F! (Philippine TV program)
F! is a Philippine weekly lifestyle magazine television program, which aired on ABS-CBN from April 17, 1999 to February 26, 2006, becoming the longest-running lifestyle show of the network. The program focuses on fashion trends, dining spots and social life, originally hosted by actress Angel Aquino, interior designer and model Daphne Oseña-Paez and journalist Cher Calvin. The trio became known as the F Girls. However, when Calvin left the show for the United States, supermodel Amanda Griffin joined the cast.
| F! | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Lifestyle, magazine |
| Created by | ABS-CBN |
| Presented by | Amanda Griffin Angel Aquino Cher Calvin Daphne Oseña-Paez |
| Country of origin | Philippines |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Camera setup | Multiple-camera setup |
| Running time | 90 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | ABS-CBN (1999–2004; 2009) Studio 23 (2004–2006) |
| Picture format | 480i (SDTV) |
| Original release | April 17, 1999 – February 26, 2006 (airing of show) September 27, 2009 (reunion episode) |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by | Citiline (1994–1999) |
| Followed by | Us Girls (March 5, 2006 – May 26, 2012) |
| Related shows | A Guide to Urban Living (2000–2002) Urban Zone (April 16, 2006– January 20, 2012) |
History
1999: F's Beginning; Citiline's Replacement
On April 17, 1999, lifestyle show Citiline, which was then hosted by Cory Quirino, had to move to the newly opened subsidiary of ABS-CBN which happened to be Studio 23. The management needed to fill the show's slot. That's when they formulated the show entitled F which focused on the life of a woman and lifestyle. It was planned to be hosted by Daphne Oseña-Paez, then working at the News and Current Affairs division, but ABS-CBN managed to add actress Angel Aquino and newcomer Cher Calvin to the hosts, where they became the trio called the F Girls.
2003–2006: Amanda is in; Cher is out
In 2003, one of the original hosts of the show Cher Calvin leaves the country to pursue a broadcasting career in the United States. That leaves Aquino and Osena-Paez the original hosts. During the latter part of the year, the show welcomes supermodel Amanda Griffin as the replacement for Calvin.
2006: F's Farewell
The show didn't last long because ratings started to slide. F aired its last episode on February 26, 2006 due to this cause. The F girls decided to part ways after 7 years of working together, bringing Filipino viewers a different view in lifestyle programming. However, Aquino didn't leave the hosting of lifestyle show as she hosted Us Girls with actresses Cheska Garcia and Iya Villania joining her as the main hosts.
2007–2009: Life after F: Future Plans
After F ceased airing, the girls became successful in their careers. Angel Aquino became a successful actress and still continuing what she started at F as a lifestyle host. Cher Calvin became a journalist in the United States at KTLA-TV. Daphne Oseña-Paez started her own business by selling furniture, became the host of lifestyle show Urban Zone in ABS-CBN and Amanda Griffin still continues being a model.
2009: Olay TV Reunion of F Girls after a decade
In 2009, the F girls were reunited once again after 10 years of working together in F. They had interviews, photoshoots and even guest appearances on TV and radio. ABS-CBN executives decided that the original F girls would do a comeback special as they reminisce the days they had working again. The TV special was sponsored by Olay Total Effects Cream, which is also being advertised in the show. F's Reunion episode was premiered September 27, 2009, one day after the destruction done by Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana).[1][2]
Hosts
- Angel Aquino (1999–2006; 2009)
- Daphne Oseña-Paez (1999–2006; 2009)
- Cher Calvin (1999–2003; 2009)
- Amanda Griffin (2003–2006; 2009)
See also
- List of programs aired by ABS-CBN
- List of programs broadcast by Studio 23