas who are still there supporting the Network.
It’s been a year since we were all left in disbelief. Maraming Salamat sa mga loyal Kapamilya who continue to support ABSCBN na patuloy gumagawa ng paraan para makapaglingkod, makapamahagi ng impormasyon, balita at makapagbigay saya sa pamilyang Pilipino saan mang parte ng mundo pic.twitter.com/ow1VAyg5Jt
— Anne Curtis-Smith (@annecurtissmith) May 5, 2021
Another “It’s Showtime” host, Jugs Jugueta, showed his support to the Network.
— ＪＵＧＳ Ｊｕｇｕｅｔａ (@jugsjugsjugs) May 5, 2021
Their co-host, actress Kim Chiu also marked the one-year anniversary of a franchise-less ABS-CBN.
— kim chiu (@prinsesachinita) May 5, 2021
In her next tweet, she looked back at how the news of the Network being booted out of free TV devastated many Filipinos. Kim also stressed that despite the allegations to ABS-CBN being answered, the government continues to deny the station its franchise. With that being said, she revealed how scared she was with what the future holds for the Filipinos and the Kapamilya Network.
A year ago today!
Hearts are broken. So many questions, allegations have been answered yet…. still………..
woke up today with a heavy heart, thinking of what the future is for us? Living like this. Afraid, scared, worried.
— kim chiu (@prinsesachinita) May 5, 2021
In a series of tweets, Kapamilya actress Bianca Gonzales shared a photo that was taken a year ago. She shared how it made her remember all the emotions she felt a year ago when the Network was taken down by the Government.
From my phone gallery a year ago… Bumalik lahat ng emosyon nang makita ko ang mga paalala na isang taon na ang nakalipas. pic.twitter.com/l6WEELZSiN
— Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) May 5, 2021
In another tweet, Gonzales shared an ABS-CBN message to the Filipinos. She used the hashtag #AnditoKamiParaSayo to support the Network’s words of encouragement.
#AnditoKamiParaSaYo
— Bianca Gonzalez Intal (@iamsuperbianca) May 5, 2021
Film director Neil Daza also cannot forget the date when the Network was forcibly ordered to go off-air.
May 5, marks the first year when ABS-CBN was forced off the air. Never forget. #NeverForget pic.twitter.com/dDIug48ADz
— neildaza (@neildaza) May 4, 2021
Radio host, DJ Chacha is hopeful that ABS-CBN can overcome this dark situation, with a declaration that the Network will one day return.
“Hopeful pa rin ako. Alam ko namang makababangon pa rin ang ABS-CBN and alam ko one day babalik at babalik sila sa ere.”https://t.co/ycTUT1ufq2
— DJ Chacha (@_djchacha) May 5, 2021
Actress Ruffa Gutierrez shared several tweets in line with the one-year mark of ABS-CBN out of free TV. Gutierrez started her tweet remembering how the Network, amid the pandemic was shut down.
https://twitter.com/iloveruffag/status/1389767018568568836
In the following tweet, Gutierrez shared an order from the NTC (National Telecommunications Commission) halting ABS-CBN’s operation. The actress shared how heartbroken she was when the agency released the memo.
https://twitter.com/iloveruffag/status/1389767701933920259
With NTC stopping the Network from continuing to air its programs, Gutierrez urged Filipinos to continue in praying that ABS-CBN, may rise above this predicament.
https://twitter.com/iloveruffag/status/1389768596306288643
Thus, before ending her tweet about ABS-CBN, the actress encouraged the public to be register and vote in the upcoming elections, with a reminder to not forget the names who rejected the franchise application of the Network.
https://twitter.com/iloveruffag/status/1389773666695532544
Former Kapamilya, comedian Marietta Subong or Pokwang, thanked ABS-CBN for taking care of her throughout all these years.
View this post on Instagram
ABS-CBN went off-air on May 5, 2020, in compliance with the NTC’s cease and desist order following the expiration of its franchise.
Despite answering all the claims and providing sufficient evidence to rebuke all allegations, the Government still insisted that the Network may have violated some law, thus the rejection of its franchise application.
However, the rejection was not because of some violation. There is political motivation led by the president himself, Rodrigo Duterte.
Before ABS-CBN’s departure, Duterte had vowed, on multiple occasions, that he will block its 1995 broadcast franchise.
Duterte did make true to his word. ABS-CBN departed on free TV amidst the pandemic. But this tragedy only led the Network to venture and utilize the growing digital platform. The station launched its Kapamilya Online Live on Youtube and Facebook which live streams ABS-CBN shows.
Not only taking advantage of the digital age, but ABS-CBN also had plans to get back into free TV. In October 2020, the Kapamilya Network made a deal with A2Z, making its comeback on free-to-air. TV5 followed in January 2021 when it announced that the Kapatid channel will start airing Kapamilya shows such as ASAP Natin To and FPJ’s Da King. And on March of the same year, TV5 included ABS-CBN’s entire Primetime Bida lineup as part of its evening segment.
Though ABS-CBN got ousted of its position on free broadcasting, the Network improved its limited reach by expanding through digital platforms and collaborating with other networks. With such a move, the Kapamilya Network is slowly getting back to its feet. It also is starting to take, piece by piece, the viewership it once enjoyed.
