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.
[1] During the May 17, 2015, episode of ASAP, 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.
[2][3] Billy Crawford and Luis Manzano are set to reprise their hosting duties although the judging panel will have significant changes.
[7] On January 9, 2016, a teaser during It's Showtime revealed that actor Robin Padilla will join Garcia and Locsin in the judging panel.
Prior to the season's premiere, the temporary filler movie block Kapamilya Weekend Specials took over the said timeslot.
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.
This particular semi-finals week was held outdoors at the MX Messiah Fairgrounds in Taytay, Rizal due to the size of stage required for UA Mindanao's performance and the dangerous nature of the fire acts.
Also, the show temporarily vacated the Newport Performing Arts Theater to accommodate the finals nights of another competition program I Love OPM.
Additionally, the Sunday telecast was moved from the usual early evening slot to past 9:45 pm due to the airing of the Luzon leg of the 2016 PiliPinas Debates.
UA Mindanao and the Amazing Pyra each held the outdoor parts of their performances a few days in advance at the MX Messiah Fairgrounds in Taytay, Rizal.