THIS just in — after 12 years of delivering the daily news from the studios of The Filipino Channel (TFC) in California, “Balitang America” will be taping its daily newscast from the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation headquarters in Manila, Philippines, joining other news bureaus like “Balitang Middle East” and “Balitang Europe.”
While the daily news stories will still be gathered by its news correspondents from different parts of the United States, “Balitang America” will be anchored by news personalities from ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) in Manila. The transition will begin on July 29, 2019. This means you will no longer watch me on the anchor’s chair daily as you used to in the past 12 years.
This change in the organization will then help the news bureau in North America expand its audience and reach out to younger generations who are born and raised here, using new digital platform programs.
Under the leadership of “Balitang America” (BA) Executive Producer Troy Espera, ABS-CBN International and TFC have rolled out “TAYO” (a Filipino word that means “we” or “us”) – a new digital brand that offers fresh storytelling of uplifting and positive stories that make Filipinos in North America proud of their rich heritage.
“TAYO” features stories that are relevant to both Filipino-American and Filipino-Canadian communities, serving to also unify news brand across the North America region.
Our San Francisco Bay Area Correspondent Rommel Concara has also started working on a podcast, so Filipinos will get to know kababayans who have made a mark in the community.
TFC will also continue to give platforms where kababayans in North America will have a chance to air out their opinion on issues that matter to us.
Townhall meetings will continue especially as Filipinos in North America exchange perspectives and information that will help the community in making informed choices as we make consequential decisions during elections and other civic exercises.
HOWEVER, this change will also allow TFC in North America to expand and strengthen its reach and service to its core audience — our kababayans who immigrated to the United States, including the Lolos, Lolas, and other immediate members of the family who have been loyal viewers of the programs from the Philippines to keep them connected to the Motherland and ease away their homesickness.
In my continued commitment to the Filipino American community, I am also working with TFC on a new digital brand that will help Filipinos navigate their new life in the United States, empowering YOU with information that will help you know, understand and adapt to your new way of life as immigrants, citizens and members of the workforce in the U.S.
Equally important — this program will be like “family” to YOU — to which you can ask questions, air out concerns, exchange perspectives and opinions in matters that truly touch you and your families on a personal level.
I will continue to serve you as a true Kapamilya — your “Ate”, “Tita” or simply your kapamilya “Gel,” who will strive to make you feel you are not alone as you start and adapt to your new life in the United States.
ABANGAN: A podcast/teleradyo para po sa inyong lahat, mga Kapamilya. And so if you have anything you want us to talk about in our teleradyo, information you need to help you in your day to day challenges in America, heartaches and pains and worries that keep you up at night, share them with me so we can address your concerns in our new teleradyo.
Send your messages to: Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos. You may also email me: [email protected].
ABANGAN! Malapit na malapit na!
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Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
