THE Villar Group of companies acquired the former frequencies of ABS-CBN, so the former Channel 2 is now known as ALLTV. They have started their operations on September 13, with Willie Revillame’s show transferring from GMA-7 to ALLTV. They also gave shows to Toni Gonzaga, Mariel Rodriguez, Ruffa Gutierrez and Ciara Sotto, but their shows have yet to pick up in the ratings game.

Meantime, ABS-CBN have become more cozy with GMA-7 which started with the Kapuso network airing the movies of Star Cinema. Now, there will be a co-production between the two networks. Former ABS-CBN execs Charo Santos Concio and Malou Santos have also met with GMA’s Annette Gozon for possible collaborations.

Three icons from the local film industry have been officially declared National Artists: actress Nora Aunor, screenwriter Ricardo Lee and the late director Marilou Diaz Abaya.

After not being held for two years due to the pandemic, the 18th Cinemalaya was held again this year with “The Baseball Player” by Carlo Obispo winning as best picture. The other two films honored were “Blue Room” and “12 Weeks”.

Coco Martin’s “Ang Probinsyano” finally ended after running for 7 years. It was replaced by “Darna” which didn’t seem to be as successful and the latest story is that Coco Martin will return to the same primetime slot with another FPJ movie adaptation for television, “Batang Quiapo”.

GMA-7 was very successful in launching two shows on that slot, 8PM, right after the nightly newscast. First was “Lolong” starring Ruru Madrid and a giant crocodile. They’re now preparing its Book 2.

Then, there’s the unexpected mammoth groundreaking hit, “Maria Clara at Ibarra”, which combined fantasy with Jose Rizal’s novel “Noli Me Tangere” and it’s a blockbuster not only with local viewers but even with Filipinos abroad who watch it on GMA Pinoy TV.

Filipino actors were acclaimed abroad. Three actors starred in European films: Dolly de Leon, Chai Fonacier and Soliman Cruz. Dolly de Leon shone as the toilet manager who becomes the leader of stranded passengers in an island in the Danish movie, “Triangle of Sadness”, made by Swedish director, Ruben Ostlund. She’s now nominated as best supporting actress in the Golden Globe.

Chai Fonacier starred with Eva Green in the movie made in Ireland, “Nocebo”, while Soliman Cruz starred in the Romanian film “To The North” with Bart Guingona.

Of course, one of the top stories of 2022 is the national elections which polarized showbusiness between BBM and Leni Robredo. Toni Gonzaga even resigned from ABS-CBN and hosting PBB after she hosted a BBM rally. After the elections, the FDCP leadership was changed, with Tirso Cruz III replacing Liza Dino as chair.

Showbiz celebrities who won in the elections are led by Robin Padilla as topnotcher in the Senate. Also elected in the Senate are Raffy Tulfo and Jinggoy Estrada.

In the lower house, elected as representatives are Arjo Atayde, Richard Gomez, Lani Mercado, Jolo Revilla.

Jason Abalos is elected as board member in Nueva Ecija. Daniel Fernando is Bulacan governor while Ejay Falcon won as Oriental Mindoro vice governor. As mayor, the winners include Lucy Torres Gomez as mayor of Ormoc and Javi Benitez as mayor of Victorias City, while Yul Servo won as vice mayor of Manila.

As councilors, the winners include Alfred Vargas in Quezon City, Vandolph Quizon and Jomari Yllana in Paranaque, Angelu de Leon in Pasig, Jhong Hilario and Lou Veloso in Makati, Nash Aguas in Cavite City and cager James Yap in San Juan.