That's Entertainment | GMA 80s Filipino Teenage Variety Show

That's Entertainment or simply known as "That's" was a Filipino youth-oriented talent and variety show that aired in GMA Network from January 6, 1986 – March 23, 1996. That's was hosted by German Moreno together with Ike Lozada. Let's go down memory lane with That's Entertainment here at Retro Pilipinas.

That's Entertainment - The Show
About That's Entertainment

That's Entertainment launched on January 6, 1986 by GMA Network and first aired from the old GMA building in EDSA, but later moved to the GMA Broadway Centrum in 1987 to accommodate it's increasing studio audience and fans. The Filipino youth variety show used song "That's Entertainment" as its main theme song. That's Entertainment was written by Arthur Schwartz with the lyrics of Howard Dietz which was written especially for the 1953 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musical film The Band Wagon. Hosted by German Moreno together with Ike Lozada, That's gained popularity almost overnight among young Filipino audiences.




That's Entertainment ushered in new stars whom most have become the Philippine industry's finest. The youth-oriented variety show grouped their talents into five: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday groups. Every Saturday, all of the said five groups were joined together to performed various production numbers. The show paired up various talents to serve as love teams that usually illicit feelings of "kilig" to most of the show's female audiences. The pairing eventually transcended the show and some eventually hooked up in real life. The show was a star maker, those who were exceptional and offered something fresh became the industry's finest celebrity idols. Nobody can be young forever. That's members eventually moved on with their lives. Some got their much needed industry break making them the industry's popular actors, comedian/comedienne, actors, singers, dancers, and performers. Some decided to pursue a much fulfilling and private lives completely vanishing from the radar of the ever scrutinizing eye of the public. The show also catapulted different dance group to popularity, The Maneouvres, Streetboys, Abztract Dancers, Kids at Work, UMD all became the Philippines' premiere dance group because of the show. German "Kuya Germs" Moreno was recognized as the Philippine's star maker because of the said show.

That's went off the air at the height of its popularity back in March 23, 1986. The last episode of "That's Entertainment" was shown on Saturday primetime (9:00 pm) with former members reunited in a TV special entitled "That's The Reunion".

A Fan Tribute Video to That's Entertainment:

I wasn't really that into That's Entertainment that time. I was but a kid back then and had really no interest in an afternoon variety show. But I have to give credit to the show for discovering and launching the career of their talents who most have become the popular celebrities, politicians and professionals in the Philippines and even abroad. I was really not a That's kid, but it will forever have a special place in the hearts of those who supported the show.

What about you guys? Were you a fan of That's Entertainment? If you were, then what's your fondest memory, favorite love teams, favorite talent and general thoughts on the iconic star maker of a variety show from GMA Network back in its 80s-90s run? Share your thoughts on That's Entertainment on the comments section below:

Pintados | GMA 90s Filipino Superhero Show

Pintados, Painted Ones is a Philippine action-adventure super hero television series from GMA Network which ran from September 1999 – April 2000. Pintados follows five ordinary teenagers from all walks of life who also came from families victimized by heinous crimes. The five teenagers were trained in various armed and technological combat and ultimately became part of a secret crime fighting group to preserve, protect and fight for justice.

Pintados - The Story
GMA Network's Pintados Plot

After several rich Filipino families become victims of terrible crimes, they agree to set up and fund a foundation to battle the criminals. Under the command of "Guro", an unsanctioned agency of the government sets up a clandestine crime fighting unit. Each of the members is themself a victim of hideous crimes. This elite unit taken from all walks of life take a leaf from Filipino warriors of old, and cloak themselves in armour, ethnic war paint and tattoos, gaining the name "The Pintados" (Painted Ones). Opposing Pintados is the army of the human/reptile hybrid Katana.

The Pintados are mentored by Guro (Robert Seña). The Pintados is comprise of Daniel Cervantes a.k.a. DATU (Michael Flores), a swordsman with Kris as his main weapon, a master of Jui-Jistu, and is able to project an energy wave "Enerhiyang Alon" that is capable of knocking people out or blasting through objects; Reewa Zulueta a.k.a. DIWATA (Angelica Dela Cruz), skilled thai kick boxer, has a neutraliser whip as her main weapon, and uses the "Salaming Salamanka" Holographic Imager that is capable of emitting both convincing holograms and holographic force fields; Antonio Sto. Domingo a.k.a. TATTO (Vandolph Quizon), computer expert and genius, uses a Taser Blaster and a Titanium Yo-yo, he uses his stealth shield generator, the "Kalasag ng Hunyango" Chameleon Shield; Maya Feliciano a.k.a. MAYUMI (ASSUNTA DE ROSSI), skilled in Aikido, uses of Nunchuks and is also armed with a yellow laser -the Yellow Flame; and Pido Zapata a.k.a. KIDLAT (Sherwin Ordoñez), specialist in street fighting, armed with the "Latigong Kidlat" Electromagnetic Pulse Blast which can disrupt any electronic or mechanical devices in it's blast radius. Their villains roster includes Anak Araw - Albino Crime Syndicate leader, Manananggal, Katana - a human-reptile hybrid, Dr. Virus, Damarama, Uno Dos Tres, and Thundara.

Pintados could very well be the first time that GMA Network adapted the fantasy series genre, not to mention adapting the popular super sentai series format of Japan. Just look at them, a group comprises of five teenagers transforming into crime fighters. Pintados also featured a kick-ass opening theme from Philippine's Master rapper himself, Francis Magalona. Too bad as I haven't seen any Pintados opening theme videos over at Youtube.

What are you fondest memory or how about most memorable episode of Pintados? Share your thoughts about Pintados in the comments section below: