'Bet On Your Baby' gets Pinoy spin with Judy Ann

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/09/26/13/bet-your-baby-gets-pinoy-spin-judy-ann

by Miguel Dumaual, ABS-CBNnews.com

Posted at 09/26/2013 11:24 PM | Updated as of 09/27/2013 10:54 AM

'Bet On Your Baby' host Judy Ann Santos poses with toddler contestants on the new Kapamilya game show, which premieres in October. -- Photo: Handout

MANILA -- The newest ABS-CBN game show hosted by young superstar Judy Ann Santos, as in its international format, will feature toddlers and their parents in a series of tests, but the Filipino audience can also expect something extra.
"Bet On Your Baby," which first aired on American TV via ABC in April this year, will have a Philippine adaptation set to air on ABS-CBN in October.
Santos, during a press conference held Thursday for the new Kapamilya offering, shared a number of differences between the local version and its counterparts in the United States, Turkey and China.
In the original format of "Bet On Your Baby," two- to three-year-old children are accompanied by their parents in a series of challenges. How well the parents can guess their respective babies' next move in these tests will determine the winner of the show.
Apart from the games segment -- which takes place in a room called the "Babydome" -- Santos said local viewers will also get to know contestants in a given episode.
"Tayo kasi mas ano tayo eh, 'diba, mas gusto natin 'yung naririnig natin 'yung kwento. Tapos mas gusto natin 'yung nakaka-relate tayo sa mga families na contestants natin.
"And at the same time, mas maraming educational tips na makukuha sa 'Bet On Your Baby' compared to other franchises ng 'Bet' sa ibang bansa," said Santos.

Focusing on 'Bet'
Santos, who is more known for her dramatic roles, acknowledged the shift from being "Queen of Pinoy Soap Opera" to hosting her own game show. She cited this "big change" in explaining why she has opted to focus entirely on "Bet On Your Baby" in the meantime.
The 35-year-old actress recently signed a two-year contract with ABS-CBN, which includes, among others, a new drama series.
"Gusto ko muna siyang i-concentrate, gusto ko muna siyang ma-master. Hangga't maaari, gusto ko munang mag-focus sa pagiging host dito sa 'Bet On Your Baby,'" she said.
"Ayokong magbigay ng malasadong trabaho dahil bago 'to sa 'kin eh. Kumbaga sa pagiging artista, hindi ko talaga 'to ginagawa, 'diba. Huli kung hinost 'MasterChef'. Hindi siya game show, reality show siya," Santos added.
She was referring to the Philippine edition of the reality cooking show, which had a "Junior" and the original adults edition airing in 2011 and 2012 on ABS-CBN.
Referring to "Bet On Your Baby," Santos continued, "It's totally different, at 'yung energy mo up na up. Ito yata 'yung show na pag umuuwi ako, pinakapagod ako. Kasi 'yung energy ko, kailangan i-sustain buong araw."
"Nauubusan po talaga ako ng boses. Umuuwi ako, wala na talaga akong boses. Na-e-enjoy ko naman siya. Naghihintay nalang ako ng endorsement ng Pei Pa Koa," she quipped, referring to the brand of herbal remedy for soar throat.


Tips from hubby
In preparing to host her new program, Santos said she also enlisted the help of her husband, Ryan Agoncillo, who boasts a 15-year career as a TV host.
"'Yung preparation is to really see kung paano talaga makipag-usap sa parents. Mahusay naman si Teacher Ryan, ang dami kong pointers talaga, up to the day talaga na magte-taping, magkausap pa kami sa telepono dahil talaga kinakabahan ako.
"Atsaka supportive naman 'yung asawa ko sa 'kin. Lahat 'yung pointers na sinabi niya, bilang beterano sa pagho-host, kayang-kaya niya akong sabihin bilang estudyante," Santos said.
Herself a mom to a two-year-old boy -- she has two children with Agoncillo -- Santos said she is not discounting the possibility of placing a "bet" on her own baby.
Asked if she would be willing to have Lucho, her son, join as a contestant, Santos said, "Dinala ko siya no'ng isang rehearsal day namin. Ta's pina-try ko lang siya. Bilang nanay, gusto ko malaman kung kaya niya 'diba. At kayang-kaya naman, Diyos ko!"