For most Filipinos, every waking day means facing responsibilities, obligations, struggles, and challenges head on. Mornings mean commuting to and from work or school, and we all know how that goes in the Philippines. So it’s really not uncommon for Filipinos to be cranky at the start of the day.
Perhaps aware of this plight, these morning shows on Philippine TV have made it their mission to transform every Filipino’s grueling intro-to-the-work day a lively one, by consistently entertaining, informing, and inspiring us.
Here are the active local shows that continue to brighten our mornings.
Unang Hirit
GMA Network’s flagship morning show, Unang Hirit provides news, information, and other timely features and events relevant to Filipinos’ waking hours. It started in 1999 and has been standing strong for twenty-two years now. Together with the “Katambay” news personalities, it airs on weekdays from 5:30 to 8:00 in the morning.
Delivering energizing entertainment and valuable information, this show’s segments are designed to be both interactive and informative.
Among their immersive segments they have is a game called “Cashword” that is simply about guessing a magic word. Contestants get a chance to win 10,000 pesos or a consolation prize of 2,000 pesos for wrong answers. Moreover, they have the “Sorpresa Riders” segment that keeps the viewers tuning in as it gives surprises to some lucky viewers.
Their “Unang Balita” segment introduces the viewers to current events within and outside the country to truly bring awareness to the viewers. That way, the viewers become informed about everything in the now, giving them a rundown of the world they left during sleep.
But of course–their biggest, and perhaps most important contribution to Philippine broadcast and Philippine pop culture in general, is the creation of Arn-Arn!
Arn-Arn is a puppet that was created from the likeness of resident UH anchor, Arnold Clavio. Unfortunately, Arn Arn had to be retired from the show in 2017 due to its creator and puppeteer suffering a stroke.
Magandang Buhay
This morning talk show produced by ABS-CBN Entertainment provides motherly good vibes through the inspirational interactions of its hosts with their celebrity guests. Still relatively young, this show first premiered in 2016 and has been continuously loved by the viewers since then. Together with “Momshies” Jolina, Regine, and Melai, it airs from 9:00 to 10:00 AM during weekdays.
Seeing the Momshies converse and genuinely bond with each other is sometimes already enough ray of hope in itself. But to provide deeper fulfillment, this show brings even greater positivity by interviewing celebrities and personalities from different fields. The topics they usually talk about are stories of triumph that people sometimes love hearing to have a more positive view of life.
Always true to its name, this show consistently brings reasons for viewers to see the beauty in life. And given that it streams not-so-early in the morning, it is like a touch of encouragement before the viewers start their day.
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