Battle of the Brains | |
---|---|
Genre | Quiz show [1] [2] |
Written by | Tisha Rosales |
Directed by | Jose Chito Cabatuando |
Presented by |
|
Narrated by |
|
Theme music composer | Yanni Chip Lewis / Middle "C" Productions |
Opening theme | Santorini |
Country of origin | Philippines |
Original languages |
|
No. of episodes | 460+? |
Production | |
Executive producers |
|
Production locations | Broadcast City, Quezon City (1992-2001) PTV 4 Broadcast Complex, Quezon City (2001) |
Camera setup | Multiple-camera setup |
Running time | 90 minutes (1992-2000) 60 minutes (2000-2001) |
Production companies |
|
Original release | |
Network | |
Release | July 18, 1992[3] – July 14, 2001 |
Battle of the Brains was a Philippine television quiz show broadcast by [2] New Vision 9/RPN and PTV. Originally hosted by David Celtran, it aired on New Vision 9/RPN from July 18, 1992 to 2001. The show moved to PTV from 2001 to July 14, 2001. The show aired on an afternoon and later noon time slot, from 1:30pm to 3:00pm (1992-1997), later 12:00pm to 1:30pm (1997-2000), and later, 12:00pm to 1:00pm (2001), every Saturdays. Chiqui Roa-Puno served as the host of the final year (Year 9). [4] Considered one of the most culturally influential locally produced shows of the 1990s, [1] The annual grand championship of Battle of the Brains was open to all elementary, high school and college students nationwide, while a short-lived Mind Master segment was open to adults. [2] [1] It was primarily sponsored by Uniwide Sales, Inc.—a major budget retailer of that time—from Years 1 (1992–1993) to 7 (1998–1999). [3] It was then sponsored by AMA Computer College from Years 8 (1999–2000) to 9 (2000–2001).
Name of Judge | Affiliation/s | Subject Expertise | Years Active |
---|---|---|---|
Milagros Ibe [6] | University of the Philippines Diliman | Mathematics | 1992-1999? |
Ma. Assunta Caoile-Cuyegkeng [6] | Ateneo de Manila University | Chemistry | 1992-? |
Manuel Dy Jr. [6] | Ateneo de Manila University | Philosophy, Arts, and Culture | 1992-1999? |
Marcelino Foronda [6] | De La Salle University, Panorama magazine | History | 1992-? |
Oscar Evangelista [7] [6] | University of the Philippines Diliman, National Historical Commission of the Philippines | History | ?-? |
Lou Bolinao [6] | University of the Philippines Diliman | History | 1994-? |
Rechilda Villame | Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines | Mathematics | ?-? |
Doris Montecastro [6] | Ateneo de Manila University | Chemistry | 1994?-? |
Francis Ted Limpoco [8] | Ateneo de Manila University | Science | 1998-2000 |
John Bulaong [9] | Ateneo de Manila University | Arts and Culture | ?-? |
Jaime Veneracion [6] | University of the Philippines Diliman | History | 1994?-? |
Moises Asuncion [6] | University of the Philippines Diliman | Mathematics | 1994?-? |
Sergio Cao [6] | University of the Philippines Diliman | Mathematics | 1994?-? |
Tony Ferrer [6] | Ateneo de Manila University | English | 1994?-? |
Erwin Enriquez [6] | Ateneo de Manila University | Chemistry | 1994?-? |
Angelli Tugado [6] | Ateneo de Manila University | Philosophy | 1994?-? |
Armand Guidote [6] | Ateneo de Manila University | Chemistry | 1994?-? |
Noelle Rodriguez [6] | Ateneo de Manila University | History | 1994?-? |
Mechanics for elimination rounds prior to Grand Finals, Year 3 onwards: [10]
Difference in mechanics for elimination rounds prior to Grand Finals, Years 1-2:
Mechanics for the Grand Finals and the ASEAN Invitational were modified as follows: [11] [12]
In the 3-ring pattern board, the contestant chooses 1 of 3 concentric rings to accomplish, with the questions in each ring having a common theme (such as all answers beginning with the same letter, or of people from a particular field). Rings with more questions are found at the outermost portion of the set, and are generally easier to answer per question, while rings with fewer questions are at the center of the set but are usually more difficult. Each question adds points to the total, while completing a ring merits extra prizes from show sponsors.
All rounds prior to the Grand Finals were recorded in Broadcast City, Quezon City. However, the Grand Finals were usually held at different venues, including the following:
Year Number | Years or Date | Venue |
---|---|---|
1 | 1992–1993 | Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay [13] |
2 | 1993–1994 | |
3 | 1994–1995 | |
4 | 1995–1996 | |
5 | 1996–1997 | |
ASEAN Invitational | 1997-08-08 | |
6 | 1997–1998 | |
7 | 1998–1999 | Teatro Aguinaldo, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City [14] |
8 | 1999–2000 | Broadcast City, Quezon City |
9 | 2000–2001 | Due to the change in competition format, no Grand Finals event was held |
For all rounds prior to the Grand Finals, points earned were paid out in Philippine peso for all contestants.
From Years 1 to 6, Grand Champions were awarded the following (in units of Philippine pesos, before 20% tax on prizes):
Level | Student/s | School | Coach | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|
Elementary | 300,000 | 100,000 | 100,000 | 500,000 |
High School | 400,000 | 100,000 | 100,000 | 600,000 |
College | 500,000 | 0* | 0* | 500,000 |
In Years 7 and 8, the Grand Finals total prize for each level was PHP 500,000 (combination of cash and in kind (household appliances, encyclopedia sets and other books, and travel packages to destinations within the Philippines. The travel destination for the students may be different from that of the coaches (except again for College Level, which has no awards for school or coach)).
From Years 1 through 7, all Grand Finalists were awarded plaques prior to taping, with the eventual Grand Champion getting another trophy at the conclusion of the Grand Finals. On Year 8, certificates were given for each round win prior to the Grand Finals, and a Grand Champion trophy was given at the conclusion of the Grand Finals.
Year Number | Dates Covered | Elementary Grand Champion | 2nd and 3rd Elementary Grand Finalists | High School Grand Champion | 2nd and 3rd High School Grand Finalists | College Grand Champion | 2nd and 3rd College Grand Finalists |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1992–1993 [17] [18] [19] | Georgie Anne Liad Aimee Marie Alcera Javier Gil Montemayor Aurora Aragon Quezon Elementary School, Manila | Jay Kim Del Mundo George Ongkeko, Jr. Carlo Lopez St. John's Academy, San Juan, Metro Manila Jerome Senen Eugene Cunanan Harold John Santos Notre Dame of Greater Manila, Caloocan | Novito Magsino Froilan Mendoza Pasig Catholic College | Christian Vasquez Christopher Quilalang Roosevelt College, Marikina Leila Castañeda Allan Carlos Hizon De La Salle Santiago Zobel School, Muntinlupa | Ferdinand Makalinao 1st Year Integrated Liberal Arts and Medicine (INTARMED) University of the Philippines Manila | Orion Perez Dumdum 2nd Year B.S. Computer Science Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City Leonardo Gapol |
2 | 1993–1994 [17] [11] [12] [20] [21] | John Paul Bayhon Patrick Libranda Faith Victory Mejor Colegio San Agustin, Biñan, Laguna | ? ? ? ? ? ? | Garry Ng Rommel Go St. Stephen's High School, Manila | Bernard Chan Allan Yu Grace Christian High School, Quezon City ? ? St Mary's Academy (now St. Mary's College of Baliuag), Baliuag, Bulacan | Alfonso Gonzales III 1st Year B.S. Applied Mathematics University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna | Oliver Tungol 4th Year B.S. Electronics and Communications Engineering Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sta. Mesa, Manila Giovanni Archibal Claveria 3rd Year B.S. Electronics and Communications Engineering Don Bosco Technical School (now Don Bosco Technical College), Mandaluyong |
3 | 1994–1995 [17] [22] [23] | Germaine Lisa Ang Ellyson Ting Philippine Academy of Sakya, Manila | ? ? ? ? ? ? | Paulo David Javier Joseph Joemer Perez San Jose Academy, [24] [25] Navotas | ? ? ? ? ? ? | Richard Pante 5th Year B.S. Electronics and Communications Engineering Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sta. Mesa, Manila | Jessie Antonio ?th Year ? Technological Institute of the Philippines Manila Christian Vasquez 2nd? Year ? University of the Philippines Manila |
4 | 1995–1996 [17] [26] [27] | Ma. Ailil Alvarez Rosemarie Amodia St. Paul College of Parañaque | Christian Paolo Pestelos Edward Jay Salao La Consolacion College - Caloocan ? ? ? | Mel Anthony Cruz Jasper Hendrick Cheng Chiang Kai Shek College, Manila | Andrie Jeremy Formanez Bobit Gaviola Cebu City National Science High School ? ? ? | Jose Rizal Coteng 4th Year B.S. Physical Therapy University of Santo Tomas, Manila | ? ?th Year ? ? Emmanuel Simbulan ?th Year ? Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sta. Mesa, Manila |
5 | 1996–1997 [17] [15] [28] [29] [30] | Mark Anthony Salud Anthony Jefferson Atienza Holy Rosary Academy, [31] [32] Sta. Rosa, Laguna | Sir Martin Cortez Jerome Canlas Notre Dame of Greater Manila, Caloocan Melina Mel Moran Christina Anne Hernandez San Geronimo Emiliani School, San Pedro, Laguna | Marie Grace Mappala Ron Emil Castro Bloomfield Academy (now Bloomfield Academy Center for Science and Technology), Las Piñas | Allen Perez Jonil Julian Bautista St. Mary's Academy, Baliuag Sharon Lyn Jalac Alexis Ryan Razon Rizal High School, Pasig | Pierre Cantillero ?th Year B.S. Industrial Psychology Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sta. Mesa, Manila | Joebert Ramos ?th Year ? University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City Edric Andrey Cruz 4th Year B.S. Foreign Service Lyceum of the Philippines |
ASEAN Invitational | 1997-08-08 [33] [34] [35] | Mark Anthony Salud Anthony Jefferson Atienza Holy Rosary Academy, [31] [32] Sta. Rosa, Laguna | Theodric Lee Jun Pates John Richard Pau Yi ?, Singapore Nguyen Thu Tang Nguyen Linh Dan ?, Vietnam Bhawin Sirithanaratanakul Karan Bhuripanyo ?, Thailand | Marie Grace Mappala Ron Emil Castro Bloomfield Academy (now Bloomfield Academy Center for Science and Technology), Las Piñas | Lila Kurniasari Mellisa Efiyanti ?, Indonesia Natalie Koh Si Fa Hong En Ping ?, Singapore Nguyen Thi Thanh Thao Ho Huong Giang ?, Vietnam Chomppunut Asava-Aree Suchanan Tambunlertchai ?, Thailand | Pierre Cantillero ?th Year B.S. Industrial Psychology Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sta. Mesa, Manila | Alfred Pang Kah Meng ?, Singapore Le Xuan Thang or Dang Cam Tu ?, Vietnam Wan Azrin Izani bin Wan Mohamad Zin or Rafidah bt Mohammad ?, Malaysia Sutayut Osornprasop ?, Thailand |
6 | 1997–1998 [36] [37] [28] [38] | ? ? La Salle Green Hills, San Juan, Metro Manila | ? ? ? ? ? ? | Jose Roi Avena Rogaciano Pasion III Claret School of Quezon City | Mark Noel Mabanglo Jayson Arvin Salazar Makati Science High School, Makati Philip Kimpo, Jr. Juan Paolo Samontañez Lourdes School of Quezon City | Joseph Joemer Perez 3rd Year B.A. Political Science University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City | Marcelino S. Javier, Jr. ?th Year B.S. Electronics and Communications Engineering Computronix College (now Colegio de Dagupan), Dagupan, Pangasinan Jonil Julian Bautista 1st Year B.S. Economics Ateneo de Manila University |
7 | 1998–1999 [39] [40] [41] [14] [42] [43] | Joseph Michael Vitug Victor Joel Ayson Lourdes School of Quezon City | Cherry Ignacio Renelson Alvarez Divine Light Academy, Las Piñas City Patricia Rimando Rashell Cabrera St. Scholastica's Academy, Marikina | Patrick Gerard de Guzman Neil Tristan Yabut Manila Science High School | Anthony Belmonte Emmanuel Vargas The Sisters of Mary School (Adlas Campus), Silang, Cavite Samuel Verzosa, Jr. Michael Gerald Dealino Angelicum College, Quezon City | Ronald Bautista ?th Year B.S. Electronics and Communications Engineering Computronix College (now Colegio de Dagupan), Dagupan, Pangasinan | Almario Roxas 4th Year B.A. Political Science University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City Lingwi Valguna 5th Year B.S. Civil Engineering Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sta. Mesa, Manila |
8 | 1999–2000 [44] | ? ? ? | Bernard Vic Mendoza ? Ateneo de Manila Grade School ? ? ? | Wiko Kabiling David Dy La Salle Green Hills, San Juan, Metro Manila | ? ? ? ? ? ? | Neil Tristan Yabut 1st Year B.S. Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Stanley Kristoffer Cabrera VI 1st Year B.S. Business Administration and Accountancy University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City | Christopher E. Lopez ?th Year ? Rey Reyes, Jr. ?th Year ? Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sta. Mesa, Manila Christian Anthony Reyes 4th Year B.S. Electronics and Communications Engineering Francis Rino Alegado ?th Year ? University of Santo Tomas, Manila |
9 | 2000–20011 | None | None | None | None | None | Roy Ragutana ?th Year B.S. Industrial Engineering Rossbert Chua ?th Year B.S. Mathematics Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sta. Mesa, Manila (undefeated for 10 episodes until show's cancellation) |
1 - A change to the returning-champion format meant that there was no overall champion at the end of the year.
Calendar Year or Dates | Consecutive Weeks | Contestant |
---|---|---|
1996 | 10 | Kenneth Plamenco |
1996 | 18 | Leonardo Gapol |
1997-10-? | ? | Richie Velasquez [45] |
1997 | 2 | Jose (Bong) Cruz, Jr. |
1998?<mindmaster was only until 1997> | 2 | Ian Ceasar Vicente |
School
Individual
Both attended the University of the Philippines Diliman.
All attended campuses of the University of the Philippines System.
Years in bold denote Grand Championship
School (and Campus, if applicable)
At different levels
Individual
In 1 Episode
Total Points | School | Show Year | Level | Taping Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
11,000 | Manila Science High School | 7 | Weekly Finals | 1999-05-22 [14] |
10,700 | Manila Science High School | 7 | Monthly Finals | 1999-05-29 [14] |
10,400 | Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Sta. Mesa (Percival Biadora) | 7 | Weekly Finals | 1998-? [46] |
10,350 | Lourdes School of Quezon City | 7 | Monthly Finals | 1998-11-28 [47] |
10,100 | University of the Philippines - Diliman (Jun Prosini Anave) | 7 | Weekly Finals | 1998-11-21 [48] |
10,000 | Manila Science High School | 7 | Quarterly Finals | 1999-06-05 [14] |
9,900 | Ateneo de Manila University (Orion Perez Dumdum) | 1 | Weekly Finals | 1992-11-? |
In 1 Year
During this scoring run, Manila Science perfected all 3 of their bonus rounds, and exceeded the combined score (4,100 + 3,100) of their rivals in the Grand Finals. [14]
Throughout its run, Battle of the Brains has become one of the most familiar and legendary quizbowl show in Philippine television, especially for students and trivia enthusiasts. In fact, the name of the show has been synonymous to any quiz competition in the Philippines, regardless of content and degree of TV coverage. Theresa Reyes Alvarez holds the copyright of "Battle of the Brains" with registration no. M 97-353.
Its level of fame during its time can be compared to those of the Kilometrico Quiz Date and Student Canteen's IQ7 in the 1960s-1970s, and the Digital LG Quiz in 1999–2004. It has also served as the model for various quiz competitions, televised or not, in the Philippines.
David Celdran's name has become strongly associated with the show. Winners at the show, especially in later stages and as Grand Champions, are known to have gotten celebrity attention within their school campuses.
The comedy show Tropang Trumpo parodied the show in a segment called Battle of the Brainless. [53] In each episode, the competitors are said to come from schools whose names sound very similar to those of actual Philippine schools. Each question given by host is usually met by incorrect and humorous responses from competitors. The episode mostly ends in a tie for all schools. The host (usually portrayed by Ogie Alcasid) is also known to wear shorts, which is revealed as he moves away from his rostrum.
In David Celdran's recollection published March 2021 he expressed surprise at how people actually remember Battle of the Brains. He initially thought it will not survive the 1990s TV ratings competition since it was serious and scholastic, lacked showbiz gimmickry, was akin to a 90-minute IQ marathon, and had 30-second math problems which he joked as "television suicide". But what made the show entertaining, he recalled, were the geniuses onstage who became stars in their own right. He described the competition as a level playing field where “anyone could beat anyone” and many lesser known schools can challenge the elite schools and win the championships, "and that made it exciting because it wasn’t one-sided. It’s not like Ateneo wins basketball every year". [2]
Year | Award | Category | Individual Winner | Citation |
---|---|---|---|---|
1993 | PMPC Star Awards [54] | Best Game Show | - | |
1994 | PMPC Star Awards [54] | Best Game Show | - | |
1994 | PMPC Star Awards [54] | Best Game Show Host | David Celdran | |
1995 | PMPC Star Awards [54] | Best Game Show | - | |
1995 | Catholic Mass Media Awards [54] | Special Citation | - | |
1996 | PMPC Star Awards [54] | Best Game Show | - | |
1996 | PMPC Star Awards [54] | Best Game Show Host | David Celdran | |
1996 | Catholic Mass Media Awards | Lorenzo Ruiz Award for Television Entertainment | for "inspiring its youthful audience to strive for excellence in school and in everything they do" [55] [54] |
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link){{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)