BOYB: Life-changing show

Bernadette “Badet” Ilacad and her family had always dreamt of having their own house. But living under the bridge for many years had made Badet realize that it was an impossible dream.

Badet has no job and only takes care of the kids, while her husband Andot sells fish in the market. They could barely make ends meet. And she never imagined that a Kapamilya game show would change their lives forever.

Together with their then two-and-a-half-year-old son Andot Jr., Badet and Andot went to ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City to audition for the game show Bet On Your Baby (BOYB).

“We were initially hesitant because we did not have enough money to go to ABS-CBN. But I told my husband that we could at least try, so we borrowed some money from our neighbors,” Badet recounted.

They were second in the queue at ABS-CBN. They underwent the pre-interview and baby Andot Jr. played the mock games as part of the audition process. They were about to proceed to the second interview when the staff decided to send them home after learning that their little boy had fever.

Right then, Badet knew it was the end of the road for them. She had already given up when she received a text message later that evening and learned that they were chosen as contestants. They were advised to go back to ABS-CBN the following day for the studio taping.

“I couldn’t believe it. I needed to borrow some nice clothes, since we did not have anything nice to wear on TV. My son didn’t even have shoes,” she shared.

The rest, as they say, was history. Badet and her family played in the top-rating Kapamilya game show, making it to the jackpot round and won the house and lot prize.

Even host Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo was rooting for them. At the press conference for the third season of Bet on Your Baby (BYOB), four “Babynaryos” or baby millionaires and their families, including the Ilacads, surprised Juday and even gave her tokens of appreciation they personally picked or made.

Juday became emotional after seeing the Ilacad family again.

“It’s really overwhelming to see them now. It feels good that Bet on Your Baby was able to improve their lives. When we were taping the episode, I was really praying that they would win the house and lot.  So when they won, all of us were really happy,” said Juday, referring to Badet and her family.

Baby Andot Jr. is among the 11 “Babynaryos” produced by the show since it was launched in 2013. The Ilacads now have a decent home and no longer live under a bridge. With the prize money, they were able to open a sari-sari store and bought a tricycle to earn a living.

Just like them, Filipino families can again get the chance to bond, have fun and win prizes in Bet On Your Baby.

When asked what to expect from the show, Juday quipped, “There are changes, but the games are still there. Watcha Makulit is still there, which in my opinion, is the segment that is really nakakagigil. We have new sets. The Baby Dome is also new and there are many other additional elements that I am really excited for people to see.”

The show also marks Juday’s comeback after more than a year of hiatus to give birth to her baby Luna. The Queen of Drama shared what she is really looking forward to as she returns to hosting the hit game show.

“More than anything, it’s really the experience. It’s the hope that you give to your contestants. It’s the learnings that I take home with me every time I have contestants from different walks of life and that special moment when you get to hug them once they win P1M or a house and lot. It’s really the memory I’m after. We have helped and entertained a lot of people. How can you go wrong with babies? Their cuteness is enough to take away your problems in life,” said Juday.