The "facts" and "bluffs" of "Celebrity Bluff"

Last Saturday, GMA launched its new game show Celebrity Bluff hosted by Eugene Domingo with Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola of the Jose and Wally comic duo.

In the said episode, Michelle O'Bombshell joined in the bluffing as guest. The celebrity contestants were Survivor Philippines Ultimate Survivor Albert "Betong" Sumaya, Jr., Julie Anne San Jose and Chariz Solomon.

Ultimately, Betong won the jackpot prize of P500,000 after completing three thrilling rounds and answering the jackpot question correctly.

As expected because of the innate wackiness of its hosts, the show turned out to be hilarious and naturally exciting. But more than the fun, the interesting questions that even the most well read viewers would have a hard time answering is probably the most valuable asset of the show.

Here are a few of the "facts" and "bluffs" featured in last Saturday's episode:

Q: Ayon sa latest survey ng Social Weather Station, pagdating sa pag-ibig, ano ang unang ginagamit ng mga Pilipino: utak o puso?

Michelle O'Bombshell thought Filipinos, being Asians, have the tendency to become emotional and thus, to follow their heart. Betong agreed with her and as it turned out, they are right.

According to a recent survey by the Social Weather Station, 54% of Filipinos used their heart when it comes to love and relationships, while 45% used their brain.

Q: Ilan ang lanes ng Olympic size na swimming pool?

Celebrity contestant Julie Anne agreed with celebrity bluffer Wally when the latter said that there are 10 lanes in an Olympic size swimming pool. Is Wally's answer a fact or a bluff?

Actually, it's a fact. An Olympic size swimming pool has ten (10) lanes. How many of us would have gotten that right?

Q: Ayon sa poem na "A Visit from St. Nicholas," ilan ang reindeer ni Santa Claus?

Forget the first two questions, this one is tough. While we think we are all too familiar with anything related to Christmas, how many of us would have answered this question correctly?

When celebrity bluffer Michelle O'Bombshell answered seven, celebrity contestant Chariz Solomon was dubious for the right reasons. Although Michelle was able to confidently name a few of the reindeers mentioned in the poem, she (possibly deliberately) included names like "Pusher," "User," and "Composer" in the list making her answer more likely to be a bluff. Despite Chariz's apprehensions, she was swayed into believing that Michelle's answer (seven) is a fact. The correct answer is eight (8).

Q: Ano ang trabaho ni Kuya Germs sa pelikulang pinagbidahan niya noong 1986: Cowboy, Clown o Zombie?

German Moreno, otherwise known as "Kuya Germs" in showbiz circles, is branded as the "Master Showman" of the local entertainment industry and in the past he has portrayed as a clown. Well, every Filipino knows that he's not an action star or a horror icon like THE Lilia Cuntapay and so this question should be a no-brainer to most of us.

The correct answer is "clown."

Q: Apat sa mga pelikulang ito ay batay sa aklat o nobela: Maynila Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag, Himala, Laro sa Baga, Dekada '70, Oro Plata Mata, Bata Bata Paano Ka Ginawa?

Now, this is the trickiest question in the episode. It better be since it is the 3rd Round question -- the one that decided whether Betong could move on to the Jackpot Round.

Amazingly, Betong figured out which four films were based on books/novels. These are "Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa?;" "Dekada '70;" "Maynila sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag;" and "Laro sa Baga." The first two were based on novels written by acclaimed Filipino author Lualhati Bautista and the next two were based on novels written by Edgardo M. Reyes.

Do you want to learn more interesting facts? Tune in this Saturday to another fun-filled episode of Celebrity Bluff, airing after 24 Oras Weekend on GMA-7.

"Celebrity Bluff" pilot wins against 'TV Patrol', 'Deal' in TV ratings

GMA's new game show, Celebrity Bluff, hosted by Eugene Domingo, Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola, aired its pilot episode last Saturday, November 17. The episode garnered 16.5% TV household ratings in viewer-rich Mega Manila besting its competing programs TV Patrol Weekend (12.7%) and Kapamilya Deal or No Deal (14.8%). This is according to data from the more trusted TV ratings provider Nielsen Television Audience Measurement.

Furthermore, based on the exact overlap ratings results, Celebrity Bluff got a household rating of 15.0% in Metro Manila against TV Patrol Weekend's 13.1%, and 17.8% against Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal's 13.5%.

Survivor Philippines grand winner Albert "Betong" Sumaya, Comedienne Chariz Solomon and Pop Singing Sensation Julie Anne San Jose were the celebrity contestants in Celebrity Bluff's pilot episode, while comedienne/impersonator Michelle O'Bombshell was the guest celebrity bluffer.

Celebrity Bluff consists of three levels starting with the "Utakan Round." In the said round, the three contestants draw lots to determine who among them will vie for the first question. The lucky contestant then chooses one celebrity bluffer to answer the question and then he/she will guess whether the celebrity bluffer's answer is a "Fact" or a "Bluff." If the contestant's answer is correct, he/she receives a corresponding cash prize. Otherwise, the cash prize will be divided between his/her competitors. The contestant with the least amount of accumulated cash prize leaves the game at the end of the round.

In the second round, the two remaining contestants are each given a mission or challenge. Whoever accomplishes his/her challenge within the pre-determined time period moves on to the final round. In the case of a tie, another challenge will be given to both contestants to break it. The contestant to complete the task first will move on to the next round.

In the third round, "Sagaran," the contestant is presented with a question and a set of possible answers. Among these options, four are correct. The contestant must be able to determine which ones are the correct answers. Otherwise, he/she will only take home whatever cash prize he/she has accumulated so far. If the contestant gets all four correct answers, he/she will have the chance to answer the jackpot question, which is worth P500,000.

Last Saturday was another lucky day for Betong as he went home with P500,000. Although his fellow contestants -- Chariz and Julie Anne -- were not as lucky, they didn't go home empty-handed. Chariz was eliminated during the first round, while Julie Anne still made it to the tie-breaker round after she and Betong both completed their respective missions/challenges within the allotted time in the second round.

The third round was a tough challenge for Betong. It was apparent the he was not sure with his answer but he pushed on anyway with what his instincts had told him. As it turned out, his instincts were right.

Don't miss the next exciting episode of Celebrity Bluff, airing this Saturday, November 24, after 24 Oras Weekend on GMA-7.

Eugene, Jose and Wally to host game show on GMA-7

Beginning this November, Saturday evenings will never be the same as the comic duo of Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola joins 7th Golden Screen Awards Best Actress Eugene Domingo in a game show that will surely entertain and thrill viewers and contestants alike -- "Celebrity Bluff."

Eugene is the game master of the show, while Jose and Wally are the resident celebrity bluffers whose goal it is to confuse contestants so they will not be able to give the right answers to a set of trivia questions.

A guest celebrity bluffer will also be invited each week to join Jose and Wally.

During its first few weeks, the show will feature celebrity contestants although the contest might soon be opened to the general public via auditions.

"Celebrity Bluff" is airing very soon on GMA-7.

For the latest updates about the show, like its official fan page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/CelebrityBluff) and follow it on Twitter (www.twitter.com/celebritybluff).