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