A welcome weekend treat for viewers

MANILA, Philippines – GMA 7 beefs up its Saturday afternoon programming after Eat, Bulaga!. Carla Abellana’s afternoon drama anthology, Karelasyon, was moved down to make way for a new, mid-afternoon, weekly show #Like, hosted by Tom Rodriguez.

With the absence of a showbiz-oriented talk show like Startalk, which ended its two-decade run early this year, #Like is a reality talent show that is certainly a welcome weekend treat for viewers.

#Like features talents who gained popularity on the Internet through their viral videos. This time, the online sensations invade the TV screens, as they are pitted against each other in a singing or dancing showdown not in the studio but in the barangays.

Every week, the viral stars, either solo or group, are judged by the barangay members or the taong bayan. “Likers” are made up of 100 barangay members who will line up to their respective choices so viewers will see who has the most hashtags.

A recent episode was taped in Malabon, right in the middle of a swamp but adorned with flowers and decked with floating platforms. The contest setting is made more ideal as the singers are even dressed to the nines. Never mind the scorching heat. Even Tom gamely does his chores and delivers entertainment.

In the singing showdown on the second week, Lovely Masido, the Libing Diva ng Nueva Ecija, belted out the Aegis hit, Sayang na Sayang while Kevin Traqueno, Songbird ng Pasay, rendered On the Wings of Love. The latter won the weekly cash prize of P25,000.

In another episode, two senior citizens were pitted against each other. They did not dance to “disco, boogie or chacha,” but to the latest hits from today’s popular artists. Interestingly, a video feature accompanies the introduction of contestants in #Like, that’s why viewers get to know the performers better.

Sixty-five-year-old vendor Angelisa del Rosario, tagged as the Lola Zumba ng Cebu, was pitted against 74-year-old Fermin Castro, the Lolo Gangnam ng Baguio. Accompanied by the Sex Bomb Dancers, the grandparents gamely danced to Spaghetti Pababa at Pataas. It was Lola Zumba ng Cebu who won.

The contestants are judged (by the barangay members) for their creativity, entertainment value and audience impact. A #Like Dancer of the Week is also chosen from among the barangay residents and wins P2,500.

Joining Tom in the show is his young co-host, John Philip Bughaw or popularly called Balang, himself an Internet sensation. The seven-year-old Balang even graced Ellen DeGeneres’ Hollywood program to display his terpsichorean skills. Every Saturday in #Like, Balang delights viewers with his dancing talent that went viral and endeared him to the public.

Tom was given his first hosting job on GMA 7 with the late-morning, daily game show, Don’t Lose the Money, aired in 2014. After that, he got busy with tele-dramas and TV guestings. He also acted in films. It is only now, however, that Tom was given another hosting job with #Like.

Meanwhile, reinforcing Saturday primetime is another reality talent show, Superstar Duets, which succeeded Lip Sync Battle Philippines. Jennylyn Mercado hosts Superstar Duets, which airs after Magpakailanman. Judges are comedian-TV host Allan K, romantic balladeer Christian Bautista and traffic diva Aicelle Santos. Bert de Leon directs.