Are you palaban?

Sadly, good things do really come to an end. Case in point is GMA Network's multi-awarded public affairs program DEBATE, hosted by the tandem of Pareng Oscar Orbos and Mareng Winnie Monsod. After airing its farewell episode last Thursday, DEBATE has successfully and consistently shown that in the face of a vibrant democracy, silence is not an option.

With a seven-year untainted track record under its belt, DEBATE has earned the respect and recognition not only of the different local and international award-giving bodies - Philippine Movie Press Club, Catholic Mass Media Awards, and even the highly prestigious US Film and Video Festival in New York - but most importantly that of its viewers.

And it is also because of its unblemished credibility as a program that DEBATE, up to its last episode, was able to have the boldest, the brightest and the hottest personalities as its panelists. Confrontational and highly opinionated, DEBATE knows and respects the importance of each opinion being voiced out. That, when faced with issues of great importance, the need to hear the opinion of a well-educated and revered person is as important as that of any other citizen willing to speak his mind.

DEBATE accorded everyone a voice as it assigned judicious weight to the views of the prominent and the common folk, the better and the less educated, the powerful and the powerless.

And with DEBATE's farewell last Thursday, silence, seemingly, just sounded a little bit louder.

But nonetheless, GMA News and Public Affairs, as part of its steadfast commitment to provide quality and no-nonsense programming recently welcomed a promising new program that stands in the highest tradition of DEBATE.

Enter PALABAN! Launched just last November 8, PALABAN, bannered by an unusual combination of hosts - an economist, an investigative journalist and a beauty queen - promises to keep late-night viewers company every Wednesday night.

Hosted by three people from divergent backgrounds and eras - Winnie Monsod, Malou Mangahas and Miriam Quiambao, PALABAN is set to discuss the hottest and the most pressing issues from the boardroom and even up to the bedroom.

Veteran public affairs host Winnie Monsod's mission is to interview the most sought after personalities in politics and business. With the former NEDA Director-General's no-nonsense approach to issues, expect juicy sound bites from people viewers want to hear from.

Malou Mangahas, one of the founders of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, will give viewers an inside look at the lives and lifestyles of public figures. Expect investigative stories that will put the spotlight on shady government projects, and the people behind them.

PALABAN also sets the stage for the emergence of a new Miriam Quiambao. After showing her grit in handling a reality program, Miriam's more serious side will now be seen. The World Vision advocate for children's rights will handle a wide range of topics, from poverty to gender issues.