Battle of the Brains (Philippine game show)

Battle of the Brains is a Philippine quiz show that aired on RPN and PTV from July 18, 1992 to July 14, 2001. Considered one of the most culturally influential locally produced shows of the 1990s, Battle of the Brains was open to all elementary, high school and college students nationwide.

Battle of the Brains
Genre	Quiz show
Written by	Tisha Rosales
Directed by	Jose Chito Cabatuando
Presented by	David Celdran (1992-2000), (alternates: Cathy Santillan, Anthony Suntay) Chiqui Roa-Puno (2000-2001)
Narrated by	Andy Santillan (1992-2001) Beng Chua (2001)
Theme music composer	Yanni Chip Lewis / Middle "C" Productions
Opening theme	Santorini
Country of origin	Philippines
Original languages	English Filipino
No. of episodes	460+?
Production
Executive producers	Theresa Reyes Alvarez Tonnette Reyes
Production locations	Broadcast City, Quezon City (1992-2001) PTV 4 Broadcast Complex, Quezon City (2001)
Camera setup	Multiple-camera setup
Running time	90 Minutes (1992-2000) 60 Minutes (2000-2001)
Production companies	Focal Media Arts, Inc. RPN Entertainment Group (1992-2001) Uniwide Sales, Inc. (1992-1999) AMA Computer College (1999-2001)
Original release
Network	RPN 9 (1992–2001) NBN 4 (2001)
Release	July 18, 1992 (1992-07-18) – July 14, 2001 (2001-07-14)

It was hosted for almost all episodes by David Celdran, with various alternates (including Cathy Santillan, and Anthony Suntay) taking over in his absence. And later, Chiqui Roa-Puno replaced Celdran as the Host. It was primarily sponsored by Uniwide Sales, Inc.—a major budget retailer of that time—from Years 1 (1992–1993) to 7 (1998–1999). It was then sponsored by AMA Computer College from Years 8 (1999–2000) to 9 (2000–2001).

Hosts

Main hosts

• David Celdran (1992-2000)
• Chiqui Roa-Puno (2000-2001)

Alternate hosts

• Cathy Santillan
• Anthony Suntay

Tournament format

• Competitors usually join by contacting Focal Media Arts by telephone, and are directly slotted for the televised Weekly Finals. However, there are also reports that non-televised provincial rounds have been held.
• Each year determines its elementary, high school, and college level Grand Champions in a single-elimination tournament with 4 rounds (called the Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, and Grand Finals). Only the top competitor advances to the next round.
• The Weekly and Quarterly Finals feature 4 competitors each, while the Monthly and Grand Finals each field 3 competitors. However, there have been exceptions to this allocation for rounds prior to the Grand Finals.
• Each competing elementary and high school is represented by 2 students (except for elementary teams from Years 1 and 2, which fielded 3 students each). The college competition featured an individual representing the school, except from Year 8 (1999–2000) onwards, when 2-person teams were adopted.
• Alternates were allowed for elementary and high school competitors. But once used in competition, the alternate must continue to compete, taking the displaced student's place, for the rest of the competition.
• In Year 9 (2000–2001), the format for the college level was changed to the returning-champion format similar to that of Jeopardy!. The winner will return on the next episode to face a new set of challengers until they get defeated.

Episode format

• A panel of judges is present at every round, whose members are usually professors from top Philippine universities. Their primary function is to oversee and settle any disputes or complaints. Some of the competition's judges have been:

Name of Judge	Affiliation	Subject Expertise	Years Active
Milagros Ibe	University of the Philippines Diliman	Mathematics	1992-1999?
Ma. Assunta Caoile-Cuyegkeng	Ateneo de Manila University	Chemistry	1992-?
Manuel Dy Jr.	Ateneo de Manila University	Philosophy	1992-1999?
Marcelino Foronda	De La Salle University	History	1992-?
Oscar Evangelista	University of the Philippines Diliman, National Historical Commission of the Philippines	History	?
Lou Bolinao	University of the Philippines Diliman	History	1994-?
Rechilda Villame	?	Mathematics	?
Doris Montecastro	?	?	?-?
Francis Ted Limpoco	Ateneo de Manila University	Science	1998-2000
John Bulaong	Ateneo de Manila University	Arts and Culture	?-?

Mechanics for elimination rounds prior to Grand Finals, year 3 onwards:

• Competition in each level was composed of 30 questions in total, grouped into 2 rounds of 15 questions each. Each round involved an equal number of questions asked in 5 subject areas: Science, Mathematics, History, General Information, and Arts/Literature.
• The host reads the question twice, and is given some freedom to paraphrase the question. Contestants may answer as soon as the question is first read.
• Contestants answered by buzzing in first, which when performed is accompanied by a unique light and sound display. The rostra are rigged with a lockout buzzing system: contestants buzzing in late will not generate the light and sound display. After buzzing, the host acknowledged the school and were given 5 seconds to answer correctly. If not, they forfeit the question and the other teams are given the chance to answer, subject to the same time constraints. For each question given, a team may only attempt to answer once. All contestants are given a chance to answer.
• If no contestant attempts to buzz within 5 seconds (or within 30 seconds for math questions) after a question has been asked, the host announces the correct answer.
• Points allotted for each question have varied, but generally the harder-category questions carry more points.
• At the end of each round, the host recaps the scores and announces round leaders or winners.
• In case of a tie for the winner, sudden-death questions were asked. The first team to answer correctly became the winner.
• The winner of each round prior to the Grand Finals had the opportunity to answer 10 bonus questions within 1 minute and earn PHP 600 for each correct answer. From Years 7 onwards the bonus round involved a 3-ring pattern board.

Difference in mechanics for elimination rounds prior to Grand Finals, Years 1-2:

• 3 students per team in the elementary round, reduced to 2 students in Year 3 but with total prizes unchanged.
• Same 30 questions in total, but grouped into easy, average and difficult rounds of 10 questions each.
• Only two contestants out of four are given the chance to answer. To prevent two contestants blocking the chances of the remaining two contestants, a score penalty is imposed in the difficult round for the second & subsequent wrong answers made. This penalty is waived after Year 2 as all contestants get a chance to answer.

Mechanics for the Grand Finals and the ASEAN Invitational Finals are modified as follows:

• Written-answer format with correct spelling required, and with no buzzers involved so all contestants can simultaneously score on each question.
• No more bonus round after the winner is announced.
• Still 30 questions in total, grouped in the same manner as in the eliminations, equally weighted in the 5 subject areas mentioned above, and with sudden-death questions employed in case of a tie for the winner.
• The competition also has a list of reference books which are used in settling disputes which are given to Grand Finalists. Since year 7 the books themselves are sometimes part of the Grand Prize.

In the 3-ring pattern board, the contestant chooses 1 of 3 concentric rings to accomplish, with the questions in each ring having a common theme (such as all answers beginning with the same letter, or of people from a particular field). Rings with more questions are found at the outermost portion of the set, and are generally easier to answer per question, while rings with fewer questions are at the center of the set are usually harder per question. Each question adds points to the total, while completing a ring merits extra prizes from show sponsors.

• Complaints against questions, which may lead to score changes, are allowed during the actual taping of the show and are resolved with the decision of a panel of judges. But the actual protestations are not shown on air: the host simply summarizes the complaint and explains the score change.

Eligibility rules

• Any school recognized by the Philippine Department of Education, Culture, and Sports (DECS; now known as DepEd) was eligible to compete. It must field students who are enrolled at the school at the designated level at the time the year starts. It is unknown whether Philippine schools abroad which are recognized by DECS were technically eligible.
• For the elementary and high school levels, 1 alternate may be designated who will participate for the duration of the tournament once they are activated.
• For the elementary and high school levels, a school may be represented only once during the entire tournament. At the college level, a school may be represented as often as possible, provided it has not yet reached the Grand Finals. Once a competitor from a school makes the Grand Finals, other contestants from the same school will not be allowed to compete.
• As is common in televised academic quiz formats in the Philippines, which promote the 'give-chance-to-others' concept, an individual can become Grand Champion only once per level. This means that, for example, winning the elementary Grand Championship twice is not allowed, but winning 1 elementary and 1 high school Grand Championship is.

Venues

All rounds prior to the Grand Finals were recorded in Broadcast City, Quezon City. However, the Grand Finals were usually held at different venues, including the following:

Year Number	Years Covered	Venue
1	1992–1993	Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay
2	1993–1994
3	1994–1995
4	1995–1996
5	1996–1997
ASEAN Invitational	1997-08-08
6	1997–1998
7	1998–1999	Teatro Aguinaldo, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City
8	1999–2000	Broadcast City, Quezon City
9	2000–2001	Due to the change in competition format, no Grand Finals event was held

Prizes

For all rounds prior to the Grand Finals, points earned were paid out in Philippine peso for all contestants.

From Years 1 to 6, Grand Champions were awarded the following (in units of Philippine pesos, before 20 % tax on prizes):

Level	Student/s	School	Coach	Total
Elementary	300,000	100,000	100,000	500,000
High School	400,000	100,000	100,000	600,000
College	500,000	0*	0*	500,000

• - No coaches are formally recognized or awarded. Schools are recognized but are not given a separate prize. However, in reality, certain college competitors are given support or formal recognition by coaches and school officials.

In Years 7 and 8, the Grand Finals total prize for each level was PHP 500,000 (combination of cash and in kind (household appliances, encyclopedia sets and other books, and travel packages to destinations within the Philippines. The travel destination for the students may be different from that of the coaches (except again for College Level, which has no awards for school or coach)).

From Years 1 through 7, all Grand Finalists were awarded plaques prior to taping, with the eventual Grand Champion getting another trophy at the conclusion of the Grand Finals. On Year 8, certificates were given for each round win prior to the Grand Finals, and a Grand Champion trophy was given at the conclusion of the Grand Finals.

Special editions/portions

• Prior to the start of the elementary, high school, and college tournaments, the show sometimes aired Celebrity Edition episodes, where competitors are each composed of a television personality (usually female) and a college-level contestant (usually male). It may be observed during parts of the Celebrity Edition that the college contestant presses the buzzer and whispers the answer to the celebrity, who in turns provides the response to the host. The Celebrity Edition is not part of any tournament format.
• In 1997, in celebration of the 30th anniversary of ASEAN, an ASEAN Invitational Battle of the Brains was aired on RPN 9, pitting the Year 5 Grand Champions against students from Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand. The Philippine champions won at all levels.
• From 1995 to 1997, a Mind Master portion was added to the program, in which college graduates (some of whom have previously competed as students) compete as individuals in a 2-competitor, returning-champion format. The winner gets to compete in the next episode until he or she gets defeated. Leonardo Gapol (Year 1 College Grand Finalist) was well known for winning 18 consecutive matches.

Grand Champions and Finalists

Year Number	Dates Covered	Elementary Grand Champion	Other Elementary Grand Finalists	High School Grand Champion	Other High School Grand Finalists	College Grand Champion	2nd and 3rd College Grand Finalists
1	1992–1993	Georgie Anne Liad Aimee Marie Alcera Javier Gil Montemayor Aurora Aragon Quezon Elementary School, Manila	Jay Kim Del Mundo George Ongkeko, Jr. Carlo Lopez St. John's Academy, San Juan, Metro Manila Jerome Senen Eugene Cunanan Harold John Santos Notre Dame of Greater Manila, Caloocan	Novito Magsino Froilan Mendoza Pasig Catholic College	Christian Vasquez Christopher Quilalang Roosevelt College, Marikina Leila Castañeda Allan Carlos Hizon De La Salle Santiago Zobel School, Muntinlupa	Ferdinand Makalinao 1st Year INTARMED University of the Philippines Manila	Orion Perez Dumdum 2nd Year B.S. Computer Science Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City Leonardo Gapol 2nd Year B.S. Nursing Pamantansan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Manila
2	1993–1994	John Paul Bayhon Patrick Libranda Faith Victory Mejor Colegio San Agustin, Biñan, Laguna	? ? ? ? ? ?	Garry Ng Rommel Go St. Stephen's High School, Manila	Bernard Chan Allan Yu Grace Christian High School, Quezon City ? ? St Mary's Academy, Baliuag, Bulacan	Alfonso Gonzales III 1st year B.S. Applied Mathematics University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna	Oliver Tungol 4th year B.S. Electronics and Communications Engineering Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sta. Mesa, Manila Giovanni Archibal Claveria 3rd year B.S. Electronics and Communications Engineering Don Bosco Technical School (now Don Bosco Technical College), Mandaluyong
3	1994–1995	Germaine Lisa Ang Ellyson Ting Philippine Academy of Sakya, Quezon City	? ? ? ? ? ?	Paulo David Javier Joseph Joemer Perez San Jose Academy, Navotas	? ? ? ? ? ?	Richard Pante 5th year Electronics and Communications Engineering Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sta. Mesa, Manila	Jessie Antonio Technological Institute of the Philippines Manila Christian Vasquez University of the Philippines Manila
4	1995–1996	Ma. Ailil Alvarez Rosemarie Amodia St. Paul College of Parañaque	Christian Paolo Pestelos Edward Jay Salao La Consolacion College - Caloocan ? ? ?	Mel Anthony Cruz Jasper Hendrick Cheng Chiang Kai Shek College, Manila	Andrie Jeremy Formanez Bobit Gaviola Cebu City National Science High School ? ? ?	Jose Rizal Coteng 4th Year Physical Therapy University of Santo Tomas, Manila	? ? ? Emmanuel Simbulan Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sta. Mesa, Manila
5	1996–1997	Mark Anthony Salud Anthony Jefferson Atienza Holy Rosary Academy, Sta. Rosa, Laguna	Sir Martin Cortez Jerome Canlas Notre Dame of Greater Manila, Caloocan Melina Mel Moran Christina Anne Hernandez San Geronimo Emiliani School, San Pedro, Laguna	Marie Grace Mappala Ron Emil Castro Bloomfield Academy, Las Piñas	Allen Perez Jonil Julian Bautista St. Mary's Academy, Baliuag Sharon Lyn Jalac Alexis Ryan Razon Rizal High School, Pasig	Pierre Cantillero B.S. Industrial Psychology Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sta. Mesa, Manila	Joebert Ramos University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City Edric Andrey Cruz Lyceum of the Philippines
ASEAN Invitational	1997-08-08	Mark Anthony Salud Anthony Jefferson Atienza Holy Rosary Academy, Sta. Rosa, Laguna	Theodric Lee Jun Pates John Richard Pau Yi ?, Singapore Nguyen Thu Tang Nguyen Linh Dan ?, Vietnam Bhawin Sirithanaratanakul Karan Bhuripanyo ?, Thailand	Marie Grace Mappala Ron Emil Castro Bloomfield Academy, Las Piñas	Lila Kurniasari Mellisa Efiyanti ?, Indonesia Natalie Koh Si Fa Hong En Ping ?, Singapore Nguyen Thi Thanh Thao Ho Huong Giang ?, Vietnam Chomppunut Asava-Aree Suchanan Tambunlertchai ?, Thailand	Pierre Cantillero B.S. Industrial Psychology Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sta. Mesa, Manila	Alfred Pang Kah Meng ?, Singapore Le Xuan Thang or Dang Cam Tu ?, Vietnam Wan Azrin Izani bin Wan Mohamad Zin or Rafidah bt Mohammad ?, Malaysia Sutayut Osornprasop ?, Thailand
6	1997–1998	? ? La Salle Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila	? ? ? ? ? ?	Jose Roi Avena Rogaciano Pasion III Claret School of Quezon City	Mark Noel Mabanglo Jayson Arvin Salazar Makati Science High School, Makati Philip Kimpo, Jr. Juan Paolo Samontañez Lourdes School of Quezon City	Joseph Joemer Perez B.A. Political Science University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City	Marcelino S. Javier, Jr. B.S. Electronics and Communications Engineering Computronix College (now Colegio de Dagupan), Dagupan, Pangasinan Jonil Julian Bautista 1st Year B.S. Economics Ateneo de Manila University
7	1998–1999	Joseph Michael Vitug Victor Joel Ayson Lourdes School of Quezon City	Cherry Ignacio Renelson Alvarez Divine Light Academy, Las Piñas City Patricia Rimando Rashell Cabrera St. Scholastica's Academy, Marikina	Patrick Gerard de Guzman Neil Tristan Yabut Manila Science High School	Anthony Belmonte Emmanuel Vargas Sisters of Mary School (Adlas Campus), Silang, Cavite Samuel Verzosa, Jr. Michael Gerald Dealino Angelicum College, Quezon City	Ronald Bautista B.S. Electronics and Communications Engineering Computronix College (now Colegio de Dagupan), Dagupan, Pangasinan	Almario Roxas University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City Lingwi Valguna Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sta. Mesa, Manila
8	1999–2000	? ? ?	Bernard Vic Mendoza ? Ateneo de Manila Grade School ? ? ?	Wiko Kabiling David Dy La Salle Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila	? ? ? ? ? ?	Neil Tristan Yabut Stanley Kristoffer Cabrera VI 1st Year B.S. Molecular Biology and Biotechnology and 1st Year B.S. Business Administration and Accountancy University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City	Christopher E. Lopez Rey Reyes, Jr. Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sta. Mesa, Manila Christian Anthony Reyes Francis Rino Alegado University of Santo Tomas, Manila
9	2000–2001†	None	None	None	None	None	Roy Ragutana Rossbert Chua Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sta. Mesa, Manila (undefeated for 10 episodes until show's cancellation)

† - a change to the returning-champion format meant that there was no overall champion at the end of the year.

Mind Master

1996 10 Weeks - Kenneth Plamenco

1996 18 weeks? - Leonardo Gapol
1997-10-? - Richie Velasquez
1997 2 weeks Jose (Bong) Cruz, Jr.

1998 2 weeks - Ian Ceasar Vicente

Records and notable events

Most grand championships

School

• Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sta. Mesa - 1995, 1997
• University of the Philippines Diliman - 1998, 2000
• La Salle Greenhills - 1998, 2000

Individual

• Joseph Joemer Perez - 1995, 1998
• Neil Tristan Mejia Yabut - 1999, 2000

Both attended the University of the Philippines Diliman.

Youngest grand champions respective to year level

• Ferdinand Makalinao (1993) - freshman (year 1 of 7-year course)
• Alfonso Gonzales III (1994) - freshman (year 1 of 4-year course)
• Stanley Kristoffer Cabrera VI (2000) - freshman (year 1 of 5-year course)
• Neil Tristan Mejia Yabut (2000) - freshman (year 1 of 4-year course)

All attended campuses of the University of the Philippines System.

Most Grand Finals appearances

Years in bold denote Grand Championship

School

• Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sta. Mesa - 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000
• University of the Philippines Diliman - 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000
• University of the Philippines Manila - 1993, 1995
• Ateneo de Manila University - 1993, 1998
• Lourdes School of Quezon City - 1998, 1999
• Computronix College/Colegio de Dagupan - 1998, 1999
• University of Santo Tomas - 1996, 2000
• La Salle Greenhills - 1998, 2000

At different levels

• Lourdes School of Quezon City - 1998 (High School), 1999 (Elementary)
• La Salle Greenhills - 1998 (Elementary), 2000 (High School)

Individual

• Christian Vasquez - 1993 (High School), 1995 (College)
• Joseph Joemer Perez - 1995 (High School), 1998 (College)
• Jonil Julian Bautista - 1997 (High School), 1998 (College)
• Neil Tristan Mejia Yabut - 1999 (High School), 2000 (College)

Most points

In 1 Episode

Total Points	School	Show Year	Level	Taping Date
11,000	Manila Science High School	7	Weekly Finals	1999-05-22
10,700	Manila Science High School	7	Monthly Finals	1999-05-29
10,350	Lourdes School of Quezon City	7	Monthly Finals	1998-11-28
10,000	Manila Science High School	7	Quarterly Finals	1999-06-05
9,900	Ateneo de Manila University (Orion Perez Dumdum)	1	Weekly Finals	1992-11-?

In 1 Year

• Manila Science High School (Year 7) - 11,000 + 10,700 + 10,000 + 8,800 = 40,500

During this scoring run, Manila Science perfected all 3 of their bonus rounds, and exceeded the combined score (4,100 + 3,100) of their rivals in the Grand Finals.

Other notables

• Ferdinand Makalinao of UP Manila (Year 1 College Grand Champion) was known to perform math computations without using pen and paper.
• Alfonso Gonzales of UPLB (Year 2 College Grand Champion) invested PHP 300,000 (~ USD 7,500) of his championship prize in an equity mutual fund which has since grown to PHP 2.9 million (~ USD 70,000) as of Nov. 2012.
• All of the Year 5 Grand Champions also won their respective levels at the 1997 ASEAN Invitational.
• The Year 5 competitors from Ramon Magsaysay High School - Manila included Roselle Ambubuyog, the visually impaired student achiever. They made it as fas as the Monthly Finals.
• Edmond Robert (Grade 6) and Louis Allen (Grade 5) Ortal were the only sibling team to join. They made it as far as the Year 6 Quarterfinals representing Divine Light Academy - Bacoor

Sponsorship

• At least during its first year in 1992, Battle of the Brains was produced in cooperation with the Philippine Department of Education, Culture, and Sports.
• Various corporate sponsors have appeared on the shore at various times, including the following:
  • Colgate Mintirinse
  • Ovaltine
  • Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdog
  • Negros Navigation
  • Milo
  • Tivoli Ice Cream
  • Goldstar
  • Strepsils Lozenges
  • Serg’s Moonbits
  • PLDT
  • Hudson Paints
  • Keebler
  • Metro Pacific Corporation
  • Wyeth Philippines
  • Success Unlimited Enterprises
  • Compton's Encyclopedia
  • Zebra Pens
  • Tru-Shine Shoe Polish

Influence and legacy

Throughout its run, Battle of the Brains has become one of the most familiar and legendary quizbowl show in Philippine television, especially for students and trivia enthusiasts. In fact, the name of the show has been synonymous to any quiz competition in the Philippines, regardless of content and degree of TV coverage. Theresa Reyes Alvarez holds the copyright of "Battle of the Brains" with registration no. M 97-353.

Its level of fame during its time can be compared to those of the Kilometrico Quiz Date and Student Canteen's IQ7 in the 1960s-1970s, and the Digital LG Quiz in 1999–2004. It has also served as the model for various quiz competitions, televised or not, in the Philippines.

David Celdran's name has become strongly associated with the show. Winners at the show, especially in later stages and as Grand Champions, are known to have gotten celebrity attention within their school campuses.

The comedy show Tropang Trumpo parodied the show in a segment called Battle of the Brainless. In each episode, the competitors are said to come from schools whose names sound very similar to those of actual Philippine schools. Each question given by host is usually met by incorrect and humorous responses from competitors. The episode mostly ends in a tie for all schools. The host (usually portrayed by Ogie Alcasid) is also known to wear shorts, which is revealed as he moves away from his rostrum.

In David Celdran's recollection published March 2021 he expressed surprise at how people actually remember Battle of the Brains. He initially thought it will not survive the 1990s TV ratings competition since it was serious and scholastic, lacked showbiz gimmickry, was akin to a 90-minute IQ marathon, and had 30-second math problems which he joked as "television suicide". But what made the show entertaining, he recalled, were the geniuses onstage who became stars in their own right. He described the competition as a level playing field where “anyone could beat anyone” and many lesser known schools can challenge the elite schools and win the championships, "and that made it exciting because it wasn’t one-sided. It’s not like Ateneo wins basketball every year".

Awards

Year	Award	Category	Individual Winner	Citation
1994?	PMPC Star Awards	Best Game Show Host	David Celdran
1995?	PMPC Star Awards	Best Game Show Host	David Celdran
1996?	PMPC Star Awards	Best Game Show Host	David Celdran
1996	Catholic Mass Media Awards	Lorenzo Ruiz Award for Television Entertainment		for "inspiring its youthful audience to strive for excellence in school and in everything they do"

See also

• List of programs previously broadcast by Radio Philippines Network
• List of programs broadcast by People's Television Network