Around GMA

Lalaki, patay sa bugbog ng ex-bf ng kaniyang kinakasama
Environmentalist sa Negros Oriental, Gipusil Patay | Balitang Bisdak
Nadine Samonte finds joy in collecting of designer figure

Article Inside Page

Showbiz News

Who discovered the Philippines? If you still remember the answer to this question, then GMA’s Kakasa ka ba sa Grade Five? is a must-see program for you.
Who discovered the Philippines? What is the ¼ of 25? What is a group of words that does not express a complete thought? If you still remember the answers to these elementary questions, then GMA’s Kakasa ka ba sa Grade Five? is a must-see program for you. Text by Jessa Ericka C. Bien Photos by Loretta G. Ramirez. A franchise of the Mark Burnett creation, Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?, Kakasa ka ba sa Grade Five? is a mind-boggling game show that rewards big bucks to lucky adults who can match wits and intelligence of the show's resident child brainiacs. Fifth graders from all over the metro passed meticulous auditions and tests to be the show’s classmates. Wilma Galvante, GMA’s Senior Vice President for Entertainment, confidently states that these kids “are honor students (who) are the tops of their classes”. As the Classmates, these pupils come to the contestant’s aid when the questions get too trying. “Of course they have to be smart” says program manager Ruth Mariñas. “Kasi (in) the game, we don’t tell them the questions eh. So dapat marunong talaga sila.” The Filipino Factor Popular for the challenge it poses and the excitement it brings, the show airs in 27 other countries worldwide. Despite its many different variants, however, there still are elements in the show that perfectly complements the Filipinos’ tastes. The comedian Janno Gibbs, for one, is the game master. “We wanted na medyo comedian na magaling mag-host. That’s why we got him” Miss Mariñas explains. “Trabaho kong asarin iyong contestant” a flattered Janno shares. Loved by the crowd for his witty remarks and funny expressions, the actor-host believes “iba 'yung humor nating mga Pinoy eh”, and this is enough to set the Filipino version apart from the rest. “Ang mga Pinoy, napuna ko, (at) ako rin as a viewer, mahilig akong manood ng game shows (tapos) gustong-gusto ko iyong kapag nanonood ako, nakikisagot ako. Tapos kapag hindi ko alam at kapag ni-reval na iyong answer, feeling ko may natutunan akong bago today” he observes. With questions taken from Filipino grade school students’ text books and certified by the Department of Education, Janno assures the people need not worry about foreign queries. The Trophy Adding spice to its Filipino flavor is a squash trophy, given to contestants who admit they are no match to the fifth graders. "Atin lang ito” claims Miss Mariñas. “Kapag nag-drop out ka na (at) nag-promise ka na hindi ka kakasa sa Grade Five, bibigyan ka ng kalabasa … (which means) parang (nakakuha ka ng) zero” she explains. Miss Galvante speaks highly of the newest game show that invaded the Philippine entertainment scene via the Kapuso network. “We are happy kasi for the first time, mayroon tayong programang highly educational na, entertaining pa at very challenging sa adults” she says. Catch Kakasa ka ba sa Grade Five? Saturdays in GMA! Have something to say about the show? Then voice out your thoughts in the forums.