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Numerous projects in the entertainment industry’s various fields have molded the versatile actor and performer Janno Gibbs into the man he is now. After proving his worth as one of showbiz’s precious gems, he now adds another item to his already long list of achievements. Catch him as he commands the center stage and takes on hosting an internationally-acclaimed game show. Text by Jessa Ericka C. Bien Photos by Loretta G. Ramirez Picked by the Kapuso network to host Kakasa ka ba sa Grade Five?, the Filipino version of the Mark Burnett creation, Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?, Janno becomes the Philippines’ Jeff Foxworthy as he works with ten very smart kids from all over the metro and challenges adults’ memory of the things they learned in grade school. “Ang gusto ko dito sa show na ito, ang dami kong natututunan ulit” he tells the entertainment press during the show’s press conference. “Nare-refresh 'yung memory ko sa school. Kaya lang (napansin ko na) mas advance na iyong mga bata sa lessons nila ngayon, kaya medyo behind tayo ng kaunti” he adds with a laugh. Certified and monitored by the Department of Education, Kakasa ka ba sa Grade Five?’s questions involve facts from Filipino grade school pupils’ text books. The contestants may give answers in Filipino and English, though they are required to give the Filipino equivalents for English words whenever applicable. Otherwise, their answers will be considered wrong. Of course, the smart fifth graders, better known as the “classmates”, will be of help. Their answers are almost always correct, they will aid the contestants advance to the next level. “Ang kaibahan ng game na ito, unang-una, hindi ka mase-save ng text votes dito” the comic host notes. “Kailangan sarili mong diskarte at utak talaga.” Something New Better known as the Philippines’ King of Soul, Janno carries a new title as the “Chairman of the Blackboard” in Kakasa ka ba sa Grade Five? It is interesting to note however, that despite his many experiences in the business, this is Janno’s first solo hosting job. “Ang experience ko lang sa game show is Eat Bulaga, which is hindi naman solely game show (kasi) may variety (at) kaunting games lang and then marami kang kasama” he says. He also admits to feeling the pressure by the show’s foreign nature. “It’s a big game. Hanggang one million ang jackpot prize so malaki ang responsibilidad ko.” “Although (may) pressure talaga, nakapag-practice na kami” he rebounds. “Nakapag-tape na kami ng ilang episodes so medyo relax na, nage-enjoy na ako.” Working with the classmates is also an exciting new experience for him. “Nakakatuwa (at) nakakagulat kasi hindi ako ganyan eh. Sila ang tatalino nila eh, nakakagulat iyong mga alam nila” he says, laughing. “Kadalasan, sa lahat ng tanong, tama lahat (ng sagot) ng buong class” he adds. Janno is confident Kakasa ka ba sa Grade Five? will win the Filipino viewers’ attention not only with the big cash prizes at stake, but more importantly because it will make them feel “(na) may natutunan akong bago today.” Catch the pilot episode of Kakasa ka ba sa Grade Five? this Saturday, October 27, after Fantastic Man! Want more of Janno? Catch him occasionally on Eat Bulaga, Saturdays on Nuts Entertainment and Sundays on SOP.