TV Patrol Weekend
History
Pre-launch
Following the People Power Revolution in February 1986 and the resumption of operations months later, ABS-CBN News executives, among them then-News Manager Angelo Castro Jr., began holding meetings with higher-ups on plans to launch an all-new news program that will serve as a replacement to Balita Ngayon. On March 1, 1987, ABS-CBN announced the launch of TV Patrol during the public variety extravaganza "Ang Pagbabalik ng Bituin" (lit. transl. The Return of the Star) at Luneta Park, Manila.
1987–2004: TV Patrol (first iteration)
TV Patrol premiered on March 2, 1987, at 6:00 p.m. PHT, replacing Balita Ngayon, with Noli de Castro, Mel Tiangco, and Robert Arevalo as the original anchors. Segment anchors included Ernie Baron, who served as the newscast's chief meteorologist and provided viewers trivia pertaining to science and history, and actress-personality Angelique Lazo who first hosted Star News, an entertainment news segment. However, on June 1, 1987, Arevalo left the newscast and was replaced by Frankie Evangelista, who served as a segment host for "PULSO: Pangkalahatang Ugnayan Laan sa Opinyon" (lit. transl. Overall Correlation Reserved for Opinions).
With the introduction of international broadcasts in 1989 to the Pacific islands of Guam and Saipan, and later with the birth of TFC on September 24, 1994, TV Patrol became the first Philippine newscast and program to broadcast overseas.
In 1993, Christine Bersola joined as the segment host of Star News segment, replaced Angelique Lazo, until 1996. In 1995, Korina Sanchez replaced Mel Tiangco who left the newscast. as she transferred to GMA Network.
On April 1, 1996, de Castro would eventually become the sole anchor of the newscast, to replace Sanchez and Evangelista. and reduced its airtime to 30 minutes. On January 4, 1999, the newscast returned its airtime to 1 hour. On February 14, 2000, TV Patrol started its simulcast over AM radio stations DZMM (Metro Manila), DYAB (Cebu), and DXAB (Davao) and began its online presence through the ABS-CBN News website. On February 12, 2001, de Castro left the newscast, in order to run for Senator in the 2001 elections.
On March 12, 2001, Korina Sanchez, Henry Omaga-Diaz, and Aljo Bendijo took over the anchor chair vacated by de Castro. Marc Logan was hired to become the news reader of trivial segments and features. Cheryl Cosim, Erwin Tulfo and Ces Drilon were assigned as the substitute anchors of the newscast.
On April 21, 2003, TV Patrol relaunched its studio set, news desk, and graphics, alongside with the theme music & a silhouetted OBB. Julius Babao replaced Bendijo and Omaga-Diaz after several changes in the anchor chair. In the same year, TV Patrol also simulcasted on ABS-CBN's UHF station Studio 23 for several months. In March 2004, Babao later joined Sanchez at the news studio, after broadcasting from Studio 7. The newscast was expanded to 90 minutes. Aside from its reformat, TV Patrol adopted the ABS-CBN News 2004 slogan "Subok na Maaasahan" (lit. transl. Proven to be Reliable). In September 2004, the ratings of TV Patrol started to decline, due to competition with rival GMA's new early evening newscast 24 Oras. Thus, the ABS-CBN management needed to relaunch TV Patrol before the end of 2004. On November 19, 2004, Sanchez left the newscast for the second time.
2004–2020: TV Patrol World and TV Patrol (second iteration)
On November 22, 2004, the program was relaunched as TV Patrol World to give weight to reports from Filipino communities worldwide. Julius Babao was joined by Ted Failon and Karen Davila as its main anchors, while special segments are anchored by Ernie Baron, Phoemela Baranda, Marc Logan and Bernadette Sembrano, respectively. Baron died of heart attack on January 23, 2006, and months later, he was replaced by Kim Atienza as the newscast's resident weatherman.
On April 8, 2005, TV Patrol World aired a special edition as a conclusion to ABS-CBN's all-afternoon live coverage of the burial of Pope John Paul II, dubbed as "Paalam Ama Mula Sa Bayang Minahal Mo" (transl. "Goodbye Pope, from the Country you Loved"). Erwin Tulfo, Korina Sanchez, and Dong Puno anchored live from the ABS-CBN Newscenter in Quezon City, as Julius Babao and Karen Davila joined Lynda Jumilla live from the Vatican City. Mari Kaimo, Bernadette Sembrano and Henry Omaga-Diaz reported from the Papal memorial in Rizal Park, Manila.
On June 5, 2006, TV Patrol World updated its logo design, soundtrack, opening billboard, and graphics but the news format remained the same. In January 2007, TV Patrol World started to celebrate its 20th anniversary by launching Boto Mo, I-Patrol Mo!, an expansion of the citizen journalism segment Citizen Patrol for the upcoming 2007 midterm elections. On April 12, 2007, TV Patrol World began their simulcast on DZMM TeleRadyo, the then newly launched sister cable television channel of DZMM.
On November 25, 2007, ABS-CBN aired a documentary special for TV Patrol's 20th anniversary entitled TV Patrol World: 20 Taon ng Pagpapatrol (lit. transl. TV Patrol World: 20 Years of Patrolling). It was produced by ABS-CBN and Jesuit Communications.
A few days after the documentary was aired, on November 29, 2007. TV Patrol World morphed into News Patrol Special Edition covering the events surrounding the Manila Peninsula siege. Anchored by Ted Failon and Korina Sanchez as part of the special ABS-CBN coverage of the rebellion during the day, the edition shocked millions as it featured live the last few hours of the rebellion, including the arrest of ABS-CBN journalist Ces Oreña-Drilon and scores of local and foreign media personalities by the Philippine military for allegedly conspiring with the rebellion perpetrators.
On March 31, 2008, TV Patrol World unveiled its new set, graphics (with the same red, green, and blue hues identified with the ABS-CBN logo), opening billboard, and new segments, but it retained some of its old segments. The new look is accompanied by slight changes in Patrol's segments, particularly Citizen Patrol, and the introduction of Hulog ng Langit, which was specially anchored by Bernadette Sembrano. The same year, Boto Mo, I-Patrol Mo temporarily became Bayan Mo, I-Patrol Mo. During this period, the newscast held the highest nationwide TV ratings record since Taylon Nelson Sofres (TNS) started conducting its nationwide TV ratings survey when its April 16, 2009 edition of the newscast featured the developing story of the tragedy involving the wife of Failon. This tragedy was the reason of Failon's leave that lasted until June 2009.
On May 11, 2009, a year before the 2010 elections, TV Patrol World relaunched Boto Mo, I-Patrol Mo with the battlecry, Ako Ang Simula (transl. It Begins With Me).
On August 5, 2009, TV Patrol World had its longest broadcast in history that time as it covered the interment of Corazon Aquino the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque. Julius Babao anchored the August 5 edition with Ted Failon and Korina Sanchez, with the two anchoring the ABS-CBN special broadcast "Salamat President Cory: Ang Huling Paalam" since morning. Karen Davila joined former weekend anchors Henry Omaga-Diaz and Ces Drilon with other reporters stationed at the Manila Memorial Park. Lasting from 6:25 to 9:00pm, the edition was the most widely watched show in Mega Manila and nationwide on that day as cited by TNS and AGB.
From 2009 to December 2010, TV Patrol covered the 2010 national and barangay and Sangguiniang Kabataan elections, and transition from Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to Benigno Aquino III and of barangay and SK officials. In response to the first automation of the election in the country, ABS-CBN utilized a technology from Orad Hi Tech Systems Ltd. that utilizes the principles of augmented reality. The technology uses real-time image processing system for live broadcasts of 3D computer-generated imagery against a real set or background. ABS-CBN also utilized what was probably the biggest touch screen display to be used in a Philippine television show. A new set dubbed as the "WAR" (Wireless Audience Response) room was specifically designed for the said election coverage. The coverage of ABS-CBN became the third top trending topic worldwide on the social networking site Twitter. STI College and ABS-CBN have also rolled up for the 2010 SK and barangay elections.
On June 30, 2010, TV Patrol World reverted to the original debut title (TV Patrol) and introduced their first main website, and also launched its Facebook and Twitter pages. Failon, Davila, and Babao were retained as anchors for the weeknight editions, with Davila and Babao until November 3, 2010. Phoemela Baranda was also retained as the Star Patrol segment anchor until November 5, 2010.
On August 23, 2010, TV Patrol covered the Manila hostage crisis with the longest telecast in history, lasting about two and a half hours from 6:25 to 9:00 pm. It was anchored by Ted Failon and Ces Oreña-Drilon at the ABS-CBN Newscenter in Quezon City, and Julius Babao at the Quirino Grandstand where the hostage took place. The edition covered the tragic conclusion to the Manila hostage crisis to millions of viewers worldwide. The August 23 edition drew flak from various concerned viewers making ABS-CBN News revise its Code of Ethics. It eventually got a Finalist nod in the 2011 New York Festivals.
On October 4, 2010, a new program segment, Winner sa Life! with Winnie Cordero was launched with reports on lifestyle and tips on proper living.
On November 3, 2010, ABS-CBN announced the return of veteran former anchors Noli de Castro and Korina Sanchez as weeknight anchors of TV Patrol, replacing Karen Davila and Julius Babao (as they would transfer to Bandila later that month); they joined Ted Failon on November 8, 2010. On the same day, Gretchen Fullido became the new Star Patrol segment anchor, replacing Phoemela Baranda as the segment host for Star Patrol.
In February 2011, TV Patrol launched its weekday text poll, the first in Philippine television news history, where texters can agree or disagree on the current issues being broadcast in the program. The text poll happens from Monday to Thursday but was soon expanded to Fridays. Before the end of the newscast, the three anchors give their opinions about the result of the text poll, similar to the PULSO segment popularized when the late Frankie Evangelista and Mel Tiangco were still part of the anchor team with Noli de Castro. Later, new patriotic segments like Panalo 'To! (transl. It's a Winner!) and Lakas ng Pinoy (transl. Pinoy's Strength) debuted in April of the same year.
To celebrate TV Patrol's 25th anniversary from 2012 to 2013, TV Patrol reformatted its graphics and introduced a new logo (still using the "ribbons" theme) and new opening titles (featuring the logos of the past and the present) on March 5, 2012. A retrospective segment was also added to commemorate the best events covered during the first 25 years. On April 2, 2012, the newly improved weather graphics and reporting (ABS-CBN Weather Center; in a nod to earlier reports in the past) was launched, including a five-day forecast.
Commemorative activities include TV Patrol 25 marker openings in various parts of the country to honor the many important events marked in the first 25 years and a fund-raising drive aimed at giving back to those who became part of the news coverages through the years. A new segment, CCTV (Concerned Citizens Taking Videos) Patrol, was launched on June 25, 2012, aimed at citizen journalism and even utilizing CCTV footage and even cellphone footage from the public to convey the latest local news events.
On July 29, 2012, a documentary special entitled Mga Nagbabagang Balita: 25 Taon ng TV Patrol (transl. The Breaking News: 25 Years of TV Patrol) was aired in celebration of its 25th anniversary. It was replayed on August 12.
On July 29, 2013, TV Patrol, alongside Bandila, reformatted their logo, opening titles, and graphics. The redesigned logo is still based on the "ribbons" theme, although more simplified. A new set was also seen with a brighter flooring and background. The program dropped the '25' on its official logo, and new segment icons debuted. However, the Kabayan Special Patrol segment icon stayed the same.
In March 2014, TV Patrol launched an all-new program segment, ABS-CBN News Investigative Reports, debuting in March of the same year, giving viewers nationwide insight into various societal scandals and problems. Henry Omaga-Diaz, Gigi Grande, and Raffy Santos usually filled their investigative reports in this segment.
On August 3, 2015, former TV Patrol Weekend anchor Bernadette Sembrano was named as the permanent replacement to Sanchez, who left the newscast to pursue her masteral degree at Ateneo de Manila University and London School of Economics.
On March 2, 2017, TV Patrol celebrated its 30th anniversary through a live newscast in its studio in Quezon City and its sister stations in Tacloban and Zamboanga City. Sembrano was situated at the ABS-CBN studio in Quezon City, while Failon was in Tacloban and de Castro in Zamboanga.
On August 24, 2017, the show featured celebrities as "Star Patrol" guest anchors, a segment that has been returned after quite some time. Yassi Pressman, Toni Gonzaga, Bela Padilla, Kim Chiu, Bianca Gonzalez, Erich Gonzales, Kylie Verzosa, Mariel de León, Janella Salvador, Aiko Melendez, Karylle, Karla Estrada, Anne Curtis, and Angel Locsin filled in the slot of Fullido occasionally. Earlier in 2015, actresses Yam Concepcion and Loren Burgos, and athlete Gretchen Ho took the helm as pinch-hitters for the segment.
On April 2, 2018, TV Patrol began broadcasting in high definition.
On March 17, 2020, TV Patrol began to air on a late night timeslot (as a replay), temporarily replacing the timeslot of late-night newscast Bandila due to the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. On the same day, it began to simulcast on the network's 24-hour news channel, ANC, the first ever simulcast since the cable channel's 1996 launch. The decision to adopt late night replays led to yet another adjustment, with the telecast frequently extending their airtime to at least two hours. This led to a shift in Primetime Bida's schedule during the enhanced community quarantine.
In April 2020, sign language interpreters were added to the broadcast.
On May 5, 2020, TV Patrol was the last program to be aired on ABS-CBN, MOR, and S+A before they signed-off indefinitely that night (DZMM and its television counterpart, TeleRadyo, also aired this edition of the newscast but signed off together at 8:20 p.m. PHT following the newscast's lead-out program S.R.O.: Suhestyon, Reaksyon at Opinyon), following the cease-and-desist order of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to close the free TV and radio broadcasting operations of ABS-CBN as the network's broadcasting franchise expired the day before. This edition focused on the cease-and-desist order of the NTC closing the network's free TV and radio broadcasting operations and featured statements by ABS-CBN president and chief executive officer Carlo Katigbak and chairman Mark Lopez, appealing the cease and desist order. The program also aired without commercial breaks.
2020–present: TV Patrol (post-shutdown iteration)
As a result, on May 7, 2020, the newscast temporarily migrated to ANC, The Filipino Channel, Cine Mo! (until July 24, 2020), and on digital platforms with ANC assuming the program's production. TeleRadyo would return simulcasting the newscast on May 8, 2020.
On June 30, 2020, the newscast ended on free-to-air television due to the cease-and-desist order on ABS-CBN TV Plus.
TV Patrol was supposed to simulcast on Kapamilya Channel, the network's ad interim replacement to ABS-CBN for cable and satellite providers beginning June 15, 2020, but the newscast was instead excluded from its programming schedule until July 27. According to Atienza and Fullido, this was because the newscast was already broadcasting on ANC, other digital channels, and social media platforms. TV Patrol airtime was shortened from 110 minutes to 90 minutes during this period. Kapamilya Channel took over production of the newscasts from July 27 onwards.
On August 31, 2020, Ted Failon made his final appearance on the newscast through Zoom as he left the network as part of its retrenchment program; The departure of Failon also led the August 31 edition to end with the song "Tinig ng mga Nawalan" (English: Voice of the Lost), sung by Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla in support for the retrenched employees. From September 7 to October 2, former weekday anchors Julius Babao, Karen Davila and Henry Omaga-Diaz and then-weekend anchor Alvin Elchico rotated as the third weeknight interim anchor until Omaga-Diaz was confirmed as Failon's replacement, starting October 5.
From April 21 to May 4, 2021, de Castro, Sembrano, and Omaga-Diaz were on self-quarantine, with Sembrano later testing positive for COVID-19. Given this, Davila, Babao, Jorge Cariño and TV Patrol Weekend anchors Alvin Elchico and Zen Hernandez rotated as the three temporary weeknight anchors, with either Elchico and/or Babao (on April 27) were designated as the lead anchors. The newscast temporarily aired live from an outdoor area within the ABS-CBN premises, while Fullido and Atienza were seen via Zoom, instead of the regular news studio. On May 5, coinciding with the first anniversary of the ABS-CBN shutdown, the news studio was used once again for broadcast, although de Castro, Atienza, and Fullido were the only anchors present, four days after Sembrano announced that she had recovered from the disease.
On October 1, 2021, Kim Atienza made his final appearance on the newscast as the newscast's resident weather presenter as he transferred to GMA Network. Two months later on December 13, former PAGASA weather specialist Ariel Rojas joined as the resident weather meteorologist and became a permanent replacement to Atienza.
Six days later on October 7, Noli de Castro temporarily left the newscast to run for senator once again; however, he withdrew his candidacy and, as a result, he soon returned to ABS-CBN through TeleRadyo. He was replaced by former anchor Karen Davila, who joined Omaga-Diaz and Sembrano on October 11. With her arrival, Omaga-Diaz was promoted as the lead anchor.
On October 25, TV Patrol launched three new segments: "Winning Moment" with Winnie Cordero, "Alam N'yo Ba?" (lit. transl. Did You Know?) with Boyet Sison, and the returning "Mga Kwento ni Marc Logan" (lit. transl. Stories of Marc Logan) with Marc Logan. On December 31, former anchor Julius Babao made his final appearance on the newscast as a relief anchor and announced that he would be leaving the network, eventually for TV5 and then became the anchor for the competing newscast, Frontline Pilipinas.
On January 1, 2022, TV Patrol officially began its simulcast on A2Z, marking its return to free-to-air television, almost two years since the newscast made its final broadcast on ABS-CBN. With this historic return, it came with a brand new opening billboard, logo, and on-air graphics introduced on January 3. Another new segment in "Uso at Bago" (lit. transl. Trend and New) with Migs Bustos was launched. Boyet Sison, an anchor for "Alam N'yo Ba?" segment, died on April 16, 2022, and was replaced by Bustos on June 30.
From May 27 to November 1, 2022, the free-to-air broadcast on TeleRadyo resumed as a digital subchannel of A2Z.
On January 9, 2023, Noli de Castro returned to the newscast for his third stint, joining Davila, Sembrano, and Omaga-Diaz, regaining his role as lead anchor.
On June 30, 2023, TV Patrol marked its return to AM radio when its simulcast on DWPM Radyo 630, ABS-CBN's new AM radio station under the joint venture with Prime Media Holdings that was softly launched earlier that day, began. It is also carried over to the station's television counterpart, TeleRadyo Serbisyo.
On January 19, 2024, Marc Logan silently made his final appearance on the newscast, as he transferred to TV5 on March 8.
On April 15, 2024, the newscast began its simulcast on All TV, marking its return to channels 2 and 16 in Mega Manila and regional channels previously held by ABS-CBN replacing AllFlix Pinoy Flicks.
On May 6, 2024, the newscast marked its return to FM radio when its simulcast on FMR Radio Philippines stations outside Mega Manila began, years after the end of its simulcast on selected MOR stations. On May 27, 2024, it began its simulcast on the newly launched Prime TV, expanding its free-to-air television broadcast.
On August 30, 2024, Omaga-Diaz made his final appearance on the newscast as he would migrate to Canada. He was replaced by Alvin Elchico beginning September 2.
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