Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (Philippine game show)

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (also known as WW2BAM) is a Filipino game show based on the original British format of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. The main goal of the game is to win 2 million Philippine pesos (earlier 1 million) by answering 13 multiple-choice questions correctly. There are five lifelines: 50:50 (fifty-fifty), People Speak, Ask the Audience, Phone-A-Friend and Switch.

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? was broadcast from 2000 to 2002 on the government-sequestered Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation, produced by Viva Television, and was hosted by actor Christopher de Leon and returned on IBC in February 25, 2012 currently hosted by Drew Arellano (as of February 25, 2012) and previously hosted by Christopher de Leon for 2000-2002. On May 23, 2009, the game show returned under a new home over TV5, with actor-host-comedian Vic Sotto as the new host.

The show's season finale last October 7, 2012 to give way give way to another game show hosted by Sotto, Million Peso Money Drop (the Philippine version of Million Dollar Money Drop created by Endemol).

However, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, will return on air on TV5 by September 2013 for a new season together with Pinoy Explorer and Wow Mali! Pa Rin in exchange to the now defunct talent show Talentadong Pinoy while the show continue to air on IBC every weekends. This incarnation ended on January 11, 2015 in preparation for the launching of Move It: The Clash of the Streetdancers on January 25, 2015. The show returned on May 10, 2015 at 7pm, replacing Move It: The Clash of the Streetdancers which held its Grand Finals before the launch of the new incarnation.

The show is broadcast on IBC and worldwide overseas via IBC's international brand Global IBC, it airs every Saturday at 7:30pm (PST) after Maya Loves Sir Chief. Currently, it is the longest-running franchise game show in the Philippines since its inception on November 20, 2000.

Gameplay
Originally, the contestants must first play a preliminary round, called "Fastest Finger First", where they are all given a question and four answers from the host and are asked to put those four answers into a particular order. The contestant who does so correctly and in the fastest time goes on to sit in a chair in the center of the set, known as the "Hot Seat," and play for the prize.

Once in the Hot Seat, the contestant is asked increasingly difficult general knowledge questions by the host. Questions are multiple choice: four possible answers are given (labeled A, B, C, and D), and the contestant must choose the correct one. Upon answering a question correctly, the contestant wins a certain amount of money. After questions, the host will ask the contestant "is that your final answer?" When a contestant says "final" in conjunction with one of the answers, it is official, and cannot be changed.

For the first few questions, there is a possibility for the contestant to leave with no money if they fail to reach the guaranteed amounts.

IBC Version
The first version of the show was hosted by actor Christopher de Leon. The first season of the original Millionaire, which began on November 20, 2000, had its 15th question prize of P1,000,000. In 2001, the final question's prize was doubled to P2,000,000.

The show lost its popularity soon after its original studio in Parañaque City (Viva Television Studio, the same one used by the Philippine version of The Weakest Link) was destroyed by a fire, and after the show moved to Riverbanks Center in Marikina City. Its last original episode was aired December 14, 2002.

No one has ever won the game by way of answering all fifteen questions correctly in this incarnation. There have been two contestants who went the closest: DLSU professor Amelita Lopez-Forbes and actress Sharon Cuneta, who each answered 14 questions correctly and won a million pesos in separate instances in 2001.

On February 2012, after an almost 10-year hiatus, IBC announced to comeback of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? with Drew Arellano that relaunch on February 25, 2012. The show aired at the IBC studio in Broadcast City, Capitol Hills, Diliman, Quezon City.

A promo is being sponsored by the network in connection to comeback acquired license of the international version of the game show. The show was first revealed by Arellano on the September 7, 2013 episode. De Leon voiced his 5-minute resentment over close to Vic Sotto.

On September 15, 2013 with two options like the High-risk Money Tree has one safe haven amount of #₱20,000 and three Lifelines are Fifty-fifty, Ask the Audience, People Speak and Switch in more times, in addition of a new lifeline: Double Dip. While the Classic Money Tree has two safe havens are amount of #₱20,000 and #₱150,000 and Three Lifelines: Fifty-fifty, People Speak and Switch having more times.

On November 1, 2014, the show was celebrated on its 14th anniversary of the game show since 2000.

The money tree used in the IBC version is as follows (bold values indicate guaranteed amounts): As of April 11, 2015, the program replaced the 15-question format with a new 13-question format. Still, they also being the 5 Lifelines (Phone-A-Friend, Switch, Fifty-Fifty, People's Speak and Ask the Audience).
 * Money Tree (2000)
 * ₱1,000
 * ₱2,000
 * ₱3,000
 * ₱5,000
 * 1) ₱10,000
 * ₱20,000
 * ₱30,000
 * ₱40,000
 * ₱50,000
 * 1) ₱100,000
 * 2) ₱200,000
 * 3) ₱300,000
 * 4) ₱400,000
 * 5) ₱500,000
 * 6) ₱1 MILLION (top prize)
 * Money Tree (2001–2002, 2012-2013)
 * ₱1,000
 * ₱2,000
 * ₱3,000
 * ₱5,000
 * 1) ₱10,000
 * ₱20,000
 * ₱30,000
 * ₱40,000
 * ₱50,000
 * 1) ₱100,000
 * 2) ₱200,000
 * 3) ₱300,000
 * 4) ₱500,000
 * ₱1,000,000
 * 1) ₱2 MILLION (top prize)
 * High-Risk Money Tree (2013–March 28, 2015)
 * ₱1,000
 * ₱3,000
 * ₱5,000
 * ₱10,000
 * 1) ₱20,000
 * ₱35,000
 * ₱50,000
 * ₱70,000
 * 1) ₱100,000
 * 2) ₱150,000
 * 3) ₱250,000
 * 4) ₱400,000
 * 5) ₱600,000
 * ₱1,000,000
 * 1) ₱2,000,000 (top prize)
 * Money Tree (April 11, 2015–present)
 * ₱1,000
 * ₱5,000
 * ₱10,000
 * ₱20,000
 * 1) ₱30,000
 * ₱40,000
 * ₱50,000
 * 1) ₱100,000
 * 2) ₱200,000
 * 3) ₱300,000
 * 4) ₱500,000
 * ₱1,000,000
 * 1) ₱2,000,000 (top prize)

2009-present: TV5 Version
On April 2009, plugs about the "comeback" of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? started airing on TV5 and is the first show taken from IBC 13). Vic Sotto was also announced to host the show. A promo is being sponsored by the network in connection to its comeback.

On January 9, 2010, Sharon Cuneta, who appeared in the previous incarnation became the first winner of the series after she correctly answered the final question worth ₱2,000,000. Then followed by Karl Jonathan Aguilar last September 18, 2011.

The show returned September 15, 2013 with two options like the High-risk Money Tree has one safe haven amount of ₱20,000 and four lifelines are Fifty-fifty, People Speak and Switch, in addition of a new lifeline: Double Dip. While the Classic Money Tree has two safe havens are amount of ₱20,000 and ₱150,000 and Three Lifelines: Fifty-fifty, People Speak, and Switch. The Phone-a-friend lifeline was also removed during the fourth incarnation.

The third ₱2,000,000 winner by Eduardo Gaeilo Pajinag, Jr. in October 20, 2013.
 * First incarnation (Season 1 to 4)
 * Second incarnation (Season 4 to 7)
 * Third incarnation (Season 7 to 9)
 * Fourth incarnation (Season 10 to Season 13)


 * Classic Money Tree (2009–present)
 * ₱1,000
 * ₱3,000
 * ₱5,000
 * ₱10,000
 * 1) ₱20,000
 * ₱35,000
 * ₱50,000
 * ₱70,000
 * 1) ₱100,000
 * 2) ₱150,000
 * 3) ₱250,000
 * 4) ₱400,000
 * 5) ₱600,000
 * ₱1,000,000
 * 1) ₱2,000,000 (top prize)

The show returned on May 10, 2015 with a brand new format. The program replaced the 15-question format with a new 12-question format. Money Trees were not named instead they are just identified as Money Tree 1 and Money Tree 2, respectively. To distinguished both Money Trees, the first one has two "Safe Havens" (Question #2 and #7) and it has 3 Lifelines (Phone-A-Friend, Switch and Double Dip). Meanwhile, Money Tree 2 have only 1 "Safe Haven" (Question #2) and 4 Lifelines (Phone-A-Friend, Switch, Double Dip and Fifty-Fifty). The "People's Speak" Lifeline from the preceding incarnations was removed and it was replaced by the return of Phone A Friend.
 * High-Risk Money Tree (2013–2015)
 * ₱1,000
 * ₱3,000
 * ₱5,000
 * ₱10,000
 * 1) ₱20,000
 * ₱35,000
 * ₱50,000
 * ₱70,000
 * 1) ₱100,000
 * 2) ₱150,000
 * 3) ₱250,000
 * 4) ₱400,000
 * 5) ₱600,000
 * ₱1,000,000
 * 1) ₱2,000,000 (top prize)


 * Money Tree 1 (2015-present)


 * ₱10,000


 * 1) ₱20,000


 * ₱35,000


 * ₱50,000


 * ₱70,000


 * 1) ₱100,000


 * 1) ₱150,000


 * 1) ₱250,000


 * 1) ₱400,000


 * 1) ₱600,000


 * ₱1,000,000


 * 1) ₱2,000,000 (top prize)


 * Money Tree 2 (2015-present)


 * ₱10,000


 * 1) ₱20,000


 * ₱35,000


 * ₱50,000


 * ₱70,000


 * 1) ₱100,000


 * 1) ₱150,000


 * 1) ₱250,000


 * 1) ₱400,000


 * 1) ₱600,000


 * ₱1,000,000


 * 1) ₱2,000,000 (top prize)

Sharon Cuneta (January 9, 2010)
On January 9, 2010, Sharon Cuneta once again played on the show and won ₱2,000,000, making her the first top prize winner in the Philippine franchise's history, three days after her birthday. References to her first appearance, especially the 14th question asked, were made during her game. All of the money she won was played for charity and was donated to the Hospicio de San Jose. Coincidentally, the 13th question in her game was about the orphanage's exact location. A translation of the question can be seen on the right.

Karl Jonathan Aguilar (September 18, 2011)
On September 18, 2011, the Philippine version gained its second top prize winner in the person of IT specialist Karl Jonathan Aguilar. The final question involved the name of the Index Librorum Prohibitorum with the other options being made-up but similarly-sounding names. Of note, he did not use his lifelines up to the ₱600,000 question. When his last lifeline, Phone-A-Friend, was used during the final question, he was given one of the wrong answers. Also, the first fourteen were asked in the previous episode aired a week before. The translation of the question that Aguilar answered correctly can be seen st the right.

Gaeilo Pajinag, Jr. (October 20, 2013)
The Philippine version show produced its third top-prize winner in the person of IT auditor Eduardo "Gaeilo" Pajinag, Jr. on October 20, 2013. According to him, he auditioned seven times before being accepted on his 8th audition. He is the first winner of the new money tree, the High-Risk money tree. The final question was about Jabberwocky, the poem written by Lewis Carroll where he used nonsense words. The other options were synonyms to "nonsense." After carefully deducing on his answer, to the extent that he mentioned where the dance group Jabbawockeez got their name, he ultimately went on to win the 2-million peso top-prize.

Who Deserves to Be a Millionaire?
For four episodes starting from December 12, 2009 to January 2, 2010, a special charity edition of the show was held called Who Deserves to Be a Millionaire?. Each episode comprised one celebrity and a representative from his/her chosen charity playing as a team. Rules stayed the same. The tradition returned on December 4, 2011. The Philippines was the second country to use the Deserves title and format; the first was Nigeria in 2007.

The following are the celebrities who played in this special edition and the prize that they each won:
 * 2009:
 * Efren Peñaflorida for the Dynamic Teen Company (₱400,000)
 * Lucy Torres-Gomez (₱150,000; wrong on question 13)
 * Sen. Francis Escudero (₱250,000)
 * Ruffa Gutierrez (₱400,000)
 * 2011:
 * Gloria Diaz (₱400,000)
 * Atty. Persida Rueda-Acosta from Face to Face and Public Atorni (₱600,000)
 * Tessa Prieto-Valdez (₱400,000)
 * Aiza Seguerra (₱400,000)

2012

 * Cesar Montano (July 14, 2012)
 * Anne Curtis (July 21, 2012)
 * AJ Muhlach (July 28, 2012; winner in P2 million)
 * Ashley Rivera aka Petra Mahalimuyak (August 4, 2012)
 * Maricel Soriano (August 11, 2012)
 * Robin Padilla (August 18, 2012)
 * Dina Bonnevie (August 25, 2012)
 * Cristine Reyes (September 1, 2012)
 * Onemig Bondoc (September 8, 2012; winner in P2 million)
 * Sandara Park (September 15, 2012)
 * Coco Martin (September 22, 2012)
 * Anja Aguilar (September 29, 2012; winner in P2 million)
 * Fernando Carrillo (October 6, 2012)
 * Jodi Sta. Maria (October 13, 2012)
 * Andi Eigenmann (October 20, 2012)
 * Alfred Vargas (October 27, 2012; winner in P2 million)
 * Ella Cruz (November 3, 2012)
 * Martin Escudero (November 10, 2012)
 * Ashley Rivera aka Petra Mahalimuyak (November 17, 2012)
 * DJ Durano (November 24, 2012)
 * Dominic Ochoa (December 1, 2012; winner in P2 million)
 * Dingdong Avanzado (December 8, 2012)
 * Charlie Green (December 15, 2012)
 * Anja Aguilar (December 22, 2012; winner in P2 million)
 * Vilma Santos (December 29, 2012)

2013

 * Vice Ganda (January 5, 2013)
 * Richard Yap (January 12, 2013)
 * Dingdong Dantes (January 19, 2013)
 * Shy Carlos (January 26, 2013)
 * Yam Concepcion (February 2, 2013)
 * Nadine Lustre (February 9, 2013; winner in P2 million)
 * Giselle Sanchez (February 16, 2013)
 * Juan Miguel Urquico and Juan Carlos Urquico (February 23, 2013)
 * Ronnie Rocketts (March 2, 2013)
 * Miguel Aguila (March 9, 2013)
 * MMJ (MM and MJ Magno) (March 16, 2013)
 * Dina Bonnevie (March 23, 2013)
 * AJ Muhlach (April 6, 2013)
 * Nadine Lustre (April 13, 2013; winner in P1 million)
 * James Yap (April 20, 2013; winner in P3 million)
 * Anja Aguilar (April 27, 2013; winner in P2 million)
 * Robert Jaworski (May 4, 2013; winner in P1 million)
 * Meg Imperial (May 11, 2013)
 * Marvin Ong (May 18, 2013)
 * Anne Curtis (May 25, 2013)
 * Rica Peralejo (June 1, 2013)
 * Andrew E. (June 15, 2013)
 * Joshua Cadelina (June 29, 2013)
 * Venus Raj (July 6, 2013)
 * Imee Hart (July 13, 2013)
 * Josh Padilla (July 20, 2013)
 * Ella Cruz (July 27, 2013)
 * Young JV (August 3, 2013)
 * LeBron James (August 10, 2013)
 * Giselle Sanchez (August 17, 2013)
 * Dingdong Dantes (August 24, 2013)
 * Mario Maurer (September 7, 2013)
 * Rachel Alejandro (September 14, 2013)
 * Gino Padilla (September 21, 2013)
 * Snooky Serna (September 28, 2013)
 * Noynoy Aquino III (October 5, 2013)
 * Sam Concepcion (October 12, 2013)
 * Sue Ramirez (October 19, 2013)
 * Miguel Aguila (October 27, 2013; winner at P2 million)
 * Cherry Pie Picache (November 2, 2013)
 * Annabelle Rama (November 9, 2013)
 * Alan Cayetano (senator) (November 16, 2013)
 * Jamby Madrigal (senator) (November 23, 2013; winner at P2 million)
 * Rio dela Cruz (November 30, 2013)
 * Dingdong Avanzado (December 7, 2013)
 * Grace Poe (senator) (December 14, 2013)

2014

 * Maricar Reyes (January 11, 2014)
 * Daniel Matsunaga (January 25, 2014)
 * Cara Eriguel (February 8, 2014)
 * Geoff Eigenmann (February 22, 2014)
 * Vincent Santos (March 8, 2014)
 * Janella Salvador (March 15, 2014; winner at P2 million)
 * Ernesto Paras Jr. as Jhune Paras (March 22, 2014 as contestant must first play a preliminary round)
 * Robi Domingo (March 29, 2014)
 * Jules Guiang (April 5, 2014 as contestant must first play a preliminary round)
 * Sam Pinto (April 12, 2014)
 * Benjie Paras (April 26, 2014)
 * Boots Anson-Roa (IBC President and CEO) (May 3, 2014)
 * Jose Mari Chan (May 17, 2014)
 * Diane Medina (May 31, 2014)
 * Richard Yap (June 14, 2014)
 * Michelle Ann Bonzo (June 21, 2014 as contestant must first play a preliminary round)
 * Mavy Legaspi and Cassy Legaspi (July 6, 2014)
 * Percival C. Biadora (July 13, 2014 as contestant must first play a preliminary round; winner at P2 million)
 * Pat Natividad (July 20, 2014)
 * Victor Anastacio (August 3, 2014)
 * Cayleen Villamor (August 18, 2014)
 * Marlo Mortel (August 24, 2014)
 * Richard Poon (September 7, 2014)
 * Janella Salvador (September 21, 2014; winner at P2 million)
 * AJ Muhlach (September 28, 2014)
 * Raymond Lauchengco (October 5, 2014)
 * Erich Gonzales (October 12, 2014)
 * Michael Martinez (October 26, 2014 as contestant must first play a preliminary round; winner at P2 million)
 * Julia Barretto (14th Anniversary Episode; November 2, 2014)
 * Gabby Eigenmann (14th Anniversary Episode; November 16, 2014)
 * Jerome Ponce (14th Anniversary Episode; November 30, 2014)
 * Shanne Velasco (Holiday Edition; December 14, 2014)
 * Mario Maurer (Holiday Edition; December 28, 2014; winner at P2 million)

2015

 * Alfredo Lim (January 4, 2015)
 * Iya Villania (January 18, 2015; winner at P2 million for Drew's birthday)
 * Aljur Abrenica (January 25, 2015)
 * Coleen Garcia (Valentines Day Episode; February 1, 2015)
 * Maricel Laxa (as contestant as contestant must first play a preliminary round) and Anthony Pangilinan (Valentines Day Episode; February 8, 2015)
 * Angelu de Leon and Bobby Andrews (Valentines Day Episode; Febraury 15, 2015)
 * Alma Moreno (March 8, 2015)
 * Sec. Joel Villanueva (TESDA) (March 22 and 29, 2015)
 * Enchong Dee (Summer Edition; April 11, 2015; winner at P2 million)
 * Michelle Vito (Summer Edition; April 25, 2015)
 * Diether Ocampo (May 9, 2015)
 * Sandara Park (May 16, 2015)
 * Manolo Pedrosa and Maris Racal (May 30, 2015)
 * Liza Soberano (June 13, 2015)
 * Cesar Montano (June 20, 2015)
 * Sue Ramirez (July 4, 2015)
 * Dingdong Dantes (July 18, 2015)
 * Yassi Pressman (August 1, 2014)

Notable events

 * On September 29, 2012, singing champion Anja Aguilar will guest to promote the newest concert scene for staged her first major concert Anja Aguilar: The Concert, in the Smart Araneta Coliseum as well as the Philippine concert tour and she host the reality show Born to be a Star while Anja she is second celebrity player to answered 14 questions correctly and won a million pesos winners at P2,000,000.

Production team

 * Executive In-Charge of Production: Ginny Monteagudo-Ocampo
 * In-Charge of Production: Gina P. Borinaga
 * Director: Arnel Natividad
 * Executive Producers: Rowie O. Valencia and Lorna Javate-Feliciano
 * Make-Up Artist: Weng Legaspi

Eduk Circle Awards

 * 2014 Winner, Best Game Show Host of the Year (Drew Arellano)

GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards

 * 2014 Winner, Top Game Show

USTv Student Choice Awards

 * 10th USTv Student's Choice Awards (Students’ Choice of Game Show Host) - Won (Drew Arellano)
 * 10th USTv Student's Choice Awards (Students’ Choice of Game Show) - Won

PMPC Star Awards for Television

 * 27th PMPC Star Awards for Television (Best Game Show) - Won

Catholic Mass Media Awwards

 * 36th Catholic Mass Media Awards (Best Game Show Host) - Won (Drew Arellano)
 * 36th Catholic Mass Media Awards (Best Game Show) - Won
 * 35th Catholic Mass Media Awards (Best Game Show Host) - Won (Drew Arellano)
 * 35th Catholic Mass Media Awards (Best Game Show) - Won

Gandingan: UPLB Isko't Iska's Broadcast Choice Awards Awards

 * Gandingan 2013: The 75th UPLB Isko’t Iska’s Broadcast Choice Awards (Best Game Show) - Won

Golden Screen TV Awards

 * 10th Golden Screen TV Awards (Outstanding Game Show Host) - Won (Drew Arellano)
 * 10th Golden Screen TV Awards (Outstanding Game Show) - Won

Gawad Tanglaw Awards

 * 2015 13th Gawad Tanglaw Awards (Best Game Show) - Won
 * 2014 12th Gawad Tanglaw Awards (Best Game Show) - Won
 * 2013 11th Gawad Tanglaw Awards (Best Game Show Host) - Won (Drew Arellano)
 * 2013 11th Gawad Tanglaw Awards (Best Game Show) - Won

KBP Golden Dove Awards

 * 2014 Winner, Best TV Game Show Host (Drew Arellano)
 * 2014 Winner, Best TV Game Show
 * 2013 21st KBP Golden Dove Awards (Best Game Show) - Won
 * 2012 KBP Golden Dove Awards (Best Game Show) - Won

Anak TV Seal Awards

 * 2014 Anak TV Seal Awardee (Most Well-Liked TV Program) - Won
 * 2013 Anak TV Seal Awardee (Most Well-Liked TV Program) - Won
 * 2012 Anak TV Seal Awardee (Most Favorite TV Programs) - Won