Unang Hirit, the country’s longest-running morning show, is celebrating its 25th anniversary on 6 December, though its anniversary events will be spread out the whole month as there are lots of fun and surprises in store for its viewers and select communities in the Philippines.
In a media conference held at Gateway’s Quantum Skyview one Tuesday afternoon recently, the current batch of hosts gave teasers on those bundles of events. Those hosts are Arnold Clavio, Susan Enriquez, Suzi Entrata, lawyer Gaby Concepcion, Chef JR, and young stars Shaira Diaz, Anjo Pertierra, and Kaloy Tingcungco.
Over the years, the show has definitely had more than 25 hosts who spiced up viewers as early as 5:30 a.m. The long list includes Miss Universe Philippines 1999 Miriam Quiambao and movie reporter Lhar Santiago who sat with the pioneer hosts Clavio, Enriquez, Entrata and Lyn Ching. (Santiago,who has retired from the network, occasionally still gets assigned by the GMA News and Public Affairs to cover some showbiz events.)
“Very special” was how Clavio described the 25th anniversary festivities. “Punong- puno po kami ng surpresa para lang sa inyo. Kami’y nagdiriwang, pero ang araw na iyon ay para sa inyo (The show will be full of surprises just for you. We are celebrating, but the surprises will be for you),” Clavio blurted.
Clavio was supposed to undergo rehabilitation for six months after he had a hemorrhagic stroke in June, but he went back to work in Unang Hirit in August.
In Nelson Canlas’ report on 24 Oras, Friday, Clavio said he returned to work because he felt it would help him recover.
“Ginawa kong three months lang ang [sick] leave ko from the show. Tinawagan ko sila, gusto ko nang bumalik. June nangyari ang atake ko, pero August, gusto ko nang bumalik. Parang iba ‘yung itutulong niyang energy sa akin para bumalik ‘yung dating ako (I file a three month sick leave. I call the people at the show when I want to return to work. I had my stroke in June, but by August I was ready to return to work. The show gives me a different kind of energy that helps me recover faster),” Clavio confided to Canlas.
Though he is back at work, Clavio admitted that he has not fully recovered yet.
Meanwhile, on the special day (6 December), fans, communities, and partners from all over the country will come together to celebrate everything Unang Hirit stands for.
The morning show promises exciting on-ground activities, massive giveaways, and public service initiatives that embody the heart of Unang Hirit. Whether in Luzon, Visayas, or Mindanao, surprises await every Kapuso, making it a day filled with joy, shared memories and love.
Unang Hirit will also unveil a newly arranged version of its iconic theme song as part of the festivities. This special rendition will be performed live by the legendary Jose Mari Chan alongside Zephanie and Mark Bautista. The trio will bring a fresh, modern take on the classic tune — a fitting tribute to 25 unforgettable years.
Adding to the nostalgia, the beloved Sexbomb Dancers will reunite for a special performance on National Unang Hirit Day. The dance group became massively famous in the late 90s and first decade of the 2000s as mainstay dancers in Eat Bulaga, the foremost block timer show at noontime on GMA7.
Quiambao returned to Unang Hirit recently as guest on Thursday and talked about her favorite memories on the show.
The ex-beauty queen-actor recalled that it was while she was in New York after competing in Miss Universe, that the hosting job was offered.
“Exciting din ‘yung opportunity na ‘yon, so tinaggap ko na s’yempre (The opportunity to return to show was exciting,so I accepted it, of course),” Miriam told host Suzi Entrata-Abrera. “Thank you for the opportunity.”
Quiambao revealed that her favorite and most special memory was bonding fellow hosts.
On the other hand, Entrata during the media conference revealed that they have met many adults who used to watch Unang Hirit when they were kids at home.
Entrata disclosed: “‘Yung tatak ng mga batang nanonood ng Unang Hirit with their elders is good balance. Through the years, nakita namin how much they appreciated us (The trademark of our young viewers watching with their elders is a good balance. Through the years we saw how much they appreciated us).
“Nakikita namin sila may mga trabaho na, ‘yung iba doctor na, mga professional na, ‘yung iba nagiging guest namin sa Unang Hirit. At sinasabi nila na kami ‘yung kasama nila noong naghahanda pa lang sila sa school. Parang part na kami ng buhay nila (We saw them as professionals now. Some are doctors, some of them were guests on Unang Hirit. They told us that we were part of their daily lives as they prepared for school. It was as if we were in their homes).
When asked by a reporter what she can advise to the show’s young hosts, Entrata unexpectedly said they should get married at a time it’s still easy for them to have children. She is aware that there’s a trend worldwide for late marriage — somehow making childbearing difficult.
For instance, Entrata is aware that Shaira Diaz has a now 11-year-old relationship ship with actor EA De Guzman. Diaz is 28 while De Guzman is 38. Entrata recalled she was in her early 20s when she married fellow TV host Paolo Abrera in his early 30s. They managed to raise three daughters with Entrata not ever giving up her hosting career.
“Being a happy wife and mother can be combined with a reliable career. It may not be very easy but combining a professional career with being a wife and mother is achievable. Having a career cannot replace the joy and fulfillment of bearing children and raising them well with a reliable husband,” Entrata intoned.
Well, long professional and conjugal relationships are what generate joyful, fun-filled anniversaries. Mabuhay, Unang Hirit! It is a complete show with features that can guide viewers to a satisfactory life dotted with fulfillment here and there.