ABS-CBN’s ‘ASAP Natin ‘To’ debuts on TV5

Longtime ABS-CBN Sunday noontime show ASAP Natin ‘To debuted on TV5 on Sunday, January 24, with stars of ABS-CBN’s other shows joining the opening number.

The hosts of It’s Showtime and Magandang Buhay, as well as the stars of Bagong Umaga and Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin, were also present to witness the big day on television.

All-star opening kantahan with your favorite ASAP Kapamilyas!#ASAPasONE pic.twitter.com/NwNMyZ3KRi

— ASAP Natin ‘To (@ASAPOfficial) January 24, 2021

26 YEARS. ✨ @ASAPOFFICIAL#ASAPonTV5 #ASAPasONE pic.twitter.com/C1uDKklAjH

— TV5 (@TV5manila) January 24, 2021

Bagong Umaga Family on ASAP Natin ‘To!#ASAPasONE pic.twitter.com/PCq2l20WYq

— ASAP Natin ‘To (@ASAPOfficial) January 24, 2021

ASAP hosts led by Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano thanked TV5’s bosses including its chairman Manny Pangilinan and Cignal and TV5 president Robert Galang for the partnership.

“It’s one major historical day for all of us. Sama-sama tayong lahat sa pag-ukit ng panibagong kabanata na ito sa kaysaysayan ng Philippine television (We’re all together in creating a new chapter in the history of Philippine television),” Gary said.

“Everyone’s talking about unity. In the spirit of unity, two networks have come together today as one to better serve Filipinos near and far,” Martin said.

"From the bottom of our hearts, we would like to thank these very special people whose names we've never mentioned before, who made all of these possible. Now you know that you can't have a happy Kapamilya without Kapatid!"#ASAPonTV5 #ASAPasONE pic.twitter.com/UDvtYXeDOx

— TV5 (@TV5manila) January 24, 2021

The show trended on social media with the hashtags #ASAPasONE and #ASAPonTV5 landing at No. 1 and No. 8 as of 2 pm on Sunday.

Screenshot from Twitter

ASAP is one of ABS-CBN’s flagship weekend shows and has been airing on TV for over 25 years.

ABS-CBN, the Philippines’ biggest media company, was ordered by government regulators to cease airing on free TV in May 2020 after its franchise expired. Months later, a House committee denied the network a new franchise, forcing ABS-CBN to retrench thousands of its workers.

For a while, ABS-CBN aired almost exclusively online. The media giant later found a means to broadcast through cable and, eventually, free TV via deals with other companies.

ABS-CBN and TV5 announced their partnership on January 21. Another ABS-CBN series, FPJ: Da King, will also air on TV5.

It’s a big deal in the Philippine entertainment and broadcasting world, where “network wars” dominate pop culture.

ASAP replaced Brightlight Productions’ Sunday Noontime Live, which aired its last episode on January 17.

ASAP is also streamed via iWantTFC and Kapamilya Online Live, and ABS-CBN’s YouTube channels. It also airs via Kapamilya Channel on cable, and through Zoe Broadcasting Network’s A2Z Channel 11 on free TV. – Rappler.com