Pilipinas, Game KNB?

Pilipinas, Game KNB?
Format	Game show
Created by	ABS-CBN
Starring	Kris Aquino (2001-2007) Edu Manzano (2007-2009)
Country of origin	Philippines
Production
Running time	45 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	ABS-CBN
Original run	October 1, 2001 – October 23, 2009
Chronology
Followed by	Showtime
External links
Website

Pilipinas, Game KNB? (English: Philippines, Are You Game?) was a long-running Philippine game show aired on ABS-CBN. Hosted by Edu Manzano, past versions of the show were hosted by Kris Aquino and aired on primetime. It is also aired on The Filipino Channel. The show is broadcast from ABS-CBN Studio 8 in Quezon City.

The KNB in the title literally means "ka na ba" or "are you" in English, making the full title "Pilipinas, Game Ka Na Ba?" (literally, Philippines, Are You Ready [to Play]?). The KNB is derived from standard practice in text messaging to make messages as short as possible when typed.

Hosts

• Kris Aquino (2001–2007)
• Edu Manzano (2007–2009)
• Toni Gonzaga (Guest Host)
• Vhong Navarro (Guest Host)
• Korina Sanchez (Guest Host for Game KNB? finale with Kris Aquino as player)

Final format

This format has been conceptualized and announced late 2008, and is a spin-off of the old Game KNB group format. This time, more challenging rounds will test eight teams of three vying for the bigger prize of 2 million pesos (around $40,000). The game now consists of four rounds, namely the "Elimination", "Taranta" (Distraction / Panic), "Diskarte" (Strategy), and Jackpot rounds. This new format shows a fresh combination of thrills, luck, teamwork, and excitement.

Elimination Round

The elimination round will be started off by eight team players, composed of the previous episode's defending champion, and seven teams composed of those from the past episode (those who failed to answer for the elimination) and replacement teams for those who got eliminated from the previous episode. Each team is composed of three individuals, the game texter (the one who sent the text entry for studio contestant) and two chosen teammates.

Each team are geared up to be the first to run to and press their respective buzzers as team. If a team answers correctly, he will move on for the 2nd round. If the team answers incorrectly, they will be sent to the "Tambay (Standby) Podium" to wait for any chance of being sent back to the game stage. Any "Tambay Podium" team can go back to the game if there's only one team left in the game platform but still no one to complete the 4 teams to move on for the 2nd round. Any "Tambay Podium" team is considered eliminated from the game, and won't come back for the next episode, unless saved by the shortage of Round 2 teams.

This round tests each team's agility and quick-thinking abilities.

Taranta Round

Successful teams from the elimination round will be asked to sit on hydraulic seats, similar to those seen in roller-coasters, to play "Taranta Round". All teams will be asked one question, but each individual will be given three different sets of choices. The order of answering individuals is random. Some questions might be harder than it sounds, thus adding the Panic Factor in the game. To add up for the distractions delivered by the game's lightings and music, each player will be sprayed with water and air, making it more difficult for each player to give the correct answer in the given 3-second timeframe. The top 2 teams with the highest number of correct answers will advance to the next round.

In case a tie comes up, the tied teams will be given another question, this time selecting the one that doesn't belong to the group the question describes. Each team should select one member to serve as buzzer person. The buzzer person should beat other team's buzzer persons by activating the sensor first and answering the question correctly. The two losing teams will be eliminated and won't be taken over to the next episode.

This round tests each team's fortitude under pressure. This round also has the most "luck factor" in it.

Diskarte Round

The two remaining teams, who already won 15,000 pesos (approx. $300) will battle head on for the Jackpot round through the Diskarte Round. Each team member will be placed on top of individual mobile podiums, and are obliged to answer questions to win this round. A correct answer will advance the team member one "stage" near the final platform through the mobile podium (it moves forward towards the final platform). If one member arrives to the third "stage" first, he / she gets 10,000 pesos (approx. $200) as individual bonus prize. When a team member is already at the third "stage", his next correct answer will enable him / her to advance other co-members one stage forward. When all team members has already reached the third stage, they would need one last correct answer to win the round.

As an added twist, each team are given three "Diskarte Powers" that could be inflicted to the opposing team.

• "Manigas Ka!" (Freeze!) - which commands one member to lose a turn or prevent him / her from answering the next question. This can be used by a team member after a correct answer is made.
• "Pass-sagot" (Pass the answer) - which allows the team to choose one member and have him / her answer the question. If the team member given the "Pass-sagot" answers correctly, he can advance one stage forward. Otherwise, it'll allow the member who called this power to move forward. This power can only be used while a question is being asked.
• "Back To Base" - known as the most notorious power, Back to Base forces the inflicted team member to move back to the base "stage", whichever stage the inflicted might be. This power can only be used after a question has been answered correctly.

All of the strategy powers stated above will test the team's ability to strategize and size up their opponents. This round will also test teamwork and fast-thinking.

Jackpot Round

The final round, when completed successfully, will award the team 2 million pesos cash (approx. $40,000). The team will be asked seven questions, no multiple choices, and they only need to answer 5 out of 7 questions to win the 2 million. Each question starts by mentioning their categories. A team member familiar with the category will need to say "Mine!" first before pressing his / her own assigned buzzer. After saying "Mine!", the question will be revealed, and the team member responsible should provide an answer. If the team member is sure about the answer, he should say "Sure Na!" (I'm sure!) before it gets locked as final answer. If the team member isn't sure about the answer, he could consult the team for the answer and have them coach him, or have another member say "Mine!" and steal the responsibility of answering the question. The team needs to answer these questions within 90 seconds.

Evolution of Game KNB?

Pilipinas, Game KNB? so far has 5 different variations:

Game KNB?

In Game KNB?, the contestant needed to get three out of five correct answers to get to the next round, and each round, the prize became higher (this incarnation was closest in format to Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?). The player also can change his initial answer until he replies "Sure na" (I am sure) when the host asks him "Sure KNB?" (Are you Sure?), similar to the "Is that Your Final Answer" in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. The showcase round had 4 possible choices, P300,000 round had 3 possible choices, and the P500,000 round had 2 possible choices. The P1,000,000 round on the other hand had no choices but is only composed of one question which was based on one of the contestant's major interests. The contestant had a chance to go home with their current winnings between every round. The show quickly became one of the highest rated primetime game shows in the Philippines.

Milyun-Milyon Na, Game KNB?

Due to the success of Game KNB?, an updated version, Milyun-Milyon Na, Game KNB? debuted later that year. The only major difference was that the jackpot increased by PHP100,000 every time a player did not win it. The show was only supposed to be a week-long special, but its popularity caused it to become the permanent format for the show until 2003.

Next Level Na, Game KNB?

In 2003, Next Level Na, Game KNB? debuted. It roughly was the same format as Milyun-Milyon Na, but physical and luck-based games were added in addition to the regular question based games which were carried over through the last 2 versions. The next relaunch to the current format occurred in 2004 but aired in the daytime block and happened to be a ratings success.

Pasko Na, Game KNB?

During December 2005, ABS-CBN aired as special primetime version of Pilipinas, Game KNB? called Pasko Na, Game KNB?, featuring celebrities playing for charity. On November 2007 in honor of Game KNB's 6 years on air and the upcoming Holiday season, Pasko Na, Game KNB? returned for another Two week special.

Pilipinas, Game KNB?

The current show has gone several contest formats. Host Edu Manzano revealed that the yearly changing of formats was because they want to retain their audience by taking away the "sawa" factor.^[1]

November 15, 2004 - June 3, 2006: Pyramid Round

This format makes use of the pyramid stage and the tarantarium.

June 5, 2006 - May 3, 2008: Atras-Abante Round

This was the last season where Kris Aquino became the host, due to her pregnancy. OMB (Optical Media Board) chairman Edu Manzano was chosen to replace the host-actress.

May 5, 2008 - April 8, 2009: Word-Picture Round

Elimination

The show starts with 30 contestants in the gallery, one of them being a defending champion. A contestant is randomly chosen to answer a question. The player is eliminated if they get the answer is wrong. Once 4 players are selected, the champion gets a question. If the player doesn't get it right, more players are randomly chosen to answer the question until someone gets it right. The 5 players go on to the next round, anyone who did not get chosen to answer a question do get to return the next episode to compete again.

Pick-A-Word

On a board (see left) there are 9 clue words to 9 different questions, each with a different value (either P1,000, P3,000 and P5,000). The first question and amount is chosen at random, and all others are chosen by the player. If the question is answered correctly, points are earned, and if it is not, points are lost. Scores are represented in a numerical form, and in the form of platforms which raise or lower the player accordingly as well. The 3 players with the highest scores go to the next round, and the remaining players take home as money equal to half their score.

Below is an example of how the board is on this round:

P1,000 P3,000 P5,000 WORD WORD WORD WORD WORD WORD WORD WORD WORD

Take-A-Pic

The Take-A-Pic round works almost exactly like the previous round, except pictures of people are used instead of words, and the amounts are higher (P5,000, P7,000 and P10,000). The highest scoring player goes to the final round, and the remaining take home as money equal to half their score.

Below is an example of how the board is on this round:

P5,000 P7,000 P10,000 PICTURE PICTURE PICTURE PICTURE PICTURE PICTURE PICTURE PICTURE PICTURE

Final round

In the final round, 9 words are given. The player picks a word, then ask 7 questions themed around that word. If the 7 questions are answered correctly, the grand prize of 1 Million pesos is won. However, if the player does not get all 7 right, the player must pick from a set of envelopes, each containing the letters G,A,M,E,K,N and B, which corresponds to one of the questions. If the player picks one corresponding to a question he or she got right, the player wins a showcase of prizes.

== Impact ==

Taglines

On Kris' Aquino's reign as Game KNB? host, she managed to make an impact of famous taglines from the show that are somewhat became a very known expression for Filipinos these days, words like "Korek!" or "May Tama Ka!". "Korek!" (Correct!) have been one of the most known expression taken from the show, it mentioned all the time by Kris Aquino every time a player answers a question correctly. In Filipino pop culture, this expression is used to say if someone have said something correctly, but then it is said in a very joyful tone. "May Tama Ka" (You have a right answer!) is used when players are in the "Atras Abante", every time a player gets a correct answer, they get a "check", the player with the most number of correct answers wins. On Filipino pop culture, "May Tama Ka" is an expression used when somebody sarcastically tells a person that they are right. Sometimes, it is also use to tell people that they are like "crazy", as in being stupid.

Papaya Dance

A meme started by Game KNB is the Papaya Dance. In a previous version of the show, the "atras-abante" round was used to select the 2 players who would compete for the grand prize. The first player who made it to the round danced the tune of Papaya, a '70s pop jazz song by Urszula Dudziak. Due to the popularity of the song, Edu Manzano released a soundtrack, which became a certified hit, and was even used as part of the soundtrack of Star Cinema's movie Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo. After a few months, the Papaya dance became known worldwide when it was featured on MSNBC,^[2] Reuters,^[3] and ABC's Good Morning America.^[4][5]

Reception

Pilipinas, Game Ka Na Ba? was always a constant top-rater during its primetime run for ABS-CBN (usually taking #1 in primetime since it also became a phenomenon in the Philippines) and it was also a top-rater during its daytime run usually taking #2 in the daytime ratings behind its lead-in show Wowowee also on ABS-CBN.

Seasonal show

According to an article by Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP.ph) in October 2009, "Pilipinas, Game Ka Na Ba?" will return as a "seasonal" show like the other shows of ABS-CBN like "Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal" and "The Singing Bee"^[6]. Although, the issue of the game show's return is blurry since Edu Manzano transferred to ABS-CBN's rival network, GMA Network. ABS-CBN also launched a new show called Showtime and it also happens to perform very well in the Philippine national television ratings.

Awards

• 2002, 2003 & 2005 Star Awards for TV: Best Game Show Host (Kris Aquino)
• 2003-2006 Star Awards for TV: Best Game Show
• Anak TV Seal 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009 : Most Well-Liked TV Programs^[7]
• 2007 & 2008 Star Awards for TV: Best Game Show
• 2007 & 2008 Star Awards for TV: Best Game Show Host (Edu Manzano)^{[citation needed]}
• 2008 & 2009 Gawad Tanglaw Para Sa Sining At Kultura: Best Game Show
• 2008 & 2009 Gawad Tanglaw Para Sa Sining At Kultura: Best Game Show Host (Edu Manzano)
• 2007 KBP Golden Dove Awards: Best Game Show
• 2007 KBP Golden Dove Awards: Best Game Show Host (Edu Manzano)

References

1. ^ "Edu Manzano talks about Pinky Webb and Maricel Soriano". April 14, 2009. http://www.abs-cbn.com/Feature/Article/3094/Edu-Manzano-talks-about-Pinky-Webb-and-Maricel-Soriano.aspx. 
2. ^ "'Papaya' is dance king in Philippines". MSN Video. February 25, 2008. http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-us&fg=rss&vid=736e7f4e-c4f5-4952-b736-e138992ac2d7&from=34. 
3. ^ "Papaya is the new Macarena". Reuters. February 24, 2008. http://uk.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=76780&feedType=VideoRSS&feedName=OddlyEnough. 
4. ^ "Papaya: the new Macarena dance". March 21, 2008. http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=7079582&ch=4226726&src=news. 
5. ^ "Papaya: the new Macarena dance". March 21, 2008. http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4495371&affil=kxtv. 
6. ^ Navarro, Mell. "Edu Manzano's Pilipinas, Game KNB? bids goodbye but will return soon on seasonal basis". Philippine Entertainment Portal. http://www.pep.ph/news/23618/Edu-Manzanos-Pilipinas,-Game-KNB?-bids-goodbye-but-will-return-soon-on-seasonal-basis. Retrieved October 22, 2009. 
7. ^ "ABS-CBN bags Anak TV Seal Awards". http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=58768. 

External links

• Pilipinas, Game KNB? at ABS-CBN.com
• Pilipinas, Game KNB? at the Internet Movie Database

See also

• List of programs broadcast by ABS-CBN
• Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal
• 1 vs. 100