MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) Miss Universe fourth runner-up Venus Raj has moved to the Kapamilya network, ABS-CBN, according to a statement by the television giant issued Friday.
At the same time, the network announced its five-year partnership contract with Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPIC), organizer of the Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant.
Present in the contract signing were Charo Santos-Concio, ABS-CBN President and COO, Cory Vidanes, ABS-CBN Channel Head, Linggit Tan, ABS-CBN Head of TV Entertainment Production, Stella Marquez-Araneta, Chairperson of BPIC, Conchitina Bernardo and Pitoy Moreno, members of the BPIC executive board, Sienna Olaso, BPIC Director for Marketing and Romy Tan, BPIC Head of Finance and Ms Venus Raj, 2010 Bb Pilipinas Universe.
Rival Kapuso network, GMA 7, hosted the pageant for years. The station has yet to issue a statement.
Following this “major, major” partnership, the Kapamilya network will be airing the 2011 Binibining Pilipinas pageant in March and the Miss Universe Pageant in September in Sao Paolo, Brazil. With the move, the competitions can be watched not only in the country, but from all over the world through ABS-CBN’s The Filipino Channel (TFC), according to the same statement.
“Raj feels very proud to be part of the Kapamilya network. Before she signed a contract with ABS-CBN, she was special guest of some of the media giant’s special projects such as the 2010 Bayaning Pilipino Awards and the ABS-CBN Christmas Special, and a stint as a “hurado” in one of the network's leading talent shows like Showtime,” it said.
“I’m extremely honored to become part of the country’s biggest network. I’m proud to be a Kapamilya,” ABS-CBN quoted Raj as saying.
The BPCI is founded by its chairman Stella Márquez-Araneta, a key partner in nation-building for over four decades, providing skills training, educational workshops, mission work and other relevant services for the marginalized sectors of the community, according to the statement.
The ABS-CBN Special Projects team headed by Chit Guerrero will spearhead the pageant’s production. The show will be directed by Johnny Manahan.
Courtesy: Inquirer.net
