PEP: Survivor Philippines: Palau debuts strongly

The second season of GMA-7's reality show, Survivor Philippines: Palau, debuted last night, August 17, with an impressive 30.8 percent rating to take the fifth spot in the primetime race. This is based on the latest overnight ratings of AGB Nielsen Philippines among Mega Manila households. However, compared to the first season of Survivor Philippines, the second season's pilot rating was slightly lower by one percent. The first season—which debuted on September 15, 2008—scored a 31.8 percent and ranked at No. 4. Survivor Philippines: Palau is hosted by Paolo Bediones. The Kapuso network's fantaserye, Darna, retained its top position with 43.7 percent; followed by fellow GMA-7 shows 24 Oras (34.4 percent) and Rosalinda (33 percent; its highest rating so far), and ABS-CBN's Tayong Dalawa (31.2 percent). It is interesting to note that when the first season of Survivor Philippines premiered last year, the No. 1 primetime show that time was Dyesebel, starring Marian Rivera. The actress now plays Darna, the current leader in the ratings game. The rest of the Top 10 was occupied by Adik Sa 'Yo (29 percent), Only You (27 percent), TV Patrol World (23.7 percent), May Bukas Pa (23.4 percent), and All My Life (21.5 percent). Meanwhile, Eat Bulaga! remains on top in the daytime race. The longest-running noontime show in the country posted a rating of 27.1 percent. GMA-7's afternoon soap Kung Aagawin Mo ang Lahat Sa Akin was a far second with 20.8 percent; followed by fellow Kapuso soaps Ngayon at Kailanman (19.5 percent) and Daisy Siete (18.1 percent), and ABS-CBN's noontime show, Wowowee (16.3 percent). DARNA'S IMPRESSIVE DEBUT WEEK. Darna also topped the primetime race last Friday, August 14, with 39.2 percent—its lowest rating since its debut last August 10. But, overall, Darna had an average rating of 43.5 percent on its pilot week. Three other Kapuso shows—Rosalinda, Adik Sa 'Yo, and 24 Oras—took the second to fourth slots. The fifth slot was occupied by ABS-CBN's Tayong Dalawa. The daytime race was again ruled by Eat Bulaga!, followed by Kung Aagawin Mo ang Lahat Sa Akin, Ngayon at Kailanman, Wowowee, and Daisy Siete. All these shows, except for Wowowee, are from GMA-7. WEEKEND RATINGS. Last Saturday, August 15, TV5's Talentadong Pinoy reached its highest rating, so far—30.3 percent—to take the No. 1 spot in the daytime race. GMA-7's Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho came in second with 29.2 percent; followed by Kapuso shows Imbestigador (26.7 percent), Bitoy's Funniest Videos (21.4 percent), Pinoy Records (18.6 percent), and Are You The Next Big Star? (18.1 percent). The remaining slots were taken by ABS-CBN's Tiagong Akyat (No. 7) XXX (No. 9), and Vilma: A Woman For All Seasons (No. 10), and TV5's Midnight DJ (No. 8). Eat Bulaga! was the most-watched daytime program with 29.7 percent; followed by fellow Kapusop programs Wish Ko Lang (22 percent) and Joey's Quirky World (20.5 percent), and ABS-CBN's Wowowee (16.2 percent) and Cinema FPJ (13.4 percent). GMA-7's coverage of Pinoy Power 2—which featured the boxing matches of three Filipino fighters, including Nonito Donaire—generated an average rating of 29 percent to lead all daytime programs. GMA-7's Showbiz Central and SOP, and ABS-CBN's The Buzz and Matanglawin took the other slots in the Top 5. Finally, GMA-7's Kap's Amazing Stories topped the primetime race with 27.9 percent. - Erwin Santiago, PEP