Living its mission to be in the service of the Filipino wherever they may be and in whatever generation they belong,ABS-CBN TFC made the bold move recently to subtitle most of its popular programs in English. Now, fans of current top-rated Filipino soaps like Dream Dad, Forevermore, Oh My G and Two Wives, or talk shows like Kris TV and The Buzz, or kids shows like Matanglawin and Wansapanataym, can share their passion for Filipino content and viewing experience with non-Filipino speaking family and friends.

“This TFC initiative is an investment in the overseas Filipino family who we have pledged to serve and by that we mean all members of the family,” said ABS-CBN Global COO Raffy Lopez. “Most of the elders in a migrant Filipino family want to watch TV shows in the language that they grew up. But the younger ones have acquired the language of the new home country or their non-Filipino spouses speak in English which is spoken in many countries as a native or second language.  Now, they can all gather around the television as a family again, watch, understand and enjoy TFC’s globally popular and award-winning Filipino shows.  Language has ceased to be a barrier in appreciating Filipino content.”

The subtitling of TFC shows started in 2012 with Maala-Ala Mo Kaya (MMK – Would You Remember?), the longest running and award-winning Filipino drama anthology.  This move was warmly received because many found it as an opportunity to discover or reconnect to Filipino culture and heritage, allowing those of Filipino ethnicity but can’t speak the language to understand the show’s characters and situations, and appreciate the underlying Filipino values behind their attitudes, behaviors, beliefs and decisions.

In the next years, TFC followed through by subtitling a few more shows, most notably Be Careful With My Heartwhich became one of the most beloved Filipino series in the world.   Today, many subscribers have expressed their appreciation for this culturally considerate move of TFC and actually called to give their feedback:

“I’m very happy that you have finally added English subtitles. Please add more.  I, like many of my friends, either have an American wife or American husband that can’t follow the shows without the subtitles.  Please consider adding them to all of your shows and movies.   It will insure that I stay a subscriber and will build your business as many Americans will be interested.  Thank you. “- subscriber from the Middle East

‘I just logged on to watch the most recent BE CAREFUL WITH MY HEART with English subtitles… but was so surprised and happy to see additions to the English subtitles category.  I have requested more English subtitled programs and finally saw more added…  I am looking forward to much additions to this category.” – subscriber from Hawaii, US

“I would like to thank Ms. Charo Santos, president of ABS-CBN, because I requested her if she can put English subtitles on all teleseryes and talk shows. There are millions of Filipino Americans who want to watch TFC teleserye but they can’t understand the Filipino language. I have 4 children and they are interested to watch all Kapamilya teleserye but they don’t understand it… I think if you have subtitled in English, your membership will increase by another million.  Thank you and hoping for more success of the Kapamilya Channel.” – subscriber from US

“The purpose of communication is to be understood. TFC takes pride in the quality of its Filipino shows, the stories they tell and the life lessons they give.  Our shows have something to share with the world. Ultimately, this is all about providing an increasingly diverse world with full access to Filipino content with the end that we understand each other a little better every day,” said Lopez.

Here is the current list of TFC shows with English subtitles:

Drama Programs:
• MMK
• All teleseryes (and their replacements)
• OMG
• FlordeLiza
• NKNKK
• Bagito
• Dream Dad
• Forevermore
• Two Wives

News:
• Bandila

Variety and Talk:
• ASAP* (date of availability of subtitled version to be announced)
• KrisTV
• Aquino and Abunda
• The Buzz
• Rated K

Kids:
• Matanglawin
• Wansa
• Luv U

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/KapamilyaTFC  

About ABS-CBN International

ABS-CBN International was founded in April 1994 to be of service to all Filipinos. With the launch of The Filipino Channel (TFC), the company became the first and most successful Filipino content distribution company in the U.S. The company offers telecommunication, retail, theatricals, money remittance and cargo services, online audio and video streaming, IPTV, On Demand, along with philanthropic support for Filipinos and the communities they now call home.  Based in Redwood City, CA, ABS-CBN International is a subsidiary of ABS-CBN Corporation, the Philippines’ largest entertainment and broadcasting company, through ABS-CBN Corporation’s wholly-owned subsidiary, ABS-CBN Global Hungary Kft. For more information, visit www.tfc-usa.com.