Television in the Philippines was introduced in 1953 and since then this boob tube has been staples on every Filipino’s living room. One of the most common past time of Filipino is watching TV with family while having hot popcorn and any other finger foods.
News programs, soap operas and variety shows are some of the most watched shows in television. The variety of Pinoy viewers successfully suffices by the innovative and diversification of shows offered. Which among these TV shows have you watched in your childhood?
Here is the list of top 10 longest-running TV programs in the Philippines:
10. I-Witness (GMA Network)
Headlined by country’s top broadcast journalists, Kara David, Howie Severino, Sandra Aguinaldo and Jay Taruc, “I-Witness” is one of the most awarded TV programs in Philippine TV. The show received numerous awards locally and abroad, one of these is the Peabody Awards.
Since January 1999, this Kapuso documentary show tackled more than 600 episodes up to date. Recently, it was announced that the newest Kapuso Atom Araullo will join the the four award-winning hosts.
9. Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman (GMA Network)
With its popular tagline, “Walang Tulugan,” (1997) the show began to be loved by many Filipinos. The show has its late night time slot that caters young talents and launch them as the newest stars of GMA Network.
Hosted by the late German “Kuya Germs” Moreno, the show bid its farewell last 2016.
8. Bubble Gang (GMA Network)
“Bubble Gang” is the longest running gag show in the Philippines. Since 1995, the show made the Filipino viewers laugh with their funny jokes and witty skits. The show was also famous for making spoof of some of the TV commercials.
As of now, the BG team consists only two original members, Micheal V. and Antonio Aquitania. The show will celebrate its 22nd anniversary this year.
7. Saksi (GMA Network)
GMA Network’s late night news program, “Saksi” started to serve the Filipinos since 1995. It was originally anchored by Mike Enriquez and Karen Davila. Later on, Mel Tiangco joined the crew when she transferred from ABS-CBN. Karen Davila later left the program to transfer to ABS-CBN.
Currently, the program is presented by Arnold Clavio and Pia Arcangel.
6. Startalk (GMA Network)
Startalk’s first episode aired on October 2, 1995. The show was considered as the longest-running showbiz talk show in the Philippines with almost a thousand episodes already broadcast.
The show ended its run on September 2015, after two decades of bringing fresh and hottest entertainment news.
5. ASAP (ABS-CBN)
The undefeated Sunday variety show “ASAP” (1995) continue to showcased world-class talent and biggest performance in TV. The show has beaten its long time rival, GMA7’s SOP, Party Pilipinas and Sunday All-Stars. It’s number of episodes already surpassed a thousand, making it one of the few Filipino TV programs to do so.
4. Maalaala Mo Kaya (ABS-CBN)
Tagged as Asia’s longest running drama anthology, “Maalala Mo Kaya” (1991) showcased different life stories that inspired Filipino viewers about life. It is hosted by the ABS-CBN Chief Content Officer Charo Santos-Concio .
The first episode aired on May 15, 1991 entitled “Rubber Shoes” starring Romnick Sarmenta and Vina Morales.
Did you know that the artist who have the most number of MMK episodes is Eula Valdez with 32 episodes? She is followed by Ricky Davao and Cherry Pie Picache with 31 episodes.
3. TV Patrol (ABS-CBN)
The longest-running Filipino news program has been on air since March 2, 1987. Its original anchors were Noli de Castro, Robert Arevalo, Mel Tiangco, and Angelique Lazo. Currently, the show is now anchored by Ted Failon, Bernadette Sembrano and Noli de Castro.
Noli de Castro ends the program with his famous catchphrase, “Magandang Gabi, Bayan”.
2. Eat Bulaga! (GMA Network)
At first, the show was broadcast on RPN, then on ABS-CBN, then finally settled on GMA where the show celebrated its most fruitful years. “Eat Bulaga!” has been on air since 1979 with over 10,000 episodes produced. The show has been hosted since its inception by Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey De Leon.
The show recently celebrated its 38th anniversary in Philippine TV. “Eat Bulaga” is the only Pinoy show to be franchised abroad. The show’s first overseas version was Eat Bulaga! Indonesia which premiered in 2012.
1. Kapwa ko, Mahal ko (GMA Network)
This public service program “Kapwa ko, Mahal ko” (1975) was originally hosted by longtime Red Cross volunteer Ms. Rosa Rosal, Orly Mercado (who later became a Senator and Defense Secretary) and Dr. Antonio Talusan, a nephrologist. The show currently airs on GMA7 every Sunday at 5:30 AM and is hosted by Mercado, Connie Angeles and Camille Angeles.
It is also the first television program in the Philippine to use sign language interpreters for the deaf.
In 2017, the show celebrated its 42th anniversary as a longest public service program on Philippine TV history.
