In less than a day after publishing this, fans around the world will tune into their phones, tablets, and internet-powered TV’s to watch the biggest song competition for children, the 16th Junior Eurovision Song Contest, happening on November 25, 2018 at the Minsk Arena in Minsk, Belarus.
Since I learned about this thing called high definition, I have dreamed for the day that our household would finally be able to have access to this wonderful-wonderful world where everything is crystal clear, every detail is on point, and letterboxes are nothing but a thing of the past (only to be replaced by pillarboxes). Today, we finally made that dream come true.
Our cable operator has had HD available to its subscribers for years now but it’s only until recently that I considered convincing my family to have our existing digital cable box upgraded to something that maximises our HDTV’s full potential in terms of picture quality. But to do that, I have to do a ton of research into what I’m getting myself into.
First off, I snagged a copy of a brochure containing our cable company’s line-up of channels, both in standard and high definition, their availability in either format, line-up packs as well as their respective rates per channel. Afterwards, I called their customer service hotline at different times to learn more and further confirm about their HD service.
Originally, I was kinda hoping I could be able to avail our household of a DVR (digital video recorder) that comes with the HD upgrade so that we may be able to record shows that we may have missed. But unfortunately, that additional feature is not available in our area so yeah…That was quite the setback.
In the end, I did went through with it ONCE I’ve learned less than a week ago that one of the local TV networks have finally launched its own HD channel that is now available to all subscribers of our cable operator. That alone is reason enough to push through with availing that HD upgrade even though we will only get to have just two free channels in high definition after getting to preview every other HD channel there is available for a limited one-week period.
The new remote and the control panel from the HD digital box will take a little getting used to although, by the looks of it, I may not be able to pillarbox any SD channel anytime soon.
The local HD channel, ABS-CBN HD, currently has a limited number of shows currently in high definition, majority of which are all of their daily soap operas, plus one live variety show, a few recent cartoons and live action series.
Hopefully in the near future, we’ll be able to afford more channels into our current cable package as it seems like my dad is enjoying the heck out of our preview high definition channels. Of course, I guess I may have to give my fair share of subsidising our monthly cable bill to make it all worth it.
As the saying goes, “To pretty colors, and high definition!”
Pinoy Big Brother 6
Sa mga Papasok na Housemates,
Habang binabasa niyo ito, marahil kayo ay nasa kalagitnaan ng pagsesequester sa kanya-kanyang hotel room sa Maynila (at maaring hindi mo ‘to mabasa kaagad), kung saan ay naghihintay na lamang kayong lumipas ang isang linggo bago kayo pumasok sa bahay ni Kuya para sa makasaysayang nitong ikaanim na regular season (ikalabing dalawa sa pangkalahatan) at ikasampung anibersaryo.
Sa inyong pagpasok, magiging bahagi na kayo ng isang naatatanging pangkat ng mga tao mula sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng mundo na binigyan ng pagkakataong manirahan kasama ang mga kapwa estranghero sa loob ng higit-kumulang na 15 linggo na walang contact mula sa labas. Para maglaro sa isang palabas na may mga hindi-inaasahang twists at turns, magawang lagpasan ang bawat nominasyon at evictions, maging ang pagpipintas ng publiko hanggang sa ikaw na lang ang natatanging natitira.
Pinoy Big Brother 6
Dear Incoming Housemates,
As you read this, you might be in the process of being sequestered to your assigned hotel room in Manila (and probably won’t be reading this in time), waiting less than a week from now before entering the Pinoy Big Brother house, which is now on its landmark 6th regular season (12th over-all) and tenth anniversary.
Upon entering the house, you will officially become part of an elite global group of people who were bestowed with a one of a kind experience to live with fellow strangers in isolation for 15 weeks or less, to play a game filled with unexpected twists and turns as you survive nominations and evictions, as well as public scrutiny, until only one housemate is left standing to claim the grand prize on finale day.
Oh my!
courtesy of Wikipedia
For more than a year, I have enjoyed my extended vacation under domestic bliss, all the while my soul gets burned into crisp by the fires of unemployment hell. Now, I may have to bid that adieu as I try to land myself a decent job to finally get myself back in the market. Continue reading
After more than 3 years of fearing the inevitable, it finally happened. After 17 years on the air, Studio 23 is finally folding up to give way for a new sport-oriented network to take its place.
Farewell, Studio 23.
So I haven’t been blogging for quite a long time but no fret. Here I am, typing out some long-held thoughts so I that my mind won’t have to wonder so much.
The US reality series Survivor has been on the air for 14 years and have aired 27 seasons thus far. Three of the most recent seasons have been held here in the Philippines, two seasons shot in the Caramoan Islands in Bicol and the one currently airing was filmed on-location in Palaui Island off the coast of Cagayan Province.
Big Brother USA is back and it’s bigger than ever. For the first time, I’m live-blogging the BB15 premiere. Later this week, I’m doing a full video recap on BB&J so you guys better subscribe.
Here we go!
As the input of Pinoy soaps increased in the 1990’s onwards to the new millenium, so are the ways and means for producers to get people hooked on whatever soap being shown on our TV screens. Other than the glossy title cards, the cheesy storylines, the glamorous stars with oozing seks appeal, and the “showbiz-branded” titles to the casted soap/movie veterans, the one thing that serves as the primary heart nad soul is the theme music that accompanies a drama serial, as with any TV show found on any other genre.
90210 Forever!
Image courtesy of 90210-Media.org
For five seasons, 90210 have bravely fought the good fight, avoiding cancelation as much as possible until the very end. The youth-oriented drama that was spun-off from a popular 90’s teen soap, about a group of teenagers living their lives through twists and turns against the backdrop that is Beverly Hills, ended its 5-year run on a bittersweet feel-good note.