Here is great news for Filipino pop music. Starting Feb. 14, Pinoy fans and music lovers will get the chance to see the hip MTV channel become MTV Pinoy Philippines. This is the result of an agreement between Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Asia and Viva Communications, Inc. That means local viewers will now be getting all Pinoy programs in the popular music channel.
VIMN is a division of Viacom, Inc., which holds popular entertainment brands like MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount Channel, VH1 and many others that are seen globally in more than 600 million households in 170 territories. It is now the world’s leader in the field of youth entertainment, the cultural home of the new generation and the pioneer in creating innovative programming for young people. Note that the arrival of MTV changed popular music forever. It is now seen in over half a billion households.
Viva is a production, sales and management company that has become a byword in Philippine entertainment. Viva will produce local shows, events and other programs geared to the Filipino youth market for MTV Pinoy. Formed over 30 years ago, it is involved with movies, TV shows, pay TV, music, concerts and other live events, and the careers of some of the country’s biggest stars like Sharon Cuneta, Anne Curtis, Sarah Geronimo, KC Concepcion, Heart Evangelista, Cristine Reyes, Jon Santos and many others.
MTV Pinoy will be made up of shows expressly made in the Philippines for Filipino viewers. It will only be for three hours everyday in MTV’s usual slot on your TV screens. But it is an excellent start. This could be just the shot in the arm that the local music industry needs to get reenergized. Besides, MTV promised that air time will be increased gradually within the next few months. Who knows, by this time next year, we could already be watching the latest addition to your favorite TV menu, an MTV Pinoy music channel that you can watch for a full 24/7.
And as no music channel is ever without its own video jocks, MTV Pinoy will also introduce its own group of young talented VJs. Chosen after a long, painstaking search, were Sam Pinto, young basketball star Andre Paras, singer Josh Padilla and Yassi Pressman. As for the shows, these are what viewers will be able to watch starting this Friday.
You can check out the hottest local and foreign videos in Halo Halo! which airs at 4 p.m. on weekdays and where the MTV Pinoy VJs will also dish out the latest music news and coolest trivia.
The OPM Show is one full hour of the best of Pinoy Music at 5 p.m. on weekdays. And this means not only videos but also music news, exclusive interviews, coverage of events and other goodies about Pinoy artists and music.
The Top 20 Countdowns, both Pilipinas and International, is where you get all the current hits. These can be seen weekly on Saturdays and Sundays with weekday replays.
Geared as a treat for sentimental Pinoys is the weekly Senti where the cheesiest, mushiest and, of course, most romantic love songs will be played and where you can get advice for your romance problems from the MTV Pinoy VJs.
Hosted by VJ Andre, the weekly Pinoy Beats is about Pinoy Hip-Hop and R&B music and about what all that is happening in the local rap scene.
Throwback on Thursdays at 6 p.m. As the title of the show clearly says, this is a timewarp for Filipino music. This means all the biggest stars and how they looked and sounded as far back as possible.
MTV Pwesto is the show for live performances and where fans can get a close look at the stars through their music and candid interviews.
The Shoutout on Saturdays on the slot for one of the Pinoy’s favorite ways to express sentiments, the music dedication. You can send in your requests and shoutouts through MTV Pinoy’s special Instagram, Twitter and Facebook accounts. And if you impress the VJs, you and your song might even be featured in the show.
You will also get to watch short segments like Ikot, Feedback, Checklist, Street Style and others for the hippest, must trends, go-to events and opinions about hot issues presented the MTV way.
From MTV let us now turn to MYX, the Filipino music channel and its list of the Top 20 videos in the Pinoy MYX Countdown: Tayo by Sarah Geronimo; Bawal Sa Gamot by Banda Ni Kleggy; Unshakeable by Slapshock; Midas by Abra feat. Jaq Dionisio; Lucky In Love by Paolo Onesa; Paraan by Mayonnaise; Anting-anting by Sponge Cola feat. Gloc-9 and Denise Barbacena; Kailangan Kita also by Sponge Cola; Ang Parokya by Parokya Ni Edgar feat. Gloc-9 and Frank Magalona; Meron Nang Iba by Silent Sanctuary feat. Ashley Gosengfiao.
Almost Is Never Enough by Sabrina feat. Myk Perez; Sunday Morning by Sitti; Ayokong Tumanda by Itchyworms; New Romancer by Sandwich; Rakista by Join The Club; Selfie Song by Davey Langit; Heather’s Prayer by Saydie; Beep by KA Antonio; Sana Dalawa Ang Puso Ko by Midnight Meetings; Sembreak by Moonstar88.