My 27 favorite TV shows

When our editor Ricky Lo asked us to list down 27 of our favorite TV shows in observation of The Philippine STAR’s 27th anniversary, we were most excited. This would give us a chance to go back in time, and recall our favorites from the ’90s.

To those who wouldn’t know what we’re talking about, just remember that before there was Facebook and Twitter, before blue screens where one didn’t need to go on location as the location went to you, there was plain hard work on TV sets. The crew was only the director, assistant director, soundman and cinematographer. The members of the cast took care of their own costumes and make-up, even brought their own lunch at times. Life was simpler.

Below are our favorites, only a partial list or the required 27. You will notice that the choices share similar attributes.

1) Sa Linggo nAPO Sila; â€˜Sang Linggo nAPO Sila (ABS-CBN). Musical-variety show 1990 to 1995. Competed with GMA Supershow, then Eat Bulaga which remains the lunchtime leader to this day. Hosted by the APO Hiking Society (Danny Javier, Jim Paredes and Buboy Garovillo) who have disbanded as a group.

2) Hanep Buhay (GMA). Premiered Nov. 13, 2010; ended Nov. 26, 2011. Informative show on entrepreneurship co-hosted by Love Añover and Chris Tiu on how to manage funds, set up a business, make better financial decisions. It is a format GMA might do well to revive, now that TV viewing is more sophisticated.

3) Straight from the Shoulder with Luis Beltran aired over Manila Broadcasting, 1970-72; DZRH in the ’80s. Beltran was among those arrested during Martial Law. He hosted Brigada Siete (1993-94) and Straight on GMA 7. Beltran minced no words, was unafraid in his analyses, was once sued by then Pres. Cory Aquino for writing she was hiding under the bed during a coup attempt. He died of a heart attack at age 58, leaving behind son Cito Beltran, also in media.   

4) Batibot aired over various networks; now with TV5. Much awarded Philippines’ premier educational TV series for children from 1984. Every parent today grew up watching Batibot with its humor, muppets, live action and original music. It is the first all-Filipino, curriculum-based educational program for children. Headed then and now by Feny de los Angeles-Bautista.

5) Champoy was a Philippine sitcom gag show of RPN-9 from 1980 to 1986. It starred Subas Herrero, Tessie Tomas, Noel Trinidad with Mitch Valdez and Cherie Gil. It spoofed anything in vogue. It is said that the Champoy team-up came from a Chinese popular Champoy brand called Fat & Thin. Noel was thin, and Subas fat. Subas died this year in New York.

6) John en Marsha was the longest-running popular primetime comedy sitcom on Philippine TV. Originally created by Ading Fernando for Radio Philippines in 1973, it starred Dolphy, Nida Blanca, Dely Atay-Atayan and Maricel Soriano on ABS-CBN, with a lot of film and TV spin-offs. Latest was John en Shirley in 2006 on ABS-CBN, with only Dolphy and Maricel in their original roles.

7) Coney Reyes on Camera was a weekly drama anthology with Coney as producer, host and lead star. Aired 1984 to 1998 in three networks (ABS-CBN, RPN-9, GMA). Coney’s old show is now replayed on Jeepney TV while Coney has revived her acting career.

8) Mongolian Barbecue was a talk show commenting on political shenanigans with Jun Urbano as Mr. Shooli, the Mongolian. When no politician agreed to guest on the show, Urbano asked Leo Martinez to play the politician and Manhik Manaog was born. The show aired for eight years on Channel 13, then on 9, and won many awards from award-giving bodies.   

9) Isumbong Mo Kay Tulfo was Ramon Tulfo’s 1991 hard-hitting radio program over Radyo Veritas, which evolved into a TV program and earned the Best Public Service Program award from prestigious local award-giving bodies. As an action-oriented program, stories in Isumbong would investigate complaints and awaken social consciousness, citizen responsibility, while uplifting the human spirit.

10) Flordeluna is identified to this day with Janice de Belen who played the lead in the RPN-9 classic teledrama that started airing in 1978. At the time, Janice was 11 years old playing the child who wanted to bring her family together in the midst of all their trials.

11) Gulong ng Palad (Wheel of Fortune) is a Philippine â€™50s radio drama series that became a ’80s soap opera hit. The drama series introduced the Original Filipino Telenovela look on ABS-CBN in 2006. It starred Marianne dela Riva, Ronald Corveau and Beth Bautista with Caridad Sanchez. A new version starring Kristine Hermosa, TJ Trinidad and Andrea del Rosario as the leads, with Cherie Gil as the resident contravida. Premiered January 2006 and ended May of the same year.

12) Eat Bulaga from Tape and GMA Network could well be Philippine Television’s miracle child. Since it started airing more than three decades ago, Monday through Saturday, it holds the record of longest-running noontime variety on Philippine TV. Similarly, it is the only show that hasn’t changed its hosts, namely Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon who today are past middle age. Various programs have challenged its title to no avail.

13) Student Canteen was the country’s first noontime show on TV, running from 1958 to 1990 on three networks. Originally a radio show on DZXL hosted by Eddie Ilarde, Bobby Ledesma and Leila Benitez, it was renamed Student Canteen.

14) An Evening with Pilita was Pilita Corrales’ popular pre-Martial Law musical show on ABS-CBN from 1965 to 1972 under the direction of Mitos Villareal. Prior to this, however, the singer born in Cebu to Spanish parents had already started her musical career in 1958 in Australia. Since then, she has conquered the world, while carrying the tag of “Asia’s Queen of Song,” and still performing with her signature waist bend.

15) Marimar, the Mexican soap starring Thalia, aired originally on RPN-9 in 1996, is credited to have started the telenovela craze on Philippine TV. Since then, local networks started producing their own teledramas. Marimar can be seen on the Telenovela Channel which airs mostly Mexican telenovelas dubbed in Filipino or English.

16) Maria la del Barrio was another Thalia soap dubbed in Tagalog and aired on RPN-9 in 1996. Its success caused ABS-CBN to make its own version with Erich Gonzales as Maria Hernandez and Enchong Dee as Luis Fernando de la Vega, directed by Rory Quintos. The series was well-received, aired from Aug. 15, 2011 to March 2, 2012.

17) GMA Unang Hirit seems to have been there forever as TV’s longest-running early morning show. First aired on December 1999, its hosts have included Lyn Ching, Suzi Entrata, Ryan Agoncillo, Mickey Ferriols, Arnold Clavio, Miriam Quiambao, Pia Arcangel, Connie Sison, Luan Dy, Monica Verrallo. It has served as training ground for hosts.

18) I-Witness is GMA’s award-winning documentary news and public affairs show, now on its 13th year, and recipient of the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award. Four of the most formidable names in broadcast journalism host the show namely, Howie Severino, Kara David, Sandra Aquinaldo and Jay Taruc.

19) Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho is a docu-educational public affairs show hosted by Jessica and aired over GMA. She is VP for News & Public Affairs; has won numerous awards including the George Foster Peabody award and the British Fleet Journalism award. Winning stories include that of a hostage crisis in Cagayan Valley. She pioneered in the coverage of world events such as the crisis in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Israel.

20) Maynila: Larawan ng Bansa had been broadcast on GMA since 1999, presenting an anthology of inspiring stories that affect people who live in Manila. Show host is former Manila mayor and secretary of DENR, Lito Atienza. The show is aired 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Saturdays.

21) Martin Late@Nite was to be the break that would return Martin Nievera to hosting like Martin After Dark that had aired on ABS-CBN from 1988 to 1997. But obviously, things were not meant to be. He poured out his heart on Twitter saying, “Attention everyone, I have no sama ng loob with my Kapamilya. My contract is 13 weeks. Was just hoping… to get a return call or reply to at least encourage or discourage me...” We feel sad for him. But things haven’t changed for us. Martin is still our very favorite singer!

22) Okay Ka, Fairy Ko! was Vic Sotto’s first self-produced sitcom that premiered on GMA in 1987, filling every home with fairies, magic and love. The Legend of Okay Ka, Fairy Ko, are the filmic episodes earthling Enteng Kabisote and his romance with the fairy Faye (Kristine Hermosa). The genius of a Vic Sotto is that he knows when to stop, when enough is enough and one must move on.

23) Lovingly Yours, Helen was most everyone’s Sunday afternoon choice on GMA from 1980 to 1996. From a counseling radio program, it evolved into a drama anthology with Helen Vela presenting the episode based on the life of a letter sender.

24) GMA Supershow was a Sunday noontime variety show on GMA from 1978 to 1997, with German “Kuya Germs” Moreno manning the fort. Some of the most beautiful women in show business had their beginnings with Kuya Germs on the teen show That’s Entertainment, then GMA Supershow. They include Sharon Cuneta, Dawn Zulueta, Gretchen Barretto, Jackie Lou Blanco, Lani Mercado, Kris Aquino, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Sharmaine Arnaiz, Maricel Laxa, Lorna Tolentino, Dina Bonnevie. Kuya Germs, still with GMA, hosts the midnight show Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman.

25) Aawitan Kita may not have had the best return on investment to Armida Siguion-Reyna, its producer, host and lead interpreter of songs, but certainly it was known to everyone who loved music. Last seen on TV5, Aawitan focused on nostalgic songs, authentic period costumes and locations in rural settings. Tita Midz also went into motion picture production of which our favorites are Carlitos Siguion-Reyna’s Hihintayin Kita sa Langit with Dawn Zulueta and Richard Gomez, Mga Bilanggong Birhen with Alma Moreno and Laurice Guillen’s Salome.

26) Matanglawin or Hawkeye is Kuya Kim Atienza’s homage to nature, wildlife, science and adventure, Sundays on ABS-CBN. It is his gift to his audience for having given up politics for this new calling. First aired on March 24, 2008, Matanglawin refers to himself as the Philippine hawk, the explorer who is inquisitive (mapanuri), vigilant (mapag-matyag) and adventurous (mapangahas). He is also seen daily on It’s Showtime and is the weatherman on TV Patrol.

27) Maalaala Mo Kaya (ABS-CBN), has aired from May 15, 1991 to the present with Charo Santos-Concio as host. It is now the longest-running drama anthology in the country and Asia, featuring real-life stories sent by a letter sender, who is shown at the end on the show. The series has a radio counterpart on DZMM, a paperback version and a comic book. The MMK Classics is shown on The Filipino Channel abroad.

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