REVIEW: BANDILA WITH CES OREÑA-DRILON, KAREN DAVILA AND JULIUS BABAO

As ABS-CBN relaunched Bandila, promising a more interactive, social media inclined newscast last night, viewers were left with a question: Would it be ABS-CBN's answer to TV5's Aksyon JournaliMo and Q11's News On Q or will it be a new format?

The answer is BOTH.

TV5 no doubt started the use of social media traced back 2 years ago with their experimental newscast TEN:

The Evening News and was later adapted to their Aksyon franchise. Last night's Bandila did the same but with a bigger theme as they completely relied on the new media getting in some comments and tweets on each and every news pieces from viewers and netizens.

The newscast opened by showing the ABS-CBN Broadcast Center with the Bandila logo animation on it. The new updated graphics is a big improvement and now leans more to bright colors--mainly yellow and orange. The set which is also the home of TV Patrol was modified by adding an anchor desk that can carry the 3 anchors.

The format was a bit different though if not revolutionary and the newscast now is more relaxed, more conversational and less rehearsed. If this format boost their ratings more, expect a change in its rival Saksi which is the last remaining traditional newscast in late-night slot.
ANCHORS
As of the two new anchors, Julius Babao seemed to be the most relaxed and the format seems to appeal to his strength. Babao is comfortable having live on-air exchanges and discussions that he used to do during his years anchoring various ABS-CBN morning shows.

Karen Davila looked too stiff on camera during live exchanges but did well on newsreading. Her strength plays more in a traditional or straight newscast like TV Patrol. It's as if she hasn’t quite comfortable in her place in the new Bandila team. This new format is for a personality driven show, it's not just plain newsreading. I don't see her lasting in this newscast.

Ces Oreña-Drilon is familiar to the new format given that it resembles that of her ANC newscast Rundown. It's fair to say that she's the biggest and is now the lead of the 3-anchor team given with more screentime than her co-anchors. But she deserves it, after all she has done an admirable job as anchor of the newscast especially during Korina Sanchez's departure. The morale at the newscast is clearly higher than it's been for ages and making her the lead anchor is a safe move for them.

ABS-CBN has already made the transition from straight newscast to an infotainment newscast. How long can they keep this format? Only time will tell, but they're on the right place now.