Battle of the Brains was a Philippine television quiz show broadcast by New Vision 9/RPN and PTV. Originally hosted by David Celdran, it aired on New Vision 9/RPN from July 18, 1992, to 2001. The show moved to PTV from 2001 to July 14, 2001. The show aired on an afternoon and later noon time slot, from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM (1992–1997), 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM (1997–2000), and 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM (2001), every Saturday. Chiqui Roa-Puno served as the host of the final year (Year 9). Considered as one of the most culturally influential locally produced shows of the 1990s, the annual grand championship of Battle of the Brains was open to all elementary, high school and college students nationwide, while a short-lived Mindmaster segment (1995–1997) was open to adults. 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: Year 1 to Year 8 (1992–2000) Chiqui Roa-Puno: Year 9 (2000–2001)
Alternate hosts Cathy Santillan: Year 1 to Year 8 (1992–2000) Anthony Suntay: Year 1 to Year 8 (1992–2000)
Tournament format Competitors usually joined by contacting Focal Media Arts by telephone, and were directly slotted for the televised Weekly Finals. But sometimes, the show ventured out to remote schools and provinces to host non-televised rounds, which served as a gateway to joining the Weekly Finals. Each year determined its elementary, high school, and college level Grand Champions in a single-elimination tournament with four rounds (called the Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, and Grand Finals). Only the top competitor advanced to the next round. The Weekly, Quarterly, and Grand Finals featured 3 competing schools each, while the Monthly Finals had 4 competing schools 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 onwards, when 2-person teams were adopted. Alternates were allowed for elementary and high school competitors. But once used in competition, the alternate had to continue to compete, taking the displaced student's place, for the rest of the competition. In Year 9, the elementary and high school Grand Championships were scrapped. The format for the college level was changed to the returning-champion format similar to that of Jeopardy!. The winner returned on the next episode to face a new set of challengers until they themselves got defeated. The Mindmaster portion featured only 2 competing individuals per episode, and was set up in the returning-champion format
Episode format A panel of judges was present at every round, whose members were usually professors from top Philippine universities. Their primary function is to oversee and settle any disputes or complaints. Some of the competition's judges were:
Name of judge Affiliation/s 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, Arts, and Culture 1992-1999? Marcelino Foronda De La Salle University, Panorama magazine History 1992-? Oscar Evangelista University of the Philippines Diliman, National Historical Commission of the Philippines History 1997?-? Lou Bolinao University of the Philippines Diliman History 1994-? Rechilda Villame Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines Mathematics ?-? Doris Montecastro Ateneo de Manila University Chemistry 1994-1999 Francis Ted Limpoco Ateneo de Manila University Science 1998–2000 John Bulaong Ateneo de Manila University Arts and Culture ?-? Jaime Veneracion University of the Philippines Diliman History 1994?-? Moises Asuncion University of the Philippines Diliman Mathematics 1994?-? Sergio Cao University of the Philippines Diliman Mathematics 1994?-? Tony Ferrer Ateneo de Manila University English 1994?-? Erwin Enriquez Ateneo de Manila University Chemistry 1994?-? Angelli Tugado Ateneo de Manila University Philosophy 1994?-? Armand Guidote Ateneo de Manila University Chemistry 1994?-? Noelle Rodriguez Ateneo de Manila University History 1994?-?
Mechanics for elimination rounds prior to Grand Finals, Year 3 onwards:Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Competition in each level was composed of 30 questions in total, grouped into two rounds (Easy and Difficult) of 15 questions each. Each round involved an equal number of questions asked in five subject areas: Science, Mathematics, History, General Information, and Arts/Literature. The host read the question twice, and was given some freedom to paraphrase the question. Contestants could answer as soon as the question was first read. Contestants answered by buzzing in first, which when performed was accompanied by a unique light and sound display. The rostra were rigged with a lockout buzzing system: contestants buzzing in late would not generate the light and sound display. After buzzing, the host acknowledged the school and were given five 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 were given a chance to answer. If no contestant attempts to buzz within five 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 ten bonus questions (selected from three subject categories which vary by episode) within one minute and earn PHP 600 for each correct answer. From Year 7 onwards, the bonus round involved a three-ring pattern board, and a final bonus question consisting of a jumbled word with clue, and is worth PHP 2,000 if answered correctly.
Difference in mechanics for elimination rounds prior to Grand Finals, Years 1-2: Three students per team in the elementary round, reduced to two students in Year 3 but with total prizes unchanged. Same 30 questions in total, but grouped into easy, average and difficult rounds of ten questions each. For each question, only two competing teams 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 and 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 were modified as follows:Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: 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. Since Year 7, some of those books became part of the Grand Prize.
In the three-ring pattern board, the contestant chooses one of three 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 but are usually more difficult. Each question adds points to the total, while completing a ring merits extra prizes from show sponsors.
Complaints against questions, which could lead to score changes, were allowed during the actual taping of the show and were resolved with the decision of a panel of judges. But the actual protestations were not shown on air: the host simply summarized the complaint and explained 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 have fielded students who were enrolled at the school at the designated level at the time the year started. It is unknown whether Philippine schools abroad which were recognized by DECS were technically eligible. For the elementary and high school levels, one alternate could be designated who will participate for the duration of the tournament once they are activated. For the elementary and high school levels, a school could be represented only once during the entire tournament. At the college level, a school may be represented as often as possible, provided it had not yet reached the Grand Finals. Once a competitor from a school makes the Grand Finals, other contestants from the same school would 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 could become Grand Champion only once per levelhttps://issuu.com/neiltristanmejiayabut/docs/2000_battle_of_the_brains_mechanics. This means that, for example, a person winning the elementary Grand Championship twice was not allowed. But a person winning one high school and one college Grand Championship is (which in fact was achieved separately by two individuals).
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:
Show year Years or date Grand Finals 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.