THE AVENGERS SALES HIT P101 MILLION IN 2 DAYS!

MANILA, Philippines – “Marvel's The Avengers” grossed a staggering P100.76-million in its first two days of release nationwide, an official of Walt Disney-Philippines told Philstar.com Friday.

The film about the comicbook superhero team is on track to be the biggest-grossing movie in Philippine history as it heads to its first weekend when box-office attendance significantly surges especially since Filipino families enjoy spending time with their loved ones matching at the cinemas.

According to Victor R. Cabrera, managing director of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Philippines, “Marvel's The Avengers” is already ahead of “Spider-Man 3” – which, until today, was the highest-grossing movie ever with its first-two days gross of P91.71-M in 2007.

EXPERTS SAY IT IS LIKELY FOR GME TO BE SOLD TO MVP BECAUSE OF EXPECTED SHAKEDOWN IN THE FUTURE!

MEDIA mogul Manuel V. Pangilinan, chairman of the telecommunications conglomerate PLDT/Smart/Sun, wants to acquire control of television network GMA 7.

A formal price offer still has to be worked out to bridge a P15-billion gap to swing the deal, but all major industry indicators—dropping profits, shifting consumer markets, rising costs, expensive new technology and cut-throat competition—are conspiring to make the buyout of GMA 7 inevitable, market analysts say.

GOOGLE USERS NOW CAN SAVE 5GB OF FILES FOR FREE VIA GOOGLE DRIVE!

Google on Wednesday (Manila time) launched its long-awaited Google Drive, a cloud-based storage service integrated into its other online services.

Sundar Pichai, SVP of Chrome and Apps, said Google Drive allows users to create, share, collaborate, and keep various files including videos, photos, Google Docs, and PDFs.“You can get started with 5GB of storage for free—that’s enough to store the high-res photos of your trip to the Mt. Everest, scanned copies of your grandparents’ love letters or a career’s worth of business proposals, and still have space for the novel you’re working on. You can choose to upgrade to 25GB for $2.49/month, 100GB for $4.99/month or even 1TB for $49.99/month,” Pichai said in a blog post.

MVP; GMA'S P60 BILLION TAG PRICE TOO EXPENSIVE!

MANILA, Philippines - Too expensive. That's how TV5 chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan described the P60 billion price tag sought for rival GMA Network Inc.

"Sobrang mahal yun," Pangilinan said when asked if his group would shell out double GMA Network's market value for full ownership of the broadcast company.

At the close of trading on Monday, listed GMA Network shares were priced at P9.40 each, valuing the company at P31.929 billion.

Pangilinan was supposed to have offered P45 billion for GMA Network, but the three families controlling the broadcast firm - the Duavits, Gozons, and Jimenezes - would sell for at least P60 billion.

Gilberto Duavit Jr., GMA Network president, said in a press release that they "are presently not in serious negotiations with the PLDT group as we have not yet received an offer price that is acceptable to us."

CHINA iPHONE SALES BOOSTS APPLE'S Q1 EARNINGS BY 94%!

Apple Inc. (AAPL) profit almost doubled last quarter, reflecting robust demand for the iPhone in China and purchases of a new version of the iPad, allaying the growth concerns that sliced shares 12 percent in two weeks.

Net income in the fiscal second quarter climbed 94 percent to $11.6 billion, or $12.30 a share, as sales rose 59 percent to $39.2 billion, Cupertino, California-based Apple said today in a statement. Analysts had predicted profit of $10.02 a share on revenue of $36.9 billion, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook is relying more on regions outside the U.S. for sales growth. Apple sold 35.1 million iPhones in the period after releasing the latest model in China and 21 other countries in January. That helped make up for sales declines from the previous quarter at the top U.S. mobile-phone carriers, Verizon Wireless and AT&T Inc. It also quelled speculation that Apple’s growth pace may slacken.

PNOY WANTS STUDENTS TO USE PC TABLETS IN SCHOOLS!

President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday said that wants Filipino students to be armed with tablet computers instead of books soon.

In his speech during the launching of K+12 Basic Education program in Malacañang, Aquino said they are just waiting for the price of tablet computers to go down before the government procures them.

“Hinahabol po natin na yung ating mga reading materials ay magiging tablet-based,” he said.

With this, correction of the errors in the reading materials would be easier instead of recalling the whole batch of books.

“Kung saka-sakaling may nahanap na error diyan, uutusan lang po nung kanyang server, papalitan po yung impormasyon diyan, hidi na po natin ire-recall yung mga librong sankaterba. At ginawan pa ng paraan, na naka-locked in sa system para wala hong magnanakaw nito,” he said.

FACEBOOK TO PAY MICROSOFT $550 MILLION FOR 650 AOL PATENTS!

Social networking giant Facebook has struck a deal with Microsoft to get about 650 of some 800 patents that the latter is acquiring from America Online (AOL).

Tech site Ars Technica reported the patents Microsoft aims to acquire from AOL include patents related to the Netscape web browser.

ABS-CBN REPORTER CLAIMS MVP ALREADY BOUGHT GMA NETWORK!

GMA'S KAPUSO MOVIE FESTIVAL BEATS SARAH G. LIVE & PBB TEEN 4!

April 22, Sunday

Morning:

Journo Replay (TV5) 0.1%; Jesus The Healer (GMA-7) 0.1%; Insider Replay (TV5) 0.2%; Bitag Replay (TV5) 0.3%

Helaing Grace Mass With Fr. Fernando Suarez (TV5) 0.7%; In Touch With Dr. Stanley (GMA-7) 0.2%; The Healing Eucharist (ABS-CBN) 1.3%

Alagang Kapatid (TV5) 0.6%; Kabuhayang Swak Na Swak (ABS-CBN) 0.7%; Batman The Brave and The Bold (GMA-7) 1.4%

Salamat Dok (ABS-CBN) 0.8%; Jewelpet (GMA-7) 2.5%; Tom And Jerry Kids (GMA-7) 3.8%; Courage The Cowardly Dog (TV5) 1.3%

Bakugan Gundalian Invaders (GMA-7) 4%; Spider-Man (ABS-CBN) 1.5%; Codename: Kids Next Door (TV5) 1.9%

MMK'S YOUNG MOTHER EPISODE TOPS VIEWING BATTLE IN MEGA MANILA!

April 21, Saturday

Morning:

Family Matters (TV5) 0%; PJM Forum (GMA-7) 0.1%; Adyenda (GMA-7) 0.2%

Sa Kabukiran (ABS-CBN) 0.1%; Maunlad Na Agrikultura (TV5) 0%; Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko (GMA-7) 0.3%

Salamat Dok (ABS-CBN) 0.4%; Pinoy MD: Mga Doktor ng Bayan (GMA-7) 0.6%; Alagang Kapatid (TV5) 0.2%

PRINCESS AND I SCORES A WIN OVER BIRITERA IN MEGA MANILA!

Here are the comparative Rating Points of ABS-CBN, TV5, and GMA-7 programs from April 20, 2012 based on the overnight ratings of AGB Nielsen Phils among Mega Manila households:
 
April 20, Friday

Morning:

Umagang Kay Ganda (ABS-CBN) 0.7%; Unang Hirit (GMA-7) 1.5%; Good Morning Club (TV5) 0.3%; Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (TV5) 1.6%

Fish Hooks (TV5) 1.7%; Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon (ABS-CBN) 1%; Tom and Jerry (GMA-7) 4%

Naruto Shippuuden (ABS-CBN) 1.3%; Phineas and Ferb (TV5) 2.3%; Jackie Chan Adventures (GMA-7) 4.7%

Mojacko! (GMA-7) 5.6%; Kris TV (ABS-CBN) 2.2%; Batibot (TV5) 2%; Ed Edd N Eddy (TV5) 2.3%; Slam Dunk (GMA-7) 5.7%; One Piece (GMA-7) 5.8%; Dexter’s Laboratory (TV5) 2.8%

Kapuso Movie Festival: Magdaleno Orbos (GMA-7) 5%; Kapamilya Blockbusters: Pre Hanggang Sa Huli (ABS-CBN) 3.3%; Ben 10 (TV5) 3.2%;Face To Face (TV5) 4.1%

Afternoon:

TV5'S MOTHER COMPANY TO EXTEND TIES WITH IBC 13!

MANILA, Philippines - MediaQuest Holdings Inc. is hoping to extend its block time agreement with Intercontinental Broadcasting Corp. (IBC) channel 13.

"I think we will extend it for another year. There is still no word from government yet on its privatization so far... The 1-year agreement signed last 2011 would have lapsed late March or April this year," MediaQuest president Ray Espinosa said.

MediaQuest, an investee company of the PLDT (Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.) Beneficial Trust Fund, has upgraded the facilities of IBC13. MediaQuest is rehabilitating IBC 13's assets, but revenues from the blocktimed shows will go to MediaQuest.

PHL IS 2ND WORST IN WEB PAGE LOADING WORLWIDE!

When it comes to surfing the Internet, Filipinos may have to be extra patient.

This, as the Philippines was listed among the slowest countries in the world for loading Web pages on a desktop computer, according to a study from the Internet giant Google.

QUALITY OF GMA NETWORK'S PROGRAMS DECAYING?

With press releases left and right claiming their national supremacy in the ratings game, one could wonder why an article like this is being written to portray GMA Network as declining.Business-wise, the Kapuso network is sound. It is earning. And it is not in debt.

iPHONE 5 TO USE LIQUID METAL! GALAXY S3 TO USE CERAMIC TECH!

The next flagship devices from Samsung and Apple Inc. may feel sexier as they will use new materials: ceramics for Samsung's Galaxy, and a new alloy "liquid metal" for Apple's iPhone, according to a report on Korea-based tech site ETNews.com which cited industry sources.

It said the materials will make the two firms' devices thin, light and resistant to impact and added that Samsung's Galaxy S3, to be unveiled in London on May 3, is likely to have a ceramic main body.
 

GMA NETWORK WINS BIG IN THIS YEARS' AWARD SEASON!

GMA Network continues to extend brand loyalty from television households to the academe. GMA News and Public Affairs won four major citations in the concluded 10th Gawad Tanglaw Awards.

GMA Network’s flagship primetime newscast program “24 Oras,” anchored by GMA News pillars Mel Tiangco and Mike Enriquez, was awarded as Best News Program.

WALANG HANGGAN REMAINS TO BE THE ONLY THORN TO GMA'S DOMINANCE IN PRIMETIME!

AGB NIELSEN MEGA MANILA TV RATINGS

April 17, Tuesday

Morning:

Umagang Kay Ganda (ABS-CBN) 0.6%; Unang Hirit (GMA-7) 1.4%; Good Morning Club (TV5) 0.2%; Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (TV5) 1.2%

Fish Hooks (TV5) 1.9%; Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon (ABS-CBN) 1.2%; Tom and Jerry (GMA-7) 4.2%

Naruto Shippuuden (ABS-CBN) 1.2%; Phineas and Ferb (TV5) 2.5%; Jackie Chan Adventures (GMA-7) 4.5%; Batibot (TV5) 1.9%; Kris TV (ABS-CBN) 1.6%; Mojacko! (GMA-7) 5.7%; Ed Edd N Eddy (TV5) 2.2%; Slam Dunk (GMA-7) 5.9%;Dexter’s Laboratory (TV5) 2%; One Piece (GMA-7) 5.9%

Kapuso Movie Festival: Lab En Kisses (GMA-7) 5.9%;Kapamilya Blockbusters: Mr. Suave (ABS-CBN) 3%; Ben 10 (TV5) 2.7%; Face To Face (TV5) 2.9%

GMA EXECS WANT MVP TO ADD ANOTHER P15B OVER THE P45 B BUYOUT BID!

MANILA, Philippines—A P15-billion pricing gulf is threatening to derail what sources say is almost a “done deal” for businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan and his group to acquire GMA Network Inc., people close to both the buying and selling parties said Thursday.

According to one person familiar with the negotiations, the current shareholders of the broadcasting firm that operates top-rated GMA7 are asking for as much as P60 billion from the telecommunications tycoon for 100 percent control of the company.

ABS-CBN WINS 1 BRONZE 2012 WORLD MEDAL IN THE 2012 NEW YORK FESTIVAL!

ABS-CBN brings honor to the country by bagging 1 bronze world medal and 4 finalist certificates at the prestigious 2012 New York Festivals International Television & Film Awards for its news and current affairs programs and specials, chosen among all entries coming from 40 countries worldwide.ABS-CBN won the bronze world medal for the “Krusada” episode “Laya (Freedom)” in the Social Issues/Current Events category.

Meanwhile, the following programs received a finalist certificate each:

TV5'S WEEKEND PERFORMANCE WANES FURTHER!

 AGB NIELSEN MEGA MANILA

April 14, Saturday

Morning:

Family Matters (TV5) 0.1%; PJM Forum (GMA-7) 0%; Adyenda (GMA-7) 0.1%

Sa Kabukiran (ABS-CBN) 0.1%; Maunlad Na Agrikultura (TV5) 0.2%; Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko (GMA-7) 0.2%

AGB: BIRITERA OUTSHINES PRINCESS AND I IN MEGA MANILA!

April 16, Monday

Morning:

Umagang Kay Ganda (ABS-CBN) 0.8%; Unang Hirit (GMA-7) 1.3%; Good Morning Club (TV5) 0.3%; Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (TV5) 1.4%

Fish Hooks (TV5) 2%; Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon (ABS-CBN) 1.1%; Tom and Jerry (GMA-7) 3.9%

KANTAR: PRINCESS AND I DEBUTS STRONGLY IN NATIONAL URBAN! BUT WALANG HANGGAN REMAINS NO.1!

KANTAR MEDIA TNS NATIONWIDE TV RATINGS
April 16, Monday

Morning:
Umagang Kay Ganda (ABS-CBN) 3.5%; Unang Hirit (GMA-7) 3.6%

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon (ABS-CBN) 4.2%; Tom and Jerry (GMA-7) 7.7%

Naruto Shippuuden (ABS-CBN) 5%; Jackie Chan Adventures (GMA-7) 9%

Kris TV (ABS-CBN) 5.6%; Mojacko! (GMA-7) 11.1%; Slam Dunk (GMA-7) 11.1%; One Piece (GMA-7) 10.7%

Kapamilya Blockbusters: You Changed My Life (ABS-CBN) 9.3%;Kapuso Movie Festival: Kutob (GMA-7) 9.8%

GMA NETWORK RELEASES OFFICIAL STATEMENT REGARDING MVP'S P45 BILLION BUYOUT BID!

GMA NETWORK ISSUES STATEMENT. Nilinaw ni GMA Network President and Chief Operating Officer Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr. ang inilabas na artikulo ng Philippine Star sa pamamagitan ng official statement na ipinada  noong April 16.

 Pinabulaanan ni Mr. Duavit na dalawa sa tatlong major stockholders daw ng GMA-7 “are already amenable to selling their respective 33-percent stake.”

GMA NETWORK SEALS ALLIANCE WITH MANILA JOCKY CLUB FOR A NEW BUSINESS VENTURE!

GMA NETWORK, Inc. has moved to take advantage of the foreseen growth in the local gambling industry by establishing a joint venture that will broadcast horse races and manage betting systems.“There are more palpable indications already that this year will be far better than the previous. We are containing the programming cost this year, and clear indications that recurring or traditional trade revenues will go up,” Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., GMA president and chief operating officer, told reporters in a briefing yesterday.

ABS-CBN: WE HAVE HIGHER AD RATES BECAUSE WE ARE NO.1!

This was the remark made by its chief executive and chairman Gabby Lopez III during a symposium in Cebu.

This is related to the talk about what station is number one in the country.

He shared that he’s not shocked by recent transfers made by their former artists such as Sharon Cuneta, Aga Muhlach, Willie Revillame and Derek Ramsay. Rather, he’s thankful to TV5 for accepting them to their fold.

GMA NEWS TV POSTS 40% DROP IN REVENUES DESPITE CLAIM OF BEING NO.1 NEWS CHANNEL!

LISTED BROADCASTER GMA Network, Inc. expects to post stronger first quarter figures on the back of renewed appetite from advertisers after profits dipped by nearly 40% last year. But GMA News Channel 11, which replaced QTV in February last year, posted a 40% revenue decline to P256 million as advertisers became cautious on the network’s new format, Ms. Maralag said. 

ABS-CBN TO INCREASE EXPENDITURE TO P5 BILLION DESPITE GMA'S PLAN TO CUT EXPENSES IN 2012!

MANILA, Philippines - The country's largest multimedia conglomerate, ABS-CBN reported a 25% drop in earnings to P2.4 billion from P3.18 billion in 2010, right on the heels of GMA-7 announcing a 39% drop in net income for the same period.

At a press briefing on Friday, April 13, ABS-CBN's Chief Finance Officer Rolando P. Valdueza described 2011 as "a struggle." But he said, "It goes to show that given our asset size of P40 billion, we are able to really monetize investments and we will continue to do so in the coming months."

MISS WORLD LEAVES GMA-7 FOR TV5!

Miss World Philippines finds a new home in TV5 as it inks partners with the most aggressive broadcast network in the country.

Following the success of the first Miss World Philippines last year and the 1st Runner-Up finish of Gwendoline Ruias at the Miss World pageant held in London, England, the prestigious pageant continues to move forward for a bigger and more meaningful celebration of "Beauty with a Purpose", underscoring the advocacy of Miss World in championing the cause of marginalized women and children.

MVP OFFERS P45B FOR GMA! DUAVITS & JIMENEZ AGREES, BUT GOZON WANTS MORE!

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan has reportedly offered up to P45 billion for a 100-percent stake in broadcast giant GMA Network Inc., The STAR learned.

Sources told The STAR, however, that the majority owners of GMA are asking for P55 billion.

It was learned that the Jimenez and Duavit families are already amenable to selling their respective 33-percent stake. Atty. Felipe Gozon, chairman and CEO of the broadcasting network who owns the remaining one-third stake, has not yet agreed.

OPEC ADMITS WORLD OIL PRICES UNUSUALLY HIGH!

VIENNA - The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) left its 2012 oil demand forecast unchanged on Thursday, April 12, but cautioned that it now expects slower global economic growth, notably because of the eurozone debt crisis.

Current high prices were unjustified, driven by speculative activity on the markets rather than economic fundamentals, it said.

OPEC put world demand this year at 88.64 million barrels per day (mbd), up 0.86 mbd from 2011 and compared with 88.63 mbd in its previous monthly report.

GMA NETWORK TO CUT SPENDING IN 2012 AFTER PROFIT FALLS 39% IN 2011!

The GMA-7 President sees the network tackling not only low ad growth but also the high spending that was hurt net profits in 2011.

He said GMA-7 would try to reduce programming costs by "no less than 3%."

On top of that reduction, capital expenditures will be toned down. After nearly P896 million in capital expenditures in 2011, Duavit said GMA-7 would eye only P650 million in capital spending for 2012.

AGB NIELSEN IN BIG TURMOIL FOR THE ALLEGED TAMPERING IN TELEVISION RATINGS!

Hot on the heels of Turkey’s massive match-fixing case, the country’s TV world has also been shocked by a huge fraud case, with Istanbul police raiding more than 20 locations on allegations of irregularities in the rating measurements for certain channels.

Seven suspects, two of whom are women, were taken into custody yesterday in connection with the allegations, according to Doğan news agency. The suspects were accused of giving gifts to television viewers with measurement devices to keep the ratings of particular shows high.

The raids, which targeted the offices of numerous production firms and the AGB Nielsen company, which measures ratings, were part of an investigation launched following a complaint from the state-owned broadcaster Turkish Radio and Television (TRT) for alleged tampering with television ratings. Computer hard-disks, five cell phones and large volumes of digital materials and documents were seized by the police during the raids, Anatolia news agency reported.

ABS-CBN TOP BOSS LOWEST PAID TV EXEC?

TV executives also figured prominently on the list.TV5 CEO and president Ray Espinosa leads the pack at No. 13 with a total taxable income of P114.1 million for which he paid P36.5 million in taxes.

 GMA Network Inc. chief executive and chairman Atty. Felipe Gozon is at No. 36, with a total taxable income of P69.3 million for which he paid P22 million in taxes.

FACEBOOK ACQUIRES INSTAGRAM FOR $1 BILLION!

Facebook is acquiring Instagram for $1 billion, and Instagram’s team will be joining Facebook. Mark Zuckerberg announced the deal in a Facebook post:

"I’m excited to share the news that we’ve agreed to acquire Instagram and that their talented team will be joining Facebook.

For years, we’ve focused on building the best experience for sharing photos with your friends and family. Now, we’ll be able to work even more closely with the Instagram team to also offer the best experiences for sharing beautiful mobile photos with people based on your interests.

GMA-7 SOLIDIFIES LEAD IN NUTAM FOR MARCH, AGB NIELSEN

Leading local multimedia company GMA Network, Inc. (GMA) dominated the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM) ratings last March based on figures furnished by broadcast industry’s more trusted ratings source Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.For the period March 1 to 31 (March 25 to 31 based on overnight ratings), GMA scored an average household share of 35.1 points in NUTAM, notably higher than ABS-CBN’s 31.3 points by 3.8 points and TV5’s 14.6 points by 20.5 points.

Using the assumption that there are five viewers per household, GMA had almost 700 thousand more viewers than ABS-CBN and 3.7 million more viewers than TV5 nationwide for the said period.

PBB & MMK STRKES A BLOW IN MEGA MANILA WEEKEND PRIME TIME!

March 31, Saturday

Morning:

Sa Kabukiran (ABS-CBN) 0.1%; Maunlad Na Agrikultura (TV5) 0.3%; Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko (GMA-7) 0.4%

Salamat Dok (ABS-CBN) 0.6%; Alagang Kapatid (TV5) 0.3%; Pinoy MD: Mga Doktor ng Bayan (GMA-7) 1.1%

Batman The Brave and The Bold (GMA-7) 2.2%; Kabuhayang Swak Na Swak (ABS-CBN) 0.8%;Handy Manny (TV5) 0.9%

ABS-CBN PRIME TIME TRIO STIKES A STRAIGHT WIN IN MEGA MANILA!

March 30, Friday

Morning:

Alagang Kapatid Replay (TV5) 0.1%; Krusada Replay (ABS-CBN) 0.1%; Rescue Replay (GMA-7) 0.2%

Umagang Kay Ganda (ABS-CBN) 1.5%; Unang Hirit (GMA-7) 2.3%; Good Morning Club (TV5) 0.7%; Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (TV5) 2.4%

Fish Hooks (TV5) 2.5%; Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon (ABS-CBN) 1.8%; Tom and Jerry (GMA-7) 5%

Phineas and Ferb (TV5) 2.7%; Jackie Chan Adventures (GMA-7) 6%; Naruto Shippuuden (ABS-CBN) 1.6%

Mojacko! (GMA-7) 6.6%; Batibot (TV5) 2.1%; Kris TV (ABS-CBN) 1.8%; Ed Edd N Eddy (TV5) 2.3%; Slam Dunk (GMA-7) 6.1%; Knock Out (GMA-7) 6.1%; Dexter’s Laboratory (TV5) 3%

WILTIME BIGTIME SUFFERS POOR RATINGS IN MEGA MANILA!

March 29, Thursday

Morning:

Umagang Kay Ganda (ABS-CBN) 1.1%; Unang Hirit (GMA-7) 2%; Good Morning Club (TV5) 0.4%; Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (TV5) 1.5%

Fish Hooks (TV5) 2.2%; Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon (ABS-CBN) 1.1%; Tom and Jerry (GMA-7) 3.5%

CA FAVORS ABS-CBN ON LABOR CASE!

The Court of Appeals (CA) has junked a complaint for regularization and money claims filed against ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. by its dismissed talents engaged as independent contractors from 1994 to 1999.

In a 20-page ruling penned by Associate Justice Stephen Cruz, the appellate court's Special 14th Division reinstated the labor arbiter’s decision dated March 26, 2004 dismissing the case against the broadcast giant and reversing a decision dated Oct. 29, 2009 and a resolution dated Oct. 29, 2010 by the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) in favor of the talents.

The appellate court said "private respondents (talents) have failed to prove that they are regular employees of the petitioner (ABS-CBN). The ruling held that there was substantial evidence showing that complainants were “talents” who were engaged by ABS-CBN as independent contractors and were paid talent fees as shown in their pay-slips.

SMC TRUMPS PLDT OVER THE PAL AQUISITION!

 San Miguel Corp. has firmed up a deal to acquire 49 percent of tycoon Lucio Tan’s PAL Holdings Inc. for about $500 million, thereby obtaining a significant foothold in national flag carrier Philippine Airlines.

Inquirer sources said SMC and the group of Lucio Tan agreed in principle for the former to buy into PAL’s parent company before the SMC’s exclusivity period lapsed in end-March.

BDO TO RAISE $1 BILLION VIA SHARE SALE!

The country’s largest bank, Banco de Oro Unibank, is planning to beef up its tier 1 or core capital by as much as $1 billion through the sale of additional shares to existing investors.

“This capital raising is intended to support the growth and expansion of the bank amidst the positive sentiments on the economy, and to strengthen the bank’s capital position in anticipation of new Basel III requirements,” BDO chair Teresita Sy said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Monday.