2013 is 60 Years of Philippine Television

Officials and employees of leading television network ABS-CBN gathered earlier tonight to launch the year-long celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of Philippine television. According to a report by the news program TV Patrol, ABS-CBN Chairman Gabby Lopez and President-CEO Charo Santos-Concio led in reminiscing about the network's history.

The launch was also highlighted with  performances by Gary Valenciano, Kuh Ledesma, Jed Madela, Erik Santos, KZ Tandingan, Yeng Constantino, Jovit Baldivino, Marcelito Pomoy, and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra.

It can be recalled that Alto Broadcasting Systems (ABS) made its first TV broadcast in October 1953. In 1958, a merger with Chronicle Broadcasting Network (CBN) resulted in the formation of ABS-CBN. The declaration of Martial Law in 1972 led to the network's closure. A few months after the People Power EDSA Revolution, ABS-CBN reopened.

SOURCE: ABS-CBNNews.com

Five Decades of Vilma Santos

Multi-awarded actress and politician Vilma Santos-Recto celebrates her fifty-ninth birthday today. She started her career as a child star with a breakout title role in the 1963 film Trudis Liit. In July 2012, Star Cinema released The Healing, a horror film, to mark her fiftieth year in the Philippine entertainment industry. Santos also highlighted many television programs including VIP (Vilma in Person) and Vilma!

Santos' political career started in 1998 when she was elected mayor of Lipa City in Batangas province. After winning three consecutive three-year terms as city mayor, Santos ran for and won the position of provincial governor in 2010.

Each of the following movie screen captures represent a decade in Santos' in show business: