1953

The Philippines witnesses its first TV broadcast courtesy of Alto Broadcasting System (ABS), formerly known as Bolinao Electronics

Eugenio Lopez Sr.

1957

Eugenio Lopez Sr., who already owns Chronicle Broadcasting Network (CBN), buys ABS from Tony Quirino and names Bert Villanueva President. His son Eugenio “Kapitan” Lopez Jr., also known as Geny or ELJ, becomes Executive Vice President. Jim Lindenberg, the former owner of Bolinao Electronics, becomes General Manager (GM) of both ABS and CBN

1961

Luis Garcia takes over as GM of ABS and CBN after Lindenberg’s departure in 1960

1962

Kapitan reverts ABS to its old name, Bolinao Electronics, as a tribute to Lindenberg

1963

The name that the company goes by today, ABS-CBN, comes into use. The employees also start referring to their leader as “Kapitan.” Had he gone into the army after his stint in Virginia Military Institute in the early 1950s, they reasoned, he would have made the rank of captain by 1963

1966

Jake Almeda Lopez, Kapitan’s high school friend who went on to become ABS’ lawyer, takes over the GM post. Freddie M. Garcia, or FMG, joins ABSCBN as a marketing assistant

1967

Bolinao Electronics officially becomes known as ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation

1986

As ABS-CBN emerges from the martial law years, Kapitan’s eldest son and namesake Eugenio “EL3” Lopez III comes on board as Treasurer

1987

Kapitan finds a production consultant in Charo Santos- Concio

1994

EL3 takes over as president, while Kapitan serves as chairman. FMG, meanwhile, succeeds Jake Almeda Lopez as GM

1997

Kapitan passes on the chairmanship to EL3, while FMG becomes ABS-CBN president

1999

Kapitan passes away at the age of 70

2003

ABS-CBN celebrates the 50th year of Philippine TV

Eugenio Lopez III

2004

Luis Alejandro serves as President and Chief Operating Officer until 2006

2008

Concio becomes the company’s first female President. From 1989 to 2006, she had served as Director for Programs, Vice President for Production Operations, Senior Vice President for TV Production, Executive Vice President, and Head of Channel 2

Charo Santos-Concio

2013

She takes over as CEO upon the retirement of EL3

2016

Carlo Katigbak is named President and CEO of ABS-CBN