It’s Showtime host Vice Ganda celebrates ABS-CBN‘s survival a year after Congress decided to reject its franchise renewal bid.
Vice Ganda said that the pain he felt when the franchise was rejected now turned to happiness seeing their network flourish despite the challenges.
“Dati sobra akong nalulungkot, talagang nadudurog puso ko. Pero ngayon, sumasaya na ko. Parang, the pain that I felt before is giving me strength right now. My God, isang taon na po ang nakakalipas pero nakatindig pa rin tayo ha”
On July 10 last year, Congress, with a vote of 70-11, rejected the franchise renewal bid of the country’s biggest media company. Despite clearing the allegations thrown against them, ABS-CBN is still deprived of a franchise, taking them off to free television.
The host also added that ABS-CBN went against the expectations of people who thought that the network would ultimately stumble.
“Inakala natin na tuluyan na talaga tayong tutumba, durog na durog, na maibabaon pero nakatayo at unti-unting umaangat. Maliliit man pero it matters so much yung mga pag-angat na yan
“Yung patuloy nating pagsasama-sama, nakakataba ng puso. Ako, kung tutulo man luha ko, tutulo na yung luha ko na may kasamang ngiti at saya, at punong-puno ng pag-asa.”
As the network shifts to other available platforms, the support they receive from the people remains constant.
“One year na po yan, and we are still here not just surviving but thriving for you madlang pipol”
Vice also expressed gratitude to A2Z and TV5 networks for backing ABS-CBN during its lowest point.
“Ang laki ng puso ng A2Z na binigyan tayo ng extra bahay. Pati na rin sa TV5, maraming salamat at pinatuloy nyo ang mga programa ng ABS-CBN dyan sa inyong istasyon. Parehas silang naniniwala na hindi pwedeng mahinto ang pagbibigay lingkod ng ABS-CBN sa buong mundo.”
ABS-CBN currently has block time deals with TV5 and A2Z so, some Kapamilya programs air on the said networks.
In May, Vice Ganda also remembered the anniversary of the ABS-CBN’s exit from free TV. He then assured that ABS-CBN was never defeated and will continue to be of service to the Filipino people.
Many employees and talents were laid-off, some chose to leave the network, but Vice Ganda is one of the Kapamilya celebrities who remained loyal to the network despite the shutdown.
