Kris Aquino

The new noontime show officially replacing “Wowowee” began its run without Willie Revillame punch-plots, but a lot of humor hits aimed at its main host. The impact of Kris Aquino’s separation from husband and Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) star James Yap became the fixed sideshow during the pilot episode of ABS-CBN’s “Pilipinas Win Na Win” last Saturday.

A seemingly impromptu singing of Roxette’s “It Must Have Been Love” was led by guest KC Concepcion after the episode’s most star-studded number, as requested by Kris herself. The “Pretty Woman” theme, according to Kris, is her favorite song of the moment with its telling chorus line: “It must have been love/ But it’s over now/ It must have been good/ But I lost it somehow.”

During the “Ping, Pong, Pang” segment of the newest game show in town, Kris quipped to one of the contestants, “Bagong hiwalay ka din ba?” The simple line brought the house down for obvious reasons.

Latest reports somehow put the period to Kris and James’s much-publicized romance and seeming ending even if Baby James was caught in the crossfire.

“This is the start of something new. Panibago po ito at sabay-sabay tayo matututo at mag-eenjoy.

We’ll look forward to 10 years (of this),” said the youngest sister of President Noynoy Aquino at the tailend of the show directed by Johnny Manahan.

ABS-CBN executive Laurenti Dyogi, who was around during the three-hour long spectacle, expressed his view over the Kris-Robin Padilla-led noontime daily gig to rival GMA-7’s “Eat Bulaga.” “Iba ito from ‘Wowowee.’ May ibang style of hosting si Kris at ibang karisma din. We’re optimistic about this and this episode alone provides something different. Yung paghanga ng fans nandun kaagad.”

“Win Na Win’s” pilot featured a stellar list of guests that included Boy Abunda, Martin Nievera, Pepe Smith, Christian Bautista, Karylle, Juris, Jericho Rosales, Charlene Gonzales, and Cristine Reyes.

“Wowowee” mainstays Pokwang, Mariel Rodriguez, and Valerie Concepcion may have kept some aura from the previous program. But the presence of the power persona in Kris gives off a different light. It’s early to compare it to “Eat Bulaga” but the dominance of lady hosts in its cast somewhat provides a woman’s voice –  as opposed to that of the Tito, Vic, & Joey-pioneered rival.

“I’m overwhelmed that the station feels I’m still worthy to be part of its noontime show,” noted Valerie whose partner in life, just like Kris before, happens to be another PBA player in Dondon Hontiveros.