No Filipino lunchtime is complete without a daily dose of noontime variety show. Unlike US television, which is dominated by talk shows and soaps during midday, we Filipinos would prefer to watch actors and actresses trying to sing to go with our lunch. It has become a tradition of sorts.

That being said, here's a quick list of some of my favorites:

Eat Bulaga - The longest-running, and most beloved noontime variety show in the Philippines. Its history is as colorful as a variety show can get. Eat Bulaga has switched networks a couple of times; from RPN to ABS-CBN to GMA. Also, it has seen numerous change of hosts and co-hosts. One thing that remained constant is the show's main hosts, Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon.

Kwarta O Kahon? - Although aired only on Sundays, this show deserves to be on the list for being a pioneer. During its haydays, everybody knows Tito Pepe. The beat of Yakult: Roleta ng Kapalaran is still stuck inside my head. But as time wears on, the outdated jokes, run-of-the-mill games, mediocre entertainment, and low production value brought Kwarta O Kahon? down.

'Sang Linggo nAPO Sila - Is ABS-CBN's answer to GMA's Eat Bulaga. It is hosted by OPM legends Danny Javier, Jim Paredes and Buboy Garovillo, better known as the APO Hiking Society. The show was a hit when it started, entertainment was top-notch and refreshing due to APO's talent. But its novelty wore out and soon it was canceled.

Magandang Tanghali Bayan - Or MTB, replaced APO. It was hosted by Roderick Paulate, Amy Perez, and the trio of Randy Santiago, John Estrada and Willie Revillame. This is my personal choice of noontime show back then, because I really like Randy on Chibugan Na! (more on this later). The show gained notoriety because of their naughty (read green) jokes especially on their Calendar Girl contest.

Wowowee - Currently running on ABS-CBN, and is quite popular among Pinoys abroad due to TFC (The Filipino Channel). Its main star and host is Willie Revillame, co-hosted by Mariel Rodriguez, Valerie Concepcion, and Pokwang among others. In its 3-year or so existence, the show has been marred by several controversies including the Philsports Arena stampede, rigging of games, and a teen star's wardrobe malfunction.

Chibugan Na! - My favorite noontime variety show of all time, Chibugan Na! was hosted by Rico J. Puno, Arnel Ignacio, and Hadji Alejandro. The show was up against Eat Bulaga and, if my memory serves me right, APO. They invented the multiple-choice game format, where contestants were to physically fall in line behind the answer of their choice. Why are they my favorite? One stormy day, Arnel pointed the camera to the audience, showing a bucket of water sitting among them because their studio's roof is leaking. Despite all of their shows shortcomings (probably due to low-budget) the hosts just laugh and move on. They even make fun of their ratings, compared to the giants that they are up against. I guess that's what made them stand-out for me. I love underdogs.