Sabado Barkada

Sabado Barkada
Created by	ABS-CBN Regional Network Group
Starring	Mel Yanson; and other local talents
Country of origin	Philippines
Original language	Hiligaynon
No. of episodes	n/a
Production
Running time	1 hour (Saturdays)
Release
Original network	ABS-CBN TV-4 Bacolod
Original release	2003 –; October 20, 2007

Sabado Barkada (English: Saturday Troop) was a musical variety show in the Philippines that aired every Saturday before "Game KNB?" over ABS-CBN TV-4 Bacolod. It also aired in neighboring cities such as Iloilo and the whole of Western Visayas. The show took its inspiration from talent search and discovery program formats, giving the floor to aspiring, talented Ilonggo youngsters who acted as guest hosts and performers. On its noted segment "Matilaw Ka: Reloaded" ("Will you try?: Reloaded"), contestants attempted a certain task, with the winner earning a cash prize and the others taking home consolation prizes. Their music segment, "Top picks of the week", coordinated with MOR 101.5 (My Only Radio For Life! Bacolod) to feature the week's three most requested songs. Local bands also brought live music to the studio every week.

History

The show was created in 2003 as a replacement for "Barkadahan sa S na S", which was already crippled following the departure of its main host John Arceo to GMA Iloilo. Only Tonipet Yulo was retained from the previous show while Rene Jun "Totoy Balotoy" Ogapong was promoted to direct it. New talents like Mel Yanson, James Moya and RJ Chua were introduced to the public as the new core group of the show. "Sabado Barkada" also started a practice where the most beautiful and handsome teens of Bacolod were given hosting slots in the show, giving it a "sosyal" feel.

The show went well in its initial telecasts, but Yulo left the show in 2004 after he suffered a stroke that left him half-paralyzed, and Moya left before being replaced by two DJs from MOR 101.5: Rex Luther and James King. The show's ratings suffered after rival show "Bongga!" of GMA Iloilo gained headway and conquered viewership in the whole of Western Visayas. No way to go but up, "Sabado" decided to go "masa" too by re-introducing "S na S"'s previous segment "Matilaw Ka" (Will You Try?) as their answer to "Bongga!"'s famous gay boxing portion "Pok Gi Pok".

Reformat and comeback

In 2006, "Sabado Barkada" reformatted in response to its declining ratings and the outstanding performance of its competitor. It added new faces to its roster of hosts now led by Mel Yanson and James King, and did away with the usual inclusion of Bacolod teens to co-host after negative feedback from televiewers. To show that viewers had a say on the show's content, it added the slogan "Bida Ka" ("You Lead"), with an alternative rock theme that on the show's OBB.

The show went out from its weekly broadcast from the ABS-CBN studio in Bacolod and held shows in out-of-town locations. Some Kapamilya stars from ABS-CBN Manila joined the cast in those shows. With the public slowly taking notice of the show's renewed vigor following the reformat, the show was able to gain headway in Bacolod ratings and also kept loyal viewers who watched abroad through TFC (The Filipino Channel). In August, the show finally surpassed "Bongga!" in the Iloilo ratings and gained more momentum after the latter show signed off.

Decommission

On October 20, 2007, "Sabado Barkada" signed off as it gave way to "Kapamilya Winner Ka! (now Kapamilya, Mas Winner Ka!)", a multi-regional game show qualifier for ABS-CBN's "Pilipinas, Game Ka Na Ba?" which first premiered the 27th of the same month. Contestants can win P5,000 to P10,000 in the show's bingo format. Its current host is PBB Season Two finalist Nel Rapiz.

Final Hosts

Dorothy joy Luarca
James King
RJ Chua
Mel Yanson
Rexylyn Cabaltera
Aerian Julian
Channel Dimayuga
Rex Luther
Angelique Robles
Jaypeesy Dajay
Andrew Gellagani

Former Hosts

Tonipet Yulo
James Moya
Kate Sansing
Althea Mauricio
Jason East
Andrea Molina
Raven Ice Mirza
Michelle Duyungan
Melanie Ca-ayon
Ziggy Rubiato
Nixie Garcia
Geej Ascalon
Candy Flores
George Michael Bautista
Xen Antenor
April Gustillo
Nesha Faith Dianala
John Yroll Espuerta
Mark Kenneth Espuerta
Jumaril Buenaventura
Chris Alvin Chiong
Giban Panoy
Rhoel Alisbo
Paul Nathan Delubio
Jessa Ballares
Boy Cuadra
Allan Atienza
Jose Chua III
Yep Yep Yanson
Queenie Ira Mae Delima
Holly Rossel Penaflor
Greg Calidguid Jr
Bianca Margarette Bait-it