Santos-Concio is new ABS-CBN president

[CORRECTS error in earlier version that identified Mr. Miguel Jose Navarrete as past president of ABS-CBN. Mr. Navarrete was former CFO of ABS-CBN]

By ZINNIA B. DELA PEÑA
The Philippine Star

Actress and film producer Charo Santos-Concio has taken the reins at ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp., making her the first woman president of the media conglomerate.

Prior to assuming the presidency of ABS-CBN, Santos-Concio was head of the broadcasting giant’s flagship station Channel 2.

Santos-Concio, who began her career as an actress, joined ABS-CBN as consultant in June 1987 and moved up to director for programs in 1989, vice-president of production operations in 1991 and senior vice-president for TV production in 1996.

In 1998, Santos-Concio was promoted executive vice-president, taking full responsibility in overseeing the entertainment content of Channel 2.

Santos-Concio, who completed a management course at Harvard University, has been credited in creating ABS-CBN’s top-rated programs and even Star Cinema’s box-office successes.

She is also the brains behind the most successful and longest-running TV drama anthology program, Maalaala Mo Kaya, which she also hosts.

"Charo brought greater synergy between sales, marketing, and production, which enabled the company to deliver remarkable business results for the past two years," ABS-CBN said in a statement.

Santos-Concio assumed the position vacated by Luis Alejandro in 2006. ABS-CBN Chairman Eugenio Lopez III had been president in the interim between Alejandro's resignation and Santos-Concio's appointment as new ABS-CBN president.

2007 Top Philippine Movies

Here’s the Top 10 Pinoy Movies of 2007:


Rank / Movie Title (Distributor) / Gross

1. One More Chance (Star Cinema) - $ 3.6 M
2. A Love Story (Star Cinema) - $ 3.1 M
3. Ouija (GMA Films/Viva) - $ 2.1 M
4. Ang Cute ng Ina Mo (Star Cinema) - $ 1.7 M
5. Paano Kita Iibigin (Star Cinema/Viva) - $ 1.5 M
6. Apat, Dapat, Dapat, Apat (Viva) - $ 1.2 M
7. I’ve Fallen For You (Star Cinema) - $ 0.83 M
8. Pasukob (Octoarts Films) - $ 0.54 M
9. Tiyanaks (Regal Films) - $ 0.46 M
10. My Kuya’s Wedding (Regal Films) - $ 0.37 M

AGB 2007 Primetime Ratings Report

ABS-CBN DOMINATES NUTAM. But Marimar was the only bright spot for GMA-7 in terms of the nationwide survey. Its rival ABS-CBN still emerged as the King of the NUTAM study. For 2007, three ABS-CBN programs—Kokey, Princess Sarah and Sana Maulit Muli—raked in impressive ratings to solidify the Kapamilya Network's grip on the nationwide rating contest.

The figures clearly demonstrated ABS-CBN's dominance outside the Mega Manila area. For Urban Visayas, the Lopez-owned network posted a staggering 60 percent grade while GMA-7 accumulated only 26 percent. Urban Mindanao painted a similar story with ABS-CBN registering a commanding 66 percent as compared to GMA-7's 23 percent.

Leading by a slight margin, GMA-7 pulled one over ABS-CBN in Urban Luzon. Hanging on to a precarious lead, GMA-7 tallied 42 percent while ABS-CBN trailed with 40 percent.

As for viewing percentages, a national daily reported that Urban Mindanao came up with 550,000 average daily viewers, which if translated to percentage is 16.2 of 3.4 million. Urban Luzon and Urban Visayas bore identical percentage levels. According to the same report, both areas tallied 14.5 percent or 3.8 million and 725, 000 viewers.

__________ source: www.pep.ph Feb 20, 2007

Jesus is Lord Movement joins calls for Arroyo ouster

Religious group Jesus is Lord (JIL) Movement has joined the ranks of those calling for President Arroyo to step down on the heels of the ZTE-National Broadband Network scandal, ABS-CBN News learned Saturday.

In a special prayer rally at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig Saturday, thousands of JIL members gathered to pray for the resolution of the political crisis "through the Holy Spirit."

The movement, headed by losing 2004 presidential candidate Eddie Villanueva, said that their prayer rally is also their response to the call for communal prayer by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines.

It was also during the rally that they officially announced their call for Arroyo's resignation.

The movement said that Malacanang's involvement in corruption has been "uncovered" after the President, First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, and other high-ranking Palace officials have been linked to the anomalous ZTE deal.

During the rally, Villanueva suggested a system to replace President Arroyo in case she steps down from office. He endorsed Chief Justice Reynato Puno to succeed in the presidency.

After their vigil, the JIL, as well as the Bangon Pilipinas Movement, said they will have more gatherings.

The JIL rally was held a day after a major rally of anti-Arroyo groups at the financial district of Makati. - From a report by Cecille Lardizabal, ABS-CBN News