MANILA — Amid a pandemic that has crippled economies and halted industries, including showbiz, the oft-said adage, "The show must go on," simply cannot be.

That was seen as ABS-CBN — despite the second blow of its TV and radio broadcast being forced shut — resumed the production of its programs after three months, but notably with exceptions.

While eased lockdown measures have allowed returning to set, the return is to a "new normal" that bars close physical interactions, and which requires "lock-in" periods, among other protocols.

Scenes involving large crowds are impossible, unless through visual effects, and multiple locations would mean separate lock-in durations. Both would be impractical, in light of fractions of budget now likely devoted to safety provisions on set.

And then there is the factor of the cast and crew's health condition. For instance, Liza Soberano, lead star of "Make It With You," mentioned her "weak immune system" as one of the reasons the drama series was not among the returning programs of ABS-CBN.

BALANCING ACT

RSB Scripted, the umbrella unit behind "Make It With You," also recently announced the cancellation of another of its series, "Pamilya Ko." Its third current show, the war drama "A Soldier's Heart," meanwhile, is set to roll cameras anew.

"There are stories that were cut short by the pandemic and it would be difficult to return to the old set, given the old dynamic of the story," Ruel S. Bayani, head of RSB Scripted, told ABS-CBN News on Wednesday.

"We had to, as you know, cancel several shows, and we needed to rush some new ones that are more fit or tailor-made for the new normal. It's a balancing act of continuing some old shows and then reimaigining some new ones."

For a time during the hard lockdown, ABS-CBN's variety programs "It's Showtime" and "ASAP Natin 'To" were mounted virtually, with hosts and performers appearing via video call streamed live. This week, both returned to their respective ABS-CBN studio — venues that are easily controlled, and in close proximity to vital facilities.

The morning talk show "Magandang Buhay" similarly benefits from being based in a studio, where foot traffic of guests and hosts can be managed, and physical distancing can be properly implemented. The same would apply for the singing competition "The Voice Teens."

In the case of all four studio shows, perhaps the most jarring difference now is the absence of a live audience.

"FPJ's Ang Probinsyano" and "Love Thy Woman," two other ABS-CBN dramas returning with new episodes, are meanwhile limiting allowed personnel on set. Stars of the latter said in a Tuesday conference that they are advised against bringing personal staff in line with safety protocols, for example.

"Together, hopefully, as we get to adjust and familiarize ourselves with the new normal, we'll also get better at it," Bayani said. "For now, no one is an expert in this post-COVID scenario."

'CONTINUE TO CREATE MAGIC'

Bayani spoke with ABS-CBN News during a virtual conference for the second season of Viu's "The Bridge," which co-stars Filipino actor Joseph Marco. Bayani is also ABS-CBN head of international productions.

Min Lim, the Malaysian executive producer of "The Bridge," pointed out that the new normal has had a deep, global impact on the entertainment industry.

"It's one more challenge that is thrown into the mix in an already quite challenging industry," she told ABS-CBN News. "We're going to have to come up with new ways of not just shooting things, but really thinking about the kinds of stories that we can tell."

While production outfits have improvised during the pandemic — ABS-CBN, for instance, earlier launched a diverse slate of digital content produced from home, dubbed Online Kapamilya Shows or OKS — Lim emphasized that filmmaking thrives on collaborative work.

"We're very much hoping that at some point, things are going to go back to the way they were before. The whole creative process is about collaboration, is about people coming together," she said.

"Even though now, with technology, you can digitally come together, there really is nothing that replaces writers in a room, or actors on a set together."

As ABS-CBN carries on entertaining Filipino viewers — amid the pandemic and despite its franchise woes — Bayani believes that the back-to-back challenges have also served to fuel creativity.

"It's my belief that every time there are limitations, the more there is abundance of creativity, the more that you need to have those leaps of fate, the more you need to be alert and assertive as a content creator," he said.

"History has gone through so many difficult dark ages, and this is one of them. I believe that after all of this is over, we will continue to create good content, we will continue to explore our partnerships, we will continue to dream bigger. The scale and ambition will be greater. It just doesn't stop. Just continue to dream, continue to create magic, as we always say."