SOP Rules

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SOP Rules
Genre Musical variety show
Creator(s) GMA Entertainment TV Group
Developer(s) GMA Entertainment TV Group
Starring see SOP Hosts and Co-hosts
Country of origin Philippines
Production
Camera setup multicamera setup
Running time 2 hours
Broadcast
Original channel GMA Network
Picture format 480i SDTV
Original run February 2, 1997 – present
Links
Official website


SOP Rules is a Philippine noontime musical variety show of GMA Network that airs live every Sunday at noon-2 p.m. from the Studio 3 of the GMA Network Center. It features livewire concert performances by the hottest concert artists and young stars today in the Philippine showbiz industry. The show is hosted by Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez, Queen of Soul Jaya, and singer/comedians Janno Gibbs and Ogie Alcasid.

Contents

[edit] SOP's History

[edit] The First Years

The acronym of the show stands for “Sobrang Okey, Pare!” a Filipino expression which connotes enjoyment and appreciation of a particular thing that catches the imagination of the people. The title was coined by a creative group of GMA executives (led by Wilma Galvante) in early 1997 who conceptualized an interactive musical-variety show that will replace the long-running Sunday variety extravaganza “GMA Supershow” hosted by German Moreno. In fact, GMA even constructed a 360-degree stage at GMA Broadway studios for the show to promote interactivity among the hosts and fans.

Initially, the show’s cast was supposed to be composed of Janno Gibbs, Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez and Vina Morales with the TGIS gang (led by Angelu de Leon) as co-hosts. However, only Janno, Ogie and Vina confirmed their participation in the show. Regine could not devote time to the show because she had prior singing engagements to attend to abroad. The TGIS gang on the other hand, was not allowed by the Viva management to do the show because their showbiz schedule was already fully-booked for the year. Instead, the GMA management took in Regine’s sister, Cacai Velasquez, sexy star Amanda Page, and upcoming young stars Gabby Eigenmann (son of character actor Mark Gil) and Bernadette Allyson to join the new group.

“Sobrang Okey, Pare” first started airing on February 2, 1997 with a live show from the GMA Broadway studios. Regular dancers include the VIP Dancers, Universal Motion Dancers, Abstract Dancers and Kidz at Work; with Al Quinn as director and German Moreno as production consultant. However, the show suffered in comparison to ABS-CBN’s “ASAP” and even had to endure a lot of criticisms from the entertainment press for using an acronym for the show’s title that sounded like the rival show’s. Despite the effort by the hosts and staff to make the show more exciting for the viewers every Sunday, “Sobrang Okey Pare” registered low ratings from the start and hardly gained support from the advertisers.

[edit] Early Controversy

The show was rocked by controversies after they celebrated their first season on air despite low ratings and few advertisers. This started when GMA management called for an audition for a group of new in-house dancers to be known as SOP Dancers. This did not sit well with SOP’s resident choreographer, Maribeth Bichara and as a result, she pulled out the VIP Dancers from the show and resigned. SOP co-host Amanda Page also resigned from the show in sympathy for Maribeth and the VIP Dancers.

Another controversy that tainted the show in 1997 was the Rivermaya incident where the band was reportedly forced by a member of the production staff to vacate the stage immediately to make way for SOP’s in-house band. An altercation followed, resulting in an injury on one of Rivermaya’s members. The incident was brought to attention by the GMA management and as a result, Al Quinn resigned as the show’s director. Louie Ignacio, a known music video and commercial director, replaced Quinn and immediately made major changes to the show. Soon after, “Sobrang Okey, Pare” quickly caught the attention of the viewers and advertisers and soon was becoming on its way as a threat to the dominance of rival “ASAP”.

[edit] SOP: The rebirth

In 1998, the GMA management decided to reformat the show, introduce new segments and add new hosts. On its first anniversary, the show’s title “Sobrang Okey Pare” was shortened to “SOP” and introduced a new, lively theme song that says it all: “S-O-P dito sa GMA!”

Beauty queen Ruffa Gutierrez and young stars Angelu de Leon, Jake Roxas, Antoinette Taus, Angelika dela Cruz, Dingdong Dantes and KC Montero were some of the latest additions in 1998. But what made “SOP” inch closer to rival “ASAP” in the ratings was the inclusion of Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez in the roster of SOP hosts and performers. Regine immediately blended with Janno, Ogie and the rest of the SOP gang as they started to conquer the Sunday noontime scene with aplomb like no other.

[edit] Vina leaves "SOP"

In January 1999, one of SOP’s pioneer host Vina Morales left the show due to alleged conflict of interest. While hosting “SOP”, Vina (a long-time contract star of Viva Films) became a freelancer and made movies for other film outfits like Octo Arts Films and signed a movie contract with Star Cinema, the film arm of ABS-CBN, which airs “ASAP”, a direct competitor of “SOP”. According to reports, the contract that Vina signed with Star Cinema required her first to have a show on ABS-CBN before making a movie for the network’s film outfit. Vina’s camp has already denied this, but on March 1999, she joined the Kapamilya network’s daily noontime show, Magandang Tanghali Bayan where she was a mainstay for two years before formally joining “ASAP” in 2001.

[edit] Lani, Jaya and other young divas

Despite Vina’s exit, “SOP”’s showing in the ratings game was going stronger. In 2000, a lot of changes were in store when the show moved to the brand-new Studio 3 of the GMA Network Center. Their roster of hosts got more formidable when rising divas Jaya and Lani Misalucha joined the show. The following year, they also added rising young singers Kyla and Karylle along with some upcoming teen stars, some of which are children of some of the respected actors in the showbiz industry. Among them were Danica and Oyo Boy Sotto (children of Vic Sotto and Dina Bonnevie), Kevyn Vernal (son of character actor Ruel Vernal), Champagne Morales (daughter of singer Dinah Dominguez), and the late Miko Sotto (son of TV host Ali Sotto). Karylle herself is the daughter of “ASAP” host Zsa Zsa Padilla. Others who joined the show were Cogie Domingo, Roxanne Barcelo and James Blanco.

[edit] SOP hosts become in-demand

The outstanding singing prowess of SOP’s main hosts Janno, Ogie, Regine, Jaya and Lani blended well together that soon after, they were in-demand for concerts everywhere. In fact the show even made a segment for them, “Back to Back to Back”, where the 5 singer/hosts take turns singing their own versions of the most popular songs. The segment became the highlight of every SOP episode, and soon after, it had a spin-off in 2002, “Side by Side by Side” featuring Kyla, Karylle and Antoinette Taus. With these portions, the show got the rightful tag as “Concert TV”.

SOP director Louie Ignacio became the most sought-after music video director. Other “SOP” co-hosts made their mark in other fields, like KC Montero who became an MTV VJ, Dingdong Dantes who became the most sought-after actor/TV host of today’s generation, and Kyla who became the “R & B” Princess in the music industry, also in that same year the Philippines premier all-male dance group "Manoeuvres" joined the show as regular casts and they contributed their dancing prowess and choreography to the show.

[edit] SOP Rules

In 2002, the show finally grabbed the No. 1 spot from “ASAP” in the ratings game. Not only that, young stars like Judy Ann Santos and Rica Peralejo began their duties as guest co-hosts for a time. Soon after, multimedia young singer/actress Jolina Magdangal bolted out of “ASAP” and moved to “SOP” after she decided not to renew her contract with the ABS-CBN Talent Center, which managed her showbiz career since 1992.

In 2003, SOP’s tagline became “SOP Rules” after “ASAP” reformatted when its main hosts Pops Fernandez and Ariel Rivera left. “SOP” added more rising young singers with the likes of Jay-R, 604 and Malik joining the fold. Young actors like Richard Gutierrez, Brad Turvey & Chynna Ortaleza joined the show as well.

In 2004, comedian Rufa Mae Quinto and Starstruck’s Final 4 of Jennylyn Mercado, Mark Herras, Yasmien Kurdi and Rainier Castillo added glitter to the already star-studded “SOP” cast. However Lani Misalucha left the show after she decided to accept a series of singing engagements in Las Vegas, Nevada. She vowed to return to “SOP” upon ending her stint in Las Vegas amidst rumors that she is being pirated by ABS-CBN to join “ASAP”. In June of the same year, SOP produced a spin-off show, SOP Gigsters which feature the young contract stars of GMA. Richard Gutierrez and twin brother Raymond Gutierrez were named as hosts of the new show.

In 2005, the entire cast of “SOP” and “SOP Gigsters” together with Mel Tiangco, Joey de Leon, Richard Gomez and German Moreno went to San Francisco, California in USA for the launch of GMA Pinoy TV, GMA’s direct-to-home TV service for Filipinos abroad. The reception that they got from Filipinos abroad was warm as they were welcomed with open arms. The show also broadcasted from other places in the Philippines, attracting people from as far as Dagupan, Cebu and Davao. Moreover, the show added the country’s premier R&B band, South Border, April, Aryana and Jerome John Hughes to its growing number of concert performers.

In September 2006, SOP did another show this time in Hawaii, minus hosts Regine Velasquez and Jolina Magdangal. In November 2006, the spin-off show "SOP Gigsters" was cancelled and Gigsters hosts Richard and Raymond Gutierrez were absorbed in the original "SOP" roster of co-hosts. Some cast members of "SOP Gigsters" were also absorbed in the show but only as featured performers.

Currently, "SOP" has become a venue not only for its in-house concert artists but also serves as a launching pad for the future stars of the Philippine entertainment industry, GMA's groundbreaking shows and current raffle promos of some of its sponsors.

In January 7, 2007, Gian Magdangal of Philippine Idol fame became the latest addition to the show's line-up becoming a show regular contributing in both hosting and performing chores. Consequently, the show relieved long-time SOP co-hosts KC Montero, Gabby Eigenmann, Aryanna, and April Villanueva as the show plans for a major 're-vamp' in 2007 with its hopes of signing more freelance talent. Recent additions in the show included Karel Marquez and Isabella.

As of the moment, there is no confirmation where and when "SOP" will celebrate its 10th anniversary sometime this year. The show also suffered a big blow when one of its main hosts Lani Misalucha decided to sign up with rival show "ASAP" of ABS-CBN.

[edit] Other controversies faced by SOP

“SOP” suffered a controversy in early 2003 when one of its main hosts, Janno Gibbs, walked out after the show’s opening number in a particular episode and never came back. The incident was triggered when Janno’s wife, Bing Loyzaga reportedly that she was given a cold treatment by the people who were together with her in the dressing room. GMA executives conducted an investigation on the incident and suspended Janno from the show for 2 months.

While the suspension was in effect, Janno appeared in the rival show “ASAP” where his wife Bing Loyzaga celebrated her birthday. He also guested in Aga Muhlach’s comedy show “OK Fine Whatever”. This fueled speculations that he was transferring to ABS-CBN. Reports said that ABS-CBN has presented an offer to Janno where his talent fee will be doubled, and will have 3 regular shows (including “ASAP”), movies with Star Cinema (the network’s film arm), and recordings with Star Records. But Janno refused the offer made by ABS-CBN after GMA decided to lift his suspension from “SOP” and signed him up for a new comedy program that will further boost his team-up with bosom buddy Anjo Yllana and veteran comedian Joey de Leon. Janno returned to “SOP” on May 2003 and started working for his new comedy program on GMA, “Nuts Entertainment.”

Also on that same year, rumors spread that Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez were making beautiful music together. The story surfaced while the two were doing a series of Valentine concerts entitled “The Singer and the Songwriter.” Ogie’s wife, Michelle Van Eimeren was reportedly affected by the rumors but she has already denied this. Moreover, Ogie and Regine have denied the rumor as well as they have stressed that the two of them have a “wonderful working relationship and are very good friends.”

In 2005, some SOP hosts like Janno Gibbs, Jay-R, Kyla and Aryana were feted by their rival hosts in ASAP's Platinum Circle Awards. The awarding became a controversy because GMA executives felt that SOP was being used for ASAP's own gain. But ABS-CBN's Deo Endrinal pointed out that the inclusion of the four SOP hosts in the winners circle of the ASAP Platinum Circle was done without malice and it was not an intention to insult their rival show. As a result, the GMA management did not allow any of the representatives from their subsidiary GMA Records nor the 4 SOP hosts to appear in the rival show ASAP to accept the awards.

In August 19, 2006, rumors about Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez's love affair once again came out in the open after the Philippine broadsheet, The Philippine Star came out with a banner headline in the entertainment section that Ogie has filed for an annulment case against his wife Michelle Van Eimeren so that he could marry Regine. The article was written by Ricky Lo who had a very prominent lawyer as his source. A day after the story came out, Ogie spoke out during his birthday celebration at "SOP" and asked the press to spare his family. He immediately denied the whole story and apologized to Regine for the incident.

[edit] SOP's Unexpected Moments

Though SOP is packaged as a wholesome musical variety show, it also had its share of unguarded moments caught live on camera before a national audience. The show created a big controversy on February of 2005 when co-hosts Dingdong Dantes and Karylle locked lips while doing an interpretative dance repertoire where Janno Gibbs and Jolina Magdangal sang. Because of what happened, many people started to become interested in what's the real score behind Dingdong and Karylle considering the fact that Dingdong and previous SOP co-host Antoinette Taus were an item. It didn't take long for Dingdong and Karylle to admit that they were going steady as lovers after they guested at GMA's talk show "Startalk" on April 2005.

The kissing incident was repeated on February of 2006 when SOP Gigsters co-hosts Mark Herras and Jennylyn Mercado kissed on the lips before the cameras, while Jay-R and Janno Gibbs were singing. The sequence was supposed to be part of the show's Videoke segment where chosen actors play a part while the host/guest performer is singing. Apparently, Mark and Jennylyn got carried away and their live kissing became talk of the town, apparently because when that incident happened the popular loveteam were no longer an item in real life.

SOP's other unguarded moment was in April 2005 when Rufa Mae Quinto uttered the word "pekpek" (Filipino slang for vagina) on national television, in reference to the "short" shorts that she was wearing during the opening number. She actually called the shorts she was wearing as "pekpek" shorts. As a result, the MTRCB reviewed the particular episode and reprimanded Rufa Mae for her actions.

[edit] Awards & Recognition

SOP has been recognized by different local award-giving bodies. The show has won the Star Awards for Best Musical Variety Show thrice in 2000 (in a tie with rival “ASAP”), 2001 and 2002. Last year, they won as Golden Screen’s Outstanding Musical Variety Show.

Main hosts Janno Gibbs and Ogie Alcasid have won awards for Best Male TV Host from Star Awards and Golden Screen while Regine Velasquez was named as Best Female TV Host last year at Star Awards.

It also gained international recognition by being nominated and being a finalist in the 2006 Asian TV Awards for Variety Category. For several years (1999, 2001, 2004 & 2007), the show was nominated and Finalist in the Variety Category of the New York Festivals - TV Programming and Promotion Awards.

[edit] SOP Music Awards

In recognition of Filipino performers and songwriters, SOP created the "SOP Music Awards" in 2004. The winners were determined through text votes by SOP viewers. The first awards ceremony was held at UP Theater on August 2004. The resounding success of SOP Music Awards on that year prompted the GMA management and SOP staff to make it a yearly event. In 2005, Yasmien Kurdi, MYMP, Cueshe and South Border were among the big winners in different categories. This year in 2006, Lovi Poe, Shamrock, and 6 Cyclemind dominated most of the awards.

[edit] Hosts

[edit] Co-hosts

[edit] Current Co-hosts

[edit] Featured Performers in selected Segments

Back 2 Back 2 Back

Sobrang OJ, Pare

SOP World Stars

Sugar Pop

  • Rita Iringan
  • Pocholo Montes
  • Renzo Almario
  • Vanessa Rangadhol
  • Julie Ann San Jose

Four Men Only

Divas Now

Gigsters' Hub

Take 5

  • Doug Robinson
  • Carlos Concepcion
  • Hansen Nichols
  • Rey Talosig
  • Joseph Solomon

Star Band

  • Michael Garcia
  • Dion Ignacio
  • Brenan Espartinez
  • Dennis Trillo
  • Aicelle Santos
  • Victor Guison

[edit] Semi-regular Performers

  • Harry Santos
  • Michael Garcia
  • Charmaine Piamonte
  • MC Monterola
  • Kristel Astor
  • Lovi

[edit] Previous Co-hosts

[edit] Guest Co-hosts

If some of "SOP"'s main hosts could not make it to the show due to various reasons, the staff also hires a big-named star to guest co-host in the show. Some of the guest co-hosts were only good for an episode, while some continue their hosting and performing duties for a maximum of 1 month or more.

[edit] Trivia

  • The TV monitor sets at the stage of SOP was sponsored by Daewoo during the post 90's to early 2000's.
  • In one of its episodes in 2000, "Eat Bulaga" hosts Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon guested on "SOP". They did two separate production numbers respectively with main hosts Janno Gibbs (for Vic) and Ogie Alcasid (for Joey). In 2001, Willie Revillame guested on "SOP" two weeks after he was booted out from ABS-CBN's "Magandang Tanghali Bayan". He did a sentimental production number with Ogie and Janno but at the end of the number, he broke down in tears.
  • The show also had its share of crying moments when it paid tribute to slain TV/movie actress Nida Blanca in 2001 and Action King/presidential aspirant Fernando Poe, Jr. in 2004. In the Nida Blanca tribute in 2001, the whole cast sang "One Sweet Day" while the staff played back the veteran actress' guesting in the show where she danced with main host Ogie Alcasid. During the FPJ tribute in 2004, Janno Gibbs sang the Nonoy Zuniga classic "Kumusta Ka" but at the middle of the song, he was sobbing uncontrollably and could not finish the number. Ogie immediately came to the rescue and filled out Janno's number while hugging his co-host. It can be recalled that when Janno was launched by Viva Films as a comedian in the remake of "Pedro Penduko" in 1994 (3 years before "SOP" was launched), FPJ guested for free in Janno's movie and also stood as godfather when Janno got married to Bing Loyzaga in 1989.
  • Two weeks after rival show "ASAP" reformatted in 2003, its former main hosts Martin Nievera, Pops Fernandez and Ariel Rivera guested on "SOP" and shared co-hosting duties with Ogie, Janno, Regine, Jaya and Lani. In the opening part of the show, Martin quipped "You're watching the right channel, this is SOP!" while being flanked together by Pops and Ariel.
  • In a particular episode of "SOP" where "Starstruck Kids" was launched, guest co-hosts Joey de Leon and Michael V. sang "Pamela Wan" (of ABS-CBN talent Vhong Navarro) with the 14 Starstruck Kids finalists. It marked the first time where "SOP" used a novelty song by Star Records during a production number while rival "ASAP" has used Sexbomb's "Bakit Papa" and "Ispageti Song" during their production numbers.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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