History
Rico, Marvin and Dominic's on-screen chemistry was first seen in the network's Saturday youth oriented show Gimik from June 15, 1996, to February 13, 1999. At that time, they were not performing yet as a group but they were close friends off-cam despite their solo careers as young actors. After Gimik was cancelled, the trio would continue appearing in different ABS-CBN programs, mostly on primetime soap operas. In 1999 and 2000, Rico, Marvin and Dominic appeared as guest co-hosts for Megastar Sharon Cuneta's birthday celebration. Their one-off hosting stint at "Sharon" was well-received, noting there was chemistry and rapport between the three.
In late 2000, the network launched Star Magic Presents, a weekly program that showcased ABS-CBN's homegrown talents in different entertainment formats. They chose Rico, Marvin and Dominic to headline the pilot episode of the program, a mini-sitcom entitled Whattamen. They were joined by Jannette Mc Bride, Gabe Mercado and JM Rodriguez. The episode garnered high ratings for Star Magic. The group did another episode of Whattamen a month after and also received high ratings again. This led the network to officially launch Rico, Marvin and Dominic in the noontime show Magandang Tanghali Bayan as a trio in early 2001 following the exit of one of its main host, Willie Revillame.
While doing MTB, the newly formed Whattamen trio made waves everywhere. On September 12, 2001, Whattamen became a full-length primetime weekly sitcom, occupying the Wednesday night time slot. Comedian Ai-Ai delas Alas joined the show as one of the main cast.
Compared to previous ABS-CBN sitcoms, Whattamen was a game-changer of sorts. It was a short sitcom, with just 30 minutes of running time (including commercials). Midway into its first season, the show was already beating the competition week after week with relevant storylines and out of the box delivery of laughs. On the second season, Whattamen's running time was extended to 45 minutes. Streetboys member and upcoming comedian Vhong Navarro was added to the cast. The improved second season was also rating well. Until fate intervened.
On March 29, 2002, Rico Yan died in his sleep while on vacation in Palawan. His death left a big void in the show. On April 3, 2002, the whole cast of Whattamen paid tribute to him via the two-hour TV special Whattaguy: Salamat Rico. After Rico's death, the show aired three more episodes which he taped before he died.
The sitcom continued without Rico. New cast members included John Prats, Joyce Jimenez, Jenny Miller, Ryan Agoncillo, Melanie Marquez and Dennis Padilla. Sitcom director John D. Lazatin was assigned to direct the ABS-CBN teleserye Bituin and was replaced by Danny Caparas.
Entertainment Konek is a Philippine television talk show broadcast by ABS-CBN. Hosted by Ai-Ai delas Alas and Angelika Dela Cruz, it aired on the network's Saturday evening line up from February 5, 2005 to May 27, 2006, replacing EK Channel and was replaced by Let's Go!.
MTB, fully spelled as Magandang Tanghali Bayan and Masayang Tanghali Bayan, and later known as MTB Ang Saya Saya, is a Philippine noontime variety show broadcast by ABS-CBN. It aired from November 30, 1998, to February 4, 2005, replacing 'Sang Linggo nAPO Sila and replaced by Wowowee. The program was also broadcast worldwide through The Filipino Channel.
Martina Eileen Hernandez delas Alas-Sibayan, known professionally as Ai-Ai delas Alas, is a Filipino actress and comedian. Referred to as the "Queen of Comedy" for her comedic talent, she is best known for her role as Ina Montecillo in the film series Ang Tanging Ina. Her accolades include two Star Awards for Movies, a FAMAS Award, a Metro Manila Film Festival Award, an ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards, and a Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, including nominations for three Gawad Urian and three Luna Awards. Her films have collectively earned ₱2.41 billion, making her the highest grossing Filipino comedy actress of all time.
Ricardo Carlos "Rico" Castro Yan was a Filipino actor renowned for his roles in popular romance and comedy films, as well as television shows during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Marvin Jay Marquez Cuyugan, known professionally as Marvin Agustin, is a Filipino actor, chef and entrepreneur.
Jose Madrigal Ochoa known professionally as Dominic Ochoa, is a Filipino actor. He was a member of ABS-CBN's circle of homegrown talents named Star Magic, as part of the fourth batch. He is currently managed by Boy Abunda.
Star Drama Presents is a Philippine television drama anthology series broadcast by ABS-CBN. It aired from February 18, 1993 to February 17, 2001. The weekly program featured an actor for a thirteen week season. By 2000, Star Drama Theater was renamed Star Drama Presents after the series was reformatted from monthly anthologies featuring one actor to months-long miniseries featuring an entire cast.
Gimik is a Philippine television drama series broadcast by ABS-CBN. Directed by Laurenti Dyogi, starring Judy Ann Santos, Rico Yan, Diether Ocampo, G. Toengi, Mylene Dizon, Jolina Magdangal, Marvin Agustin, Bojo Molina, Patrick Garcia, Kaye Abad, Kristopher Peralta, Diego Castro III, Andrea Blaesi, Dominic Ochoa, Kristine Hermosa, Paula Peralejo, John Lloyd Cruz, Cheska Garcia, Carlos Agassi, Baron Geisler, Laura James and Desiree del Valle. It aired on the network's Saturday afternoon line up from June 15, 1996 to February 6, 1999, replacing Game na Game Na! and was replaced by G-mik.
Got 2 Believe is a 2002 Filipino romantic comedy film directed by Olivia M. Lamasan from a screenplay she co-wrote with Mia A. Concio, the writer of the story. The title originated from the song "Got to Believe in Magic", which was composed and lyrics by Charles Fox and Stephen Geyer, was covered for the film by the band Side A.
George and Cecil is a Philippine television romantic comedy broadcast by ABS-CBN. Directed by Jose Javier Reyes, it stars Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo. It aired on the network's Yes Weekend line-up from June 14, 2009 to February 7, 2010, and was replaced by the first season of Pilipinas Got Talent.
Pilipinas Got Talent (PGT) is a Philippine television reality competition show broadcast by ABS-CBN. The show is based of American television show Got Talent. Originally hosted by Luis Manzano and Billy Crawford, it aired on the network's Yes Weekend! line up from February 20, 2010 to April 29, 2018, replacing The Singing Bee and was replaced by Your Face Sound Familiar Kids. Crawford and Toni Gonzaga serve as the final hosts. "Pilipinas" is the Filipino word for Philippines. Anyone can join and showcase their talents in the audition. At the sound of four buzzers from the judges, the auditionees are asked to stop their act. With at least three approval votes from the judges, they are automatically in the list for Judges Cuts, where judges have to pick only 36 acts that will move to the semi-finals. Acts will compete against each other in order to gain the audience support to win the prize money and the title of Pilipinas Got Talent.
Labs Ko Si Babe is a Philippine television drama romance black comedy series broadcast by ABS-CBN. Directed by Jerry Lopez Sineneng and John-D Lazatin, starring Jolina Magdangal and Marvin Agustin. It aired on the network's evening line up from July 26, 1999 to November 10, 2000, replacing Esperanza and was replaced by Pangako Sa 'Yo.
ASAP is a Philippine television variety show broadcast by ABS-CBN and Kapamilya Channel. Originally hosted by Martin Nievera, Pops Fernandez, Ariel Rivera and Dayanara Torres, it premiered on February 5, 1995 on the network's Sunday noontime line up replacing Sa Linggo nAPO Sila. Nievera, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Gary Valenciano, Sarah Geronimo, Erik Santos, Kim Chiu, Enchong Dee, Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, and Janine Gutierrez currently serve as the hosts. It is the longest-running Sunday noontime variety show on Philippine television.
Toda Max is a Philippie television situational comedy series broadcast by ABS-CBN. Directed by Joven Tan, it stats Robin Padilla, Pokwang, Angel Locsin and Vhong Navarro. ItIt aired on the network's Yes Weekend! line up from November 5, 2011 to November 16, 2013, and was replaced by Home Sweetie Home. Though due to 3 movie commitments, Padilla decided to leave the show in early of 2013 and hoped to come back after doing all his movies.
Dolphy Alay Tawa: A Musical Tribute to the King of Philippine Comedy is a 2012 Philippine concert paying tribute to comedian and actor, Dolphy, named as the Philippines' king of comedy, who died on July 10, 2012, due to multiple organ failure. The concert was held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on September 19, 2012, and was simultaneously aired as a television special on September 30, 2012, by the three major Philippine commercial television networks: ABS-CBN, GMA Network and TV5.
The 18th PMPC Star Awards for Television took place at the Aliw Theater, Pasay, Philippines on October 23, 2004 and was broadcast on RPN Channel 9 on Saturday Night Playhouse. The awards night was hosted by Lorna Tolentino, Boy Abunda and Piolo Pascual.
Arriba, Arriba! is a Philippine television sitcom series broadcast by ABS-CBN. Directed by John D. Lazatin and Gilbert G. Perez, it stars Jolina Magdangal with Camille Prats, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Heart Evangelista, Sandy Andolong, John Lapus, Rufa Mae Quinto, and Johnny Delgado. It aired on the network's Saturday afternoon line up from December 9, 2000 to August 9, 2003, replacing Oki Doki Doc and was replaced by Home Along da Airport.
Judy Ann Drama Special is a Philippine anthology drama which aired on ABS-CBN from September 13, 1999 to September 3, 2001, replacing Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako and was replaced by Your Honor.
In the Philippines, variety television shows have become mainstays of the noontime slot for network programming since 1958. The first Philippines noontime variety television shows were influenced by the popularity of bodabil (vaudeville) in the first half of the 20th century. Since then, the format has evolved with the changing times, with elements of reality television also incorporated as well since the 2000s. Majority of the noontime variety shows that aired on television were produced independently by blocktimers that pay a certain amount of time to television networks to air their program. Some TV networks though have managed to solely produce these kind of programs, with moderate success in terms of ratings and advertising revenues.
