Fresh/Hot/Fast: Maki-TV Patrol Southern Tagalog Na!

ABS-CBN has been launching many firsts in the realm of news/public affairs/public service since its incorporation in 1946, its launch of radio operations in 1948 and its launch of TV operations in 1953. Besides pioneering round the clock reporting and live coverage unmatched by other media organizations ever since, it launched news shows that have been at the forefront of broadcasting. One is Bandila, which megged a finalist spot in the Emmy Awards International Contest in 2007--a first for a Filipino newscast and a newly-launched one then. Another is of course TV Patrol, the first and longest running primetime Filipino-language newscast on Philippine TV (launched in 1987).

The launch of the national-worldwide TV Patrol (now TV Patrol World) was historic. So were the regional editions of TV Patrol. In fact, the the local editions of TV Patrol in Bacolod, Cebu and Davao are celebrating their 20th anniversaries recently. Even TV Patrol Tacloban is celebrating its 10th year on-air.

And this afternoon, ABS-CBN is doing something historic, something for the better for the people down south of Manila, specifically in Batangas. ABS-CBN is launching the newest regional edition of TV Patrol. It is called TV Patrol Southern Tagalog.

ABS-CBN has been thinking of improving its service to South Luzon viewers, answering the viewers' hunger for local news that matter, especially of the viewers in Batangas and provinces of Tagalog South Luzon (different from Palawan and Bicolano South Luzon). Late last year, a precursor was set up: ABS-CBN Batangas News Patrol, hosted by veteran ABS-CBN Naga correspondent Sarita Kare (who frequently reported for TV Patrol Bicol before getting assigned to Batangas City).

TV Patrol Southern Tagalog will be like ABS-CBN Batangas News Patrol--the newscast featuring reports (live/taped) of events in and out of Batangas City and even beyond CALABARZON and MIMARO. (BTW Palawan has its own TV Patrol.) Be it a small town fiesta, or a crime investigation, be it a barrage of tourists in Tagaytay or even an implementation of a public service project by the Batangas Governor (no else than Governor and Filipino entertainment icon Vilma Santos)--you bet TV Patrol Southern Tagalog is there, notwithstanding the small but incredible news team of Sarita, Tina Ganzon, Eric Dastas and Joan Panopio. Also on board are reports from the South Luzon correspondents for ABS-CBN Manila AM radio station DZMM like Dennis Datu, Arnell Ozaeta, Vic Pambuan and Johnny Glorioso. News events in various cities and towns of Batangas, Mindoro Provinces, Quezon, Rizal, Laguna, Romblon, Marinduque and Cavite will be also covered. Included of course are public service segments that will be of help to much of the South Luzon folk.

TV Patrol Southern Tagalog, anchored by Sarita Kare, will premiere today, February 9, to be broadcast Mondays to Fridays 5:15pm-6:00pm, before Kapamilya Deal or No Deal over ABS-CBN TV-10 Batangas City. It will be simulcast on TV-38 Lipa City (Quezon), TV-46 San Pablo (Laguna), TV-11 Occidental Mindoro and TV-24 Lucena (Quezon).

South Luzon Viewers of the Kapamilya Tagalized Chinese fantasy-dramedy Mischievous Princess starring Jang Na Ra need not fret at all. Though Mischievous Princess will make way for TV Patrol Southern Tagalog today, it will be broadcast specially every Monday-Friday morning starting tomorrow February 10.

Batangas, Katagalugan, Katimugang Luzon, Kapamilya, makibalita! Maki-TV Patrol Southern Tagalog na!

With KDOND finally back since last year, and with TVPST beginning, it's a big DEAL!