CONFIRMED: Personalities who are joining Manny Villar's AllTV
Business tycoon Manny Villar's new media company Advanced Media Broadcasting System or AMBS Channel 2 will now be known as AllTV.
AllTV, which is using the former frequencies of ABS-CBN since lawmakers denied granting it a new franchise in 2020, previously said it aims "to provide the Filipino people relevant TV programs and the best entertainment shows in the country."
It will be formally launched on Sept. 13, which is also the wedding anniversary of Manny and his wife, Sen. Cynthia Villar.
Here are the personalities who are confirmed to be joining the network, where they'll be known as "Kababayan."
Anthony Taberna
Broadcaster Anthony Taberna on Sept. 6 signed a contract with AllTV before Manny Villar, his son Sen. Mark Villar, and AMBS President Maribeth Tolentino.
On Facebook Live, Taberna said Sept. 8 marks his 30 years in the media industry, and joining AllTV is a new chapter that's most welcome in his career.
In the meantime, his radio program Dos Por Dos on DZRH alongside Gerry Baja will still be airing.
Willie Revillame
On Sept. 5, host and comedian Willie Revillame announced on his variety show Wowowin that Filipinos will soon catch him on AllTV, where he'll raffle off brand new houses and cash prizes.
Revillame said he'll announce the names of those joining the network on its launching day, which will also feature performances from South Border and This Band.
"Magugulat kayo kung sino ang makakasama natin dito. Abangan niyo po iyan," he said, noting that the incoming stars are former talents of ABS-CBN and GMA.
Revillame signed with AMBS last July, five months after fulfilling his contract with the Kapuso network.
Toni Gonzaga and Paul Soriano
Couple actress-host Toni Gonzaga and director Paul Soriano also signed with AMBS last Sept. 2.
Gonzaga and Soriano are vocal supporters of eventual winners President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio.
Gonzaga was among the faces of the tandem's campaign rallies, while Soriano worked behind the scenes for their campaign ads. Soriano eventually served as the director of Marcos Jr.'s first State of the Nation Address.
Gonzaga served as a host of ABS-CBN's reality television show Pinoy Big Brother for 16 years. She has since been interviewing showbiz personalities on her YouTube channel, ToniTalks.
Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla
Host-actress Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla on Sept. 9 announced that has joined AllTV, saying it's the "easiest decision" she ever made.
"I knew right away I wanted to be part of AllTV. Extremely grateful!!!! Thank you soo much AMBS for the trust," Rodriguez-Padilla said in a post, while also thanking her manager Boy Abunda, her husband Sen. Robin Padilla, and their family.
"So excited for the infinite possibilities we can do together!!!"
Rodriguez has been a host of fellow Kababayan Revillame's programs Wowowee, Wil Time Bigtime, and Wowowillie. She's also a co-host of Gonzaga in PBB.
She also has acting credits on ABS-CBN's romantic teleserye Precious Hearts Romances Presents, as well as Star Cinema's sci-fi horror film Cinco.
Ciara Sotto
Actress-singer Ciara Sotto is also another Kababayan in the making.
"Thankful. Grateful. Blessed. So excited to be part of ALL TV!" Sotto wrote in a Facebook post on Sept. 8.
Sotto is the daughter of former senate president Tito Sotto and actress Helen Gamboa. She's a cousin of "Megastar" Sharon Cuneta, as well as Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto.
She's one of the former hosts of the Kapuso noontime show Eat Bulaga!, where her father Tito and uncle Vic Sotto is a mainstay.
