Flashback: TGiS

Just recently, ABS-CBN’s afternoon teen comedy show Luv U won as the best Teen-Oriented Show at the PMPC Star Awards for TV and is still enjoying its run every Sunday after premiering last February 2012 (which makes the show already running for 1 year and 9 months). This just proves that the Teen-Oriented format in Philippine TV is still effective with the audience. But before we have Luv U and Dormitoryo (on GMA Network), the first one that really captured the Pinoy Teens’ attention was aired during the 90s.

It was in August 1995 when boring Saturday afternoons were made colorful and exciting. Top film-producer Viva Films (by its TV counterpart Viva Television) and GMA Network conceptualized a new program especially-made for the teens. It was entitled as T.G.i.S or Thank God It’s Sabado! The cast was composed of now known-actors in the industry Angelu de Leon (as Peachy) and Bobby Andrews (Wacks) who was the phenomenal love team of the show (and that time as well!) They were also joined by Michael Flores (Mickey), Raven Villanueva (Cris), Onemig Bondoc (JM), Rica Peralejo (Mich), Ciara Sotto (Rain) and Red Sternberg (Kiko). The program was about a set of friends facing together life’s challenges as High School teens – like studies, vices, popular hobbies that time, and love.

Only a few thought that the show would be a big hit. Raven Villanueva, in an interview, even said that one of the hardest parts was during the first few episodes of the show because they don’t know if people would accept their show and if they will have sponsors, etc. But surprisingly, it became phenomenal. The barkada’s first movie together, “Takot Ka Ba Sa Dilim?”, was a blockbuster that even a movie version of TGiS was spawned, and became a hit as well. Moreover, rival network ABS-CBN also had its own teen-oriented show, Gimik (stylized as G!M!K).

Because of the rising popularity of the show, GMA and Viva decided to transfer the barkada to primetime, which became Growing Up. This time, the barkada faced more mature problems as they reach their College Life. They were joined by other actors Donna Cruz, Jake Roxas, Bernadette Allyson, Diego Castro (who came from the rival show Gimik), Mariel Lopez and Ryan Eigenmann. It was first aired Monday nights then later transferred during Wednesday nights.

Maybe now, your question is, what happened to TGiS? Ciara Sotto did not actually join Growing Up because her character Rain was still in High School, and so she was joined by a new batch of teen actors Antoinette Taus, Dingdong Dantes (then Rafael Dantes), Polo Ravales, Chantal Umali and Chubi del Rosario. Kim delos Santos and Idelle Martinez, who were part of the supporting cast of TGiS, also became the flag carriers of the show. Later on, Sunshine Dizon, Dino Guevarra and Anne Curtis joined the cast. TGiS 2 and Growing Up cast members would appear in both shows in some episodes.

No wonder TGiS (both batches and even Growing Up) was a hit, it had a plotline that every teenager can relate to. Besides that, it also used the popular music of that time, and that of the 80s. The show’s original theme song was Dyslexic Heart by Paul Westerberg. The songs It Might Be You, You Should Know By Now, Open Arms and As I Lay Me Down were used as theme songs for the love teams. Also, they had memorable music videos and opening billboards. Glad to say that I was able to find video clips of TGiS/Growing Up’s Top 10 Music Videos, TGiS 1/VGrowing Up's Opening Billboards and TGiS 2's OBB.

Currently, GMA, TGiS Batch 1’s director Mark Reyes V, and TGiS writer Kit Langit conceptualized a continuation of Growing Up which was Teen Gen. The cast was composed by a new bunch of teenagers with TGiS’ phenomenal love team Angelu de Leon and Bobby Andrews. The show was a continuation of their love story as it did not finish that good in Growing Up after Peachy, Angelu’s character, and Wacks, Bobby’s character are set to get married. However, at the last minute, Peachy did not show up at the wedding. It’s because Angelu that time got an unexpected pregnancy. Teen Gen also became a hit, but not that of TGiS’. It only ran for 28 weeks.

TGiS is being re-aired on Fox Filipino every weeknights. However, it’s down to its last week. And to reminisce, here are some video clips of TGiS.

Honestly, if there is one thing I really get jealous of with the 90s generation, it’s that they have this show. Yes, teen-oriented shows may still exist now but TGiS and even Gimik are still better than of today’s teen shows.

Videos Courtesy of Tgis Thankgoditssabado and ArdiAquino on Youtube
Images Courtesy of Google