July 31st was the date for saying goodbye to noontime giant Wowowee and hello to the new game and variety show called Pilipinas, Win na Win! The new show is hosted by Robin Padilla, Mariel Rodriguez, Valerie Concepcion, Pokwang, and Kris Aquino.

It's been just over a week since the switchover, and the warmth of its reception has been mixed with some elements of chill. Neil Ramos of The Manila Bulletin hailed the first show a "confusing start," saying that some of the audience and "at least one of its co-hosts" seemed "baffled and lost," despite Kris Aquino's attempts to lighten things up with a little host-to-contestant and host-to-host bantering.

Some hubbub is to be expected as, even at this early date, Robin Padilla has requested two weeks' vacation for the observation of Ramadan, reports PEP.ph. But there were also some concerns that this "vacation leave" was actually simply a convenient coverup for his desire to quit the show. According to the same PEP.ph article, the reason for the tension is the incompatible hosting styles of Kris and Robin.

But a more recent PEP.ph article reports that, during Mariel's birthday celebration on showbiz talk show Entertainment Live! on August 7, Robin told co-host Mariel Rodriguez that his leave was really just in observance of Ramadan.

And that's not the only thing he had to say to Mariel. To the audience's delight, the former action star slipped a diamond ring on the birthday girl's finger, saying: "Sagutin mo ako o hindi, itago mo yung singsing. Ano mang mangyari, itago mo 'yan. Sa 'yo 'yan, hindi ako nagsinungaling sa 'yo, Mariel. Mahal kita. (Whether you say yes or not, keep the ring. Whatever happens, keep it. It's yours. I didn't lie to you, Mariel. I love you.)"

[Click here to learn more about their engagement]

So it seems that romance is in the air between two of the five Pilipinas, Win na Win! co-hosts, despite the antithesis of it in the life of a third, given Kris Aquino's current marriage ills.

But is the personal (though actually quite public) drama between and around the various co-hosts, or even the games and other offerings of Pilipinas, Win na Win!, enough to capture your attention and hold it? Let us know by answering this poll.


(Photos courtesy of PEP.ph)

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