The penultimate feature of our special year-end countdown is here.
Trendrod’s ‘Best Shows’ special feature is back to give recognition to the best Filipino stories and content of 2024 in television.
For this year, the Top 40 of the nation’s productions in both linear television and streaming media have been ranked and listed in this special series spanning four installments.
To qualify, these must be original shows produced by Filipino production companies, TV networks, or streaming services.
Additionally, their respective series or season premiere dates must have taken place from January 1 until December 22, 2024.
For the third of this four-part series, we are dishing out the programs that landed on the 11th to 20th spots in our ‘Best Shows of 2024’ list.
20. Ang Himala Ni Niño (TV5)
Years before the events of the original series took place.
In September this year, TV5 premiered the prequel for the top-rated 2021 Kapatid series ‘Niña Niño,’ which starred Maja Salvador and Noel Comia, Jr.
The “first chapter,” named ‘Ang Himala Ni Niño,’ stars child actor Zion Cruz in the titular lead role, with Lilet reprising her role as Gloria.
Joining them are the many people from the colorful world of Bukang Liwayway, where Niño grew up distant from his sister Niño, who had been living with their maternal grandmother around this time.
Other cast members are Freddie Webb, Carmi Martin, Cedrick Juan, and K Brosas, among many others.
Honest take: The faith-adjacent children-led drama is a light in a sea of heavily mature-themed serials in the scene these days.
It has been awhile since we have seen TV series in the same vein as ‘May Bukas Pa,’ ‘100 Days To Heaven,’ and ‘Honesto.’
‘Ang Himala Ni Niño’ is also a good way of instilling good values to children, as the storyline makes sure that such learnings are conveyed to the viewers.
While it is understood that TV5 has decided to place the drama before ‘Eat Bulaga’ to provide counterprogramming, the drama series can definitely be a good program in the post-noontime ‘Hapon Champion’ line-up of the station.
Perhaps, it might even help balance out the heavy themes commonly seen in the said time block.
19. Jose and Maria’s Bonggang Villa 2 (GMA)
The supernatural-themed sitcom is back for a second wind.
Fresh from their mega-blockbuster hit ‘Rewind,’ Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera made their way back to the Kapuso weekend grid to provide laughter to their fans and audience.
Earlier this year, DongYan starred in the second season of their sitcom ‘Jose and Maria’s Bonggang Villa,’ more than a year after the first series in 2022.
After Maria’s (Marian Rivera) “third eye” closed at the end of the first season, it was her husband Jose (Dingdong Dantes) that got her supernatural ability to see and talk to the dead.
Still part of the cast are Benjie Paras, Sharmaine Buencamino, Pekto Nacua, and Hershey Neri. Pokwang was added as the new character Tiffany Hambog, a woman who runs the rival lodging space of ‘Bonggang Villa.’
Honest take: Due to the cliffhanger ending of the first part, it was already imperative that there is an interest for GMA and producer APT Entertainment to do a second season. After all, it was a TV rating success.
Season 2 kept many elements of the original part intact, but with new flavor added — thanks to Pokwang’s addition to the series and the good chemistry between the old and new cast members.
Overall, it is a good sitcom to watch for when you have time to spare for some cozy televiewing.
18. Beyond The Exchange (ANC)
This marks the return to television of a veteran broadcast journalist.
ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel, introduced new programs in its slate of original programs during the last quarter of 2024.
Among which is the interview program ‘Beyond The Exchange,’ where new Kapamilya Rico Hizon sits down with various personalities for a conversation.
The show’s title itself is a clear nod to Hizon’s former show on the now-defunct CNN Philippines, which was the weekly business show ‘The Exchange.’
Since the local CNN station folded in January, the anchor has joined the corporate world for a role as the Senior Vice President for Corporate Relations of the SM Group.
This makes the ANC show his first television affair since the start of the year.
Honest take: Hizon’s flair in conducting interviews with different personalities of varying backgrounds is the show’s very core power.
His signature genial, yet insightful way of doing such talks are being excellently showcased in the program.
This allows him and the program to truly go ‘Beyond The Exchange’ and not only talk about business, but also incorporate other facets of the people behind them.
17. Frontline Express (TV5)
As events can happen and develop throughout the day.
In April, TV5 formally welcomed to its family another former CNN Philippines anchor, Ruth Cabal.
For her first assignment with News5, she was designated as the sole anchor of the network’s new afternoon-cum-rolling newscast.
Titled ‘Frontline Express,’ it dishes out the biggest stories of the day and tracks those that are still developing at that hour.
Currently, it has two separate editions at 2:30 pm and 4:50 pm.
Honest take: ‘Fronline Express’ is a good attempt for News5 to provide information to viewers at different times of the day, especially that the network no longer has a dedicated news channel on free-to-air TV.
Its reliability has also been well tested and is highly-commendable in carrying out its mission. This, as the program aired several editions and advisories throughout the daytime block during urgent situations like the onslaught of typhoons and national political matters.
To sum things up, ‘Frontline Express’ has become a valuable program in News5’s slate and is the best TV5 news show in 2024.
16. Chasing In The Wild (Viva One)
Opposites attract, many people have said time and time again.
The story of this series very much in line with that saying, as it follows the main characters who lead different lives, with Sevi (portrayed by Gab Lagman) is a simple basketball player and Elyse (played by Hyacinth Callado) described as spoiled cheerleader.
The series is part of the ‘University Series’ made by Gwyneth Saludes on Wattpad and is being adapted by Viva since 2023, starting with ‘The Rain In España’ and ‘Safe Skies, Archer.’
Honest take: ‘Chasing In The Wild,’ like its sister stories, also targets a younger crowd and will give them ‘kilig’ while watching the show.
The story was also good, though a lot of improvement is to be desired in other areas such as acting.
Still, it was nice seeing a show like this hit our screens this year.
15. Widows’ War (GMA)
The third part of the network’s “suspenserye” trilogy.
Last July, GMA Network premiered the newest installment of its murder-mystery franchise, which began with the 2022 series ‘Widows’ Web’ and followed by the ‘Royal Blood’ the following year.
In this third series, Bea Alonzo and Carla Abellana were casted in the lead roles. Joining them in ‘Widows’ War’ are Jean Garcia, Tonton Gutierrez, Rafael Rosell, Benjamin Alves, and Rita Daniela.
The story starts with the friendship between the main characters, which was damaged by a feud caused by their parents.
Years later, their paths crossed again, with George Balay (Carla Abellana) already married to Basil Palacios (Benjamin Alves), while her ex-friend Samantha Castillo (Bea Alonzo) had tied the knot with Paco Palacios (Rafael Rosell).
One night, after discovering the probable cause of her father’s death, Sam gets involved in a huge fight with Paco. This would cause him to fall off a cliff that would result to his death.
Within days of his demise, Basil would also meet his fate after dying during his birthday celebration.
This would further add strain to the already unstable relationship of Sam and George, as well as bring chaos and more bloodshed to the Palacios clan.
Honest take: With already 130 episodes in, ‘Widows’ War’ is now the longest of the trilogy.
While this could mean success in the viewership game, this has also resulted to a noticeable dip in quality as the story progressed.
When it began, ‘Widows’ War’ had been a serious contender to be on top of the list. However, as extensions have been given and shaped the drama to the show it has become, the series has become dragging, with the pay-off that is the discovery of who the real killer of Basil Palacios truly is, yet to surface.
Good news is, it will ending sometime in January 2025, in time for the major refresh of the GMA Prime block to celebrate the Kapuso network’s 75th anniversary.
This means that the damning revelations might come one after another upon the start of the great new year.
14. On Point (Bilyonaryo News Channel)
Another former CNN Philippines anchor made the jump to a different channel.
This year, the Bilyonaryo News Channel (BNC) was launched, filling the void left by the closure of CNN Philippines last January.
As it has been told in part 2 of this special ‘Best Shows’ countdown, one of the personalities that joined the upstart station is Pinky Webb — who, along with Korina Sanchez-Roxas, co-anchors the channel’s flagship newscast ‘Agenda.’
Aside from doing the news, Webb also has another assignment and that is the nightly interview program titled ‘On Point.’
In this show, she interviews the newsmakers, experts, and those who are privy to matters concerning our nation like politicians.
It airs every weeknight at 7:30 pm.
Honest take: ‘On Point’ is indeed the spiritual successor of Pinky Webb’s former morning show ‘The Source,’ which had been responsible in giving us the many headlines that rocked and shaped our country during the years it was on the air.
Having the BNC show placed on primetime also allows daily programs tackling societal affairs to still be seen on the said time block, as the format has seen reduced presence over the years.
13. Newswatch Now (Aliw 23 / Newswatch Plus)
A fast-paced newscast from one of the country’s trusted organizations.
Newswatch Plus, the new organization formed by predominantly ex-CNN Philippines employees, was officially launched back in July.
In line with that, new programs were debuted for the fledgling outfit.
One of them is ‘Newswatch Now,’ the team’s flagship digital newscast anchored by Menchu Macapagal that delivers the latest stories of the day.
It airs every weekday evening at 6:00 pm and runs for at least 15 minutes in each episode.
Honest take: The launch of ‘Newswatch Now’ and the entire Newswatch Plus organization in general is a welcome development in the Philippine news scene.
The short runtime for its flagship newscast is also a smart move, especially considering its digital-first nature and having to contend with the shorter attention span of audiences online.
12. Shining Inheritance (GMA)
The adaptation of the 2009 Korean drama series.
Last September, after months of uncertainty about the show’s time slot, GMA Network finally began airing the series ‘Shining Inheritance’ on its Afternoon Prime block.
Starring Coney Reyes, Kate Valdez, Kyline Alcantara, Paul Salas, and Michael Sager, the drama is based on the Koreanovela ‘Brilliant Legacy’ that was led by Han Hyo Joo, Lee Seung Gi, Moon Chae Won, and Bae Soo Bin.
In the Filipino drama, it starts with the life of Inna (Kate Valdez), who comes from a wealthy family. However, after her father’s death, she and her brother Nonong face hardship because of their stepmother and stepsister.
She later crosses path with Aurea (Coney Sison), the owner of a food corporation and a chain of restaurants, after the matriarch fell ill.
After the incident, Inna was rewarded by the rich woman, only to experience more problems because of Aurea’s grandchildren Joanna (Kyline Alcantara) and Euan (Michael Sager).
Honest take: While it deviated in more ways than one to the original Korean series, the local ‘Shining Inheritance’ is able to shine with its own storyline that appeals to audiences in the afternoon block.
Aside from that, the opening billboard (OBB) is something to rave for, as it was mastefully done and truly is representative of the glamourous world where the characters live.
These points prove why ‘Shining Inheritance’ is the best work of GMA in the daytime block in 2024.
11. How To Spot A Red Flag (Viu)
“A spunky barista is torn between two gorgeous looking men – a confident bad boy and a charming good boy who are both involved in catfishing her. Despite noticing the red flags in the two men, is it still possible for her to find real love?”
That is the premise of ‘How To Spot A Red Flag,’ the new collaboration project between ABS-CBN Studios, Dreamscape Entertainment, and streaming platform Viu.
Starring the “new gen phenomenal love team” DonBelle of Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano, they are joined in ‘HTSARF’ by Angel Aquino, Christian Vasquez, Mylene Dizon, Benjie Paras, and Jameson Blake.
‘HTSARF’ is the pair’s follow-up project after their successful first primetime teleserye ‘Can’t Buy Me Love,’ which was hailed as the most-watched program of another streaming platform, Netflix, for the first half of 2024.
Honest take: ‘Red Flag’ is one of those chill and laidback dramas that you could watch to loosen up after a tiring day.
Its story, while could be described as “the usual rom-com” by some, is a refreshing sight for Donny and Belle, who were last seen in the romantic-mystery series ‘Can’t Buy Me Love.’
In addition to that, it also has a short runtime, which makes it easy to be binge-watched (assuming that you have not yet started the program yet or it had completed its run by the time you’re reading this).
In case you have not yet seen this series yet, the good news is that it will begin airing on free TV in January 2025, with further details expected to be revealed by ABS-CBN in the coming weeks.
Those were the programs that took the Top 11 to 20 spots in this year’s special ‘Best Shows’ feature.
The final part, where we reveal the Top 10 programs of the year, will be released very soon. Please stay tuned to Trendrod.
Do you have any thoughts or reactions about this list? Comment them below or share them via social media — don’t forget to tag our official accounts linked below.