In 2022, TV5 remained steadfast in its goal to make Filipinos’ viewing experience different on the channel.
For much of the first half of 2022, TV5 kept status quo by carrying over much of their programming strategy from 2021. Then, the weekday daytime block remained independent and comprised mostly of either acquire programs, blocktime entertainment shows, and live sports broadcast. During weekday primetime, ABS-CBN Entertainment programs occupied the airwaves, before switching back to Kapatid network-exclusive shows just before sign-off. On weekends, not much changed then.
However, as soon as the second half opened, on the 1st of July, TV5 strengthened their ‘Iba sa 5’ image by saying ‘Iba ang Saya ‘pag Sama-sama’, a sign of what was ahead during that time.
Almost immediately, the simulcast of ‘It’s Showtime’ was announced, with ‘Lunch Out Loud’ moving to an earlier slot and renamed ‘Tropang LOL’. This started on July 16.
In August, the network’s relationship with ABS-CBN deepened as both parties announced a deal which would have seen the latter acquiring a 35% stake in TV5. However, the agreement was ultimately called off last September.
2022 had been one heck of a ride for TV5, but let’s now shine the spotlight on the programs that they’ve aired this year and recognize the best of them all.
In consideration of TV5’s current programming situation, wherein the network associates with multiple partner production houses, all of the shows broadcast by the station (including those from ABS-CBN) are qualified to be on this list; as long as they premiered or began airing new seasons during the period of January 1 to December 18 on TV5.
So now, it’s finally time to go over the charts!
15. Bilang Kandidato
- Hosted by: Luchi Cruz-Valdes
- Series run: April 23, 30, and May 7, 2022
- Production: TV5, News5
In time for the 2022 National Elections, News5 teams tail the Presidentiables to tell tales from the frontline of their campaigns. The program offers a different insight into how the candidates have been making themselves closer to the masses and how the people have been reacting to them.
Considered as a milestone in this program is the rare access granted to the now-President’s campaign, who is onown to have been elusive to media interviews and debates in the lead-up to the May 9 elections.
14. TikTalks
- Hosted by: Korina Sanchez, Pat P Daza, G3 San Diego, Kakai Bautista, Alex Calleja
- Series run: December 3, 2022 to present
- Production: Cignal TV, One News
Perhaps a rarity on Philippine TV, TikTalks is a panel talk show airing every weekend on TV5 and One PH. On TikTalks, the hosts discuss topics ranging from lifestyle, sex, current and societal issues, and basically anything under the sun (or moon, considering the show’s primetime broadcast).
13. Top Class
- Hosted by: Catriona Gray
- Series run: June 18 to August 20, 2022
- Production: Cignal Entertainment, CS Studios, Kumu
Top Class is the entrance of Cignal Entertainment, CS Studios, and Kumu to the budding P-pop scene. In the program, 30 contestants vied for a spot for a boy group that will be formed after the show. Fast forward to today, Kumu now handles the management of the group, which has formally begun promoting as ‘YAMA’.
12. Suntok sa Buwan
- Starring: Aga Muhlach, Elijah Canlas
- Series run: July 18 to December 8, 2022
- Production: Cignal Entertainment, Project 8
Suntok sa Buwan is the Kapatid network’s first ‘movie-serye’ or a television drama formatted and shot as a movie. In the series, Aga Muhlach and Elijiah Canlas portray the characters of father-and-son boxers Dos and Jimmy Boy, who find themselves fighting the challenges that life throws in their way.
11. Lakwatsika
- Hosted by: K Brosas, Ethel Booba
- Series run: April 18 to July 15, 2022
- Production: Cignal Entertainment, Red Crane Studios
Mixing travel and talk, Lakwatsika was a morning show of TV5 that aired during the summer season. Taking advantage of the eased travel restrictions, Lakwatsika took viewers, hosts K Brosas and Ethel Booba, and guests alike to various scenic locations across the country.
10. Rolling In It Philippines Season 2
- Hosted by: Yassi Pressman
- Series run: May 28 to September 24, 2022
- Production: Cignal Entertainment, Viva Television (Sari-Sari)
After the successful run of its first season last year, ‘Rolling In It Philippines’ is back with a new season with host Yassi Pressman to let viewers experience the fun of arcade, bundled with the thrill of trivia questions in one show.
9. It’s Showtime
- Hosted by: Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, Jhong Hilario, et al.
- Series run: July 16, 2022 to present
- Production: ABS-CBN Entertainment
After more than one year of closer ties with ABS-CBN, Kapamilya variety show ‘It’s Showtime’ finally landed on TV5’s noontime block in July. That event also marked the return of the program to national mainstream television, while also retaining limited free broadcast on A2Z and pay TV via Kapamilya Channel and Kapamilya Online Live on social media.
Highlights during the show’s TV5 simulcast era include the finals of Showtime Sexy Babe, the return of Miss Q&A for a ‘Kween of the Multibeks’ edition, and the viral dance competition Girl on Fire. Tawag ng Tanghalan also continues to be a cornerstone of the program. Cinematography and direction of the show also exponentially grew, as well as the revamped set that they launched to coincide with the TV5 broadcasts. Finally, and perhaps the most important one, Showtime no longer does go overtime to the same extent as before. Remember the extreme 12 to 4pm broadcasts? They’ve not happened since July.
8. A Family Affair
- Starring: Ivana Alawi, Gerald Anderson, Sam Milby, Jameson Blake, Jake Ejercito
- Series run: June 27, 2022 to November 4, 2022
- Production: ABS-CBN Entertainment, Star Creatives
Starring Ivana Alawi in her first primetime lead role, A Family Affair is a mystery melodrama created by ABS-CBN Entertainment under Star Creatives. In the series, Alawi’s Cherry Red becomes part of the Estrella clan, to which she married Paco, who is the brother of her ex-beau Dave. The mystery behind the death of Cherry Red’s father then becomes a ‘sore thumb’ not just in her life, but also to the Estrellas.
7. The Iron Heart
- Starring: Richard Gutierrez
- Series run: November 14, 2022 to present
- Production: ABS-CBN Entertainment, Star Creatives
Richard Gutierrez returns to primetime with another action-packed drama series. In ‘Iron Heart’, Gutierrez portrays the role of Apollo who has an unbelievable strength that makes even the strongest of steel bend through his hands. The deaths of his father and other loved ones become his motivation to destruct the very enemy that caused their demise.
Iron Heart serves as Gutierrez’s teleserye comeback after his stint as Lito in FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.
6. Probe: The Promise Tracker
- Hosted by: Cheche Lazaro
- Series run: March 26 to April 9, 2022
- Production: Probe Productions
Cheche Lazaro revives the Probe brand on TV5 for a three-part documentary special ‘The Promise Tracker’, incising through promises made by the people that occupied the seat of power at the Malacañang Palace over the years. Topics range from poverty, national security, calamities, among other issues that continue to plague the Filipinos for generations.
5. Mga Kwentong Epik
- Starring: Bodjie Pascua
- Series run: June 18, 202 (premiere)
- Production: EpikMedia
In this animated series, viewers will be immersed in fantasy brought by the drawn visuals of popular folklores and komiks, as well as live action sequences featuring narrations by Bodjie Pascua of ‘Batibot’ for the series. Character voices, meanwhile, are provided by Ryza Cenon (Maria Makiling), Marco Gumabao (Bernardo Carpio), and Kylie Versoza (Osyana).
Each story runs for a few episodes, and are now available for streaming on Netflix too.
4. Flower of Evil
- Starring: Piolo Pascual, Lovi Poe
- Series run: November 7, 2022 to present
- Production: ABS-CBN Entertainment, Dreamscape Entertainment, Viu
Starring Piolo Pascual and Lovi Poe in their first on-screen team-up, Flower of Evil is the adaptation of the 2020 South Korean TV series of the same name. We follow Daniel Villareal as he lives by the persona of Jacob del Rosario, made possible thanks to an event that happened years ago. He builds a family with Iris, who works as an investigator. Later on, she will seek the truth on the lies and deceptions surrounding Daniel and his ‘family’.
Originally airing on other Kapamilya platforms and Viu in June, Flower of Evil made its way to TV5’s Todomax Primetime Singko in November, replacing A Family Affair.
3. Dear God
- Starring: Various cast
- Series run: May 23 to July 14, 2022
- Production: RIA Productions, Cignal Entertainment, 5 Stars Productions, Heaven’s Best Entertainment
Dear God is a drama anthology series, with each story centering about how God has helped and changed the characters as they encounter Him.
The series first premiered on iWantTFC this year, before being screened on TV5, replacing Niña Niño.
2. The Broken Marriage Vow
- Starring: Jodi Sta. Maria, Zanjoe Marudo, Sue Ramirez, Zaijian Jaranilla
- Series run: January 24 to June 24, 2022
- Production: ABS-CBN Entertainment, Dreamscape Entertainment
An adaptation of the 2015 BBC drama ‘Doctor Foster’, The Broken Marriage Vow stars Jodi Sta. Maria as Jill Ilustre, Zanjoe Marudo as David Ilustre, Sue Ramirez as Lexy Lucero, and Zaijian Jaranilla as Gio Ilustre. TBMV explores the world of a scorned woman who will make her revenge and fight for her dignity, possessions, and her son.
The Broken Marriage Vow is the highest-rated second skot drama of ABS-CBN this year, as well as the most viewed series on Viu during its run.
As for the actors, they have went on to bag awards for the series, with the most recent being Jodi Sta. Maria’s win in the Asian Academy Creative Awards for Best Actress.
Honorable mentions
Oh My Korona
- Starring: Maja Salvador, RK Bagatsing, Joey Marquez, Pooh, Kakai Bautista, Thou Reyes
- Series run: August 6 to November 26, 2022
- Production: Cignal Entertainment
Masked Singer Pilipinas Season 2
- Hosted by: Billy Crawford
- Series run: March 19 to June 18, 2022
- Production: Cignal Entertainment, Viva Television (Sari-Sari)
BalitaOneNan
- Hosted by: Wally Bayola, Alex Calleja, KaladKaren Davila (Jervi Li)
- Series run: July 18, 2022 (premiere)
- Production: Cignal TV, APT Entertainment (BuKo)
Sing Galing Season 2
- Hosted by: Randy Santiago, K Brosas, Donita Nose
- Series run: March 21 to December 17, 2022
- Production: Cignal Entertainment, CS Studios
Everybody, Sing! Season 2
- Hosted by: Vice Ganda
- Series run: September 24, 2022 to present
- Production: ABS-CBN Entertainment
Mars Ravelo’s Darna
- Starring: Jane de Leon, Janella Salvador, Joshua Garcia
- Series run: August 15, 2022 to present
- Production: ABS-CBN Entertainment
Best Kapatid Show of 2022: 2 Good 2 Be True
- Starring: Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla, Ronaldo Valdez
- Series run: May 16 to November 11, 2022
- Production: ABS-CBN Entertainment
A boy-meets-girl story? Check.
A romantic-comedy drama? Check.
A KathNiel TV series? Check.
2 Good 2 Be True is the comeback TV series of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla (popularly known as the loveteam KathNiel). The couple previously starred in the 2017 series La Luna Sangre. In 2G2BT, the tandem returned to their romantic-comedy roots, with 2013’s Got To Believe being their last on television.
As far as the story goes, 2G2BT is a standout as it drains most of the clichés to create a storyline that is atypical for teleseryes. While some may disagree to that, [spoiler alert] think about scenes where an actual gun had to be fired by one character to another, or a kidnapping scene that leads to an abandoned warehouse? Surely, those weren’t present in the series.
The series also stands out as it is the only light-hearted (for most of its run) drama to premiere this year, with most of its contemporaries going the darker route. Despite that, 2G2BT was able to tackle complex issues like land grabbing, law, and even medical topics like stroke and Alzheimer’s disease.
A testament to the success of the series is its 30+ week inclusion in Netflix Philippines’ Top 10 TV series, as well as the sure-fire hits that had come out of OST: Kumpas and Babalik Sa’yo, both by Moira dela Torre.
And that was 2022 for TV5.
2023 will see the network strengthening further its partnerships with various outfits, like ABS-CBN, Viva, APT, among others, and bring more entertainment programs to the channel. Magandang Buhay, The Voice Kids, Pilipinas Got Talent (ABS) and Maine Goals, Iskul Bukol, and Wow Mali (APT/BuKo) are some of the shows that have been named as part of 5’s 2023 slate.
Over to sports, TV5 will be busy covering the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which will be held in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia. Their commitment to the NBA, PBA, UAAP, and PVL will also likely continue.
With all of these exciting developments coming up, 2023 will be the year TV5 proves that in a landscape that has changed much over the course of the pandemic, collaborations are in — which translates to the joy when all are together towards the common goal of bringing fun to everyone.