Debate with Mare at Pare
Debate with Mare at Pare (transl. Debate with Mare and Pare) is a Philippine television public affairs debate show broadcast by GMA Network. Hosted by Oscar Orbos and Solita Monsod, it premiered on November 18, 1998. The show concluded on November 2, 2006. It was replaced by Palaban in its timeslot.
| Debate with Mare at Pare | |
|---|---|
 Title card from 2001 | |
| Genre | Public affairs |
| Presented by | |
| Country of origin | Philippines |
| Original language(s) | Tagalog |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) |
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| Production location(s) | Philippines |
| Camera setup | Multiple-camera setup |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Production company(s) | GMA News and Public Affairs |
| Release | |
| Original network | GMA Network |
| Picture format | 480i (SDTV) |
| Original release | November 18, 1998 – November 2, 2006 |
Overview
Considered the first successful debate-type public affairs program, it was awarded by the Philippine Movie Press Club as best public affairs program and best talk show by the Catholic Mass Media Awards.
Debate is the first of its kind in the country, combining information and entertainment in discussing various issues. The hosts act as moderators of the debate and live audience were given the opportunity to express their opinions.
Debate pioneered the use of highly computerized televoting system, wherein televiewers cast their votes on the featured issue. These include SMS, internet voting, and telephone voting. From 1998 to 2000, pagers were used when SMS were not yet in the market.
A viewer is entitled to call for reactions or submit votes through an automated voice system.
Debate with mare at pare made history in television when former President Joseph Estrada called the program and expressed his remarks against the chairman of the Philippines' Securities and Exchange Commission.
Debate first aired on November 18, 1998. From February to June 2001, Mrs. Monsod was briefly replaced by TV news anchor Mel Tiangco when she ran for the position of senator.
The program is confrontational, bold, fiery, spontaneous, and highly opinionated. Not only that, it has become a venue for people to reach out and even confront Philippine officials. It has also become an important tool in policy making decision of Philippine leaders.
Hosts
- Oscar "Pareng Oca" Orbos - one of the most respected names both in the field of politics and television. He is a five-time best public affairs program host for Debate at the Star Awards for Television given by the Philippine Movie Press Club.
- Solita "Mareng Winnie" Monsod - a former professor of Economics in University of the Philippines (UP). Mareng Winnie is a five-time recipient of PMPC Star Awards for Television as Best Public Affairs Hosts. She is also an awardee of "Ka Doroy" broadcaster of the year given by the Kapisanan ng mga Broadcaster sa Pilipinas in 2000. Her husband is Christian Monsod, convenor of the political group One Voice.
Voting process
A viewer are entitled to vote on a particular issue or subject posted on TV. That subject could be the featured proposition for the debate or a related question to the topic. The program featured voting process through the use of landline phone and internet.