Former Ch 2 talents beef up RPN 9 slots as the Kasama network

By Marinel Cruz

Inquirer on May 27, 2006

RPN 9 HAS SOUGHT THE HELP OF FORMER ABS-CBN employees to beef up its programming and get a better chance at beating rival networks as the Kasama network is No.3, according to network president Mia Concio.

Concio identified Jing Magsaysay, former ABS-CBN assistant vice president for news operations, as RPN 9's officer in charge for news.

Erwin Tulfo, who used to anchor for Magandang Gabi Bayan, is now the host of the hour-long news program, Aksyon Balita.

Tulfo was a regular ABS-CBN reporter for nine years. Angelique Lazo, who used to anchor the evening news program for RPN 9, has transferred to PTV 4.

As early as now, the new team is already infusing changes in the news department, Concio told Inquirer Entertainment on Friday. ?The shows now have more action segments. They are now more responsive to the audience and more interactive.

Also part of the new RPN 9 news team is Melo del Prado, former desk editor of dzMM (ABS-CBN's AM radio) and reporter for TV Patrol.

Leddy Tantoco, formerly a reporter for dzMM, is now a writer of 'Isumbong Mo! (Tulfo Brothers)', a public service program aired Saturday nights.

Also part of the spruce-up is extending the airtime of Aksyon Balita from 30 minutes to a full hour, Concio pointed out.

This is just the first phase. Viewers should watch out for more, she said. Right now, it's important that we first build a credible image for our news team. With Jing and Erwin's help, we can solidify our platform.

Since February, Concio added, RPN 9's international channel, RPN USA, has been available in key areas in the United States through cable distributor Echo Star. For this project, the network tied up with the US-based Glocal Media.

Next on the drawing board, Concio said, is the strengthening of the network's entertainment programming.

RPN 9 recently started producing shows for the female audience. It has come up with three such shows For M, Make-Over, and Go Negosyo in non-prime time slots.

Connie Sison, former ABS-CBN reporter and host of Magandang Umaga Bayan, will be hosting Go Negosyo, which premieres June 5.

The network has also consulted, Solar Entertainment, which is responsible for the prime time hours (6-10 p.m.), on how to reprogram said grid.

Concio denied rumors that RPN 9 is interested in getting senior vice president for Star Magic (ABS-CBN talent center) Johnny Manahan to help. But she hinted on talking with a director who is responsible for a number of box-office hits for ABS-CBN.

New RPN Kasama Network Programs in 2006
News and Public Affairs Informative Entertainment Movie Block Sports Children Nick on RPN (Monday-Friday 9-11 am and 3-4:30 pm) Prime Shift (6-10 pm on RPN) Kids Shift (Saturdays 9-11 am and Sundays 10-11 am) Other
 * Aksyon Balita (Erwin Tulfo) (Monday-Friday 5-6 pm)
 * NewsWatch (Eric Eloriaga, Cristina Peczon and Joee Guilas) (Monday-Friday 10:30-11:30 pm)
 * RPN News Break (hourly news update)
 * Kapatid (Dr. Joel Mendez) (Monday-Friday 4:30-5 pm)
 * For M (Marigold Haber-Dunca and Mr. Fu) (Monday 12 nn)
 * Go Negosyo (Connie Sison) (Monday 10:30-11:30 pm with replays on Saturday 3-4 pm)
 * Isumbong Mo! (Tulfo Brothers) (Ramon Tulfo, Raffy Tulfo and Erwin Tulfo) (Saturday 6-7 pm)
 * Dee's Day (Ms. Dee-Dee Siytangco) (Thursdays 12 nn with replays on Friday 8-9 am)
 * Insight Inside (Harry Tambuatco) (Monday-Friday 1-2 pm)
 * Cerge For Truth (Cerge Remonde) (Wednesdays 10:30-11:30 pm)
 * Buhay Pinoy (Patty Santos and Jamie Santos) (Saturdays 1-2 pm)
 * The Police Hour (Atty. Joji Alonso) (Thursdays 11:30 pm-12:30 am)
 * Kasangga Mo Ang Langit (Rey Langit and JR Langit) (Thursdays 11-11:30 pm)
 * Biyaheng Langit (Rey Langit) (Saturdays 4-4:30 pm)
 * Kalusugan TV (Dr. Gary Sy) (Saturdays 11:30 pm-12 mn)
 * Magnegosyo Tayo (Mr. Fu) (Saturdays 7:30-8:30 am)
 * Ikaw at ang Batas (Jopet Sison and Atty. Jose Sison) (Monday-Friday 1:55-2 pm)
 * Better Home Ideas (Wednesdays 12 nn)
 * Gandang Ricky Reyes (Ricky Reyes) (Sundays 11 am-12 nn)
 * WOW: What's on Weekend! (Joel Mendez and Luanne Dy) (Saturdays 2-3 pm)
 * Make-Over (Eugene Domingo and Shiela Dizon-Carlos) (Friday 12 nn)
 * O D'Spot (Richard Reynoso and Tita Armida) (Sundays 12 nn-1 pm)
 * Cebu (Tuesdays 12 nn)
 * Just For Laughs (Mondays and Wednesdays 11:30 pm)
 * TNT: Tuesday Night Treat (Tuesdays 10:30 pm-12 mn)
 * TGIS: TV Greats on Friday (Fridays 10:30 pm-12 mn)
 * In This Corner (Saturdays 12 nn-1 pm)
 * Fistorama (Sundays 4-5 pm)
 * The Main Event (VIVA Boxing) (Sundays 1-2 pm)
 * Taekwondo TV (Monsour del Rosario and Japoy Lizardo) (Saturdays 9:30-10 am)
 * Popeye and Son (Saturdays 11-11:30 am)
 * Kids TV (Miguel Sarne, Joyce Manansala, Nadine Lustre and Janeena Chan) (Saturdays 4:30-5 pm)
 * Spongebob Squarepants (Monday-Friday 9-9:30 am and 3:30-4 pm)
 * Hey Arnold! (Monday-Friday 11-11:30 am)
 * The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron (Monday-Friday 10:30-11 am)
 * As Told By Ginger (Monday-Wednesday 9:30-10 am)
 * The Fairly OddParents (Monday-Friday 10-10:30 am)
 * The Wild Thornberrys (Monday-Friday 3-3:30 pm)
 * Chalkzone (Thursday and Friday 9:30-10 am)
 * Invader Zim! (Monday-Friday 4-4:30 pm)
 * NBA on RPN
 * WWE Smackdown (Friday 7-8 pm)
 * UFC: Ultimate Fighting Championship (Friday 9-10 pm)
 * Sunday's Big Event (Sundays 9-11 pm)
 * Saturday Night Playhouse (Saturdays 9-11 pm)
 * Movie Monday (Monday 8-10 pm)
 * Entertainment Tonight (Monday-Friday 6-6:30 pm)
 * World Poker Tour (Friday 8-9 pm)
 * The Insider (Monday-Friday 6:30-7 pm)
 * Iron Chef (Wednesday 7-8 pm)
 * Australia's Next Top Model (Tuesdays 8-9 pm)
 * WWE Experience (Sunday 5-6 pm)
 * JAG (Sunday 6-7 pm)
 * Without A Trace (Sunday 8-9 pm)
 * NCIS (Sunday 7-8 pm)
 * CSI Miami (Saturday 8-9 pm)
 * Scare Tactics (Monday 7-7:30 pm)
 * North Shore (Tuesday 7-8 pm)
 * Jake in Progress (Tuesday 9-9:30 pm)
 * Sex in the City (Tuesday 9:30-10 pm)
 * The 4400 (Thursday 7-8 pm)
 * Medium (Thursday 8-9 pm)
 * Invasion (Thursdays 9-10 pm)
 * Three Wishes (Wednesday 8-9 pm)
 * Blind Justice (Saturday 7-8 pm)
 * Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (Wednesdays 9-10 pm)
 * Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries (Saturday 9-9:30 am)
 * Codename: Kids Next Door (Saturdays 9:30-10 am)
 * Teenaje Mutant Ninja Turtles (Weekends 10-10:30 am)
 * Zoids and Fuzors (Saturdays 10:30-11 am)
 * Xiolin Showdown (Sundays 10:30-11 am)
 * Global Window (Monday-Friday 7-7:30 am)
 * Value Vision (Monday-Friday 11 am-12 nn)
 * Winner TV Shopping (Monday-Friday 2-3 pm)