This free platform airs Pinoy films, Filipino-dubbed K-drama and Mexican telenovela, Whoopi Goldberg-hosted sports channel
Subscribing to streaming platforms can be expensive, and one that doesn't require payment will always be welcome to the avid viewer.
With Filipinos as one of the world's top consumers of online content, they ought to watch shows from a platform that would not only entertain them but also highlight their nationality. That platform is none other than Jungo Pinoy.
Jungo Pinoy is the local edition of the Los Angeles-based Jungo TV, which provides film and television content globally through pay television providers, over-the-top platforms, and partnerships with third-party media companies since its inception in 2016.
With Jungo Pinoy, Filipinos here and abroad would have access to free content via their web browser or mobile app as long as they have an internet connection.
Genres
The platform has Filipino classics, including Lino Brocka's Cain at Abel starring Philip Salvador and Christopher de Leon; Gil Portes's Never Ever Say Goodbye starring Vilma Santos and Ian Veneracion; and Lauro Pacheco's Mga Mata ni Angelita starring Julie Vega.
There are also contemporary hits like Sid & Aya starring Anne Curtis and Dingdong Dantes; Never Not Love You starring Nadine Lustre and James Reid; and 100 Tula Para Kay Stella starring Bella Padilla and JC Santos.
Jungo Pinoy also has offerings by genre: horror, romance, comedy, action, Korean drama, and sexy.
Some titles that may have unsuitable content for younger audiences are censored. They also display a pop-up message asking the viewer if they're over 18.
As homage to Mexico's telenovelas taking Philippine television by storm in the '90s, Jungo Pinoy offers Marimar, which was remade by GMA Network starring Marian Rivera in 2007 and Megan Young in 2015, and Triunfo del amor, which was titled locally as Tagumpay ng Pag-ibig.
Live television
The streaming platform also has live television with four channels: AWSN, Black Belt, Hallypop, and Jungo Pinoy TV.
The AWSN, or All Women's Sports Network, airs live sports matches from some of the world’s most popular women’s leagues like the Union of European Football Associations, the International Basketball Federation, the Women’s Tennis Association, and the Women’s National Basketball League. It's presented by Whoopi Goldberg of Ghost and Sister Act fame.
In a video feature, Goldberg pointed out that it's "ridiculous" that such a channel doesn't exist.
"Women are playing sports around the world," she said. "It's not true when people are saying women are not paying attention. We pay attention to everything. We have to."
Goldberg also asserted that Filipinos watch women in sports.
"I believe people in the Philippines are smart enough to know that," she said, as she also greeted Filipinos and invited everybody to access Jungo Pinoy.
Black Belt, the magazine of the same name, airs martial arts and combat sports, including instructional videos, martial arts movies, documentaries, and digital issues and articles.
Hallypop airs content from the Seoul Broadcasting System, which has Korean variety shows, music, dramas, and lifestyle.
Jungo Pinoy TV offers movies, including foreign titles dubbed in Filipino.
Accessibility
In a media event attended by PhilSTAR L!fe, JungoTV chief executive officer and co-founder George Chung highlighted the importance of accessibility through a platform that has no subscription fees, that can appeal to a wide Filipino audience.
But for Chung, such a status of being "free" isn't all about the lack of money in the equation, but one that values quality and service.
"When we say free, oftentimes, people think about not paying money," he said. "We don't value the fact that they're just watching it for free. We're different. We value something just as we value money: time."
"Because obviously, we have to generate advertising revenues through eyeballs and time. That's why we want to give you good stuff," he added.
In terms of video quality, Chung said there are Jungo Pinoy entries that have 4K resolution. The platform also has adaptive bitrate streaming, which adjusts video quality based on one's network conditions, which can be helpful for those who are saving data.
Chung also pointed out how an internal team takes care of the Filipino dubs, never resorting to artificial intelligence.
JungoTV chief operating officer Miguel Santos, for his part, said it "made a lot of sense" to offer free content to Filipinos—and a "curated" one at that—given the ever-increasing demands of the times.
"If you're gonna look at the hierarchy of needs, entertainment is not really something that people are going to pay for. It's the basics first," Santos said, adding that they have.
He said they're also looking into launching offline mode and creating exclusive or original content.
Viewers are also welcome to recommend or suggest titles they'd like to see, he said.
"We are excited for our offerings to expand and not only [become limited to] K-dramas but also European, Filipino, and Taiwanese dramas, too," Santos said. "We know this will resonate with a lot [of people]. We're excited for the roll-out in the coming months."
Jungo Pinoy can be accessed via its website. It's also available as a mobile app on Google Play (Android) and App Store (Apple).
