TFC’s ‘Love Ngayon’ offering
DUBAI — In line with ABSCBN’s #JustLove Ngayong Pasko Christmas campaign, The Filipino Channel (TFC) in the Middle East recently gifted overseas Filipinos with back-to-back events that brought holiday cheer and the company of Kapamilya celebrities.
Last Dec. 1, 2017, the Filipino Community Day of the Saudi Arabia Hiligaynon, Inc. (PINAS-SAHI) continued the long-standing tradition of presenting Filipino culture by way of entertainment at its 23rd installment. With the provision of a platform for Filipino talents as part of its mission, TFC brought in the 25th anniversary of ABS-CBN’s talent arm Star Magic to the annual celebration at Al Shola Beach Resort Tourist Village with actor Enchong Dee and comedian Chokoleit joining PINAS-SAHI as well as leading the Star Magic 25 Fans Day.
Filipinos from Dammam and nearby cities came to see TFC’s highly awaited hour at the annual event, weathering both distance and time just to see their favorite Kapamilya stars.
PINAS–SAHI president Ed Cataluna is grateful that the event continues to be a much-anticipated event, with TFC as a perennial partner since 2005. He said, “Thank you for the confidence and trust in us. We did it again with flying colors. Maraming salamat.”
The next day, TFC held an early Christmas celebration in Jeddah via the OFW Pasasalamat as part of the OFW Month Celebration at the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah. True to the event’s tagline, Ultimate Fan Saya, the event did not only showcase the world-class Filipino talent but also our community spirit or bayanihan.
In honor of the Pinoys who equally deserved the limelight as world-class Filipino performers such as Enchong and Chokoleit, the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah, anchored on the OFW Month Celebration, recognized Saripada Dawood Balindong for saving a Saudi national even as locals warned him against doing so for his safety. Inspired by the #JustLove Ngayong Pasko station ID of Kapamilya Christmas campaign, which honored unsung heroes through personal notes from thankful fellowmen, Enchong read Balindong a letter, recognizing his selfless act, wherein he discounted cultural barriers and even his own safety. For the Star Magic 25 Fans Day at Filipino Community Day and Ultimate Fans Day to mark the OFW Month, ABS-CBN Middle East officer-in-charge Joseph Arnie Garcia was proud to share that the partnership between TFC, PINAS-SAHI and the Philippine Embassy in Jeddah remains strong and continues to make history in each installment. TFC also gave away #JustLove shirts for qualified TFC online (www.TFC.tv) subscribers.