The taping for Saturday’s episode of “Talentadong Pinoy” was special. It showcased a select few of the show’s past strong contenders for another chance to vie for this episode’s champion and take home P50,000. And it was a fulfillment for its host, Ryan Agoncillo’s promise that he would treat his audience to pizza if their ratings soar to 25%!

According to sources, overnight ratings conducted by AGB Nielsen Philippines last July 11 pegged “Talentadong Pinoy” as earning a ratings of 38.8% in Mega Manila, the highest among other shows in their timeslot. It continued to be at No. 1 spot last July 18 with an audience share of 38.1%.

“We’re very happy,” smiled Ryan proudly. “When we reached 19%, sigurado na yung kanin at ulam nila may hot sauce. Then if the rating reached 20%, nag-promise ako ng pizza. So nagkagulo ang Yellow Cab kasi ang dami ng orders ko because we reached 25%!”

“Talentadong Pinoy’s” success even brought ABC 5 President and CEO Tony Boy Cojuangco from his Makati office to their studio in Novaliches, Quezon City during the said taping to personally congratulate Ryan Agoncillo and the production of “Talentandong Pinoy.” In his short remark at the middle of the taping, he was positive that “Talentadong Pinoy” has found its niche.

Working with the same crew of his past show “Philippine Idol,” Ryan expressed that when they started “Talentadong Pinoy” their goal was simple and the same – to break into the double digits ratings.

The show achieved their goal earlier than expected, but they were still lacking advertisers, revealed Ryan. Things got better though when their double digit ratings became more stable and went up even.

“I’m very happy because mas maganda ang vibe ng studio ngayon kasi every time we see each other merong reward at may good news…this is probably an ideal setting inside a studio na hindi naman lahat nabibigyan ng pagkakataon na masaya sa set at magandang ratings,” he related.

And when asked what has always worked for “Talentadong Pinoy,” Ryan simply replied “pure entertainment!”

“Mahilig magpasikat at magpakitang gilas ang mga Pinoy… alam mo lahat tayo may talent. Even during a drinking session with your friends, meron kang barkada who would try to do a trick or two and that usually lasts a minute and a half,” he laughed. “I guess we just want to be entertained in whatever way possible and that is what ‘Talentadong Pinoy’ wants to show!”

For him, whether the talent shown would shock the audience, put them in awe or mesmerize them through acrobatics, dancing or singing, it is about pure entertainment for at least one minute and a half for each “talentado.”

“It’s really about having a unique talent and if they can make P50,000 for their talent they will do it,” he quipped.

Moreover, nobody loses at “Talentadong Pinoy.” Every contender who makes it to the audition and who performs on stage, earn for themselves P5,000 automatically even if they get buzzed or the curtain is closed for a bad performance.

“Kami sa ‘Talentadong Pinoy’ we’ve been together since ‘Philippine Idol’ and we went through the ups and downs of ‘Philippine Idol.’ And with our ratings, hindi kami yayabang because of this success. The most I guess is that we will be happy. The most will be being ecstatic over the victory. Wala naman kaming aim na patumbahin ang ibang shows. Ang aim lang naman namin talaga ay double digit,” he stressed.

Coming from a franchised show like “Philippine Idol,” Ryan opined that what also helped build a good and effective structure for “Talentadong Pinoy” was their experience and the knowledge they gained from doing “Philippine Idol.” If ever their show for their audience looks like a franchise, it is because it embodies a franchise standard.

“We really took the best from our ‘Philippine Idol’ experience… I can say that what’s pioneering about ‘Talentadong Pinoy’ was the fact that una tayo na nagsasara ang kurtina at honest yung mga sinasabi ng mga judges. Also this not being a franchise is really a big deal. What we concern with are the true merits of the show, we don’t have any delusions,” offered Ryan of their show’s continuous success.

So what has he learned about his experience with “Talentadong Pinoy?”

“For me I learned about the sensitivity towards the person. Because we don’t encourage using halimbawa meron kaming contestant na may kapansanan or unlucky in career or money. While we don’t encourage yung kapansanan na gamitin para makuha yung sympathy ng mga judges, you have to be sensitive also to the situation. For example we have this kid na bulag, you don’t have to be sad for him kasi hindi siya malungkot sa sarili niya. So you have to adjust maybe on how you talk. You just let it be and put it objectively. For me doing it eight times per show sharpens your sensitivity as a host,” he intimated.

Talenta-Dos in the making?

One of the judges for tonight’s episode, Joey de Leon, (the other two were Ara Mina and Audie Gemora) congratulated Ryan that “Talentadong Pinoy’s” success has spawned a competitive and similar TV format as his called “Talenta-Dos.” However witty Joey’s remark was, Ryan’s wish was that no such shows would exist to compete against them directly.

“Ang sa akin lang sana wag na nilang pansinin kasi munti lang naman ang aming show,” jested Ryan. “It is a free market and they do have shows like that. How would I feel, I guess maganda. Tapatan? I guess it is okay. Of course that’s the way it goes kasi maliit lang ang showbiz. If they do it then ok, yun siguro yung sinasabi nila na ang bida hindi naman nagiging bida kapag walang kontrabida or pantapat.”

He also shuns the idea that his mother network would soon ask him to choose over “Talentadong Pinoy” over his shows at the Kapamilya Network.

“Ayaw ko siyang isipin. Ayaw ko siyang dumating. Sa tiwala ko sa mga ka-trabaho hindi darating sa ganung punto. I have so much faith and there are so much class with the people I’m working with,” exclaimed Ryan.

Slowly “Talentadong Pinoy” has shaken TV viewing and has proven that there’s still a variety of programs for televiewers. As for Ryan Agoncillo, there are no curtains closing for him nor three judges buzzing him as he is a certified “Talentadong Pinoy!”

“Talentadong Pinoy” airs tonight at 7 on TV5.