As child-friendly as it gets

What good would it do if you know the worst disasters that have wrecked havoc across the country? Or the best merienda places in town?

Nothing much, really, at first. But come to think of it, talking about these interesting trivia can break the ice in awkward social moments. It could be the lubricant that could make bonding between two shy people, or among complete strangers thrown together in a party, easier.

Pia Guanio, host of QTV 11’s Ang Pinaka (Sundays at 6 p.m.) thinks so.

"It’s light viewing fare all right. And we make no bones about that. But it’s also infotainment," she relates.

"We give facts that could get the wheels of conversation moving, inspire discussion and debate," she adds, a tinge of pride in her voice.

If she – and the show succeeds – that, to Pia is enough.

The Anak TV Seal awards agrees. That’s why it classified Ang Pinaka ... one of the most child-friendly shows and gave it an award for good measure.

The award comes with a price, of course. But it’s not too stiff for Pia and the staff to pay.

"You have to be child-friendly. That means being careful with the videos and the language you use. You have to be witty without titillating. We exercise self-censorship," says program manager Len Go.

Her gauge is her young niece, who has made it a habit to watch the show.

"I always keep her in mind," the doting tita says.

Besides, when you’re airing on an early Sunday evening timeslot, the kids are at home and still up on their feet. They’re watching you, so you’ve got to stay within the boundaries. You stick to such wholesome themes as Pinakamasarap na Chibugan of the ’80s, Pinaka-controversial stars of the ’80s and others.

That brings us to another ace up the show’s sleeve.

"We try to bridge the gap between today’s generation and that of their parents.’ The youth of today do not know what their parents’ hang-outs were. The show will make them aware of this," says Pia.

If this sparks lively father-son or father-daughter repartee at the dinner table, so much the better. Maybe a previously feuding mother and daughter can slowly heal their wounds once they talk about an interesting video they saw on the show.

This year, the show’s executives plan to add more sizzle to the show by venturing out of the studio and conducting surveys to make their weekly Ang Pinaka lists more scientific. They also plan to hold a contest where televiewers must guess 10 items on the list they are airing.

But, as always, the buzzwords will remain the same: child-friendliness, creativity, interest to viewers, wit, among others.

"We have our veteran writers, Elmer Gatchalian and Augie Rivera to help us out on that," says Go.

Best of all, Ang Pinaka will have its passion for facts and figures to carry the day, week in and week out.