Bandila

Bandila is the late-night national newscast of ABS-CBN. It replaced ABS-CBN Insider and returned Korina Sanchez back to newscasting after nearly two years since she left TV Patrol.

Bandila, which is the Filipino word for flag, also alludes to the term “banner story,” or top news of the day.

Maria Ressa, head of ABS-CBN News & Current Affairs Division explained this as: “Three colors, three stars, three anchors.” Charie Villa, head of newsgathering, said Drilon, Diaz and Sanchez were “three of the network’s most experienced reporters-anchors.” The news program gave a comeback to journalist Korina Sanchez after she was appointed as Chief Correspondent for Philippine and Global Operations of ABS-CBN News.

The network's goal for Bandila was to make it agenda-setting, nationalistic and fast-paced.

The move of the network to put the late-evening news program in an earlier timeslot is said to be the station's response towards responsible journalism and public service. It is pitted against comedy programs of the other networks.

It is also the very first news program in the history of Philippine Television (and probably in the history of News & Journalism) that had an official theme song, titled Isang Bandila composed and sung by Rivermaya's lead singer, Rico Blanco.

During its pilot episode, it broadcasted the controversial video of General Lim organizing a coup d'etat again President Gloria Arroyo.

The over-all Executive-in-charge of Production of the news program is Luchi Cruz-Valdez. Anchor Sanchez is situated in the studio, while Drilon and Diaz report from the newsroom.

Starting November 2006, Australian broadcaster, SBS, broadcasts Bandila at 6:50am Tuesday-Saturday, replacing NBN's Teledyaryo as the Filipino News service on Worldwatch. Bandila is also broadcasted on the digital multichannel, SBS World News Channel. The program is on a day delay, and is fed from ABS-CBN's satellite service, TFC.


Tagline : Ces: At nagdaan na naman po ang isang araw ng pagbabalita.
Henry: Isang araw na bahagi na ng kasaysayan.
Korina: Sa ngalan ng Bayan, sa ilalim ng nag-iisa nating Bandila.