[F4: More than your average boy band] [Chinovelas heat up the ratings race] [ABS-CBN Expects Profit Surge, Helped by Taiwan Soap (Update1)] [Meteor Garden and F4: Taiwan’s fabulous 4] [ABS-CBN to make 'Meteor Garden' more wholesome] [Ni hao, Taiwan soap 'Meteor Garden']
Tuesday,
July 01, 2003
F4: More than your average boy band
SUN
Star Manila
By Annie Alejo
Dao Ming Shi is halfway in convincing Shan Chai that they're meant to be
together and the popular TV series called "Meteor Garden" is
about to end its first season. But there is no saying goodbye to F4.
The four boys have successfully established themselves as a singing group
beyond their fame in Meteor Garden, backed by their albums Meteor Rain and
Fantasy 4Ever.
Boy bands are a dime a dozen these days but each F4 member has always been
presented as an individual in his own right and not just a member of a
band.
For example, the songs given to Vanness Wu (known to Meteor Garden
followers as happy-go-lucky Mei Zhuo) tend to have that Rn'B/hiphop feel
as he grew up breakdancing on the streets of L.A.
Meanwhile, rock and funk infuse the songs performed by Jerry Yan (the
popular Dao Ming Shi) and Ken Zhu (who plays the gentlemanly playboy Xi
Men) while most of the sad songs go to Vic Zhou (the sensitive Hua Ze
Lei), who is the most serious of the group.
"Meteor Rain," the group's first album, has ten romantic songs,
featuring each member of F4 in the spotlight for two songs each. Jerry Yan
sings "I Truly Love You," the ballad that's been receiving
massive airplay on music channels. He also sings another love song, though
more upbeat, "Got To Have You."
The album is in Mandarin, but smatterings of English lyrics abound,
especially in the raps inserted in Vanness Wu's song,
"Everywhere," which is 80 percent in English. Vanness also wrote
his rap for this song. While this track has a steady slow hiphop beat, his
other song, "Who Made You Cry?" is a slower, gentler song of
heartbreak.
Although Vanness speaks English best, he's not the only one who can
converse in it. Ken Zhu had grown up in Singapore and knows how to speak
in English, but not as well as his American-born friend can. The resident
rocker of F4, Ken feels as comfortable singing with a full rock band
backing him in "Here We Are" as he does with the acoustic
"Show Me Your Love," both songs with a smattering of English
verses. Ken also plays the guitar when he sings "Here We Are"
during their live concerts.
Vic Zhou holds his own as the most soulful of F4. As a special case of
life imitating art, Vic and his TV alter ego Hua Ze Lei seem to be the
same person. And like his character, Vic's singing can convey different
heart-tugging emotions. The sentimental "Persistence For You"
shows his melancholy side while the gently percussive "The Most
Special Existence" displays Vic's sweet side.
The second album "Fantasy 4Ever," on the other hand, better
displays the four singing together as a group. They also have their solos
in this album but they seem to shine more in the group songs, such as the
highly popular "Can't Lose You (Oh Baby Baby)," and their second
single from that album, "Season of Fireworks."
Other highlights include the ballad "Love's Terrain" and the
upbeat "Ask For More" an anthem written for their Pepsi
campaign. Also, there are surprising versions of Chayanne's "Te Amo,"
and "Can't Help Falling In Love."
You can catch live performances of these songs in F4's "Fantasy Live
Concert" VCD and visual accompaniments to the songs in Meteor Rain in
the Meteor Rain Karaoke VCD, both available in your nearest record stores.
Even after Meteor Garden, let F4 surprise you again and again
Chinovelas
heat up the ratings race
Posted: 10:07 PM (Manila Time) | Jul. 04, 2003
By Nestor U. Torre
Inquirer News Service
NOW
that Channel 2's "Meteor Garden" is being challenged on the tube
by Channel 7's "My MVP Valentine," viewers are comparing the two
Taiwan-produced teen soap operas. Which show will end up on top of the
ratings race in the coming weeks?
"Meteor" has the edge, since it started the trend. Another
advantage it has is the fact that its male leads, the F4, have a number of
hit songs, which contribute to their overall popularity.
|
|
But
"MVP" has a big plus point going for it in its focus on
basketball. Since the Philippines is basketball-crazy, this is a major
advantage for the Channel 7 show.
To date, however, "MVP" hasn't really come up with exciting
basketball sequences, fancy court plays, etc., so this advantage hasn't
been exploited to the hilt. We trust that this will happen soon, or else
"Meteor" could be difficult to beat.
On point of characterization, the guys in both shows are pretty much even.
Most of them are moody instead of charismatic, and go in for slow,
ruminative and "sensitive" poses, instead of a dynamic
performing style.
After a while, this can become enervating for viewers, which is why we're
grateful for the fact that the female characters on "Meteor" are
portrayed in a more assertive and spunky way.
Unfortunately, the lead actress on "MVP" is more traditionally
passive, acquiescent and "martyric."
On the whole, therefore, "Meteor" enjoys an edge over
"MVP" on a number of counts.
Still, if "MVP" eventually energizes its basketball scenes, it
could quickly cut down "Meteor's" advantage. The next few weeks
will be crucial in the two shows' "duel" for top ratings.
An unfortunate result of this intense competition between the two "Chinovelas"
is the over-plugging that they're getting on the newscasts of Channels 2
and 7. Practically everyday, the newscasts feature "news" about
the two shows, in a determined effort to jack up their popularity.
This is a reprehensible practice because there's no place for self-serving
plugs on newscasts, which are supposed to feature only objective news
reports. Sadly ABS-CBN and GMA have become so competitive that even their
news personnel, who know better, have allowed themselves and their shows
to be used for plugging purposes.
We understand why this is being resorted to, but we wish that the
channels' news people get up the nerve to refuse to play the plugging
game, because it erodes their objectivity and lowers their standing in the
perception of viewers.
Let the channels' entertainment people push their shows in different
venues, but not on newscasts. Without objectivity, newscasts lose their
credibility with viewers, who end up suspecting that subjectivity may be
compromising newscasts' other reports, not just those in the field of
entertainment.
ABS-CBN Expects Profit Surge, Helped by Taiwan Soap (Update1)
July 6 (Bloomberg) -- ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp., which broadcasts the most-watched TV channel in the Philippines, said 2003 profit will surge sixfold, ending two years of declines, as a popular Taiwan soap opera and other top-ranking programs draw viewers and advertisers.
Eugenio Lopez, chairman of the Quezon City-based broadcaster, told reporters the company will probably report 1.5 billion pesos of sales for last month alone, heading for profit of 1 billion pesos ($19 million) this year. That's up from 166 million pesos net last year.
``We are having a very, very good year,'' he said.
``Meteor Garden,'' a Taiwanese soap opera about four rich boys courting a poor but beautiful girl at their school has topped the charts of Philippine television programs. Many people drop what they're doing to watch the saga when it airs on Channel 2 at 5:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday.
That's helped ABS-CBN maintain its lead over rival GMA Network Inc., which had been narrowing the gap the past two years, and attracted companies wanting to sell their products.
``Companies are spending on ads in a bid to keep consumers spending,'' said Gilbert Lopez, research analyst at ING Securities in Manila. ``The company's forecast is attainable, provided it can contain costs.''
Halting Slide
ABS-CBN's profit slid in the previous two years as rising costs, competition and reduced ad sales. The value of its shares plunged by more than two-thirds. Reversing that slide may help the 50-year-old broadcaster service the 3.5 billion pesos of debt due in the next five years, after creditors refinanced its loans last September.
Rising sales and profit at ABS-CBN may also help parent Benpres Holdings Corp., which is seeking to reach an agreement with creditors on extending payment of $552 million of debt.
ABS-CBN's Channel 2 is the nation's most-watched station. It aired 14 of the 15 most popular programs in the May 1-June 21 period, according to a report by Alex Pomento, research head at CLSA Philippines Inc.
`Meteor Garden'' allowed ABS-CBN to capture a 40.6 percent audience share, compared with GMA Network's 33, said Pomento, who is forecasting 300 million pesos in second-quarter profit on 2.85 billion pesos of airtime sales.
He forecasts a 846 million peso full year profit for ABS-CBN.
Airtime Sales
ABS-CBN Chief Finance Officer Randy Estrellado said airtime sales in the first six months will probably rise by a quarter to 4 billion pesos. Including revenue from its other operations such as cinema, total sales should be up more than 25 percent from last year's 4.7 billion pesos, he said.
``The nice thing about where we are today is that our expenses for the quarter have been flat,'' Estrellado said.
``We also have one billion pesos in cash in the bank.''
ABS-CBN shares have risen 23 percent this year, after the stock posted three straight years of annual declines.
The stock has gained 68 percent since May 28.
|
Not since the invasion of Thalia has the nation gone so gaga over a TV soap |
|
Thursday, June 26, 2003 - The Manila Times By Denise Tolentino METEOR Garden is the latest rock to hit the Philippines, causing all these noise, heat and ka-ching! merchandise around us. It is a Taiwanese TV series, which revolves around a poor college girl named San Chai, a group of filthy-rich bullies called F4 and the relatively peculiar relationship that goes on between them. Lead character San Chai, played by Barbie Xu is as tough and hard-headed as she is frail-looking. Her adventure starts when she stands up to the meanest and most feared group, F4 to defend a friend. Arguments then take place followed by a series of attack and revenge scenarios between both parties. Soon, San Chai’s courage and determination win the respect and admiration of the group’s leader Dau Ming Shi. Funny situations arise as expected from what turns out to be a love-hate relationship between the two. Dau Ming Shi slowly sheds his bad-boy image to win San Chai’s heart while she figures out her true feelings for him and gets confused as to how she can be friends with him and hate his guts at the same time. The plot thickens with third parties, meddling parents and all sorts of twists, but audiences are attentive and patiently keeping up. They have even been pious enough to purchase pirated copies of present and future episodes in Quiapo. Now the question we have been asking each other is: What is it with Meteor Garden? Allow me to share a few speculations regarding this show’s record-breaking popularity. First of all, they look like animé characters. Sure, animé is Japanese, Meteor Garden is Taiwanese but the characters have those signature flippy, jagged-edge haircuts which strongly remind us of those animé characters. Animé has been so popular here that it is not at all surprising that a real-life version of it would end up the same. Aside from the way they look, the way the story is told is also very animé-ish, characterized by voice overs of the character’s thoughts, frequent flashbacks, extreme close-ups on details of a particular scene and the establishing shots and camera angles common in Japanese cartoons. It is definitely, animé in the flesh. Second, the timing. This is specifically the time when Filipinos are getting tired of Spanish and local telenovelas, especially since they’re aired one after the other it’s almost nauseating. Add to this, the fact that moviegoers have welcomed Asian films such as Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Shaolin Soccer and The Ring. These films have penetrated our cinemas, affecting our taste and stimulating our curiosity and familiarity with Asian stories, characters and styles. These prepared the Filipino audience for such a refreshing change. Third, it is a two in one package. People get to watch a telenovela and a boy band at the same time! Boy bands and telenovelas, the two things that click with young audiences, what more could they ask for? (did I hear a concert?) Most of the show’s audience are fans of the boy band F4. No need to wonder why the band is a hit, they’ve got the same old boy band moves which fans find adorable, fans get to watch them act, plus they’re nearer than those hard to reach western groups. F4’s songs are as popular as the show, getting lots of airtime and making it to number one on music charts. Young and old Filipinos are singing these songs, memorizing the Chinese lyrics even if most do not have the faintest idea of what they are singing about. No one can blame them really, the songs are infectious and can give you the worst Last Song Syndrome. So if you catch yourself Ni shao shin jai na lin-ing … relax, you are not alone. Lastly; it’s new. It is like the television version of shawarma and pearl shakes which everybody had to have a taste of when it was new. Knowing how Filipinos can be when something new happens, we shouldn’t be surprised at this immediate reaction. Gathered around this show are the usiseros and usiseras plus the usoseros and usoseras, some will get tired of it eventually, others will stay as suki. Whether Meteor Garden will have the same fate as pearl shakes is uncertain. What we know for certain is that Meteor Garden is hot and ABS-CBN takes the credit. Anything that has anything to do with Meteor Garden sells; posters, ringtones even shows with a related topic. I personally think that Meteor Garden is ABS-CBN’s next best idea after Ang TV. This is the kind of idea that competing network’s copy (which they’ve already done), the kind of idea that marks an era in entertainment, the kind of idea that starts trends and the kind that ABS-CBN will saturate us with until their next best idea.
|
ABS-CBN to make 'Meteor Garden' more wholesome
By
MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN
Friday, July 11, 2003 0:17:0 a.m.
TODAY Correspondent
The dialogue of characters in the popular Chinese telenovella Meteor Garden are expected to be less violent and more wholesome in the coming weeks after ABS-CBN Channel 2 executives decided to tone down the Tagalog script which is not suitable for young viewers.
Network officials met with the Alliance of Volunteer Educators (AVE) and Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) Chairman Marissa Laguardia on Wednesday afternoon to resolve the Tagalog script that conservative viewers have complained of.
ABS-CBN vice president Maloli Manalastas gave in to criticisms and assured that there will be changes in the dialogue of the Chinovela.
AVE secretary-general Amang Magsaysay said ABS-CBN was very cooperative and understanding as well as the MTRCB and its officials.
“There was instant action on the part of ABS-CBN. We can say that the meeting had positive results,” Magsaysay told Today in behalf of more than 27,000 teachers, parents and students in the country belonging to AVE.
He said ABS-CBN agreed to monitor the translation of the Chinese dialogue to Filipino and how more acceptable words and phrases can be used.
Magsaysay said there was one particular dialogue that a character said “Ginawa ko na ang lahat, naghubad na ako sa harap niya, di pa rin niya ako pinansin.”
This statement, he explained, can be reconstructed or translated by deleting the part of “naghubad na nga ako” without destroying the story.
Magsaysay said Laguardia supported AVE’s position and told ABS-CBN executives that the dialogue of Meteor Garden should be changed.
“It was agreed that the dialogue will be toned down and it will not affect the story and at the same time will not be offensive, he said.
ABS-CBN also assured the viewers that violent scenes in the program will be reduced to make the characters more lovable and wholesome.
Meteor Garden characters, led by the Taiwanese singing group F4, are reportedly drifting away from their bullying attitudes as they fall in love with Shan Cai, the cute little girl they used to pick on.
AVE commended ABS-CBN officials for quick action since one of those who attended the meeting immediately called the network to check on Meteor Garden translations.
The group also lauded Laguardia and the MTRCB Board of Directors for being very understanding and for welcoming the views and concerns of nongovernment organizations.
Magsaysay said AVE expects changes in the Meteor Garden dialogue next week.
The group expects the program will no longer be violent and will not have “unnecessary prolonged romantic kissing scenes” that may send wrong signals to the Filipino children and young adults.
AVE and MTRCB will continue to monitor each episode of the television series to ensure that ABS-CBN keeps its promise.
Magsaysay said there is no need to sign a memorandum of agreement of some sort since the verbal assurance given by the network is enough.
He said AVE never called for the banning of the Chinese telenovella which has captured the hearts of the Filipino people much like the Mexican telenovellas.
Meteor Garden is a top-rating show on Philippine television with 48 percent audience share. The show will continue to be aired and will even be improved so as to promote love and kindness instead of sex and violence.
Ni
hao, Taiwan soap 'Meteor Garden'
Posted: 10:31 PM (Manila Time) | Jun. 04, 2003
By Leah Salterio
Inquirer News Service
FROM "telenovela" to "chinovela."
The hearts of soap opera-crazy Filipino televiewers have found a new
target: the Taiwanese drama series, "Meteor Garden."
And Filipinos have traded their infatuation for Mexican actors and are
instead going ga-ga over the Taiwanese boy band F4, or Flower 4, who are
the lead actors in the chinovela now being aired on ABS-CBN.
The chinovela revolves around the concerns of teenagers-their loves and
their families.
"Meteor Garden," which is dubbed in Filipino, started airing in
the country only last month, but its phenomenal success has prompted ABS-CBN
to enter into negotiations with Taiwanese producers to bring F4 to the
country for a concert at the Araneta Coliseum in August.
A source at the television network said the talent fee of the group alone
would cost them one million dollars (53 million pesos).
One avid follower who never missed a single episode of the chinovela is
Charity Cruz, a high school student at the O.B. Montessori in Sta. Ana,
Manila. But the 14-year-old is now worried because classes are about to
start. She said she might not be able to watch the series, and her idol
Dao Ming Si.
Jocelyn Dy, an incoming high school senior at the Philippine Pasay Chung
Hua Chinese School, is looking forward to the band's concert in the
Philippines. She bought a poster of the quartet at the Pasay market where
they were selling briskly.
Fifth grader Alexis Nadine Galimba is also crazy about the series. She
keeps a poster of the popular quartet inside her bedroom.
Surprisingly, the fan base of "Meteor Garden" is not limited to
young school girls.
Marie Jennylyn Rose Uyao, a mother of a 5-year-old, makes it a point to be
in front of her TV at 5:30 p.m., when the program airs on ABS-CBN.
Housewife Pacita Abad has to fight with her son, who prefers MTV, just so
she could watch "Meteor Garden."
Based on the popular Japanese manga (comic book) "Hana Yori Dango"
("Men Are Better Than Flowers"), "Meteor Garden" is
set in an affluent high school in Taiwan.
The series opened with a plain girl, San Cai, (played by 25-year-old
Makino Tsukushi) from a middle-class family entering the school of
filthy-rich snobs. She stands up to four bullies (F4), and wins the hearts
of two.
The members of F4 are Jerry Yen Cheng Xu, 25, who plays Dao Ming Si; Vic
Zhou Yu Ming, 20, who plays Hua Ze Lei; Ken Zhu Xiao Tian, 22, who plays
Xi Men; and Vanness Wu, 23, who plays Mei Zhuo.
The series transformed the four young men from virtual unknowns into pop
idols who trigger mass hysteria.
The series debuted in Taiwan in April 2002, and in only a short time, the
four men have become household names not only in Taiwan, but also in
Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Brunei.
Their debut album sold over 180,000 copies in Taiwan alone. The album made
it to No. 3 in the local charts three days after it hit the shelves. It is
bannered by the carrier single, "Meteor Rain."
The chinovela has become so popular in the Philippines that ABS-CBN had to
move its timeslot from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
According to a May 27 survey by AGB Philippines, "Meteor Garden"
got a 68-percent audience share among viewers in Metro Manila, Rizal,
Laguna, Cavite and Bulacan. The survey was based on overnight ratings.
|
Overnight
ratings are results for a specific day that are compiled over a
one-week period before being officially released to the public.
Usually, overnight ratings are reflective of the trend for the
whole week. |