MANILA -- The Intercontinental Broadcasting Corp., also known as IBC Channel 13, has a new president and CEO in the person of Katherine Chloe de Castro. She is the daughter of former Vice President and veteran broadcaster Noli de Castro and TV producer Arlene de Castro.

A Communication Arts graduate of Miriam College, de Castro is no stranger to the broadcasting industry. She started her career as a field reporter of ABS-CBN Channel 2 and later on, hosted her own travel show “Trip na Trip” and business magazine show “Swak na Swak”.

Malacañang’s appointment on de Castro, first as a board of director then later on as president and CEO, came at a time when IBC is transitioning from its old office in Broadcast City to the new IBC compound in the same area in Capitol Hills, Diliman Quezon City. In an interview about her appointment, de Castro said, “I am glad to be part of the group that will oversee the privatization of IBC 13.”

The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) headed by Secretary Martin Andanar, the overseer of IBC 13, is poised to privatize the network within the year. Due diligence is being undertaken to provide smooth transition and secure all the stakeholders of the company, especially its employees and blocktimers.

Meanwhile, IBC 13, with de Castro at the helm, is putting its foot forward as it regains the public interest with the re-airing of its well-loved IBC shows from the ‘80s and ‘90s. Dubbed as the Ultimate Throwback, the series of classics includes Todas (Mondays to Fridays at 7:30 p.m.), Sic O’Clock News (Mondays to Fridays, 6 p.m.), and Hapi House (Mondays to Fridays, 4 p.m.), Retro TV (Mondays to Fridays, 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.), and Cooltura (Mondays to Fridays, 10:30 p.m.).

New programs are scheduled to air on IBC starting this month. In celebration of the network’s 60th anniversary, a documentary special titled, The Original No. 1 IBC 13’s Legacy to Philippine Television aired Friday night.

“OOTD: Opisyal of the Day”, a public affairs program featuring the senatorial candidates, airs Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. Coming soon is a travel show titled #Cooltura, a millennial’s approach to traveling around the country.

An improved and vibrant IBC 13 courtesy of de Castro is expected to happen in the coming days. The station ID says it all -- iconic, bold and chill. (PR)