TV5 will debut its first ever noontime show, Game ‘N Go this coming March 10. This early, the show is already drawing a lot of comparison with Eat Bulaga, raising questions whether or not the game show is going head to head with the long-running noontime program.

During a recent photo shoot with Game ‘N Go hosts led by EduManzano and Gelli de Belen, the group was quick to dispel any doubts or rumors on the competition angle. “Di naman namin pakay na tibagin kung ano man ang nandiyan,” Gelli de Belen explains.

“Gusto lang namin ng pwesto. Iba din naman yung dadalin namin… Eat Bulaga ‘yan. Basta ang amin, we promise to bring something different.”

What sets Game ‘N Go apart from other noontime programs is its format. “It’s a game show and not a variety show,” Gelli clarifies.

The only game show offered in a noontime timeslot, Game ‘N Go features original and franchised games. With its back-to-back-to-back game format, audiences are treated to a number of games that provide high chances of winning.

Big prizes await studio audiences and home viewers. And for those who can’t go to the studio, the show also has an on-ground component, visiting barangays all over the country. “Maganda kasi ang naiisip na show ng TV5,” Edu Manzano says.

“Game shows are usually seen on primetime at night, but here we thought of showing at at daytime.” He adds that while there is pressure to make sure the show excels, their top priority as game masters is to make sure that the audience is happy and entertained.

“There’s a self-imposed pressure,” the seasoned host admits. “Gusto mong maging maganda yung programa mo. Gusto mo pag may bumati sayo sa kalsada [ang sasabihin nila], ‘Uy, napanood ko yung Game ‘N Go. Ang saya!’ Yun ang pinakamagandang reward na iyong matatanggap. What’s important here is when your audience, [whether] studio contestants or yung mga nasa bahay, napasaya mo.”

Joining Edu and Gelli as game masters are Arnel Ignacio, Shalani Soledad-Romulo, Tuesday Vargas, Pretty Trisza, and Wendy Valdez. This is the first time that most of them will work together in one show and yet the group seems like they have been together for a long time.There is a light and engaging atmosphere among them that is seen to help them connect with viewers more.

Despite the so-called “self-imposed pressure” among them, the Game ‘N Go hosts are positive that the public will receive them warmly. After all, there is still room for genuine light-hearted fun for Filipinos who not only want great noontime entertainment, but bigger chances of winning as well.

As comedienne Tuesday Vargas succinctly puts it, “Dapat ma-accept mo na ibang liga sila. Iba yung thrust ng show [namin], iba yung format. Aware kami dun sa binibigay na pressure ng time slot but at the same time [we won’t allow it] to get in the way of the fun factor of the show. Dahil established na yung mga kasabay mo, dapat alam mo rin kung saan ka naiiba, kung ano yung market mo at ano yung maihahandog mo kasi pandagdag din ‘to sa choice ng mga tao tuwing tanghali.”

Game ‘N Go’s pilot episode airs on March 10, 11:30 am on TV5.