TV Shows I Miss The Most (Local Edition)

It’s July. It’s my birth month. And instead of dwelling on the thought of being another year older, (Note: I stopped counting some 3 years ago) I will be posting stuff which never fail to bring me back to my blissful childhood; the days, the years where problem equates to having petty fights with your “kalaro”, having a bruise from playing outside, not having the latest toy, probably doing homeworks, or missing a TV show you religiously watch. Yes, TV shows has been a big part of my childhood, that’s why I thought of posting an entry about them. I’ll start with the local ones, then will post an international edition soon. 🙂

Ang Bagong Kampeon / Tanghalan Ng Kampeon

This show has bred a lot of great Filipino artists; the likes of Regine Velasquez, Kyla, Donna Cruz, etc. Its first title is Ang Bagong Kampeon but was later changed to Tanghalan Ng Kampeon in the early 90’s. Singing is my passion and I started when I was just a little kid. No wonder why I got hooked watching this every single week. I actually am hoping some network would bring this show back and give it a new kick.

Battle Of The Brains

I remember religiously watching this every Sunday afternoon during my elementary until high school days. It was hosted by David Celdran (whatever happened to him), sponsored by Uniwide Sales (whatever happened to it/them?) and had a 9-year run. I particularly remember how amazed I was with students/contestants from PUP because they are usually the ones to bag the championship in the College level. So I said to myself “Ang tatalino naman ng mga taga-PUP. Dyan ko gusto mag aral sa college.” And so I did, and now a proud graduate, a proud PUPian!

Batibot

“Hindi ka batang 80’s kung hindi ka nanood ng Batibot.”, that’s what they say. And true enough, Batibot became a staple kid show for Pinoy kids during the 80’s. It taught us, kids that time, how to sing the alphabet (and to sing about some other things, too), how to count, and most of all it taught us good manners and right conduct (GMRC??!) Kidding aside, Batibot helped a lot in shaping the values, good values, a kid should have. Trivia: One of our neighbors back then is a batang Batibot. He appeared on some episodes, I believe.

Tropang Trumpo

I was already in high school when I got hooked with watching Tropang Trumpo. I remember me and my classmates would jokingly do the Caronia dance haha! ♫♪ 5, 6, seventy nine! Caronia, Caronia, ikabupini, manicura.. ♫♪ And also the “Chicken!!” catchphrase, which became a staple expression back then. One episode I distinctly remember was when Donna Cruz was singing about gawgaw, it goes like “Liwayway gawgaaaaw, pang-gamot saaah, bungang araaawww…” I was laughing my head off!

Okay Ka, Fairy Ko!

Now this is got to be the one I truly miss the most. According to my research (Naks kunwari nagresearch), the show had a 10-year run. It only goes to show how good it was. I think what made it effective was how well the story was written, how unforgettable the characters were (Ina Magenta, Prinsipe K, Bale, Amy, Pipoy), and how unsurpassed Bossing Vic’s comedic talent is. With all this, and with no network war I might add, no doubt the show has raked high praises and being missed up until now.

Palibhasa Lalake

Aside from the Hagibis song and funny antics from the all-star cast Joey Marquez, Richard Gomez, Gloria Romero, Amy Perez, Cynthia Patag, Anjo Yllana etc, what I miss the most about Palibhasa Lalake was the sound effects that would go “Aaaawwwwhhh…” (sabay applause) everytime the show has a guest. I don’t know why haha! And this is where you’ll see the very young Carmina Villaroel. Epic win!

Home Along Da Riles

This was shown every Wednesday night around 8:30PM haha, and had a 9-year run in ABS-CBN. Dolphy wouldn’t ba called Comedy King for nothing. Having a sitcom which ran for almost a decade, the throne is rightfully his and his alone. What I love about this show is that it’s so Pinoy; the characters, the situations, basically everything about it. If Palibhasa Lalake had the young Carmina, then Home Along had the young Claudine Barretto for the win.

Hiraya Manawari

Another tv show that teaches kids great values and moral lessons. I think I was also in high school when it started. I most of the time watch it with my twin brothers who were, I believe, around 3 or 4 years old back then. What I love about Hiraya is its simplicity; the way it relays the story’s message in a simple yet effective manner. I really hope ABS to release DVD copies of this show.

!Oka Tokat

It’s horror-mystery-suspense-CSI-ish-Charmed-ish all rolled into one. Agot Isidro, the main character, starred as Rona Del Fierro, a psychic and a tv reporter who mysteriously sees things helpful to solve a crime. I remember me and my classmates would talk about the episode the next day, that’s how we loved the program. I also like the song from Parokya Ni Edgar, which I used to sing during brownouts haha! I actually was able to see some episodes downloaded in YouTube. Must watch some again!

Here are some other TV shows I wasn’t able to find pictures or videos of:

Ora Engkantada. I love this one. I used to watch it every week as well. It starred Luz Fernandez as Lola Toryang, telling tales about prince and princesses, fables, and other great stories, with a Pinoy spin. Trivia: I once auditioned for a part in the show haha!

Pinoy Thriller. I used to watch this with my cousins. We would form a group in front of our television set, sitting on the floor and scaring each other during the, uhm, scary parts? Haha.. Well, who wouldn’t be scared hearing the creepy voice “Ano ang nasa dako paroon?” opening up the show? I remember when I was in Kinder, our teacher asked who among us can tell a story about a tv show we watched last night. I volunteered, and told the whole class a Pinoy Thriller episode. I forgot if I did justice in scaring my classmates, but one of them thanked me for telling the story.

The World Tonight. News delivered in English late at night. I believe this is where Loren Legarda started her career as a news anchor, with a gentleman with a last name Castro (Oh sorry, I forgot his name). I hope networks would still have the same news format during the night time. Is The World Tonight still airing in some cable channels? I don’t know, we don’t have cable hehe!

So there. I had fun reminiscing. I know there are lot more local tv shows but these are the ones I miss the most. Next post will be the international edition. Watch out for it! 🙂