One of the unexpected effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is that there is not a lot to watch on local TV. Due to the lockdowns imposed throughout the country, all forms of entertainment productions were halted. This includes both ongoing and upcoming Pinoy TV shows.
To fill up the void, TV networks resorted to re-airing some of the previous shows. But which of these older shows would be worth your time again? Here are the best ones that you can marathon while waiting for the regular programming to get back.
Pinoy TV shows to rewatch no. 1: Palibhasa Lalake
Primetime TV in the ’90s was a vastly different experience than it is now. Instead of just 4-5 teleseryes aired nightly, the networks had a dozen weekly programs. It was also this time when sitcoms were the most popular type of programs, with networks having at least five in their weekly lineup.
ABS-CBN’s Palibhasa Lalake was one of the most successful of these sitcoms. It aired from 1987 to 1998 and featured an ensemble cast consisting of several notable matinee idols. The series followed the lives of three men living together in a boarding house. Ricky (Richard Gomez) is the smart guy who tries to enter into all sorts of business ventures. Joey (Joey Marquez) is the opportunist who ends up getting played by his schemes. And then there Johnny (John Estrada), a not so intelligent hunk whose hobby is to invent all sorts of things.
Aside from the usual sitcom skits, what makes Palibhasa Lalake fun was the hilarious amount of fourth wall breaking humor. Often, its jokes poke fun on the personal lives of the actors or the guests. Alma Moreno and Janice de Belen, Joey Marquez and John Estrada’s then real-life partners respectively, would often guest as their characters’ long-suffering girlfriends.
There is also the recurring gag of the director’s hand appearing out of nowhere and being a character itself. And each episode ends with the obligatory basaan with water. All of these make for a fun nightly watch.
Where to watch it.
Palibhasa Lalake is regularly aired on ABS CBN’s cable channel Jeepney TV. You can also watch it online on Youtube through Jeepney’s official channel and other uploaders. The network has even uploaded a few episodes on its native streaming app.
Pinoy TV shows to rewatch no. 2: Abangan Ang Susunod Na Kabanata
Abangan Ang Susunod Na Kabanata is another classic sitcom from the ’90s, also airing in ABS CBN. Whereas Palibhasa Lalake is more towards inane comedy, Abangan was more of satirical humor. This made it stand out among the other Pinoy TV shows broadcast back then, resulting in a successful 7-year run (1991-1997).
The show follows the lives of the ordinary citizens of a small barangay. Each of the main characters is a satire of certain aspects of Philippine society. Some of the most notable characters are:
- Anding Tengco (Noel Trinidad): The corrupt congressman who is always trying to get kickbacks out of every government contract that comes his way.
- Barbara Tengco (Tessie Tomas): Anding’s wife who loves to publicly flaunt their family’s wealth. She is also addicted to painkillers.
- Tita De Los Santos (Nova Villa): Barbara’s social climber friend, who tries a variety of easy money-making schemes.
- Benny Dela Cruz (Roderick Paulate): Barbara’s ever-gossiping gay beautician.
- Clara (Carmi Martin): Benny’s wife who insists that he isn’t gay.
Abangan also had different guest stars during each episode. What makes some of these guest stars notable is that they were actual political figures of that time.
The Pinoy TV show was unapologetic of its humor, taking potshots at the various national issues during those times. Certain characters are even direct swipes at political figures, such as the Tengcos, which were its stand-in for the Marcoses. Ironically, it is this type of political humor that can draw the ire of elected officials nowadays enough to threaten the closure of a TV network.
Where to watch it
Like Palibhasa Lalake, you can watch episodes of Abangan Ang Susunod Na Kabanata on Jeepney TV. There are also clips uploaded on YouTube. While these are incomplete, you are still going to get a lot of kicks out of the show.
Pinoy TV shows to rewatch no. 3: Amaya
The 2010s saw the popularity of epic-style Pinoy TV shows, as networks competed in coming out with grander stories. One of these was GMA7’s Amaya, which was released in 2012. What makes Amaya stand out from the bunch was it taking inspiration from Philippine culture instead of the usual western fantasy theme.
The series follows Amaya (Marian Rivera), a binukot, or a daughter born out of wedlock between a datu and a commoner. Amaya soon finds herself as the chosen one who will bring prosperity to the land. However, this does not sit well with Rajah Mangubat, one of the rulers of the land, with whom Amaya comes into conflict with.
Amaya is notable for the extensive research the production did to create an authentic pre-colonial Philippine setting. These are shown in the accurate details of the costumes, as well as the languages used. It does take some liberties with historical facts but that does not deter from how enjoyable it is.
Where to watch it
GMA7 is currently doing a rerun of the show as part of its afternoon block. You can also catch it on GMA Pinoy TV, the network’s international channel. Online, it is available on the iFlix streaming platform.
Pinoy TV shows to rewatch no. 4: On The Wings Of Love
Most Pinoy romance teleseryes often follow a rather formulaic plot. Rich boys and poor girls meet (or vice versa), they bicker and then fall in love. But the parents of the richer party dislike their love interest and melodrama ensues. And then, some long-winded twist happens and more melodrama happens.
ABS-CBN’s On The Wings Of Love thankfully avoids all those cliches. The story follows country girl Leah (Nadine Lustre), as she tries to look for her mother’s grave in the US. However, her visa expires and she has no way of staying longer. Jack (Cherry Pie Picache), her ex’s mom, offers Leah a solution by getting into an arranged marriage with Jack’s nephew Clark (James Reid).
What makes On The Wings Of Love a great watch is that it feels a lot more grounded than the usual teleserye fare. Leah and Clark are presented as average people, making them more relatable. The conflicts are also a bit more realistic, resulting in an engaging watch.
Where to watch it
On The Wings Of Love is currently shown on the Kapamilya Channel (ABS CBN’s current home channel) and Jeepney TV. You can also watch it online on the network’s YouTube channel.
Tune in to these Pinoy TV shows again and love them more
Whether you are a Kapamilya or a Kapuso, these older shows would still delight you upon rewatch. And there are more great Pinoy TV shows you might have missed that deserve another go. Watch them along with other fun shows and have a great time while waiting for things to go back to normal.