The Manuel V. Pangilinan-led and bankrolled TV5, with MediaQuest Holdings as its parent company, flexed at the Tara Kapatid Media and Trade Celebration its officially expanded programming lineup for the midyear of 2026.

The second-largest network’s offerings included new and second books of dramas, revamped lifestyle programs, variety formats and a major talent push.

‘Mommy Guard’

Fans of the iconic Marvin Agustin and Jolina Magdangal are all excited about the comeback to end all comebacks of the two with Roman Perez Jr.’s Mommy Guard. What audiences can expect is a heartwarming blend of family drama, light comedy and modern slice-of-life storytelling, with Magdangal and Agustin bringing their A-game as a matured and evolved version of their popular partnership.

Magdangal cited “stepping out of her comfort zone” as the major reason why she accepted the project. “It’s fresh material. Grabe ang emotional depth ng character ko, who is named Lily Atienza (My character, Lily Atienza, has incredible emotional depth),” the actress said. “I also like the balance that she has, that authority figure as a security guard and the warmth as a protective mother figure.”

“It’s the genuine mutual love and performance magic that Jolina and I share. It was a major consideration for me in accepting this TV project,” Agustin said. “And hindi na ito (this is not) old-school rom-com trope. This is more grounded and relatable since it’s a new slice-of-life series that allows Jolina and me, and our respective characters, Lily and Ced, and their relationship that mirrors present-day situations, real-life growth and family themes.”

Mikoy and Chiara

Mikoy (Enrique Gil) and Chiara (Andrea Brillantes) are now in their “you and me against the world” era as their action-drama series A Secret in Prague enters its second book.

Book two presents more family-versus-romance tension. Betrayals are inevitable, and new alliances are also being formed. And yes, action sequences and all the gritty stuff are not just contained in Prague and Manila, as it spills over to Italy and Hong Kong.

Emman and Ruth

Now in the afternoon time slot, My Bespren Emman, with JM de Guzman and Shaina Magdayao as its lead stars, shifts are happening to their respective characters, Mateo and Ruth. The stakes have become higher in the pursuit of accountability and justice.

The acting rivalry and showdown have become intensified, for it is not just a De Guzman versus Sid Lucero (Joshua), since Michael (Gasoar Mereilles) is already wreaking havoc in the show, and the arrival of Angel Aquino’s Sapphira adds more fire and fuel to the afternoon drama.

More early morning news updates, public service, practical advice and meaningful conversations are all happening in Frontline sa Umaga, with a three-hour airtime daily. And Korina Sanchez’s Face to Face with Ate Koring is revamped as a lifestyle/inspirational program, while her Rated Korina, a magazine television show, brings more interesting and inspiring people, events and places.

VG x MQ

Jose Marie Viceral, popularly known as Vice Ganda, has become one of the few artists bestowed with the opportunity to simultaneously collaborate with content provider ABS-CBN and networks GMA 7 and MediaQuest (TV5).

This business move is seen by the majority as ABS-CBN, GMA 7 and TV5, with the stellar influence and mass power of Ganda as a coming-together force to revitalize broadcast TV, defend its loyal audiences and mass reach against the rising dominance of digital streaming platforms.

With all these programs lined up, are they sufficient to bring back the living room, family-quality-time audiences? Are they interesting and satisfactory to watch when compared to the many kinds of programs being offered on streaming platforms and the digital sphere? And has TV5 improved its broadcast infrastructure and signal for households, especially those in the provinces and other far-flung areas, to have clearer access and reception to its programs?

Still, TV5 deserves the warmest congratulations and sincerest pats on their collective back for their continuous improvements, innovations and program initiatives. Tara, kapatid, let us give them our support and love.