‘Unang Hirit’ at 25: Philippine TV’s longest-running morning show is here to stay

Over the past 25 years, Philippine television has seen a remarkable transformation, evolving from standard definition to high definition. ABS-CBN became the Kapamilya Network, while GMA-7 embraced its identity as the Kapuso Network. Through all these changes, one morning show has stood the test of time: Unang Hirit.

Last week, the Kapuso morning show celebrated its silver anniversary — a milestone that has become a rarity in local television these days.

When Unang Hirit premiered on December 6, 1999, it was GMA-7’s attempt to appeal to a broader audience that the more highbrow Mornings@GMA failed to capture. At the time, ABS-CBN was the dominant ratings leader with Alas Singko Y Medya, while GMA-7 was a distant second.

In truth, ABS-CBN pioneered this genre locally. They were the first with Magandang Umaga Po, and then later ASYM. But they would became too inconsistent that they would eventually lose the morning show crown to GMA-7.

While ABS-CBN would, from time to time, change its on-air team, program title, and format, Unang Hirit has been the complete opposite. It has remained steadfast and consistent, earning the loyalty of viewers who continue to tune in every morning. It’s also a show where viewers can sense a level of authenticity, where its on-air team happens to be actual friends — and this can’t be faked on live TV.

As former co-anchor Connie Sison said in a 2016 MNP interview, “I think Unang Hirit remains on top because of the genuine friendship that translates the real camaraderie amongst the hosts to our viewers. It’s hard to fake that level of sincerity, especially in the morning.”

Another former member of the team, Rhea Santos, who is now an anchor in Canada’s OMNI Television, said the same thing. “I think kaya naging solido ‘yung samahan kasi hindi lang siya professional, hindi lang kami trabaho. Off-cam nagkakamustahan, we talk about each other, tsaka yung sinseryo. ‘Anong problema mo?’ Ito pinagdadaanan ko. Nagbago na dahil nangibang bansa ako pero andun pa din.”

At its core, Unang Hirit was, and still is, a news program. With a team of respected media personalities, it became the program that set the nation’s morning agenda for the past 25 years, delivering news and information to many Filipinos as they start their day.

“Kasi i-seset mo ‘yung tone mo, na dapat alam nila may pasok ba, traffic ba, tapos siyempre pipilitin mo na maging buhay ‘yung show, na hindi alam na ikaw pala ay kulang na sa tulog, may ginawa ka rin the previous [day] dahil sa mga coverage din, kaya regular ‘yung pagsasabi namin ng oras, regular ‘yung pagsasabi na traffic sa ganitong lugar, regular ‘yung pagbibigay mo ng impormasyon para handa na sila bago lumabas ng bahay,” longtime anchor Arnold Clavio said in an interview with Kara David for Kara Docs earlier this month.

“So, ang daming source of information na totoo, hindi mo maliligaw ‘yung publiko. Kaya napakasarap na responsibilidad ‘yun na sa umpisa pa lang ikaw na yung, ‘Hoy pakingan mo to oh, ay ito ang mangyayari ngayon,'” he said.

Clavio, who has been the show’s lead anchor since day one, now holds the distinction of being the longest-serving morning anchor in Philippine TV history, a feat that will likely continue given his commitment to the show.

Aside from Clavio, Santos, and Sison, Unang Hirit also became a launchpad for other big-name broadcasters on TV today. Ivan Mayrina, who started as a segment producer for the show, is now one of its lead anchors. Pia Arcangel, now the solo anchor of Saksi, also previously worked on the show.

While Unang Hirit excelled in hard news, it also embraced fun and entertainment. Suzi Entrata-Abrera, who’s one of its original hosts, has been everyone’s kumare since 1999. Along with Lyn Ching-Pascual, who joined months after its debut, they have been accompanying everyone who tunes in while sipping their first cup of coffee.

“I think the reason why we do this is to serve the people who watch us,” Entrata-Abrera said. “Of course, unfortunately, may limitations din kami. So, kunwari isa itong buong barangay na libo ang tao, hindi rin naman libo yung pwede naming mapagbigyan. But we do our best to reach them when they need us. And they feel so grateful kasi.”

As Unang Hirit enters its next chapter, it continues to dominate the morning show race, comfortably leading in the ratings with no real threat to its standing. For now, the undisputed #1 morning show in Philippine television stays true to its promise: sa Unang Hirit, unang-una ka, and for many viewers, that truly matters.

Watch the Kara Docs episode below: