The third quarter of the year is shaping up to be one of the busiest and perhaps most important in recent Philippine free TV history.
At a time when there are numerous ways to get entertained, like microdramas, live streaming, algorithm-dictated trends, streaming platforms, YouTube series, and many more continue to reshape viewing habits, and audiences are more fragmented than ever, traditional free TV faces a challenge unlike any before.
The reality is simple: no network can do it alone anymore.
That is why the latest collaboration between TV5 and ABS-CBN feels like a necessary evolution to claim space in the daily lives of Filipinos.
‘Face to Face with Ate Koring’ will also be seen on Kapamilya Channel and other ABS-CBN platforms starting June 29.
This week, after more or less a month of speculation, TV5 and ABS-CBN officially announced that Coco Martin’s much-awaited action drama, “Sigabo,” will air on the Kapatid Network beginning June 22.
At the same time, TV5’s long-running public service program “Face to Face with Ate Koring” will begin airing on Kapamilya Channel and other ABS-CBN platforms starting June 29. It will be the first of many Kapatid shows to also be welcomed in the Kapamilya platforms. It is something new in this second round of partnership with ABS-CBN.
The reunion of Bimby Aquino and Ryzza Mae Dizon has generated nostalgia across generations of viewers.
It is a reminder that Philippine TV still has a major space to thrive, especially when entertainment entities choose collaboration and the audience.
As someone who has spent almost two decades covering the entertainment beat, I have witnessed countless network wars, exclusive contracts and fiercely guarded territories. But the media landscape of 2026 is vastly different from what it was a decade ago.
Today, audiences consume content everywhere. The battle is no longer simply about ratings. It is about reach, attention, accessibility and impact.
That is why TV5 president and CEO Guido Zaballero’s announcement struck a chord.
TV5 president and CEO Guido Zaballero’s announcement has struck a chord.
His message was straightforward: quality stories deserve to be enjoyed by more Filipinos, whether they are Kapatid or Kapamilya. It is difficult to argue with that.
Back in late May, I had the opportunity to interview Coco Martin and Julia Montes for “Sigabo.” At the time, discussions regarding expanded distribution were still being ironed out behind the scenes.
During our conversation, Coco spoke about the unexpected delay of the project. Originally scheduled for an earlier launch, the series was pushed back by more than two months. Delays can be frustrating. But for Coco and his partner Julia, this became an opportunity and blessing in disguise.
He shared that the break allowed him to rest, recharge and focus more on the creative direction of the show. The pause became essential.
The columnist with Bimby after his ‘Eat Bulaga’ guesting.
Julia echoed the sentiment, “Happy ako for Coco kasi kailangan na rin ng katawan niya ang magpahinga. Alam naman ng tao kung gaano siya ka-hardworking. Pero dahil nakapagpahinga siya, lalo pang gumanda ang ‘Sigabo.’ Ako na mismo ang nagsasabi — minsan nakakalimutan kong artista ako dahil natutulala na lang ako sa sobrang ganda.”
And now, viewers across multiple platforms will get to experience it for themselves. Coco added, “Masasabi ko lang talaga, sobrang proud ako dito. May reason si God kung bakit niya ito di-ne-delay. Kasi kung dumiretso ako at tuluy-tuloy ang trabaho, baka hindi ko masyadong natutukan ang creative side nito. Noong nakapagpahinga ako, mas nabigyan ko iyon ng oras at mas natutukan ko talaga.”
Besides “Sigabo,” what’s new is that this partnership is that it goes both ways.
While “Sigabo” makes its way to TV5, “Face to Face with Ate Koring” will soon reach Kapamilya viewers through ABS-CBN platforms.
TV5 executive Guido Zaballero said: “Para sa mas maraming Pilipino, masaya kami na mapapanood sa TV5 ang Coco Martin’s ‘Sigabo’ at sa pagbabalik nina Coco (at siyempre ni Julia), because we believe that this show deserves to be enjoyed by more Filipinos, whether you are Kapatid or Kapamilya. At siyempre, mapapanuod na rin ang Kapatid sa Kapamilya dahil mapapanood na rin ninyo ang aming ‘Face to Face with Ate Koring’ sa Kapamilya Channel at iba pang ABS-CBN platforms.”
TV5 also appears determined to strengthen its entertainment offerings heading into the second half of the year. One of the biggest pleasant surprises recently came from “Eat, Bulaga.”
If social media engagement is any indication, viewers are clearly still invested in one particular friendship that began years ago. Yes, we are talking about Bimby Aquino and Ryzza Mae Dizon.
Their earlier reunion generated nostalgia across generations of viewers. Clips immediately circulated online with millions of views, reigniting memories of their adorable childhood chemistry that captured the hearts of audiences some 13 years ago. Bimby was praised on how he was raised so well by the Queen of All Media herself, Kris Aquino. He was charming, witty and knew when to throw the punchlines. And that was just supposedly a guesting for Ryzza Mae’s birthday.
When Bimby jokingly referred to himself as Ryzza’s future wedding godfather and even recalled that she was technically his first kiss, social media users quickly did what they do best: create kilig-filled conversations.
When Bimby recently returned to “Eat, Bulaga” last Thursday, audiences once again embraced him with open arms. In a brief chat with Bimby, we were so amused by how enthusiastic and updated he is with entertainment’s current happenings. Despite not having seen him in recent years, he’s also courteous enough to know people’s names. From getting mobbed by the dabarkads audience upon entering the studio to comfortably participating in games and production segments, he displayed the ease and charisma many have long associated with the Aquino family.
With Ryzza Mae currently away on vacation during that appearance, viewers were left wanting more. That, in TV terms, is usually a very good sign. I would not be surprised if we see more Bimby-Ryzza Mae moments in the future. After all, nostalgia remains one of TV’s most powerful currencies and is honestly also on trend now.
As we enter the third quarter, TV5 appears ready to capitalize on that balance: fresh programming, strategic partnerships and familiar faces audiences genuinely care about.
The bigger picture, however, extends beyond any single show. What we are witnessing is a TV industry adapting to a new era.
In many ways, the Coco Martin homecoming to TV5 and the expansion of “Face to Face with Ate Koring” represent more than programming decisions. They symbolize an industry recognizing that continued and meaningful collaboration is a healthy way to trek. For TV fans, there is plenty to look forward to. For TV5 and ABS-CBN, the third quarter could become a defining moment, and the story is only beginning.
