Sabado Barkada

infobox television
bgcolor=#c00
fgcolor=#fff
show_name = Sabado Barkada
caption =
format = Musical variety show
runtime = 1 hour (Saturdays)
creator = ABS-CBN REGIONAL GROUP-BACOLOD
starring =Mel Yanson
and other local talents
country = Philippines
network = ABS-CBN
first_aired = 2003
last_aired = October 2007
num_episodes = n/a
imdb_id =

Sabado Barkada (Saturday Troop) is a musical variety show in the Philippines. It airs every Saturdays before "Game KNB?" over ABS-CBN TV 4 in Bacolod. It also airs in neighboring cities such as Iloilo and the whole of Western Visayas. The show takes its inspiration from talent search and discovery program formats. It gives the floor to aspiring, talented Ilonggo youngsters who act as guest hosts and performers. One of its noted segments are "Matilaw Ka: Reloaded" in English "Will you try:Reloaded". In here a group of contestants undergo a certain task and the winner comes home with a cash prize and others with consolation prizes. In coordination with the 101.5 MOR (My only radio for life) is their music segment entitled "Top picks of the week", top three most requested songs are featured in this segment. Everyweek local band plays in the studio bringing live music to the show.

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 the show. 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 to the show.

The show went well in its initial telecasts. However Yulo left the show in 2004 after he suffered a stroke that left him half-paralyzed. Moya also left and was subsequently replaced by two DJs from MOR 101.5 namely Rex Luther and James King. The show suffered in the ratings 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 Steady Rise

In 2006, "Sabado Barkada" reformatted in response to its declining ratings and the outstanding performance by 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 series of negative feedbacks were elicited from televiewers. To show that viewers now have a say on the show's content, "Sabado Barkada" now added a slogan called "Bida Ka" (You Lead), with an alternative rock theme that is now playing 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 now slowly taking notice of the show's renewed vigor following the reformat, the show was able to gain headway in Bacolod ratings aside from the fact that there were also loyal viewers abroad through TFC (The Filipino Channel). In August, the show finally took over its competitor "Bongga!" of GMA Iloilo in the Iloilo ratings and gained more momentum after the latter show signed off.

Off the air

In October, "Sabado Barkada" signed off as it gave way to "Kapamilya Winner Ka", a multi-regional game show qualifier for ABS-CBN's "Pilipinas, Game KNB?". Patterned after the bingo game, Kapamilya Winner Ka contestants can win P5,000 to P10,000 in cash. The show has versions in Cebu and Davao. PBB Season Two finalist Nel Rapiz hosts Bacolod’s Kapamilya Winner Ka.

Hosts

* Rex Luther
* James King
* RJ Chua
* Mel Yanson
* Rexylyn Cabaltera
* Aerian Julian
* Channel Dimayuga
* Dorothy Luarca
* Angelique Robles

Former Hosts

* Tonipet Yulo
* James Moya
* Kate Sansing
* Jason East
* Andrea Molina
* Raven Ice Mirza
* Michelle Duyungan
* Melanie Ca-ayon
* Ziggy Rubiato
* Nixie Garcia
* Geej Ascalon
* Candy Flores