Jane the Virgin About to Conclude, Says ABS-CBN

Apparently ABS-CBN does not realize the difference between American and Filipino series.

Such is the case for ‘Jane the Virgin’, the Tagalized American comedy-drama series that premiered in the Philippines last March 28. The series, which starred Gina Rodriguez as the titular Jane, was recently renewed by the American cable network The CW for a third season.

Yet ABS-CBN insists that ‘Jane the Virgin’ will come to an end soon. A teaser for its presumed conclusion was recently released by ABS-CBN and has been airing on the network during commercial breaks (see trailer video below).

If the ABS-CBN management were smart enough, they should know the difference between a typical Filipino teleserye and an American series. Look at these contrasts.

American series

• A season consists of at least 20 episodes
• An American television season lasts from October to May
• An American series airs weekly, with a few preemptions for special events in between
• If successful, they are usually renewed for another season, otherwise they can be cancelled

Filipino series

• A season ranges from at least 60 episodes to at most 160 episodes, usually divided by ‘book’
• There is no such thing as a Filipino television season; programs air year-round
• A Filipino series airs five times a week, except during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday
• Cancellations rarely happen in Filipino series, but renewals to extend its run take place

From the perspective of ABS-CBN, it appears that the reason why ‘Jane the Virgin’ is about to ‘end’ is because of ratings and a desire for another experiment. As it currently stands, ‘Jane the Virgin’ averages around 7% per episode, which is good enough to beat a GMA Asianovela but not against comedy programs ‘A1 Ko Sa ‘Yo’ and ‘Bubble Gang’.

This means that based on ratings alone, ABS-CBN might not bring back ‘Jane the Virgin’ in the foreseeable future. Even though a third season is expected to air in the United States this October, there is a possibility that it may not be aired at all in the Philippines.

If this is indeed the end for ‘Jane the Virgin’ in the Philippines, expect nothing less than an impressive finish. Hopefully ABS-CBN can reconsider its so-called ‘decision’ on this beloved American series, otherwise they will have to regroup.

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In 100 Words: Bubble Gang Preempted for Master Showman Special

‘The Master Showman’s Final Bow’ will air this Friday, preempting ‘Bubble Gang’. (Photo credit: GMA Network)

During its 20-year run, ‘Bubble Gang’ has never been preempted. Until now.

On Friday, February 26, ‘Bubble Gang’ will not be aired to make way for a special televised event. Titled ‘The Master Showman’s Final Bow’, this special will pay tribute to one of the country’s entertainment icons, the late German ‘Kuya Germs’ Moreno.

Kuya Germs’ former proteges and friends will be present to provide production numbers and give their final thoughts on the life and career of the Master Showman. ‘The Master Showman’s Final Bow’ will be aired after ‘Because of You’ on GMA.

As for ‘Bubble Gang’, this will mark the first time that the gag show will not air on a regular Friday schedule (it does not air on Good Friday for obvious religious reasons). So for long-time viewers of the show, better wait till next Friday.

From the Tube’s 2015 Holy Week Retreat

From the Tube will be off the air throughout Holy Week. Regular programming resumes after the Easter weekend.

From the Tube will again sign off this Holy Week.

As part of a tradition commemorating the death, sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ, no new posts on From the Tube will be published throughout Holy Week. Regular programming will resume after the Easter weekend.

As it has been the case in previous Lenten observances, most television stations will either air limited programming with mostly religious themes, or sign off from Maundy Thursday to Black Saturday. Radio stations will either have limited playlists or sign off for the aforementioned three days.

All regular programming should resume this Easter Sunday. As for the upcoming Holy Week schedules on the small screen, click this post from Timow’s Turf for more information.

With that, From the Tube will like to wish everyone a blessed Holy Week. For those traveling to faraway places, stay safe and enjoy this respite.

The Declining Importance of the 3 O’Clock Prayer on Philippine TV

Over two decades earlier, 3:00 p.m. in the Philippines had a special meaning.

Each and every day, most television stations in the country had enough time to air the iconic 3 o’clock prayer plug, asking Filipinos to pray at this hour for peace and forgiveness of sins. 3:00 p.m. in the Catholic religion also signifies the time of the death of Jesus Christ, which is usually celebrated on Good Friday during the Holy Week.

In the past, these stations aired a short clip of the 3 o’clock prayer, produced by the Divine Mercy ‘Say a Little Prayer’ Movement, located in Cubao, Quezon City. It was narrated by Bro. Don de Castro, a former DJ and television personality who founded the organization.

Unfortunately, management changes on other networks have rendered the 3 o’clock prayer useless, and today only the more Catholic-loyal ABS-CBN continues its tradition. In 2002, the Kapamilya network decided to create a Filipino version of the 3 o’ clock prayer. The video below is narrated by network executive and lead voiceover talent Peter Musngi.

Another version of the 3 o’clock prayer is currently used on DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 and its TV counterpart DZMM TeleRadyo, immediately after ‘Dr. Love Always and Forever’. This version is narrated by Bro. Jun Banaag, and is usually slower-paced compared to the Musngi version.

So what led to the decline of the 3 o’clock prayer on Philippine television?

Simple. Money, changing tastes and organizational structure has something to do with the decline of the 3 o’clock prayer. PTV-4, RPN-9 and IBC-13 have lost a lot of money due to bad investments, outdated equipment and stale programming lineups, while TV5 (formerly ABC-5) endured a change in programming and organizational structure which led to them eschewing not only the 3 o’clock prayer, but also the ‘Three Minutes a Day’ segment produced by the Family Rosary Crusade.

As for GMA 7, they have NEVER observed the 3 o’clock prayer at all, since the network’s ownership practiced Protestantism, which translated to the lack of Catholic programming.

Today, the 3 o’clock prayer is considered a product of a bygone era, where television was the only main source of entertainment for Filipinos. With a shift towards new technologies, it is clear that television stations will no longer be called upon to remind Filipinos to pray for peace and forgiveness of sins at 3:00 p.m., and as far as these stations are concerned, they seem more focused towards improving their programming and organizational structure than setting aside a few minutes for Christ.

In an era where Filipinos use the internet more often than their television sets, the 3 o’clock prayer is now considered a less important part of the Filipinos’ way of life. And it’s just so sad to see this tradition go.

From the Tube Takes a Sabbatical This Holy Week

From the Tube will be off the blogosphere this Holy Week. Regular posts will resume after the Easter weekend.

Holy Week is about reflection, prayer and sacrifice. It is a week where Jesus Christ’s passion, death and resurrection is commemorated, and for many Filipinos, this is the time where they take a respite from their busy lifestyles, and look back religiously at the things that God has done to them.

And as part of maintaining that serenity and calm, there will be no new posts on From the Tube for the duration of the Holy Week. Regular posts will resume right after the Easter weekend.

Then, for those who want to check out the upcoming television programs this Holy Week, click on Timow’s latest post on his blog. And finally, most radio stations will be off the air from Maundy Thursday to Black Saturday, so I advise readers to legally download songs as soon as possible, so that you can enjoy your favorite tunes without disturbing the peace.

From the Tube would like to wish everyone a safe and blessed Holy Week. For those leaving Metro Manila for either a trip to the beach or at the church, enjoy your brief vacation.