In the name of beauty, Kristine Madrigal has spent a fortune on surgery to his nose, cheeks, chin, breasts, hips, and knees.
Now all Kristine needs is one final operation to become a full-fledged woman.
For years, Kristine has thought about and agonized over the decision to have his penis removed and a vagina installed, or sex reassignment surgery. Howie Severino and his I-Witness team accompanied him on the last several months of this journey to womanhood. Kristine's quest is uncommon, but the desire to shape his destiny is not, in an age when one's identity is no longer simply a matter of fate but how much one believes in the power of transformation.
Along the way, Howie and his team meet other "transpinays" who offer hints of Kristine's possible future: Barbie, who is happily married as a woman; and Eddie, who lost both his sex drive and his lover after losing his penis.
Before the final decision, Kristine must undergo a psychological test to determine if he is truly prepared for the irreversible operation.
Kristine's fate is revealed on Monday night, the final episode of I-Witness's anniversary month in its 10th anniversary year. Catch I-Witness after Saksi on GMA Network.
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After pulling the heartstrings of Filipinos, the enthralling love story of Cholo and Jodi in GMA’s Stairway to Heaven comes to its heartrending final two weeks from November 30 to December 11.
Since it premiered in September 14, Stairway to Heaven is by far one of the network’s highly-regarded, top-rating and well-loved Pinoy adaptations of a hit Koreanovela series. It continues to cast its spellbinding magic not only in the hearts of the viewers but also in the primetime ratings game.
The entire cast headlined by Dingdong Dantes and Rhian Ramos perfectly injected their own “Pinoy” flavour into the popular characters of the series. Everyone gives a highly commendable performance which impresses and draws viewers in with each subsequent episode.
More revelations, conflicts and plot twists will be revealed in the heart tearing final two weeks of GMA’s No. 1 traditional drama on primetime. As they pledge their undying love for each other, can Cholo and Jodi break away from the complications of their relationship now that Eunice and Maita swear to move heaven and earth just to separate them? With the emotional turmoil on the part of Eunice, can Cholo handle the consequences of his choice to stick with the one he truly loves?
The pain Cholo is going through is the price of love he has to pay for choosing Jodi over Eunice. But as he continues to fight for his one true love, Jodi discovers she has eye cancer. This revelation deeply shatters Jodi’s heart. Will she give up her love for Cholo? As she battles her sickness, will Cholo’s love for her remain? Can Cholo and Jodi’s eternal love for each other defy all the odds even death?
Stairway to Heaven airs weeknights after Darna on GMA Telebabad.
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GMA Senior Vice President for Entertainment TV Wilma Galvante joins leading broadcasters in Asia as they convene for the annual Asia TV Forum in Singapore from December 2 to 4, 2009.
Galvante has been invited to speak on the topic "Formats in Asia" to share with her fellow industry experts the potential of television formats as it applies to GMA. It can be recalled that the network has successfully produced adaptations of popular foreign drama titles like Marimar, Kim Sam Soon and Zorro, and game shows like Hole in the Wall and Family Feud. Local komiks classics will also serve as case studies as Galvante presents to her foreign counterparts how the production of Darna, Dyesebel and Joaquin Bordado has contributed to GMA's stellar standing in primetime.
In the same conference and exhibition, Galvante will also act as judge in the TVA+ Format Superpitch, a competition wherein contestants will get an exclusive access to key business decision makers across the region to pitch their television ideas. The winner of this contest will win cash prize and have the opportunity to exhibit at Asia TV Forum 2010.
The annual Asian TV Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony will cap Galvante's business trip when she represents the network in this annual event. This year, GMA programs that made it to the shortlist of Asian TV include Mel and Joey and Survivor, as well as comedy genius Michael V. in the performance category. "The Pursuit of Style: A Young Designer's Special," a QTV television special, is likewise included in the list of nominees.
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QTV welcomes the month of December with a big bang as it launches four programs that are sure to make the season more exciting – DROP DEAD DIVA, PINOY SILVER SCREEN, TAKESHI’S CASTLE, and TWEETBIZ!
First off on December 4 is the Asian TV premiere of DROP DEAD DIVA. From the reputable Sony Pictures Television, this Hollywood TV series is starred by actress Brooke Elliott. In this back-from-the-dead story, Brooke plays the role of Deb Dobson, a model wannabe who, after meeting a fatal car accident, returns to life in the recently deceased, plus-size body of Jane Bingum, a brilliant attorney. Its “dramedy” and fantasy elements mixed with commentaries on body image and women in the workplace are sure to glue women to their seats every Friday night.
PINOY SILVER SCREEN, meanwhile, brings box-office Pinoy movies at the comfort of one’s home starting December 5 and every Saturday night from then on. First on its roster is “I.T.A.L.Y.” which stars Dennis Trillo, Rufa Mae Quinto, Jolina Magdangal, Rhian Ramos, Mark Herras, and Eugene Domingo. Next on the list is the Marian Rivera and Richard Gutierrez tandem in “My Bestfriend’s Girlfriend” followed by “Bongga Ka Boy, Ikaw Pa Rin” (Robin Padilla and Ai-Ai Delas Alas) and “Lab en Kisses” (Vic Sotto and Vina Morales). 
Making a comeback on Q this December 7 is TAKESHI’S CASTLE, led by the witty and wacky tandem of Joey de Leon as Master GT and Ryan Yllana as Capt. B. Classic scenes of people braving challenging and sometimes ridiculously impossible obstacles and mazes once again invades Philippine television.
Premiering on the same day is the showbiz talk show TWEETBIZ. Led by showbiz insiders Tim Yap, Mr. Fu, and Sam Y.G. as Shivaker , together with their teams of paparazzi, TWEETBIZ not only brings viewers the hottest and the latest in and around showbiz but also rates each tidbit from the most shocking news to the plainest gossip. TWEETBIZ also has an online section on WMN.ph for those who are not only into watching but also reading showbiz headlines!
Don’t miss all these exciting programs! Be sure to catch the premiere of DROP DEAD DIVA, PINOY SILVER SCREEN, TAKESHI’S CASTLE, and TWEETBIZ this month of December, only on QTV.
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Here are the Top 60 hopefuls of Starstruck V as revealed on its pilot episode last Sunday night on GMA-7:
MALE:
Adam Santos Hussein, 22, Pasig City
Edward Benosa, 19, Quezon City
Shereef Ibrahim, 19, Quezon City
John Paul Joseph Cadayona, 20, Las Pinas
April Ian Jamin, 19, Cebu City
Jacob Sales, 19, Bacolod City
William Zarib Papageorghiou, 18, Marikina City
Aldous Erwin Santiago, Bulacan
Luis Hontiveros, 17, Marikina City
Jetrix Pasamanero, 21, Saranggani
Marlowe Pamintuan, 16, Muntinlupa City
Piero Vergora, 16, Cebu City
Rollo Espenos III, 17, Bacolod City
Michael Joseph Navarro, Quezon City
Enrico Raphael Nacino, 22, Pasig City
Ian Batherson, 20, Mandaluyong City
Shane Parminter, 16, Manila
Jeffrey Balicad, 20, Valenzuela City
Daniel Cuevas, 20, Antipolo City
Richard Falukerson Jr., 18, Laguna
Darylle Francis Salvador, 17, Bulacan
Mark Jason De Jesus, 18, Pampanga
Steven Joseph Silva, 22, Davao
Tristan Melliza, 16, IloIlo
Enrico Lorenzo Pineda, 19, Quezon City
Ranty Portento, 22, Quezon Province
Daniel Edward Reyes, 18, Manila
Kenyn Padalla, 22, Baguio City
John Christopher Gatus, 16, Las Pinas
John Christian Gatus, 16, Las Pinas
FEMALE:
Fianca Jane Cruz, 18, Pasig City
Nanah Katayama, 18, Las Pinas
Jayne Kristie Nieva, 17, Cavite
Hyacinth Diva Montalaba, 18, Cebu City
Kay Dinauto, 19, Cebu City
Katrina Paula Martinez, 16, Bulacan
Nestle Garcia, 18, Paranaque
Janelle Olafson, 19, Quezon City
Risha Nikola Sotto, 18, Manila
Alexandra Hohe, 17, General Santos City
Paolline Michelle Liggayu, 18, Pasay City
Katrina Rothwell, 20, Mandaluyong
Jerica Davic, 19, Quezon City
Lyn Hazel Calawod, 20, Quezon City
Xandralene Mariano, 19, Laguna
Krizia Ann Banogon, 16, Caloocan City
Sarah Lahbati, 18, Cavite
Legendaire Baluyot, 18, Bulacan
Jeramie Padolina, 16, Quezon City
Loren Burgos, 21 Las Pinas
Goldamier Gamir, 19, Malabon City
Ladylyn Riva, 21, Marikina City
Astrid Benitez, 21, Marikina City
Lilianne Leigh Clapis, 18, Davao
Princess Tinkerbell Snell, 17, Laguna
Roxanne Montealegre, 19, Pasig City
Christine Martir, 16, Bacolod City
Norilyn Laksamana, 16, Laguna
Natalie Francesca Alvia, 19, San Juan
Angelia Gabrena Ong, 19, IloIlo
Video courtesy of Pinoy Rickey. List courtesy of Showbiznest.
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GMA Network will air the highly-anticipated WBO Welterweight championship fight between pound-for-pound king Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao and Puerto Rican champion Miguel Cotto on November 15.
Coverage for the fight dubbed, Firepower: Pacquiao vs. Cotto, that will take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, will start at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
With GMA Network’s superior signal and reach all over the country, viewers will be able to watch and enjoy the upcoming Pacquiao-Cotto match clearly and for free.
In addition, GMA Network’s Radio Group - Super Radyo DZBB, Brgy. LS-FM and RGMA – has teamed-up exclusively with Solar Sports so that radio listeners can also follow the fight via a live blow-by-blow account over DZBB, LS-FM, and through all Super Radyo, Campus Radio and RGMA stations nationwide.
Prior to D-Day, the Kapuso Network will air the HBO produced special - Pacquiao/Cotto 24/7, that will extensively chronicle the respective training of Pinoy Pride Pacquiao and Puerto Rican bomber Cotto for their November 15 fight in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao/Cotto 24/7 will air on Saturday, 10:50pm.
The special will also serve as the perfect lead-in to Firepower: Pacquiao vs. Cotto – The Primer produced by GMA News at 10am on Sunday, an hour before the much-awaited fight unravels.
Firepower: Pacquiao vs. Cotto is one boxing spectacle of epic proportions, with the question as to who will emerge victorious remains unknown, what with both fighters packing mean punches and impressive credentials tucked under their respective belts.
Boxing's No. 1 pound-for-pound king and the reigning Fighter of the Year, Pacquiao, tots with him a 49-3-2, win-loss-draw record, 37 of which came via stoppages. He has won six world titles in as many different weight divisions, the most recent of which was his arresting one-punch, second-round knockout of junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton last May 2.
Cotto’s resume is just as impressive. He has lost only one controversial bout in 34 fights with 27 knockouts. Touted as Puerto Rico’s most exciting fighter, Cotto has held a world title every year since 2004 - the WBO junior welterweight crown from 2004-2006, successfully defending it six times before vacating it to capture the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title at the end of 2006. He went on to snatch his second welterweight title last February, after knocking out Michael Jennings in the fifth round at Madison Square Garden to become the WBO Welterweight champion.
It’s one nail-biting match that will surely keep every Pinoy at the edge of their seats. Don’t miss, Firepower: Pacquiao vs. Cotto, this Saturday, 11a.m. only on GMA Network.
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GMA Network’s top-rating Asianovela entitled Shining Inheritance will shine brighter and longer beginning Monday, November 16 as it moves to an earlier and longer timeslot.
Audiences who stay up late in order to follow the spellbinding fairy tale of Juan and Inna could now catch them right after Rosalinda. Moreover, the program now airs from Monday until Friday.
With the change in quantity also comes the boost in quality as jaw-locking revelations and heart-pumping twists are set to fire up audiences’ nights for the whole week.
Grandmother Aurea will prove how overbearing she is as she kicks out Juan and his siblings yet again. How will this remorseful pack handle a second rejection? Juan, on his travels, will encounter Nono, the long-lost brother of Inna but will he be able to connect the dots and eventually end Inna’s torment? Uncovering a skeleton once more, Juan will find out that Aimee and Inna are stepsisters. Who will be held responsible for this long-kept secret?
Other than the shocking revelations, prepare for Inna and Juan’s first “unlikely” embrace and Francis’ “heart-melting” admission of feelings to Inna. What does the embrace of Juan and Inna mean? What will happen to Francis’ duties to his family after such a sudden admission? More importantly, how will Inna handle her entanglement with these two handsome princes? Will Aimee and Joanna let Inna have it all?
The answers will be discovered in the longer and brighter episodes of
Shining Inheritance, right after Rosalinda!
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One day before the much-awaited fight of the year unfolds, GMA Network in cooperation with Alta Productions Group, Inc. brings to fore PUNCH OUT Special: The Pacquiao-Cotto Primer.
The boxing special, which will air in key cities of the regions (Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, Dagupan, Naga, Bacolod, Cagayan De Oro, and General Santos) will give boxing fans an up close and personal look at Manny Pacquiao and Juan Miguel Cotto.
It will air on Saturday, November 14 at 9:30AM on GMA Network.
Punch Out will be hosted by boxing analyst Mike Ochosa and will feature interviews with Pacquiao, trainer Freddie Roach, Gerry Peñalosa, Buboy Fernandez, and boxer Urbano Antillion.
The one hour primer will go beyond the ‘tale of the tape’, as it will tackle each boxer’s individual skills, fighting style, and more.
Who has the edge in this coming bout? Whose fists will reign supreme? Will Pacquiao beat Cotto and become the first boxer to win seven (7) world titles in as many divisions? Or will Cotto land the biggest win of his famed boxing career?
Punch Out will surely increase viewer anticipation before Pacquiao and Cotto meet in the biggest fight of their careers and let theirs fists do the talking.
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He is a big-headed metrosexual who is too slick and vain. She is a sassy, unrefined yet charmingly sweet lady. Will the “opposites attract” factor spell magic between these two totally different individuals?
Bittersweet romance blooms in the latest romantic-comedy offering of GMA’s late night drama event every Thursday night - SRO Cinemaserye. Join the loveteam of Geoff Eigenmann and Carla Abellana in this surprisingly fun, witty story that proves just how crazy love can be in “CARINDERIA QUEEN.”
This four-part episode is a perfect avenue for Geoff and Carla to unleash their comedic side bringing a delightful mix of humor, charm and romance to their roles. Making this episode extra special is the participation of their real life parents, Gina Alajar and Rey “PJ” Abellana.
Carla plays the role of Juliet, the ultimate “Carinderia Queen” in their neighborhood. Guys swoon over her good looks and everyone agrees that she will be a runaway winner if she decides to join beauty pageants.
Juliet and her mom Aling Biday (Melanie Marquez) stay in a rented apartment owned by Aling Waray (Gina Alajar) whose son Romeo (Geoff) is Juliet’s childhood sweetheart. As their friendship develops, Juliet’s heart is reserved only for Romeo from the moment they met.
But Romeo has to leave for the States to study and be with his American father. Aling Waray agrees on one condition that once he graduates, he will return to the Philippines to live with her permanently.
Despite terribly missing Romeo, life went on the same for Juliet after he left. Aling Waray and Aling Biday became closer and agree that their children are a perfect match for each other.
Romeo graduated and Juliet is super excited to finally see and spend time with her sweetheart once again. But on the day of their reunion, things didn’t quite turn out perfectly for the two. Both are turned off to see each other because of their personal differences.
Juliet acts like a total klutz, and speaks coarsely while Romeo sports a sophisticated look with slang expressions. He thinks she is a geek while she hates his attitude. Their reunion becomes a complete disaster.
Can the ultimate “Carinderia Queen” find true love for herself? What if their love is threatened by the nasty meddling of their mothers? Can an unlikely romance blossom between two totally different individuals? Will Romeo and Juliet’s love affair have a happy ending?
SRO Cinemaserye’s new season is led by Director Mac Alejandre together with a pool of seasoned scriptwriters headed by Jun Lana. Rounding up the cast are Gina Alajar as Aling Waray, Rey “PJ” Abellana as Dodong, Melanie Marquez as Aling Biday, Krissa Mae as Britney, and Jay Flores as Gaston.
“CARINDERIA QUEEN” will surely make viewers laugh and cry from beginning to end every Thursday night beginning November 12 right after Shining Inheritance on GMA Network.
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“I like the GMA Christmas Station ID because it has no pretention whatsoever. It didn’t bank on the stars, but on real people who are recovering from the calamities, which made it more effective and inspiring to really promote the essence of Christmas,” - Joseph Gonzales of Malaya.
“The GMA Station ID is a touching and riveting take on the real spirit of Christmas – giving love and sharing gifts to our fellow Pinoys. The exclusion of stars and celebrities leads the viewers to focus more on Christmas’ message.” - Glen Sibonga of PEP/Moviestar
“It is emotionally uplifting. It makes you realize that even in small gestures, one can give love. And what makes it more heart-tugging is the song. After hearing it and viewing it, you want to shower people with love.” - Alwin Ignacio of the Daily Tribune.
“Simple and touching. The song fits the images as well.” - Rohn Romulo of People’s Balita.
"Personally, gusto ko ang GMA Christmas Station ID. Touching, may puso, may kirot, and yet may mensaheng gustong iparating sa viewers. Punung-puno ng pag-asa. Feel na feel ang tunay na diwa ng Pasko kahit hindi malalaking artista ng Siete ang ginamit, nagmarka naman. Good idea and concept. Christmas is about love-sharing, forgiveness and being together with our loved ones.” - Linda Rapadas of Bulgar
“I think it’s a good decision to focus on the ordinary people instead of celebrities, kasi sa pagtulong sa mga biktima ng bagyo, hindi kailangan ng celebrity-status.” - Jeffrey Valisno of Business World
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In time for Manny Pacquiao's historical bout against Miguel Cotto this weekend, Nike unveiled the billboard of the world's best pound for pound boxer in the streets of Hollywood.
It's another first for Manny and another first for the country. Manny became the first Filipino athlete, or even the first pinoy, to be featured in a major billboard in Los Angeles.
According to reports, the billboard received positive response from the local Filipino community and American fans since it went up last weekend. 
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GMA's top leading men Dingdong Dantes and Dennis Trillo were assigned to host Family Feud and Starstruck respectively.
Dingdong Dantes will no longer reprise his hosting stint on Starstruck because he will replace Richard Gomez as host of Family Feud. Richard is leaving the game show because he is running for congressman of Ormoc City. Comelec prohibits celebrities who are running for public office to appear on tv or movies during campaign season for the 2010 election.
With Dingdong hosting Family Feud, Dennis Trillo, on the other hand, will lead the three hosts of Starstruck V. Joining him in hosting the reality-based artista search are Raymond Gutierrez and Rosalinda star Carla Abellana.
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Lalong tumitindi at nagiging kapana-panabik ang mga tagpo sa Koreanovelang minahal ng bawat Pilipino at nagpapaibig gabi-gabi sa primetime, ang Stairway to Heaven.
Tampok sina Dingdong Dantes bilang Cholo at Rhian Ramos bilang Jodi, ang Stairway to Heaven ang Pinoy adaptation ng Koreanovelang nagkamit ng abot-langit na tagumpay sa TV ratings noong 2005 sa GMA.
Dahil sa nakakakilig na mga eksena at epektibong pagganap ng mga bida, patuloy na umaarangkada sa TV ratings ang Stairway to Heaven base sa data ng AGB Nielsen Philippines sa Mega Manila households. Noong Lunes, nakamit nito ang 32.1% rating at patuloy na nakapagtala ng mataas na ratings na 33.9% noong Martes at 29.4% noong Miyerkules.
Ngayong gabi, dahil muling sinagasaan ni Eunice si Jenna, magbabalik na ang kanyang alaala. Alam na niyang si Jodi siya at hindi si Jenna.
Sasabihin naman ni Zoila kay Cholo na nakuha niya sa drawer ni Jenna ang nawawalang pera. Pupuntahan ni Cholo si Jenna sa bahay nito para liwanagin ang tungkol sa nawawalang pera pero wala na doon so Jodi. Sasabihin ni Tristan kay Cholo na pera lang ang habol sa kanya ni Jodi.
Kukumprontahin ni Jodi si Charlie. Sasabihin na ni Jodi na siya si Tristan. Magkikita na sina Jodi at Maita. Tatangkain ni Jodi na makipagkita kay Cholo.
Dahil bumalik na ang alaala ni Jodi, manumbalik pa kaya ang dating pagmamahalan nila ni Cholo? Mabubunyag na kaya ang lihim nila Eunice, Maita at Tristan? Iiwan na ba ni Jodi si Charlie?
Huwag bibitiw sa madadamdamin at mas tumitinding mga tagpo sa Stairway to Heaven, Lunes hanggang Biyernes pagkatapos ng Darna sa GMA.
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During the 1990s, documentaries were an unheard of genre in the Philippine broadcast industry. The usual melodramas, talk shows and news magazine programs dominated the airwaves, raking in ratings and awards for TV networks.
Before the decade ended, GMA News and Public Affairs thought it was already time to produce a weekly documentary show. On January 18, 1999, I-Witness, the country’s first documentary series, aired on Philippine television.
However, before I-Witness even aired, its one-topic presentation and style of storytelling was deemed too slow and boring. Some even said that Filipino viewers were not yet ready for this kind of program.
I-Witness proved them all wrong.
After more than 500 documentaries, I-Witness is now the country’s longest-running late night program still airing. It has already received numerous recognitions from both local and international award-giving bodies, including the Philippines’ first ever George Foster Peabody Award, Gold and Silver World Medals from the New York Festivals, the Asia-Pacific Child Rights Awards and the Asian TV Awards, among others.
I-Witness also prides itself with having once had as its hosts many of the finest journalists and broadcasters in media including Jessica Soho and Mike Enriquez. Following their footsteps today are GMA Network’s most experienced senior journalists, namely Howie Severino, Kara David, Sandra Aguinaldo and Jay Taruc. Every Monday, these award-winning documentarists give viewers a new way of looking at and understanding the world we live in.
“I-Witness has made documentaries a part of mainstream television, and inspired similar formats for other shows. It has inspired many to aspire to make documentaries and tell their own stories, because our show has demonstrated what a powerful medium the documentary is,” Howie relates.
For Howie, I-Witness is his “outlet and creative space for non-fiction stories that need time to be produced and air time to be told. It has made my career deeply satisfying. ”
The word “innovation” has been attached to I-Witness since its inception. Through the years, the program has introduced new techniques in video presentation and used fresh styles of storytelling, sometimes even bordering into the “avant garde.”
“I-Witness is not called television's finest hour for nothing.” Sandra Aguinaldo explains. “I can say every episode is one step towards excellence since we are constantly challenged by management to set the pace for late-night shows and always be creative in presenting our reports to the people.”
Howie added that compared to other public affairs shows, I-Witness gives them more creative freedom in producing stories. “Most of our episodes don't even have spiels by the hosts and go straight into the story, like most classically done documentaries. That alone makes I-Witness unique among public affairs shows where hosts introduce and end each show with on-camera spiels. We are not required to do that.”
Because of its radical approach to documentary production, I-Witness has always been a talk-of-the-town after each airing, sometimes even irking the attention of the censors. Howie’s documentary Lukayo, which is “a dance by old women dressed like clowns and wielding phallic symbols in Laguna, got the program suspended by the MTRCB, simply because the censors deemed an age-old tradition practiced by grandmothers to be obscene, along with other fertility rituals from around the country.” Instances like this, however, do not stop the program in producing ground-breaking documentaries.
“I-Witness has become bolder and more ambitious in its subject matter, sometimes testing the limits set by government regulators. It aspires to lead in building a documentary movement in the Philippines by organizing documentary festivals with free screenings in popular theaters, sponsoring student documentary competitions, conducting annual seminars as well as more frequent talks and screenings on campuses, and by setting an example with its own work, often using small camera equipment similar to what ordinary, non-professional producers can use,” adds Howie.
Lives have changed, laws have been created, and viewers were compelled to act. More than the awards and innovations, the impact and influence that I-Witness has made to its viewers and case studies is what makes it a stand out among late-night public affairs programs in the Philippines. Laws on organ donation, for example, were approved in Congress because of Jessica Soho’s Kidneys for Sale. Kara David’s “Gamu-gamo sa Dilim” paved way to the installment of solar panels in Little Baguio, a small town devoid of electricity in Oriental Mindoro. Many of the case studies featured in I-Witness were given financial aids and scholarships by viewers.
Kara David, widely known for her documentaries about children, attests to the privilege of giving service to the public that I-Witness carries. “I’ve always believed that the role of I-Witness is to give viewers a new pair of eyes with which to see the world. Through the show, I have found my lifetime advocacy as a journalist -- to use my medium as an instrument of empathy, an instrument to instill compassion to the powerless and voiceless. I-Witness not only opened the eyes of many viewers to the realities of life, but it also awakened their compassion, iyung malasakit na matagal nang nahihimlay sa kanilang puso. Because of I-Witness, I have started a small scholarship project for poor but deserving children, at plano kong palawakin pa ito in the future to become a legitimate foundation. I feel I became a better Filipino because of the program.”
This Novermber, I-Witness will celebrate its 10th anniversary with four special documentaries that are expected to change the broadcasting landscape. This time, I-Witness will air documentaries that were produced over a longer period of time than any other series of documentaries done for any TV program in the Philippines.
“As early as April of this year, we have been shooting for the anniversary episodes--something that we don't usually do, or any other late night television programs have done, for that matter. The more time you spend in producing your story, the closer you get to the truth, and with these documentaries, we hope to bring out the truth in our specific topics,” reveals Jay Taruc, who starts the anniversary month on November 9 with his documentary “Kristo,” a graphic feature about the Senakulo, or the dramatic presentation of the Passion of the Christ in Cutud, Pampanga. Jay discovers that the person who presently plays “Christ” is quitting his oath next year. However, residents and officers are opposing the move to pass on the title because the town’s supposed successor is a self-admitted gambler and drunkard.
Sandra Aguinaldo’s anniversary episode airs next on November 16. Her documentary “Bigatin” tackles the growing problem of obesity in the Philippines. Sandra follows the plight of two obese women and documents their struggle to bring their weight down through various ways of weight reduction. Sandra joins them in their fight as she subjects herself to arduous exercises and strict diets in order to prepare herself for pregnancy.
On November 23, Kara David delivers the third installment of the anniversary celebration with a follow-up documentary on pediatric tuberculosis. Kara revisits her case studies in “Hingalo ng Bunso,” an I-Witness episode she produced a few months ago, and reveals whether or not their conditions improved after their stories were aired on the program.
Ending the anniversary month on November 30 is Howie Severino’s remarkable documentary about a transsexual’s journey to realizing her dreams of becoming a woman. Howie documents how Vincent Christar Ibardolaza, a.k.a. Plates, pulls all strings in order to become a “Trans-Pinay.” However, Plates still needs to pass a battery of tests which will determine if she is mentally and emotionally prepared to undergo the sex reassignment operation.
Join Sandra, Kara, Jay and Howie as they celebrate ten fruitful years of ground-breaking documentaries on I-Witness, airing on four Mondays of November over GMA, after the late night newscast Saksi.
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Despite the rigid training schedule that he needs for his upcoming fight with Puerto Rican boxer Manuel Cotto on November 15, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao still took time to relax and even visited Jimmy Kimmel for a sit-down interview.
Pacman talked about his passions, he dished about his boxing and acting career, and he even performed a song for the audience, singing the ballad "Sometimes When We Touch".
Watch the 3-part video interview of Jimmy Kimmel with Pacman below:
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