The fifth season of Pilipinas Got Talent premiered on ABS-CBN from January 23 to May 22, 2016, replacing the second season of Your Face Sounds Familiar and was replaced by the third season of The Voice Kids.
Billy Crawford and Luis Manzano returned as hosts for the season. Of the three judges from the previous four seasons, only Freddie M. Garcia reprised his role. He was joined by actress Angel Locsin, actor Robin Padilla, and comedian Vice Ganda, who had debuted as a guest judge in the previous season, filling in for Ai-Ai delas Alas during the 5th quarterfinals week due to her illness.
Contemporary dance duo Power Duo from Angono, Rizal, emerged as the season's winner. Poi dancer Marianne Madrigal ( Amazing Pyra) from Antipolo was named the runner-up, while magician Ody Sto. Domingo from Sta. Mesa, Manila secured third place. This season marked the first time in the show's history that a singing act did not win.
Development During the May 17, 2015, episode of ASAP 20, host Luis Manzano announced that the show will return for its fifth season, following the success of the four Filipino acts who competed in the grand finals of Asia's Got Talent. Two of those acts were formerly part of the show: singer Gerphil "Fame" Flores, who competed in the first season but lost the judges' vote in the fourth semifinal week, and shadow play group El Gamma Penumbra, who competed in the third season but placed fourth in the finals. Flores placed third while El Gamma won the inaugural season of the said regional franchise of Got Talent.
Host and judges Billy Crawford and Luis Manzano are set to reprise their hosting duties although the judging panel will have significant changes. Ai-Ai delas Alas and Kris Aquino will not return to the judging panel; the former due to her return to GMA Network, while the latter cited health problems and give time to her sons. ABS-CBN board member Freddie M. Garcia confirmed his return as judge for the fifth consecutive season. On January 8, 2016, a teaser during FPJ's Ang Probinsyano revealed that actress Angel Locsin will be one of the judges. On January 9, 2016, a teaser during It's Showtime revealed that actor Robin Padilla will join Garcia and Locsin in the judging panel. The next day, January 10, a teaser during ASAP revealed that comedian Vice Ganda, who filled on delas Alas' slot last season as a guest judge, will be the fourth judge for this season.
Voting mechanics Aside from the usual SMS voting, new to this season is the addition of an online voting method done via Google Philippines. By typing the keyword in the search box, clickable photos of the contestants that had performed for that week will show up in the search results page; one Google account is entitled to one vote only.
Timeslot When the show initially premiered on January 23, 2016, it initially aired at 9:30 PM, filling the timeslot previously vacated by the second season of Your Face Sounds Familiar after it ended on December 13, 2015. Prior to the season's premiere, the temporary filler movie block Kapamilya Weekend Specials took over the said timeslot. On February 13, 2016, after Dance Kids ended, it was moved to an earlier timeslot of 7:30 PM to give its timeslot to I Love OPM. On April 24, 2016, the show temporarily aired at a late timeslot of 10:00 PM to give way to the 2016 Philippine presidential election final debate.
Auditions Pre-auditions The pre-auditions for the fifth season took place in key cities in the Philippines. Pre-auditions were held in Manila, Batangas, Cebu, and Davao. But this season, the pre-auditions are judged by Pilipinas Got Talent staff and those who passed will make it to the live audition.
There were also mini-auditions in several cities and provinces in the Philippines including Antique, Aurora, Cabanatuan, Cagayan de Oro, Catarman, Catbalogan, Guimaras, Imus, Kalibo, Legazpi, Roxas, Tacloban, and Tarlac City. These mini-auditions are judged by Pilipinas Got Talent staff and those who passed will make it to the live auditions.
In addition, online auditions was put up where contestants can upload their own audition video and send it to the website of Pilipinas Got Talent.
Date of Pre-Audition Pre-Audition Venue City October 10–11, 2015 North Gate, Faith Catholic School Tanauan City, Batangas October 16–17, 2015 Almendras Gym of Davao Recreational Center Davao City October 24–25, 2015 Benedicto College Mandaue City November 6–7, 2015 ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center Quezon City
Live auditions The live auditions in front of the judges were held on January 12–14, 2016 at the Kia Theater in Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City (for the Manila auditions) and on January 21–23, 2016 at the Davao del Sur Coliseum in Digos (for the Visayas and Mindanao auditions). This fifth season, voting works on a majority-of-three basis (as there are now four judges). If an act receives three or more "yes" votes from the judges, they advance to the next round of the competition which is the judges cull.
Date of Live-Audition Live-Audition Venue City January 12–14, 2016 Kia Theater Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City January 21–23, 2016 Davao del Sur Coliseum Digos
Below are the acts that had received at least three Yes votes from the judges, and as well as those Golden acts: Successful auditionees of Pilipinas Got Talent (season 5) Auditionees from Luzon Histacity – dance group, Marikina The Poor Voice – male singing duo, Pasig Mercy Viola Daily, 66 – rapper, Baguio Geffrey delos Reyes, 29 – close-up magician, Pasig Splitters – dance group, Manila Rouge – all-female rock band, Quezon City Vernon De Vera – escape artist/illusionist, Marikina Power Duo – acrobats/dancers, Rizal X-Breaker - Hip-Hop dance group, Bacoor Rayner Dalde, 25 - Opera Singer, San Fabian, Pangasinan Pamilya Kwela - Comedy dance group, Rodriguez Back Ache Boys - Senior Boy band, Quezon City Louie Lorenzo, 25 - Male Aerialist, Quezon City Supper Goodie - Pep Squad duo, Calamba Moterozzo Twins - Singing/Beatbox Duo, Las Piñas Celine Manese, 19 - Pole Dancer, Parañaque Micah Cate, 26 - Singer, Manila Rolando Parico, 53 - Beatles Parody performer, Santa Mesa, Manila Amazing Pyra, 21 - Fire Dancer, Antipolo, Rizal Dino Splendid Acrobats, 20-37 - All-Male Acrobat Group, Santo Tomas (Batangas) Jeremiah Velasco, 33 - Singer, Kawit Mark Mestiola, 21 - Basketball performer, Muñoz Allyza Imatong, 8 - Pole Dancer, Rodriguez Shadow Ace, 19 - Shadow Play Performer, Calatagan, Batangas Liquid Concepts - Flair Bartending Couple, Quezon City The Chosen Ones, 9-12 - Kiddie Band, Imus Ody Santo Domingo, 31 - Close-up Magician, Santa Mesa, Manila Derf Cabael, 33 - Singer, Bacoor Odette Cagandahan, 32 - Blacklight artist, Paete, Laguna Vidad Sisters - Singing Duo, Binangonan, Rizal Power Impact Dancers - Dance Group, Manila Percival Denolo, 43 - mud shadow artist, Valenzuala City Francis Anne Virtudazo, 36 - Kudiman singer, Quezon City Next Level Octomix - Jump Rope Dancers, Caloocan Voice Male - Male singing group, Quezon City Rodrigo Brothers - Sibling Drummers, Balayan, Batangas Dos Fuerte Bailarines - Dancesport Duo, Tuguegarao P.W.R. Music - Singer/Rapper couple, Pasig Urban Crew - Hip-hop dance group, Las Piñas The Elite - Tribal Dance Group, Muntinlupa Troy Perez, 27 - Mentalist, Quezon City BSJ Drum Troops - All-Male Drum group, Las Piñas Elektro Kids, Hovertrax performers, Quezon City Likhain Dance Crew, Modern Folk dance group, Tondo Lezboys - Singing group, Antipolo Noe Bersola, 35 - Acrobat, Noveleta, Cavite Mark Dune Basmayor, 27 - Contortionist, Cabuyao Pizza Masters - Dough Throwing performers, Manila Reynaldo Mape Jr., 27 - Rubik's Cube solver, Valenzuela Cabuyao Acrobats - Acrobat group, Cabuyao Ronel Baladad, 21 - Hulahoop performer, Nueva Vizcaya Tito's Duo - Acrobat Duo, Quezon City Raymond Capino, 20 - Flow blacklight performer, Lemery, Batangas Malvar Acrobats - Acrobat group, Batangas Team Rappa - Dance group, Tondo, Manila Samuel Villacorta,5 - Kid Genius, Lipa Nikki Gadiane,18 - Singer, Cavinti, Laguna Sandugo Dance Troupe - Modern Folk dance group, Oriental Mindoro Music Foundation - Marching band group, Dasmariñas Bad Hair Day - All-Female band, Quezon City Rado Delfin, 27 - Shadow play performer, Quezon City FA Rock - Band, Binangonan, Rizal Rhey Otic, 30 - Singer, Manila Jezarine Linco, 19 - Singer, Valenzuala Voices - Singing group, Quezon City Eugene Rubio, 37 - acrobat, Talisay, Batangas Melchizedek Bicija, 19 - Vocal impersonator, Calamba Happy Twins, 18 - Twin Acrobats, Taguig Auditionees from Visayas The Simpson Tribe, 2-43 - Acrobat group, Roxas, Capiz FA Flow Circle, 17-23 - LED TRON dance group, Cebu City Daniel Bautista, 42 - Yoyoy Villame impersonator, Sagbayan, Bohol The Raes, 17-43 - Mother-Daughters band, Cebu City M.A.T.T.I., 12 - Martial arts exhibition group, Bacolod Mastermind, 18-26 - Dance group, Borongan Deniel Sarmiento, 15 - Dancer, Boracay Angel Fire, 18-21 - Belly dancers, Cebu City Dona Aguire, 52 - Singer, Kalibo Kurt Philip Espiritu, 14 - Singer, Bacolod Bailes de Luces - Light Dancers, Bacolod Big One - Musician Group, Negros Occidental Gerome Siguan, 22 - Fire pole dancer, Guiuan, Eastern Samar Don Juan - Dance group, Cebu City Alicia Bohol Musika Kawayan - Bamboo musicians, Bohol Rey Mark Mijaran, 25 - Comb & paper musician, Jaro, Leyte Jade Riccio, 26 - Singer, Puerto Princesa DBND Dancers - Kid Ballroom dancers, Iloilo City Rodolfo Mercado, 76 - Leaf-harp musician, Bohol Roma Villarete, 36 - magician, Boracay Bacolod City Electric Masskara - Light dancers, Bacolod Auditionees from Mindanao Gensan Contortionists, 18-25 - All-male contortionist group, General Santos Jovanny Sumabal, 24 - Freestyle Rapper, Davao City DM-X Comvalenoz, 18-24 - Hip-hop dance group, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Gian Bacalso, 22 - Freestyle drummer, Davao City D'Gemini, 22 - Female Hip-hop dance duo, Panabo Queen Beats, 14-15 - Female Beatbox duo, Sarangani Luna Brothers - Dance duo, Davao City Sto. Tomas Bulilit Generation - Kid acrobats, Santo Tomas (Davao del Norte) Legendary Fire Artists - Fire dancers, Davao City Koro Teatrico - Comical Choir, Digos Brian Sescon, 6 - Kid Motocross racer, Davao City Mabini Senior Scouts - Drill Performers, Davao City Twin Brothers - Dance/acrobatic duo, Davao City Um Tagum Castreal Duo - Dance duo, Davao City Father & Song - Sing/Rap duo, Iligan Crossover Family - Hip-hop dance group, Davao City Nique Mancha, 21 - Pole dancer, Davao City Binibining Beats - Female beatboxer, Zamboanga City Gensen Parkour - Parkour group, General Santos UA Mindanao - Motocross performers, Kidapawan Auditionees from the overseas Joey Alberto, 20 - Dancer, California, United States NOTE: Please be guided that the list above is incomplete.
Golden buzzer Another new addition to this season is the golden buzzer. During the live auditions, there is a golden buzzer placed in the center of the judges' table. The buzzer is pressed by a judge on an act to send directly to the live semi-finals. Each judge is allowed to press the buzzer only once during the whole duration of the auditions.
Padilla was the first judge to use the golden buzzer, pressing it for acrobatic duo, Power Duo. Locsin was the next to press for flair bartending couple Liquid Concepts. Then Vice Ganda was the third judge to press for collegiate Hip-Hop dance troupe, Power Impact Dancers, with Garcia coming in last, doing so for hat tricker/contortionist Mark Dune Basmayor. All four were found during the Manila auditions, hence the lack of calls for the use of the Golden Buzzer during the Davao auditions.
Judges Cull