Kapamilya broadcast journalist Bernadette Sembrano cannot help herself but shed some tears seeing former colleagues after visiting TV5.
In her most recent vlog on YouTube on January 15, Sembrano was about to ask Alex Gonzaga some tips on how to become a better vlogger.
However, she was in for a surprise when the vlogger-host led her to the set of the noontime show Laugh Out Loud (LOL).
There she saw former Kapamilya employees and artists including Billy Crawford, Bayani Agbayani, and Wacky Kiray.
The broadcast journalist has been informed that at least 90% of the staff of LOL were from ABS-CBN. That’s when she realized the hardship that they went through two years ago.
“Naiiyak ako. Kasi nandito na lahat ng mga kasama namin,” Sembrano said while crying.
“Andito tayo para i-vlog si Alex pero hindi ko alam ang makikita ko pala dito mga kasamahan natin sa ABS-CBN. So na-emotional ako especially when I think about what we went through.”
When Wacky Kiray expressed concern after seeing her cry, she responded, “Kasi wala nang tao sa atin!”
She described ABS-CBN as a “ghost town.” But when she saw former Kapamilyas all working together in the set of LOL, Sembrano realized that her co-workers are still in the industry.
“Kasi ngayon, kapag iikot kayo sa ABS, mukha na kaming ghost town. Pero yung makita mo lahat ng tao na nandito, parang, ‘nand’yan pala kayo,'” said the broadcast journalist.
Although they have switched networks, Sembrano still considered them a part of the Kapamilya network as she said, “Ang tawag ko sa kanila, mga forever Kapamilya.”
ABS-CBN shut down in 2021 when its franchise expired. At least 11,000 employees were deprived of livelihood amid the height of the Covid-19 global pandemic.
The Duterte Government prevented its renewal with a vote of 70-11 from the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, forcing the network to explore the digital platform.
Meanwhile, TV Patrol, where Sembrano is currently part of, has introduced new faces after some of its anchors have already left.
Noli De Castro left the show after deciding to run for senator in the upcoming election. Another anchor Julius Babao has switched to TV5 and Kim Atienza is now with GMA Network.
