Philippine Anime to the NEXT LEVEL; Hero TV goes INTERNATIONAL

Let me quote some from this entertainment news article from Manila Bulletin, dated April 21, 2006.

'Voltes V,’ MYX Int'l and more from ABS-CBN’s Creative Programs, Inc.
By WALDEN SADIRI

"When you build it, they will come."

This familiar line from the movie of Kevin Costner entitled "Field of Dreams" runs true in Creative Programs, Inc. (CPI), a subsidiary of ABS-CBN which produces and distributes innovative content for cable and satellite markets for Filipinos and the world.

Since its onset in December of 1991, CPI has built programs that had been an integral aspect of SkyCable’s continuous viewership growth. They have also developed and launched programs that have successfully hit respective niche markets. They are today’s popular cable shows — Cinema One, MYX, Hero TV and Lifestyle Network.

As expressed by Chinky de Jesus, CPIs Vice President and Managing Director of Creative Programs, Inc.,"This is what I wanted to happen and I think I was aligned with the vision of our chairman, Gabby Lopez...that’s why we plan of bringing Hero TV and MYX out of the country."

CPI is also taking a global direction with their popular shows... Another program CPI plans to make global is Hero TV because of its strong appeal to the Filipino youth.

What CPI hopes to accomplish is to duplicate or even exceed if possible their success in terms of viewership in the country. With regards to ratings, Cinema One is currently the highest ranked cable program while Hero TV immediately made it to the Top 10 most watched cable programs a month after it was launched last January 2006.

"Aside from blockbusters and classics, we also acquire foreign films and dub it into Tagalog...we pay close attention to the dubbing and we make sure that the scripts are of quality the way it’s translated and we get the right voice actors," pointed out Chinky who added that Tagalized anime and films greatly appeal to Filipino viewers.

Localizing their programs is also the reason CPI’s shows have always been popular to Filipinos.

...

As for Hero TV, they will soon air once again the classic anime series "Voltes V" dubbed as "Voltes V Evolution" soon. This Tagalized version will have the voices of big named actors in the Philippines like Dennis Trillo as Steve Armstrong, Bob dela Cruz as Big Bert Armstrong, Igiboy Flores as Little Jon Armstrong, Blair Arellano as Mark Gordon, Sandara Park as Jamie Robinson, Michael de Mesa as Dr. Hook, Joseph Bitangcol as Prince Zardos, Nikki Valdez as Princess Zandra, Ricci Chan as Zuhl and Jett Pangan as Draco. Hero TV has also an on-going on-air promo called "Volt-in, Text-in" wherein viewers of Hero TV can "text-in" the answers from featured questions of the day and could win a brand new Red Fox Vengeance computer!

According to Ms. De Jesus, Hero TV is the brainchild of ABS-CBN Chairman Gabby Lopez based on the high ratings of Tagalog Anime on free TV.

"Kuha nila ang mga bata and you are talking to them in their language. You are showing them colorful visuals. Because of the popularity we said why not come out with their own channel that will give them what they want...in contrast to other children channels we only air for 18 hours."

Patunay lang ito na malaki at marami ang mga manonood, taga-sunod at tunay na sumasampalataya sa pinakapatok na pasttime ng kabataang Pilipino... ang Anime - tagalog-dubbed style...

Hindi ito kahalangan, tulad ng sinasabi ng isang grupong anti-Christ dito...