History
Rico, Marvin and Dominic's on-screen chemistry was first seen in the network's Saturday youth oriented show Gimik from June 15, 1996, to February 13, 1999. At that time, they were not performing yet as a group but they were close friends off-cam despite their solo careers as young actors. After Gimik was cancelled, the trio would continue appearing in different ABS-CBN programs, mostly on primetime soap operas. In 1999 and 2000, Rico, Marvin and Dominic appeared as guest co-hosts for Megastar Sharon Cuneta's birthday celebration. Their one-off hosting stint at "Sharon" was well-received, noting there was chemistry and rapport between the three.
In late 2000, the network launched Star Magic Presents, a weekly program that showcased ABS-CBN's homegrown talents in different entertainment formats. They chose Rico, Marvin and Dominic to headline the pilot episode of the program, a mini-sitcom entitled Whattamen. They were joined by Jannette Mc Bride, Gabe Mercado and JM Rodriguez. The episode garnered high ratings for Star Magic. The group did another episode of Whattamen a month after and also received high ratings again. This led the network to officially launch Rico, Marvin and Dominic in the noontime show Magandang Tanghali Bayan as a trio in early 2001 following the exit of one of its main host, Willie Revillame.
While doing MTB, the newly formed Whattamen trio made waves everywhere. On September 12, 2001, Whattamen became a full-length primetime weekly sitcom, occupying the Wednesday night time slot. Comedian Ai-Ai delas Alas joined the show as one of the main cast.
Compared to previous ABS-CBN sitcoms, Whattamen was a game-changer of sorts. It was a short sitcom, with just 30 minutes of running time (including commercials). Midway into its first season, the show was already beating the competition week after week with relevant storylines and out of the box delivery of laughs. On the second season, Whattamen's running time was extended to 45 minutes. Streetboys member and upcoming comedian Vhong Navarro was added to the cast. The improved second season was also rating well. Until fate intervened.
On March 29, 2002, Rico Yan died in his sleep while on vacation in Palawan. His death left a big void in the show. On April 3, 2002, the whole cast of Whattamen paid tribute to him via the two-hour TV special Whattaguy: Salamat Rico. After Rico's death, the show aired three more episodes which he taped before he died.
The sitcom continued without Rico. New cast members included John Prats, Joyce Jimenez, Jenny Miller, Ryan Agoncillo, Melanie Marquez and Dennis Padilla. Sitcom director John-D Lazatin was assigned to direct the ABS-CBN teleserye Bituin and was replaced by Danny Caparas.
Entertainment Konek is a Philippine showbiz-oriented talk show aired on ABS-CBN. which as aired from February 5, 2005 to May 27, 2006, replacing EK Channel and was replaced by Let's Go!.
MTB, fully spelled as Magandang Tanghali Bayan and Masayang Tanghali Bayan, and later known as MTB Ang Saya Saya, is a Philippine noontime variety show broadcast by ABS-CBN. The show aired from Mondays to Saturdays replacing 'Sang Linggo nAPO Sila on their timeslot and was also broadcast worldwide through The Filipino Channel.
Martina Eileen Hernandez delas Alas-Sibayan, known professionally as Ai-Ai delas Alas, is a Filipina singer, actress, and comedian. She is widely regarded as the country's "Queen of Comedy" for her comedic talent and best known for her role in the film Ang Tanging Ina (2003), which became a blockbuster hit. On account of the film's popularity, a television series spin-off was produced, as well as three sequels: Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat (2008), Ang Tanging Ina Mo (2010) and Enteng ng Ina Mo (2011), with delas Alas reprising her role. She also appeared in the comedy film Our Mighty Yaya, which premiered on May 10, 2017, through Regal Entertainment.
Ricardo Carlos "Rico" Castro Yan was a Filipino matinee idol, model, film and television actor, host, spokesperson and entrepreneur.
Marvin Jay Marquez Cuyugan, known professionally as Marvin Agustin, is a Filipino actor, chef and entrepreneur.
Jose Madrigal Ochoa, better known as Dominic Ochoa, is a Filipino actor and member of ABS-CBN's circle of homegrown talents named Star Magic, as part of the batch 4. He is currently managed by Boy Abunda.
Bituin is a 2002 musical Philippine soap opera that was aired by ABS-CBN from September 23, 2002 to May 23, 2003 replacing Pangako Sa 'Yo and was replaced by Basta't Kasama Kita. It starred Carol Banawa and Desiree del Valle with Nora Aunor and Cherie Gil.
Mara Clara is a Philippine drama television series on ABS-CBN, which aired from August 17, 1992 to February 14, 1997, replacing Sebya, Mahal Kita and was replaced by Esperanza. The series stars Judy Ann Santos and Gladys Reyes. It was the longest running weekday drama on ABS-CBN and on Philippine television until June 30, 2020, when FPJ's Ang Probinsyano surpassed it upon airing its 1,168th episode. It was adapted into a feature film released by Star Cinema in 1996. Mara Clara was a first release from Dreamscape Entertainment.
Gimik is a Philippine youth-oriented television series produced and broadcast by ABS-CBN. The show ran from June 15, 1996 to February 6, 1999, replacing Game Na Game Na! and was replaced by G-mik every Saturday for 90 minutes and was shown internationally through TFC.
I Am KC is the first Philippine drama anthology series of KC Concepcion. It premiered on March 29, 2008, to April 19, 2008, on ABS-CBN. In this show, KC showcases her different talents in acting.
Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan is a Philippine primetime teleserye aired from March 26, 2001, to February 28, 2003, by ABS-CBN replacing Saan Ka Man Naroroon and was replaced by Darating ang Umaga. This was Claudine Barretto's first show without her loveteam partner Rico Yan, and Agassi's first pairing with Claudine.
George and Cecil is a Philippine romantic comedy (rom-com) weekly primetime series starring newlyweds Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo written and directed by Jose Javier Reyes on ABS-CBN. The series was aired from June 14, 2009, to February 7, 2010.
Flames is a youth-oriented Philippine television drama anthology show produced and broadcast by ABS-CBN. The series was broadcast from April 8, 1996 to January 11, 2002 every weekday afternoons. It aired for five years as an afternoon weekday drama on television.
All-Star Sunday Afternoon Party, currently branded as ASAP Natin 'To, is a Philippine television variety show produced by ABS-CBN Entertainment.
Toda Max is a Philippine situational comedy series on ABS-CBN from November 5, 2011 to November 16, 2013. This series was starring with Robin Padilla, Pokwang, Angel Locsin, and Vhong Navarro. though due to 3 movie commitments, Padilla decided to leave the show in early of 2013 and hoped to come back after doing all his movies.
Arriba, Arriba! is a Philippine sitcom and sketch comedy that aired from ABS-CBN from December 9, 2000 to August 9, 2003, replacing Oki Doki Doc and was replaced by Home Along da Airport. Starring Jolina Magdangal with Camille Prats, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Heart Evangelista, Sandy Andolong, John Lapus, Rufa Mae Quinto, and Johnny Delgado. It re-aired on Jeepney TV.
Judy Ann Drama Special is a Philippine anthology drama which aired on ABS-CBN from September 13, 1999 to September 3, 2001, replacing Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako and was replaced by Your Honor.
In the Philippines, variety television shows have become mainstays of the noontime slot for network programming since 1958. The first Philippines noontime variety television shows were influenced by the popularity of bodabil (vaudeville) in the first half of the 20th century. Since then, the format has evolved with the changing times, with elements of reality television also incorporated as well since the 2000s.
Sing Galing! is a Philippine musical videoke singing reality game show created and developed by the Associated Broadcasting Company. The show had become a household name and a constant top-rated show during its first run on ABC and enjoys recognition as one of the most successful, original and innovative shows in Philippine television history.
