Bam Aquino on ‘Y Speak’ revival: Time for Gen Z to speak up

Former senator Bam Aquino looked back on his early television days as the youth-focused show Y Speak prepares to return to the small screen, calling on a new generation to take part in the conversation.

Sharing his thoughts on social media, Aquino expressed excitement over the show’s revival and highlighted its relevance for today’s youth.

“Happy that #YSpeak is coming back! Time for the next generation to make their voices heard,” Sen. Bam said in a post.

Aquino was among the original hosts of Y Speak, which aired in the mid-2000s. The program became known as a platform where young Filipinos could openly share their views on social, political, and cultural issues through a semi-debate format.

Reflecting on the show’s impact, Aquino explained its significance for younger audiences and those who may have forgotten its role during that period.

“Para sa mga Gen Z (at sa mga medyo nakalimot na): Ang Y Speak ay isang youth-oriented show na may semi-debate format na umere noong mid-2000s at naging iconic para sa henerasyon ng mga kabataan noon,” he said.

(For Gen Z—and for those who may have forgotten: Y Speak was a youth-oriented show with a semi-debate format that aired in the mid-2000s and became iconic for the youth of that generation.)

He also gave a lighthearted shout-out to his former co-hosts, including Bianca Gonzalez, joking about how time has passed since their days on the show.

“At sa mga nakasama ko noon sa Y Speak, hello Bianca Gonzalez at sa buong barkada. Mukhang tumatanda na talaga tayo. Sana hindi pa sumasakit ang mga likod n’yo,” Aquino added.

(To those I worked with on Y Speak, hello to Bianca Gonzalez and the whole group. It really looks like we’re getting older. Hopefully, your backs don’t hurt yet.)

Gonzalez later responded to Aquino’s post with a simple but enthusiastic reply: “Yessss.”

In a social media post, Fr. Tito Caluag announced that “Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition” Season 1 housemates Ralph de Leon and River Joseph will join actors Elijah Canlas and KD Estrada as the newest hosts of the returning debate show “Y Speak.”

“‘Y Speak’ will be a civics education and formation program focusing primarily on the youth as its main audience. It will air across different platforms and two networks,” wrote Fr. Caluag, who will serve as the show’s executive director.

A known youth leader before joining politics, Bam Aquino served as president of the University Student Council of the Ateneo de Manila University and later as chairperson of the National Youth Commission (NYC) from 2003 to 2006.

In his first term as Senator, he chaired the Committees on Education and Youth, where he advanced policies and programs for the welfare of the youth. He also pushed for the passage of the Free College Law, serving as its principal sponsor in the Senate.

Upon his return to the Senate, Sen. Bam, now chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, worked to secure an increase in the education budget to a record-high ₱1.34 trillion.