Apr. 9
Global COVID-19 infections hit 1,502,478, about a week after hitting the 1 million mark
Apr. 11
The Department of Health changes the classifications for persons being checked for COVID-19 to “suspect” and “probable” for patients under investigation, and “confirmed” for those with positive results
Apr. 12
The Philippines increases its testing centers to 15
Apr. 14
The country records 5,223 COVID-19 cases, 335 fatalities and 295 recoveries
Start of “progressive mass testing,” where high-risk patients (people with severe flulike symptoms, the elderly, those with preexisting health conditions, pregnant women with mild symptoms and healthcare workers with respiratory symptoms) are prioritized
Dec. 31, 2019
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that it has been notified by China of 41 cases of pneumonia of unknown origin
Jan. 1, 2020
Authorities close Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, said to be the source of the outbreak
Jan. 7
The novel coronavirus (nCoV) SARS-CoV-2 is identified as the cause of the disease
Jan. 11
The first nCoV death is reported in China
Jan. 13
The first case of nCoV outside China is reported in Thailand
Jan. 23
The city of Wuhan is placed under quarantine, with Hubei province following days later
Jan. 30
The Philippines reports its first nCoV case, a 38-year-old foreign national who had traveled from Wuhan and Hong Kong. Patients 2 and 3 are also reported on this date The WHO declares the outbreak a global public health emergency of international concern after cases are reported in five of the six WHO regions in a month
Feb. 2
The country’s Patient 2, said to be the husband of Patient 1, becomes the first nCoV fatality outside mainland China. Patient 1 recovers from the disease
Feb. 11
The WHO names the disease “COVID-19”: “’CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus’ and ‘D’ for ‘disease,’ while ‘19’ was for the year, as the outbreak was first identified on December 31”
Mar. 5
The country reports two COVID-19 patients, the first locals to contract the disease
2008
SKY introduces high-speed internet under the SKYbroadband brand
2010
Launches one of the country’s first online streaming services, iWantv, that allows catching up on or watching ABS-CBN shows live
2015
Launches SKY On Demand, an online streaming service that allows users to stream and watch their favorite ABSCBN and SKYcable shows anytime, anywhere
2016
Announces One SKY, the country’s first bundled cable TV and broadband services brand
2017
Introduces partnerships with Netflix and HBO GO, and improved fiber-powered broadband plans
2018
Launches its most hi-tech
SKY On Demand Box with access to built-in YouTube and Netflix apps
Introduces the new SKY Fiber branding for its slew of consumer broadband products
Announces the launch of the 5Mbps plan, the country’s most affordable “unli” broadband plan, as well as its fastest 200Mbps high-speed plan
Introduces the SKY Home WiFi Plans, a seamless WiFi connection anywhere in the house, with TechXperts service, a specialized, highly trained crew that completes home internet setups rollout to subscribers
2019
Rolls out the new SKY Fiber Super Speed Plans, a set of fiberfast home internet subscription plans that are the most affordable in the market and offers the most value for money
Introduces the new SKY Fiber All-In Box; the first of its kind in the country, this device combines the power of a WiFienabled modem, digital terrestrial TV and cable TV modem for a total entertainment experience
1999
Knowledge Channel goes on air following the incorporation of Sky Foundation
2003
Sky Foundation becomes known as Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. Partners with 100 cable operators from Itbayat to Bongao
2004
Launches key projects like “Text Mo, Pangarap Ko,” “Lakad Mo, Pangarap Ko” walkathon and the Be A Model School Award
2005
Initiates a project on peace education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao ARMM funded by the United States Agency for International Development
2006
Presents at the United Nations NGO Conference in New York
2016
ABS-CBN Themed Experiences hooks up with Meleap Inc., a Japanese game developer, during a theme park conference in Orlando, Florida
2017
Construction of ABS-CBN Studio Experience (Studio XP) starts at TriNoma Mall
2018
Meleap’s Hado Monster Battle becomes one of the very first attractions at Studio XP when it soft-opens in July
2019
In July, Filipinos are introduced to Hado Player vs. Player during the opening ceremonies of National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) Season 95 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena
In August, the ABS-CBN Sports + Action program “Hado Pilipinas” starts airing the NCAA Hado tournaments