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November 14, 2016 (Dubai, Middle East) – With less than a month to go before the “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano: Isang Pasasalamat’s” first tour stop in the Middle East and just as tickets have been released, the show’s stars are already gearing up for The Filipino Channel’s (TFC) major event on December 2 and 3 in Al Khobar and Dubai.

Kicking off ABS-CBN Middle East’s 20th anniversary and part of ABS-CBN’s 2016 Christmas theme “Isang Pamilya Tayo,” the event brings together key members of the cast of “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” led by King of Primetime Coco Martin along with “ASAP” Soul Sessions’ Daryl Ong, to celebrate with Filipinos overseas as one family.

“Ang Probinsyano: Isang Pamilya Tayo” may be Martin’s second time in the Middle East but this early, he is looking forward for the chance to see his kabayans in the Middle East again.  “Bago ako naging artista, nabuhay ko ang pamilya ko sa pagsisikap ko sa abroad.  Kaya naman malapit sa akin ang mga overseas Filipinos. – naiintindihan ko ang kanilang pinagdadaanan.”  Martin adds, “Kahit pumunta na ako rito noon para sa ‘Walang Hanggan,’excited akong makasama silang muli para sa “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano: Isang Pamilya Tayo.”

Quezon City, Philippines (November 11, 2016) - With the theme “Isang Pamilya Tayo Ngayong Pasko,” ABS-CBN’s 2016 Christmas Station ID (CSID) puts the spotlight on Filipinos who have shown how we, as a people, can rise above any challenge and grow stronger because of our love for family and faith in God.

Launched Monday, November 7, in simultaneous events at the ABS-CBN compound, at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Cubao, Quezon City as well as in Baguio, Tacloban, and Cagayan De Oro, the star-studded CSID has been the talk of the town with the hashtag #IsangPamilyaTayo even trending worldwide as people anticipated, watched, and reacted to the inspiring and heartwarming moments in the video.

Leading the way in sharing real-life stories of hardships, struggles, and successes of Filipinos in everyday life were ABS-CBN Chief Content Officer, Executive Adviser to the Chairman, and ABS-CBN University President Charo Santos-Concio, Vice Ganda, and Coco Martin, who all shared words of wisdom to students; John Lloyd Cruz who joined a young boy in his 7 kilometer walk to school; Piolo Pascual who swam with an amputee-turned-swimming champion; and Angel Locsin, who got to know the beginnings of Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz.

The anchors of “TV Patrol” Ted Failon, Bernadette Sembrano, and Kabayan Noli De Castro also visited people who can be sources of inspiration and encouragement for other Filipinos not to give up on their dreams, like the Typhon Yolanda survivors in Tacloban. Some of the stories featured are that of a young child who graduated valedictorian, a woman now known as the “Junkyard Queen,” and a family that has risen from tragedy and is now making a living from Christmas lanterns.

Philippine television’s Queen of Asianovelas Kim Jung-eun finally returns as Vivian in the highly-anticipated comeback of the original “super kilig” Koreanovela “Lovers in Paris” beginning Monday (June 30) on ABS-CBN. Relive the love story of Vivian and Carlo (Park Shin-yang) that began in Paris. Reminisce their “Aja!” moments together in this phenomenal series that started the Korean romantic-comedy trend in the country 10 years ago. How can a bubbly, free-spirited girl and a rich bachelor who pretended to be lovers actually find love despite their differences? Fall in love all over again in “Lover in Paris” premiering this Monday (June 30), 10 AM in ABS-CBN’s Umaganda. For more updates, follow @Kapamilanovela on Twitter or like the official Kapamilyanovela Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ABSCBNKapamilyanovelas.

Julia Barretto will show TV viewers the true meaning of beauty as her top-rating primetime fantaserye in ABS-CBN “Mirabella” airs its "Beautiful Ending" this Friday (July 4). Tension heats up in the last week of "Mirabella” as Alfred (James Blanco) finds out that Mira (Julia) is his real daughter. How will Mira be able to keep the peace within their family now that Olive (Mylene Dizon) and Iris (Mika dela Cruz) are doing everything to bring her down? Will she make them realize that a person’s inner beauty is far more important than physical appearance? In the end, who will break the curse that Mira inherited from Daisy (Dimples Romana)—her father Alfred who is the reason behind her search for revenge, or Jeremy (Enrique Gil), the one who truly loves her? “Mirabella” is under the direction of Erick Salud, Jojo Saguin, and Jerome Pobocan, and the production of Dreamscape Entertainment Television. Don’t miss "The Beautiful Ending" of “Mirabella” on Friday, before “TV Patrol” on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida. For more information about “Mirabella,” visit the show’s official social media accounts at Facebook.com/MirabellaOnline and Twitter.com/MirabellaOnline.

Being the guide for showcasing life’s delightful possibilities, the Lifestyle Network is kicking things up a notch entering the second half of the year as it shows what living is all about through brand new programs that are set to premiere this July.

Hitting screens for the month are shows that showcase what the Lifestyle Network is all about. July brings shows about well-being, food, competition, travel, beauty, and entertainment; with special doses of must see movies, mini-series, and marathons.

First on the list is the latest mouth-watering drama-musical series “The Boston: The Kitchen Musical”. The show is set in one of America’s historic cities, and it looks into the lives of three young chefs as they re-launch their restaurant business while overcoming obstacles to follow their own creative visions. “The Boston: The Kitchen Musical” features both local and international talents and it premieres on July 2 at 10:00pm. “The Boston: The Kitchen Musical” airs on Wednesdays at 10:00pm, Fridays at1:00pm, Saturdays at 3:00pm, and Sundays at 5:30pm.

Also premiering during the first week of July is the culinary smash hit “Masterchef,” which enters its 5^thseason. Catch host and award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay with restaurateur Joe Bastianich and acclaimed chef Graham Elliot in the 5^th season of “Masterchef,” which premieres on July 5 at 9:30am, with back-to-back episodes every week. It airs on Saturdays at 9:30am and Fridays at 10:30pm. Gordon Ramsay also has another new show on the way this July, “Gordon Ramsay’s Ultimate Home Cooking,” which premieres on July 8 at 9:00am and airs every Tuesday at 9:00am and 6:30pm, and every Saturday at 4:00pm.

Two new fitness shows are also hitting the air this July. The Lifestyle Network brings you “Bollyblast,” a dance workout with health and fitness expert Hemalayaa Behl, and “Yoga for Life,” where yogi Kurt Johnson turns the ancient practice of yoga into a good-for-you kind of fun. “Bollyblast” premieres onJuly 6. It airs on Saturdays and Sundays at 7:00am and on weekdays at 3:00pm. “Yoga for Life” premieres on July 6 as well at 7:30am. It airs on Saturdays and Sundays at 7:30am and on weekdays at3:30pm.

Lifestyle Network is also giving viewers the chance to meet the women who make Miami, Florida home; as well as the six princesses of Long Island. In “Real Housewives of Miami,” get to know the homemakers, businesswomen, and philanthropists as the show premieres on July 6 at 8:30pm, and airs on Sundays at 8:30pm and on Mondays at 12:30pm. In “Princesses: Long Island,” follow the six girls of Great Neck, New York as they return to their lives of luxury. It premieres on July 6 at 9:30pm, and airs on Sundays at 9:30pm, Mondays at 1:30pm, and Saturdays at 9:30am.

The elite of the world just keep coming this July on the Lifestyle Network. Catch an eye-opening reality series that follows the lives of 20-somethings that make up the top of society in some of London’s most exclusive postcodes in “Made in Chelsea: Season 5”. Meanwhile, true-to-life stories about the climb to fame are featured in “The Evolution Of,” which zooms in on Young Hollywood, and how its stars have evolved over the years. “Made in Chelsea: Season 5” premieres on July 7 at 10:30pm and airs on Mondays at 10:30pm, Tuesdays at 1:30pm, and Saturdays at 10:30am. “The Evolution Of” premieres onJuly 7 at 11:30pm and airs on Mondays at 11:30pm, Tuesdays at 2:30pm, and Thursdays at 5:30pm.

Travel has also been a big thing this 2014. As such, the Lifestyle Network is bringing its viewers to two of the most interesting places in the world. In “Flavours of Peru,” host Charlie Ottley sets out to see if Peru’s cuisine can match its stunning landscape. Catch him as he marvels at the diversity of Peru’s natural wonders and amazing structures as the show premieres on July 8 at 9:00pm, with a regular airing schedule on Tuesdays at 9:00pm, Wednesdays at 12:30pm, and Saturdays at 5:00pm. “Flavours of Peru” is accompanied by “This is Brazil,” in which Brazilian-born Australian Fernanda de Paulo heads home to rediscover her roots and celebrate Brazil’s rich cultural diversity with the country’s chefs, footballers, musicians, artists, and everyday workers. “This is Brazil” premieres on July 7 at 9:00pm and airs weekly on Fridays at 9:00pm and on Saturdays at 12:30pm.

Lifestyle Network is also bringing you “Tom Daley Goes Global” this month, where everyone’s favorite Olympic diver takes viewers, along with his best mate Sophie, all around the world—taking in six different countries over six weeks. “Tom Daley Goes Global” premieres on July 18 at 9:00pm and airs on Fridays at 9:00pm and Saturdays at 12:30pm.

Another thing premiering this July is a 5-minute series of interstitials that takes us to Portia’s charming and exciting life as a restaurateur and hostess. Catch “A Pinch of Portia,” set in Portia’s rustic country garden in Marikina, as it premieres on July 14 at 8:30pm and airs on Mondays at 8:30pm, Tuesdays at11:30am, Thursdays at 6:00pm, Fridays at 9:00am, and Sundays at 11:00am.

Last but not the least, Lifestyle Network presents its movie for the month, “The Time in Between,” where the daughter of a working class single mother learns the trade of being a seamstress from a very young age. Her passion for the wrong man drives her to foolishly embark upon a journey to Morocco, and in order to survive, she has no choice but to get ahead doing the only thing she knows how to do—sew. Based on the novel “El Tiempo Entre Costuras” by Maria Dueñas, “The Time in Between” premieres on July 12 at 10:00pm and shows on Saturdays at 10:00pm, Sundays at 2:30pm, and Wednesdays at11:00pm.

Tune in to the Lifestyle Network this July and keep your mind and your sights focused on the best parts of life through the channel’s new line-up of programs. For updates and schedules, visit the Lifestyle Network’s official Facebook page (www.facebook.com/LifestyleNetwork).

Amid polarizing discussions about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community in the Philippines, four individuals will take the spotlight in “The Bottomline With Boy Abunda” this Saturday (June 28) to share their thoughts on several sensitive topics such as  sex change, same-sex marriage, discrimination, and physical and verbal abuse. Do we have a law that protects members of the LGBT community?  Do people in this community get along well? Are they united in their views? Are Filipinos ready to face the pressing issues about same-sex relationships?

Don’t miss another relevant and engaging discussion with Asia's undisputed King of Talk, Boy Abunda, on the “The Bottomline With Boy Abunda,” the big winner at the 10th USTv Students’ Choice Awards 2014, this Saturday after “Banana Split: Extra Scoop.” For more updates, log on to www.abs-cbn.com or follow @abscbndotcom on Twitter.

 

How much can the life of a drunkard and aspiring musician change when he finds himself left with the responsibility of acting as a father to three adopted children?

This is what ABS-CBN’s newest family drama, “Hawak Kamay,” will be taking on as it hits TV screens to reach out to modern day Filipino families.

The series is set to take off with acclaimed actor Piolo Pascual at the helm, who will be making a much-anticipated return to television drama following the success of his movie “Starting Over Again” earlier this year. Piolo stars in “Hawak Kamay” along with three of the country’s most powerful child stars, Zaijan Jaranilla, Andrea Brillantes, and Xyriel Manabat. The series will also introduce Grand i-Shiner Yesha Camille, who was under the mentorship of Piolo during her stint in the second season of the Promil Pre-School i-Shine Talent Camp.

Taking on the role as a father in “Hawak Kamay,” Piolo has expressed the kind of connection he feels with the country’s young stars, especially being a single parent himself. “I like working with children because I kind of see myself in them,” he said in an interview with TV Patrol.

“Hawak Kamay” details the story of a beat down man named Gin (Piolo Pascual), who has dreams of making it big as a musician and is faced with various challenges that may make or break his belief in himself and in the value of the relationships. He begins the story by the side of the woman he loves, Me-ann (Nikki Gil), and is joined by three parentless children, Emong (Zaijan Jaranilla), Harriet (Xyriel Manabat), and Ningning (Yesha Camille). Their situation unfolds under the watchful eye of the estate executor, Atty. Bianca Magpantay (Iza Calzado).

As time passes and the situation grows deeper, Gin finds himself developing a different sort of attachment to the three children, and decides to get his act together for them.

Catch the story of “Hawak Kamay” as it begins to unfold on ABS-CBN. For updates, visit and like "Hawak Kamay" on Facebook (www.facebook.com/HawakKamayTV) and follow @HawakkamayTV on Twitter and Instagram.

Aside from the confrontation and catfight scenes of Monica and Nicole in “The Legal Wife,” the bluntness of Rowena, played by Matet de Leon, towards her mistress best friend was one of the viewers’ favorite bits in the said phenomenal drama series.

Netizens would even quote Rowena's punch lines. For Matet, her role as Nicole’s best friend was her best role throughout her acting career.

“In every acting project, you have to pretend as if you are a different person. But Rowena was just like me so I really enjoyed it,” she explains in “Tapatan Ni Tunying” airing this Thursday (June 19).

Because of her string of best friend roles in television and the movies, including her portrayal as Zoila in “A Very Special Love,” “You Changed My Life,” and “It Takes a Man and a Woman,” Matet has recently been tagged as the “Best Friend ng Bayan.”

Matet, however, confesses that despite her success with this niche role, she cannot relate it to her personal life.

“Ironically, they call me the “Best friend ng Bayan,” but I grew up with only a few friends,” she admits.

Meanwhile, in a separate interview, Kris Aquino’s perennial sidekick in the morning talk show “KrisTV” Darla Sauler shares how the TV host saved his life after he was diagnosed with leukemia in 2011.

“Kris has a huge part in my life now,” Darla shares.

Don’t miss “Tapatan ni Tunying” (TNT) this Thursday (June 19) at 4PM on ABS-CBN’s Kapamilya Gold. For updates, follow @TNTunying on Twitter and Instagram, or like its Facebook pagewww.facebook.com/TNTunying.

A second batch of senatorial candidates will address pressing issues and challenge each other in the second and final “Harapan 2013: The Senatorial Debate” on ABS-CBN on Sunday (April 28), live from La Consolacion College in Manila.

Senatorial candidates Samson Alcantara, Rep. Sonny Angara, Greco Belgica, Baldomero Falcone, Richard Gordon, Jamby Madrigal, Ricardo Penson, Grace Poe-Llamanzares, Christian Seneres, and Bro. Eddie Villanueva will debate on different national concerns and engage in the “harapan” round where one candidate will face off with another.

They will also be asked to respond to burning questions from panelists Lynda Jumilla, Tony Velasquez and Prof. Prospero de Vera, a political analyst from UP Diliman, representatives of different sectors, netizens on social media, ordinary citizens, and students in the live audience to be moderated by Doris Bigornia.

“HARAPAN 2013: The Senatorial Debate” is part of ABS-CBN’s “Halalan 2013,” the election coverage of the country’s largest and most trusted broadcast news organization that was launched a year before the May elections. “Halalan 2013” aims to provide information to voters so they can make informed choices based on their vision for the country. Don’t miss “HARAPAN 2013: The Senatorial Debate,” to be anchored by Ted Failon, on Sunday (April 28) on ABS-CBN at 9:30 PM.

It will be simulcast on Studio 23, ANC (SkyCable Channel 27), and via livestreaming on www.ABS-CBNNews.com. For comments and questions during the debate, use the hashtag #HARAPAN2013 on Twitter.