At GMA-7’s “Starstruck V”, the winners were Sarah Lahbati and Steven Silva, but second runner up Rocco Nacino’s career prospered faster than Steven. TV5 had its own artista search, “Star Factor”, and the winner is Eula Caballero. Reality shows still going on are Sharon Cuneta’s “Star Power” and Star Search for Kids. On GMA’s “Survivor Philippines Celebrity Showdown”, a big hit, the winner is Brazilian-Japanese model Akihiro Sato.
The GMA morning talk show, “Sis”, hosted by Janice and Gelli de Belen with Carmina Villaroel, was axed after 8 years and replaced by “Diz Is It”, hosted by another transferee, Bayani Agbayani. This is meant to compete with ABS-CBN’s hit show, “It’s Showtime”, but it wasn’t successful and eventually bowed out. GMA replaced it with Edu Manzano’s “Asar Talo” that also didn’t click with viewers. Carmina was later given her own morning talk show with live in partner, Zoren Legaspi, “Love ni Mister, Love Ni Misis”.
“Dear Friend” was replaced by “Reel Love Presents Tween Hearts” on Sundays starring GMA’s tween stars led by Joshua Dionisio and Barbie Forteza and this rated very well.
New shows launched by GMA during the year on primetime are “The Last Prince”, “First Time”, “Pilyang Kerubin”, “Langit sa Piling Mo”, “Panday Kids”, “Bantatay”, “Grazilda”, “Endless Love”, “Ilumina”, “Diva”, “Beauty Queen”. The long-running Sunday noontime show, “SOP”, was replaced by “Party Pilipinas” in March. In the afternoon, the new shows include “Gumapang Ka sa Lusak”, “Trudis Liit” (launch pad of child star Jillian Ward to stardom), “Koreana”, “Little Star”, “Yaman ni Lola” (replacing the SexBomb show, “Daisy Siete” that ran for 7 years). They tried going back to comedy with “Kaya ng Powers” and “Jejemom” but these shows didn’t last very long.
New shows launched by ABS-CBN include “Agua Bendita” (a big hit that launched child star Xyriel Manabat to stardom), “Momay”, “Noah”, “Magkaribal”, “Kristine Series”, “Sabel”, “Impostor”, “Rosalka”, “Alynna”. One Kapamilya dismal flop is “Idol” starring Sarah Geronimo and Sam Milby no less. KC Concepcion was given her own morning talk show, “Simply KC”, but it didn’t rate well so it was quickly axed.
After TV5 scheduled “Willing-Willie” at 6 PM starting October 23, ABS brought back Noli de Castro and Korina Sanchez as anchors of “TV Patrol”, replacing Karen Davila and Julius Babao who were assigned to the late night newscast “Bandila” with Ces Drilon. But Noli and Korina’s presence in TV Patrol failed to counter the onslaught of “Willing-Willie” in the ratings game.
Before the year is over, it’s reported that Aga Muhlach left ABS to become a Kapatid, making TV5 surely now a force to reckon with on local TV.
As usual, there are two survey agencies that give different ratings percentage for TV shows. If you’re a Kapamilya, you should believe Kantar Media that is said to be taking nationwide ratings. If you’re a Kapuso, then you should believe AGB Nielsen People Ratings for Mega-Manila.
