TV5’s Lakwatsika aims to combine travel, entertainment

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

The latest offering of TV5, one of the Philippines’ largest broadcasting networks, aims to combine the splendor of travel and the lightheartedness of entertainment, as the country eases out of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic travel restrictions.

Lakwatsika is the network’s first ever “reali-talk” show, top-billed by comedians Ethel Booba and K Brosas, produced by Cignal Entertainment in cooperation with Red Crane Studios and in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Booba and Brosas will embark on a journey that will take you to places across the country and give you a glimpse of each town or city as they talk to the locals, explore their hometowns and discover some hidden gems along the way.

Joining the two comedic hosts will also be joined by their “Lakwatsikadoras” who are On The Watch (OTW) as the show’s digital hosts – Tiktok creator Queenay and Sing Galing champ Marimar Tua, who makes her TV debut with this show.

Aside from the hosts, they will be joined by other celebrities and travel experts who will take them on trips to their hometowns and show more than what is usually known to aspiring and veteran travelers.

During the show’s launch last Tuesday, April 5, Brosas shared that she has always wanted to host a travel show, citing a tweet she posted back in 2013 about her interest.

“I’ve always wanted to be part of a travel show, where you just laugh because you’re enjoying the conversations and the experience. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to do this, as I clearly recall tweeting about wanting to host a travel show several years ago!” Brosas said.

For her part, Booba said that it was not like any other travel and adventure shows that she had joined before, citing her previous experience on GMA7’s “Extra Challenge”.

“I can say that I have been to many places in the Philippines already because of previous shows I’ve been in, but here in Lakwatsika, the main subject of the show is not just the place but the people living there. I have learned so much while filming the show: you get to realize that the Philippines really is so beautiful, and that there are distinct values and personalities for every community, as evident in our episode in Masbate,” she said.

The show’s pilot episode will feature the island province of Masbate, which is known to be the country’s rodeo capital.

They will also be visiting the town of Cawayan, considered a hidden gem, where majestic islands are waiting to be explored.

The show will air starting on April 18 and will air from Mondays to Fridays at 11:00 a.m., only on TV5.