Lunch Date
Encyclopedia
Lunch Date was a defunct Philippine
noontime variety show that aired by GMA Network
.
in EDSA. It was also the first GMA show to air from GMA Broadway Centrum
in 1987.
When the show was reformatted after a year, it only retained Gayda and brought in a mix of old and new faces to host the show, including Randy Santiago, Lito Pimentel, Tina Revilla, Pilita Corrales, Louie Heredia, Sheryl Cruz, Jon Santos, Dennis Padilla, Fe Delos Reyes, Keno, Manilyn Reynes, Willie Revillame and Ai Ai de las Alas.
Lunch Date was involved in a ratings battle with ABS-CBN
's Eat Bulaga.
'Ulat Panggulat' - a twice-a-week news segment where an obnoxious reporter, Jon Baluga (a character developed by Jon Santos), goes anywhere in Metro Manila just to report about anything that is remotely newsworthy. It established Santos' popularity that he later co-starred with Joey de Leon (also of Eat Bulaga) in the movie Tangga en Chos.
'Bonggang Beautician' - a comedy spoof of a beauty pageant, solely dedicated to gay beauticians.
'Mr. Dreamboy' - inspired from Sheryl Cruz's hit single of the same title, handsome men battled it out for a chance to become a member of GMA's teen variety show That's Entertainment.
'Munting Mutya Philippines' - a nationwide child-star talent search, where little girls showcase their wit and talent.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
noontime variety show that aired by GMA Network
GMA Network
GMA Network is a major commercial television & radio network in the Philippines. GMA Network is owned by GMA Network, Inc. a publicly listed company...
.
History
Its original hosts were Orly Mercado, Rico J. Puno, Toni Rose Gayda and Chiqui Hollmann. The show originally aired from Studio A of the old GMA buildingGMA Network Center
The GMA Network Center is the headquarters of the GMA Network, a major radio and television network in the Philippines. It is located at EDSA corner South Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City. It is the network's main television and radio production center, and its main transmission facility for most of...
in EDSA. It was also the first GMA show to air from GMA Broadway Centrum
GMA Network
GMA Network is a major commercial television & radio network in the Philippines. GMA Network is owned by GMA Network, Inc. a publicly listed company...
in 1987.
When the show was reformatted after a year, it only retained Gayda and brought in a mix of old and new faces to host the show, including Randy Santiago, Lito Pimentel, Tina Revilla, Pilita Corrales, Louie Heredia, Sheryl Cruz, Jon Santos, Dennis Padilla, Fe Delos Reyes, Keno, Manilyn Reynes, Willie Revillame and Ai Ai de las Alas.
Lunch Date was involved in a ratings battle with ABS-CBN
ABS-CBN
ABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...
's Eat Bulaga.
Main Hosts
- Randy Santiago (1986–1993)
- Lito Pimentel (1986–1993)
- Toni Rose Gayda (1986–1993)
- Tina Revilla (1988–1993)
- Pilita Corrales (1988–1993)
- Louie Heredia (1988–1993)
- Sheryl Cruz (1988–1993)
- Jon Santos (1991–1993)
- Dennis Padilla (1991–1993)
- Fe Delos Reyes (1986–1993)
- Keno (1986–1993)
- Manilyn Reynes (1991–1993)
- Willie Revillame (1986–1993)
- Ai Ai delas Alas (1991–1993)
Weekday Co-Hosts
- Rustom Padilla (Monday)
- Isabel Granada (Tuesday)
- Gino Padilla (Wednesday)
- Samantha Chavez (Thursday)
- Ogie Alcasid (Friday)
- Geneva Cruz (Saturday)
Former Hosts
- Orly Mercado (1986–1987)
- Rico J. Puno (1986–1988)
- Chiqui Hollman (1986–1989)
- Verni Varga (1988–1991)
- Mahal (1988–1991)
Segments
'Modus Operandi' - a daily comedy sketch segment, performed by the hosts and featuring a storyline that runs all week. The storylines provided were mostly spoofs on Pinoy pop culture and everyday life. This was the show's answer to Bulagaan, the segment of its rival show Eat Bulaga (which aired on ABS-CBN at that time) and Kalatog Pinggan.'Ulat Panggulat' - a twice-a-week news segment where an obnoxious reporter, Jon Baluga (a character developed by Jon Santos), goes anywhere in Metro Manila just to report about anything that is remotely newsworthy. It established Santos' popularity that he later co-starred with Joey de Leon (also of Eat Bulaga) in the movie Tangga en Chos.
'Bonggang Beautician' - a comedy spoof of a beauty pageant, solely dedicated to gay beauticians.
'Mr. Dreamboy' - inspired from Sheryl Cruz's hit single of the same title, handsome men battled it out for a chance to become a member of GMA's teen variety show That's Entertainment.
'Munting Mutya Philippines' - a nationwide child-star talent search, where little girls showcase their wit and talent.
Awards
- PMPC Star Awards: Tina Revilla ("Best Female TV Host", 1989 and 1991) and Rustom Padilla ("Best New Male TV Personality", 1992).
Studios
- Studio A - Old GMA BuildingGMA Network CenterThe GMA Network Center is the headquarters of the GMA Network, a major radio and television network in the Philippines. It is located at EDSA corner South Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City. It is the network's main television and radio production center, and its main transmission facility for most of...
(1986–1987) - GMA Broadway Centrum (1987–1993)