Columnist Ricky Lo reportedly confirmed GMA7-TV5 merger on his Funfare post at PhilStar on Monday, June 4, 2012. According to Lo, Manny V. Pangilinan announced the merger during the Sanfo launch of TV5 in Northern California.

The report said, “This (GMA-TV5 merger) was virtually confirmed by Kapatid big boss Manny V. Pangilinan during the presscon last Saturday in San Francisco where a partnership between TV5 and Dish Network was formally signed, called Dish Ko ’To, promoting the combined channels of GMA Pinoy TV and Kapatid TV5,” Lo wrote.

Lo also added that the details about the presscon can be read on Raymond de Asis Lo’s report on tomorrow’s issue of The Philippine Star.

However, comedian Arnell Ignacio said on his official Twitter account that the GMA7-TV5 merger is not true. He posted a photo of MVP’s statement regarding the issue.

The message reads, “MVP: You know Arnel, all i said was – please support TV5 here in the states. And by the way, please support GMA7 too (since Dish carries GMA). That was all. NO MENTION OF MERGER, INVESTMENT, COMBINATION. Certainly, no mention of November deadline or any deadline at all. Sure, some people speculated and all I said was I can now say we, re under discussion but nothing was finalized at this time.”

Meanwhile, GMA Network chairman Felipe Gozon insisted they are not selling the network, but are open to any possible buyout offers.

Upcoming reality singing competition “Kanta Pilipinas” will be the biggest reality search to be aired on kapatid network TV5 this year.

According to TV5, “Kanta Pilipinas will chronicle the different stories of many Filipinos aspiring to have their talent be heard. Following their journey, their struggles and their triumphs, we will get to witness their transformation from being regular folks with raw talent to becoming a star.”

The show is scheduled to premiere on July 2012 to be hosted by Sharon Cuneta. The theme song was performed by multi-awarded singer and actress Lea Salonga.

The singing search is open to all Filipinos from 14-30 years old. Contestants can be a solo, duo, or group act of any genre. The search will begin this February. Check out audition dates posted below.

Audition dates:

Feb. 24 – SM City Cagayan De Oro
Mar. 02 – SM City Cebu
Mar. 10 – SM City Davao
Mar. 16 – SM City Baguio
Mar. 23 – SM City Iloilo
Mar. 30 – SM City North Edsa
Apr. 20 – SM City Batangas

For more details, please visit http://www.kantapilipinas.com

Watch the video courtesy of TV5

TV5 also called the “Happy Network” has launched it’s first Christmas Station ID titled “Krismas Mas Mas Masaya.” The song was performed by Sharon Cuneta.

“Krismas Mas Mas Masaya” video premiered during TV5′s Christmas party for the entertainment press Monday night, December 6.

The Christmas Station ID features Nora Aunor, Dolphy, Lorna Tolentino, Richard & Lucy, Vic Sotto, Willie Revillame and the Wiltime, Big Time cast, Edu Manzano, Aga Muhlach, Joey de Leon, Ryan Agoncillo, Gelli de Belen, JC de Vera, Nadine Samonte, Oyo Sotto, Wendell Ramos, Jay Manalo, Zoren Legaspi, Tonton Gutierrez, Alex Gonzaga, Mr. Fu, Kean Cipriano, Dina Bonnevie, Arci Muñoz, Danica Paner, Phil and James Younghusband and public affairs personalities like the Tulfo Brothers, Cheryl Cosim, Atty. Persida Acosta, Cristine Babao, Amy Perez, Paolo Bediones and Luchi Cruz-Valdez.

Watch the video:

Two of the biggest television networks in the country will cover the Prince William of Wales and Catherine Middleton wedding. Kapatid TV5 and Kapuso GMA7 networks has announced their participation to the royal wedding live event.

According to Glenda Villena of Yahoo Philippines, “TV5 announced it is the official Philippine media carrier of UK’s “Royal Wedding Channel,” the International Television Network (ITN). News5 will deploy a news team to London to cover the event.”

“GMA Network, on the hand, will also air the BBC live event via Reuters Television.Through its all-news channel, GMA News TV, the network will also provide live broadcast of the wedding, daily news updates, and a documentary of the couple’s love story.”

The Royal Wedding April 29 schedule will officially begin at 11 a.m. (UK time), when the couple arrives at Westminster Abbey for their marriage ceremony.

After the ceremony at Westminster Abbey, William and Kate will travel in an open carriage leading a formal procession to Buckingham Palace. Below, explore the route that will be thronged with well-wishers.

After the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Commission on Human Rights (CHR) , today UNICEF Philippines aired their side about the issue of a 6-year-old-boy “Jan Jan” who danced like a macho dancer in Willie Revillames’ TV show “Willing Willie.”

In a statement posted on Facebook, UNICEF said that Jan Jan was humiliated and ridiculed on TV prime time show. In fact, they are now calling the attention of Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas to review the protection and treatment of children on television.

Part of the statement reads, “UNICEF fully supports the actions taken by the DSWD and Commission on Human Rights and other concerned groups to ensure the child’s right to protection from exploitation and abuse and to counsel the family involved in this incident.”

“UNICEF is also advocating for the media, particularly for the broadcast TV networks, to take a careful look at the values and behaviors that are being promoted in some of their programs. ”

Meanwhile, in a statement released March 29, 2011, CHR said it’s not only Willie Revillame and the TV show committed child abuse but also the parents of Jan Jan who exposed their child to humiliation.

Last March 29, Mr. Willie Revillame, the producers of Willing Willie and TV5 sincerely apologized for the segment of the show featuring 6-year-old Jan-Jan Suan which viewers may have found offensive or in bad taste.

They pointed out that there was never any intention to humiliate or abuse Jan-Jan or any contestant on the show.