ALKHOBAR, 21 March 2005 — The long wait for the alternative Filipino channel is over as Orbit’s Pinoy Plus has began broadcasting programs of ABS-CBN’s archrival GMA 7 network in the Kingdom.

Eat Bulaga, the No. 1 and the longest running noontime show in the Philippines, was the first show of GMA 7 seen on Orbit channel on the first day of broadcast.

“I am very happy that another Philippine network has reached Saudi Arabia. Thanks to NEC-VIVA who made this project possible,” Ricky of Dammam told Arab News.

Venny Bonifacio, a waiter of Majestic Restaurant in First Industrial Dammam, said the coming of GMA 7 has given him their Filipino customers to stay longer.

“Noong wala pang GMA7 sa Orbit, pagkatapos kumain ang mga Filipino customers namin ay umaalis kaagad. Ngayon na meron nang GMA7, dito na sila nagpapalipas ng lunch break nila (Before GMA 7 came, our customers leave at once after taking lunch. Now they stay a little longer to watch their favorite shows),” Bonifacio said.

Said Sonny Hidalgo, purchasing expediter in AlKhobar, “Like me, many OFWs are avid fans of some GMA 7 programs, especially Eat Bulaga and Mulawin and the fact that I am already bored with the shows of TFC gives me good reason for switching my subscription from TFC to Pinoy Plus.”

For Danny, an accountant in Riyadh, the competition between the two networks will surely be beneficial to OFWs expecting better services from both entertainment-media providers.

GMA 7’s top shows, apart from Eat Bulaga and Mulawin, include Habang Kapiling Ka, i-Witness and the news show Saksi.

The rest of the most popular and prime programs selected by OFW subscribers in a survey conducted during the launching period will be included within 2-3 months.

Tsunami

According to a correspondent of TFC, Pinoy Plus had indeed hit them hard.

“Para kaming tinamaan ng tsunami (It's like we were hit by tsunami). But there’s nothing to worry because TFC is working hard to provide OFWs more than the Pinoy Plus can offer,” he said.

ABS-CBN Middle East managing director Rafael A. Jison, asked to comment on the competition’s arrival, said in a press statement: “As a Filipino organization we always welcome any new form of news and entertainment programs to our fellow OFWs because the ultimate beneficiary will be the OFWs themselves, whom ABS-CBN has committed to serve worldwide.”

Jison noted that ABS-CBN has made considerable investments in the region to provide readily available technical services.

“We had established our own offices in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2000 and in the United Arab Emirates in 2002. The company is run by Filipinos, from management to customer service and technical staff.

“ABS-CBN is very close to the Filipino communities through its news and public affairs program called Balitang Middle East which exclusively covers regional events and concerns, as well as recognizes the heroic deeds of ordinary OFWs.

We are embarking on major simultaneous service improvements in the next few weeks.,” he added. In a bid to get subscribers, Orbit has put up officers manned by Filipinos in key cities.

In the Eastern Province, the Orbit Showrooms are located at Alkhobar Dammam Highway and Rashid Mall and the contact person is Butch Claro at 05079-21969. In Riyadh, the contact is Jeck Olaguer at 05092-38801. In Jeddah, the contacts are Danny Cabatian at (02) 657-2984/651-1440 or 05027-95776 and John Asperilla at 05095-39410.

NEC-VIVA Middle & Europe’s main office can also be reached at telephone number (03) 867-9039. Pinoy Plus will also be accepting subscription on line at www.pinoyplus.net soon.