On the first anniversary of ABS-CBN shutdown, Actress Ruffa Gutierrez recalled how heartbroken she was when the broadcast network signed off on May 5, 2020.
"Throwback to May 5, 2020. My post : At a time wherein millions are dying, losing their jobs and struggling to make ends meet in the midst of a global pandemic, ABS-CBN just signed off. It was painful to watch," read Ruffa's tweet on May 5.
Ruffa added: "Just when we thought there was a glimmer of hope that we can still continue to provide for our families and to others na umaasa sa atin. I am heartbroken.To my ABS-CBN & 'Love Thy Woman' family, stay strong & huwag tayong mawalan ng pag-asa."
Despite the government shutdown of its broadcast operations, ABS-CBN on May 7 carried on its mission of being in the service of Filipinos, with the return of its flagship newscast "TV Patrol."
By 6:25 p.m. on May 7, the iconic music of "TV Patrol" opened the program on ABS-CBN News' official website and pages on Facebook and YouTube, ANC, and the streaming service iWant. Overseas, it also aired live via The Filipino Channel.
For Filipinos who have long relied on "TV Patrol" for information, it meant trading their television viewing for streaming through their smartphones, tablets, or computers, ABS-CBN said in its press statement.