Catriona Gray, Pia Wurtzbach, Apl De Ap, Jaime Kailani, Bobby Rubio, and Ali Ewoldt narrate for TFC’s “Bahay Book Club” season 2

The storytelling continues as TFC launches the second season of “Bahay Book Club,” which are narrated both in Filipino and English languages by some loud and proud global Filipinos: Catriona Gray, Pia Wurtzbach, Apl De Ap, Jaime Kailani, Bobby Rubio, and Ali Ewoldt which can be seen on TFC’s various platforms.

“Bahay Book Club” is a collection of stories that are five to ten minutes long each, written by Filipino authors which aims to introduce the rich Filipino culture to the younger Filipino generations and the non-Filipinos around the world.

ABS-CBN International News Production Head Troy Espera named to Board of Governors of NATAS SF/NorCal Chapter

ABS-CBN International’s Head of News Production, Troy Espera, was recently named to the Board of Governors of the San Francisco/Northern California Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS).

NATAS recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy® Award.

As a Board of Governors member, Espera will be working on the Membership and Education committees. This is in line with his personal brand mission as an advocate for ethnic media. Espera shares that, “My goal on this board is to carve out more space for other ethnic media outlets in NATAS and to promote ethnic media careers to students.”

Immediate past NATAS President Steve Shlisky shared that he has been wanting to build a more diverse board, looking for representation from content producers within the regions of Northern California, Hawaii, Reno, Nevada, and Guam.

K-Hiphop Artist, JUNGSU, Releases New Single Need Ya

JUNGSU released his new hit single "Need Ya Now" on July 7, 2020, at 7 PM (Pacific Standard Time). When you listen to the new track, the song reflects the intense need of every person asking for God's help and mercy. The impact of the line, "Free me from all things scheming to hurt me," listeners may respond the same to the pleading sentiments of the character asking for forgiveness for the wrongs he had done in life.

He is a new hip-hop and R&B musician who made his debut in April 2019. Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, he moved to Los Angeles and lived there since the young age of 8. He had his first encounter with rap in an 8th grade mathematics class, where his teacher asked them to memorize the value of Pi (π). Who would have thought that one day, it will bring him to where he is now.

JUNGSU always keeps his music consistent. JUNGSU, being Christian, an element of his songs has a prominent significance for God. His songs are soothing, and adding warm to them is his deep-toned voice that goes so well with his style in music.

Asia’s Nightingale Lani Misalucha to meet overseas Filipinos on TFC’s NewsColored

It’s a starry, starry Sunday as Asia’s Nightingale lands on the screens of TFC viewers on July 5. Lani Misalucha, one of the Philippines’ most powerful voices, is set to chat and give away prizes to loyal subscribers on NewsColored #PPEPinoyPrideExtravaganza.

It was in 2019 when Asia’s Nightingale returned to the Philippines and as a Kapamilya having signed a new record deal with ABS-CBN Music. In an interview with Magandang Buhay, Misalucha remembers her sacrifices both as an OFW wife in the 90s and as an overseas Filipino herself when she chose to leave her showbiz life in 2004. Having to endure struggles from exchanging snail mails with her husband who was then based in Jeddah, KSA to performing five days a week in Las Vegas, Misalucha shares a feeling many Pinoys abroad know all too well – longing for the home and their families in the Philippines.

TFC’s “Basta Kapamilya CASH-Sali Ka” first batch of winners named, more prizes up for grabs

 TFC’s newest promo Basta Ka₱amilya CASH-ali Ka rewarded five (5) loyal subscribers each with PHP 5,000 and the chance to chat with actor JC De Vera whose more recent roles include playing Ethan in “The General’s Daughter.”

The winners are May Angelique del Castillo, El Leonora Sumague, Ruby Jackson, Darwin Maglaqui and Rodecca Bernabe. Interestingly, they are all based in Australia whilst coming from diverse background. The first round of giveaways took place last June 21, 2020 where NewsColored host Kaladkaren and De Vera quizzed them with questions only fans of ABS-CBN’s TV programs can answer such as naming casts of “Love Thy Woman” and hosts of “Banana Sundae.”

Filipina in Bangkok surprised by music icon Gary Valenciano in a digital concert for-a-cause

Jay Lyn Roma, an overseas Filipino in Bangkok, Thailand, had the surprise of her life when she unknowingly went on a video call with one of the Philippine music greats, Gary Valenciano. This was broadcasted as part of the latter’s digital concert “FAITH, HOPE, LOVE” for the benefit of Pantawid Ng Pag-ibig – ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, Inc. (ALKFI)’s fundraiser that ensures food is brought to the urban poor families in the country affected by COVID-19.

“I am excited because this is the first time I am going to do something like this,” says Valenciano as he introduced the concept brought about by his wish to give honor to the unsung heroes that have risen above their personal ordeals during the pandemic. He continued: “Together with TFC, we decided to do a call to meet people I’ve never met before from three different places around the world. I think some of you will be very proud that despite not being here (in the Philippines), they are still very Filipino by heart.”

Singapore and Sydney-based Filipinos celebrate Philippine Independence together through TFC

In a rare opportunity, select Filipinos based in Sydney and Singapore celebrated the Philippine Independence together as they went live on TFC presents Sama Saya Kapamilya on NewsColored. The month-long celebration featuring Filipino organizations across the Asia Pacific goes by the hashtag: #PPE (Pinoy Pride Extravaganza). On its first episode last June 14, host KaladKaren was joined by the Philippine Community Council of New South Wales (PCC-NSW) and the Filipino community in Singapore with Rated J. While special guests include iWant Original ‘Malaya’ stars Zanjoe Marudo and Lovi Poe, plus the Kapamilya discoveries ‘iDolls’ Matty, Enzo, and Lucas.

PCC-NSW, the umbrella body of the Filipino organizations in the Australian State, was represented by Alric Bulseco, Espie Pogson, and Serna Ladia. Bulseco shared that their community holds grand celebrations twice a year – the Christmas festival towards the end of the year and the Philippine Independence every June. “As a matter of fact, back in 2013 our guest speaker was actually the Prime Minister of Australia,” he said, emphasizing the magnitude of these festivities. This year, amidst the restrictions, PCC-NSW together with the Philippine Consul General Ezzedin H. Tago and other community leaders held a Flag-raising Ceremony at the Rizal Park, Rooty Hill, New South Wales.