Skip to main content

Makilala Television Talk Show is now on BronxNet: First Fil-Am program in 25-year history



BronxNet executives Michael Max Knobbe (right) and Bernardo Moronta welcome Makilala co-hosts Cristina DC Pastor and Jen Furer to the studio at Lehman College.


Makilala TV, the first Filipino American television talk show in the New York metropolitan area, is slated to debut on BronxNet TV on September 7.

BronxNet becomes the third public access community network in NYC to broadcast Makilala. The cultural program, hosted by public health professional Rachelle Ocampo, author Jen Furer, and journalist Cristina DC Pastor, is an MNN production which is filmed every month out of Manhattan Neighborhood Network’s El Barrio Firehouse Community Center. Before coming to MNN, it was aired through Queens Public Television from 2013 after it was created by Maricor Fernandez and Pastor. 

Right now, Makilala is “live to drive” on MNN, QPTV, and BronxNet. All three stations have a combined viewership of more than a million subscribers.

Makilala co-hosts and co-producers (from left) Jen Furer, Cristina DC Pastor, and Rachelle Ocampo share a laugh before the camera goes live.


How Makilala came to BronxNet can best be described as serendipitous. 

Executive Director Michael Max Knobbe recalled coming to MNN’s Firehouse studio one Saturday after attending a cultural event nearby. 

“I got curious, I felt a strong energy, force to stop by the studio during the production of an anniversary episode of your program.  I was impressed with your program and chatted with your team,” he said.

He left a card, and Makilala promptly sent an email. BronxNet Traffic Manager Bernardo Moronta, who heads the programming department, reviewed the pilot and was impressed. 

“I felt that it was very compelling with high production value, and would make a great addition to our multicultural channel," said Moronta. “Filipinos constitute one of the fastest-growing ethnicities in the United States, and BronxNet is proud to provide strong programming for this under-served audience." 


Co-hosts Jen Furer, Rachelle Ocampo, and Cristina DC Pastor interview community leaders on Makilala, the first Filipino American talk show in the New York metropolitan area. Makilala means ‘get to know’ in the Philippine language.

The show airs primetime on BronxNet’s BX Culture channels, Optimum 69 and Fios 35, every Thursday at 8 p.m. It can also be streamed worldwide via BronxNet.TV. Bronx resident, Victor Palmos, is the Playback Producer, while Furer is the Playback Video Editor/Coordinator.   

On August 30, Furer and Pastor visited BronxNet’s Lehman College facility to express their thanks.  They met Moronta, and reconnected with Knobbe.

“I'm excited that the Executive Director of BronxNet was impressed with our ‘little’ show,” said Furer enthused. “This means that our show is starting to get noticed by people outside of our community.”

Moronta said BronxNet is just as “excited” to air Makilala, the first Filipino American program in the station’s 25-year history. 

"First QPTV, then MNN, and now BronxNet! We are truly fulfilling our mission to raise the Filipino American voice through honest and provocative conversations,” said Ocampo. “I appreciated Mr. Knobbe’s genuine interest in our show and our potential to grow our viewership."
Knobbe said the station would like to invite Filipinos living in the Bronx to attend training courses on field or studio production. Once they become certified access producers, they can use the facilities of BronxNet and produce their own shows.

There are approximately 4,800 Filipinos in the Bronx as of 2015, according to the Philippine Consulate in New York, citing data from the Migration Policy Institute.  

“BronxNet is connecting the Bronx to the world,” said Knobbe. “Our programs reflect the tone of one of the most diverse places in the world. The Bronx is a symbol of urban renewal. It’s a beautiful place to visit, beautiful place to live. It’s got more green, more park than any other boro in NYC. Filipinos are welcome to join us here at BronxNet and see what we do here.”

“Makilala is proud to be part of the BronxNet’s family and its long and storied history of community-based journalism,” said Pastor. 


Makilala is available on:
Twitter: @makilalatv
Instagram: @makilalatv
YouTube: makilalatv


 Cristina DC Pastor is the Founder/Editor of the Filipino-American online news magazine, theFilAm.net

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Completed my first 16 Week IsaBody Challenge: Believe You Have A Purpose

My family is what matters most to me.  I’m 51 and a mother of 4 (ages 14 – 26). I wanted to be healthier, more active and stronger not just for me, but for the people I love.  I wanted to set an example for my family that we each possess the tools to master our wellness and vitality. I've always been petite except when I was pregnant ( when I gained an average of 50 pounds per pregnancy - 4 times!) Over the years I had tried various diet and exercise regimens, and I did enjoy a degree of success, but the results were not to the level I hoped for, and they were somewhat short lived.   Achieving stable, long-lasting results proved stubbornly elusive.    Then when I hit menopause everything became more difficult.    My body stopped cooperating altogether, and I was constantly grumpy. My waist and hips expanded and I found myself napping in the afternoons.    I started to accept the idea that there would be this new, less vibrant version of me. I just completed my P

SPICE-up a young child's development: social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional

Children are the precious gems of a family. When they’re young and innocent, they are like sponges that willingly and quickly absorb any knowledge and emotion. That’s why at an early age, we encourage our children to read, be creative, be happy and feed their curiosity. With all the technology and instant gratification that children get from playing video or computer games, asking a child to read a good book has been a challenge for some parents .     “Your children are not your children.       They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.       They come through you but not from you,       And though they are with you, and yet they belong not to you.       You may give them your love but not your thoughts,        For they have their own thoughts.        You may house their bodies but not their souls,        For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,        which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.” -                     Kahlil Gibr

Immigration and Family: Will my mom ever get to see my daughter walk down the aisle

Last year when my father passed away in the Philippines, I went home and took some time to visit the U.S. Embassy in Manila to ask what the options are for my mother to return to the U.S. The consul reminded me of the 10-year travel ban. That on or after November 8, 2015 — not earlier – or 10 years after my mom, was deported in 2005 for overstaying her visa, I can email the U.S. Embassy and inquire about my mother’s approved petition. I asked if I need to file another petition, and she informed me I didn’t have to. I asked if I could… and she stopped me and said to ask everything on or after November 8, 2015. This is where I am, and where my thoughts are drifting as I celebrate this month my 16th American birthday. I am counting the months, the weeks and the days. My daughter is getting married in January 2016 and I would love to have my entire family, especially my mother, to be here when that momentous occasion happens.

Helping others surpass their goals and expectations

"It's not about the end goal. It's who you become by consistently pushing to the edge of your limits." - Robin Sharma Do you ever wonder why you stumble on new things?  Do you ever wonder why unsuspecting strangers cross your path? Do you ever wonder why your mind takes you to a direction you didn't think exist? I was walking to StarBucks to meet my husband when I noticed a sign...

Still shaky, skidded in snow, but so blessed my guardian angels are looking after me!

"Never again wonder, what to be thankful for..."   - Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life It’s yet another snowy day in New Jersey. Beautiful, yes but dangerous! In line with my goal for this month is to get back on schedule. I got up around 4am to get my 15yo ready for his Model United Nations conference. (Thankful that our neighbor offered to drive him to school by 5:30am ) I got my 9yo ready for school and I'm thankful that my other neighbor offered to drive him to school. I then drove my husband to the train station to Manhattan. I decided to stop by the Community Center and decided to run a fast 5K on the treadmill. I was 1 mile short because I was so sweaty and hot. (Note to self: dress lightly next time) While cooling down inside the car, I read Day 14’s chapter of Rick Warren's the “Purpose Driven Life” book. I felt really good because it just reminded me that there is always something to be thankful for no matter how awful yo