Noontime shows have long served as venues not only for ordinary citizens to win small fortunes and find reasons to smile, they also become platforms for aspiring future leading men in showbiz to shine.
People would think you’re kidding if you claimed you didn’t know Jericho Rosales started his showbiz career by joining Eat Bulaga’s segment, Mr.Pogi, in 1996.
I mean, come on, seriously? Or maybe you [really] don’t, that’s why we’re here to inform you that, ‘yup, he did start from Eat Bulaga.
He wasn’t the first winner–as most people may think so.
The segment produced its first winner, Rich Galver, in 1987. He was 19 then. Rosales’s time came in 1996, the 5th edition of the male talent search. Rosales was 17 when he won. He would ultimately become one of the most sought-after leading men in the Philippine entertainment industry.
Another popular winner of the said contest is–Edgar Allan Guzman, who was just 16 when he got crowned as the winner of the 2006 edition.
Guzman, like Rosales, embarked upon a successful showbiz career after winning. He landed roles on television and in the movies.
The most recent edition of the Eat Bulaga segment was in 2019, where San Pedro, Laguna native, Oscar San Juan Jr. emerged as the titleholder.
The resurgence of the segment came as part of the 40th anniversary celebration of Eat Bulaga, which remains today as the longest-running noontime show on Philippine TV.
ABS-CBN also came up with several similar talent searches as segments of its noon time shows.
Among those noontime shows is MTB: Ang Saya Saya (2004), whose popular segment, TV Idol (U’r D’ Man), paved way for the rise of some Kapamilya matinee idols. Arguably, TV Idol produced more successful alumni than Mr. Pogi, as its five grand finalists, Ahron Villena, AJ Dee, Kiko Matos, Marc Cortez, and JE Sison, went on to have respective showbiz careers.
Another male talent search created by ABS-CBN for its noontime shows, is Bidaman, which produced some of the up-and-coming young male stars today. The segment was part of the noontime show, It’s Showtime, in 2019. The show followed a similar format with TV Idol, bud had more elaborate selection process, especially during its final week. Jin Macapagal of Cebu was declared as the winner.
Among other successful Bida Man alumni include, Kristof Garcia, Wize Estabillo, Miko Gallardo, Eris Zaragoza, and Yuki Sakamoto.
Which of these talent shows’ winners is your ultimate favorite, or shall I say, favorites? Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comment section.
