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.

MVP EYES ON 3 AIRPORT PLANS!

Businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan said on Tuesday his group is very keen on pursuing projects via the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Program, particularly three of the busiest airports in the country.

He cited Naia (Ninoy Aquino International Airport), Mactan International Airport and Clark International Airport.

“The country is in need of infra projects. I think it’s up to the government to decide which they should privatize first. There is no assurance that anybody can win it. I am not saying that we will win all three or one. It’s going to be a competitive bidding. There are only three airports that I can think of that are attractive for the moment. I could be wrong,” said Pangilinan.

NANG DAHIL SA PAG IBIG STRIKES IT FIRST WIN IN MEGA MANILA!

March 12, Monday

Morning:

Tutok Tulfo Replay (TV5) 0.1%; Ako Ang Simula Replay (ABS-CBN) 0%; Tunay Na Buhay Replay (GMA-7) 0.4%

Umagang Kay Ganda (ABS-CBN) 1.2%; Unang Hirit (GMA-7) 1.8%; Good Morning Club (TV5) 0.4%; Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (TV5) 1.2%

Handy Manny (TV5) 1.5%; Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon (ABS-CBN) 1.4%; Tom and Jerry (GMA-7) 4%