Tawag ng Tanghalan (lit. Call of the Stage, abbreviated as TNT) is an amateur singing competition currently aired as a segment of the noontime show It's Showtime that first aired on January 2, 2016. Dubbed as "Your all time favorite search for outstanding amateur talents", the competition is open to Filipino contenders from Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

This is the latest revival of the original Tawag ng Tanghalan talent search show which debuted from 1953 when DZAQ-TV (now DWWX-TV) began commercial operations until 1972 following the declaration of Martial Law by former President Ferdinand Marcos and later revived from 1987 to 1988 after the network went back on air then later relaunched as The Star Network. OPM legends like Armand Panlilio, Nora Aunor, Novo Bono Jr., Pepe Pimentel, Edgar Mortiz and Diomedes Maturan^[1] were among the biggest winners^[2] of the original show.^[3]

The first season of the regular edition that first aired on January 2, 2016. Noven Belleza emerged as the grand champion for the first season that spanned a year (2016–2017).^[4]

Tawag ng Tanghalan Kids was the next season intended for young contenders ages 7 to 13 years. Auditions started on December 4, 2016^[5] and on March 13, 2017, following the conclusion of the Tawag ng Tanghalan on March 11, 2017 held at Resorts World Manila. Its grand finale was held on June 10, 2017. Jhon Clyd Talili emerged as the grand champion for the kids edition that spanned for three months.^[6]

The second season of the regular edition premiered on June 12, 2017.^[7] For this season, the competition was also opened for global Filipino contenders from different parts of the world.^[8] Janine Berdin emerged as the second grand champion for the second season that spanned almost a year (2017-2018).^[9]

The third season of the regular edition premiered on June 25, 2018.^[10] Elaine Duran, the TNT record holder, emerged as the third grand champion for the third season that spanned fifteen months (2018-2019).

Regional contenders from Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao compete daily on a live performance and are scored by a panel of judges. For the first two seasons of the regular edition, and for the kids edition, the criteria for judging are as follows:

However, if the contender goes off-tune or if the judges deem his/her performance to be particularly bad, the punong hurado (or head jury) will signal the gong-master with his hand to hit the gong three times, thereby stopping the performance and eliminating the contender, à la-Major Bowes Amateur Hour. In a break from series tradition, the gong mechanic was however omitted in Tawag ng Tanghalan Kids presumably to prevent the judges from upsetting younger performers, instead relying solely on the judges' verdict and overall score to determine the winner.^[11]

Starting the third season, the judging criteria has been updated to only two criterion standards. 50% of the contestant's score comprises the aspect of Voice Quality (which includes Intonation, Enunciation, Voice Projection, and Technique. The remaining 50% comprises the Overall Performance aspect that covers Timing, Mastery of Lyrics, Stage Presence, and Audience Impact. Another addition includes the judges use of the Instant Resbak where every judge will return a losing Defending Champion from the Face-off Round to have another shot to qualify in the Ultimate Resbak.

The daily winner can challenge the current defending champion and claim the golden microphone. Contestants who achieve a five-time winning streak will advance as a Semi-finalist, but may opt to continue up to ten times and become part of the Tawag ng Tanghalan (TNT) Record Holder and receive additional prizes. The longest winning streak achieved so far is 10-times by Elaine Duran of Season 3 Quarter I^[12][13] and John Mark Saga of Season 3 Quarter II.^[14][15] This is later reduced to just five consecutive days in Tawag ng Tanghalan Kids.^[11]

For the Semi-Finals, scores from text votes (50%) of madlang people (audience) and hurados' (or judges') scores (50%) are combined to decide a winner. The semifinals runs for a week, with different theme for each day. The two contenders garnering the highest combined score from the public and judges will move forward to the grand finals (a.k.a. Ang Huling Tapatan) while the other contenders will participate in the Ultimate Resbak Rounds.

A semifinalist may still be gonged during these rounds.

Starting Season 3, every judge will now have the power to return a losing Defending Champion from the Face-off Round using the Instant Resbak. The contestant who is given this power will then be saved and moves on to the Instant Resbak Week for a chance to participate in the grand finals (also known as Ang Huling Tapatan). However, each judge is only entitled one save per season only (For example, if the judge uses his/her power in Quarter I, he/she can't use it again in the succeeding Quarters).

Losing semifinalists, who are not gonged, may still go forward to the grand finals, also known as Ang Huling Tapatan through the Ultimate Resbak Week as wildcards.

For the first season, the lost 14 semifinalists were grouped into 4. Each day, a group performs with 3 or 4 members each individually. The contender garnering the highest combined score from the public and judges per group will move forward to the second while the other contenders are eliminated.

In the second round, the four remaining semifinalists battle for the last two slots in the finals. The two contenders garnering the highest combined score from the public and judges will move forward to the grand finals (also known as Ang Huling Tapatan) while the other contenders are eliminated.

For the Kids edition, selected contenders will have a shot in claiming a slot in the Semifinals. Each day, one from each region, performs. The contender garnering the highest combined score from the judges will move forward to the second round while the other contenders are eliminated.

In the second round, the six remaining resbakers battle for the last slots in the semifinals. The contender garnering the highest combined score from the judges will move forward to the semifinals while the other contenders are eliminated.

For the second season, it follows a last man standing format.

Before the aired episodes, the semifinalists were pitted against each other to claim one of the two power seats. The power seats serves as immunity against the other contenders and gives them opportunity to select two semifinalists to pit against each other. The two contenders garnering the highest combined score from the public and judges will claim the power seat.

In the aired episodes, the two semifinalists who are in the power seat picks one semifinalist each. The picked semifinalists will be pitted against each other for a chance to dethrone the semifinalists in the power seats. The winner of the first round is selected by the majority of the judges. The winner will now challenge one of the semifinalists in the power seats to go in a sing-off. The winner is based on 50% public vote and 50% judges' score. If the challenger wins, he/she dethrones the seated semifinalist. If the seated semifinalist wins, she/he remains in the power seat. The remaining contenders in the power seat will move forward to the grand finals (a.k.a. Ang Huling Tapatan) while the other contenders are eliminated. The said format was also used for season 3.

The grand finals dubbed as Ang Huling Tapatan (The Final Face-off), will determine the grand champion of the season. The weekday rounds held in ABS-CBN Studio 3 on Monday until Friday, while the live finale held in a random large venue on Saturday.

For the first season, there will be three rounds divided into five days. Every day, one finalist advances to the live finale. The finalist garnering the highest combined text votes and judge's score advances. If the score is tied, both contenders advances to the live finale.

In the live finale, the competition is divided into two parts. The first part is a single song. The three finalists garnering the highest percentage of judges' scores and public votes advances to the second part. The second part is a medley song of an artist. The finalist will sing three songs of a specific artist. The finalist garnering the highest score is declared the Grand Champion.

For the second season, the rules of the weekday rounds are slightly changed. For every round, there will be an eliminated finalist and there will be a finalist that advanced to the live finale. For every finalist that advances to the live finale, there will be a finalist that will go home (i.e. if two finalists advances, two finalists will be eliminated). The live finale mechanics remains the same.

The jury or hurados are mainly composed of professional singers and composers in the Philippines. Including those who became contenders or grand champions of the original Tawag ng Tanghalan. Among the panel of judges, one is called the punong hurado or head jury. At most, 5 judges are present each day.

The daily winner receive ₱10,000 (approximately £140.00, €160.00, US$180.00, AU$250.00, CN¥1,200.00 in June 25, 2018), with a consolation prize of ₱5,000 (approximately £70.00, €80.00, US$90.00, AU$125.00, CN¥600.00 in June 25, 2018) to the other contenders. The defending champion receives ₱25,000 (approximately £350.00, €400.00, US$450.00, AU$625.00, CN¥3,000.00 in June 25, 2018) and may continue to defend the golden microphone; losing contenders however can come back and try again, known as Resbak.^[16]

The total earned prizes may vary among Defending Champions who advanced as Semi-finalists with a winning streak of five times or more. The top two advance as Grand Finalists and receive ₱150,000 (approximately £2,250, €2,550, US$2,910, AU$3,600, CN¥18,000 in 2019) and a golden medal, while the losing semi-finalists receive ₱25,000 (approximately £375, €425, US$485, AU$600, CN¥3,000 in 2019). Losing Semi-finalists who lost can become Ultimate Resbakers or Wildcard and will receive the same prize as Grand Finalist.

The winner as the first Tawag ng Tanghalan Grand Champion will take home musical instrument package from JB Music, family vacation trip, recording contract from Star Music, negosyo package, a house and lot from Camella, and a trophy, with ₱2,000,000 cash.^[17][4] The 2nd placer will receive ₱500,000 cash, while the 3rd placer will receive ₱250,000 cash respectively. Those who are able to advance to the Top 6 but were not able to advance to the Final 3 were given a consolation prize of ₱100,000 cash.

The winner as the first Tawag ng Tanghalan Kids Grand Champion will take home negosyo package from Siomai House, a house and lot from Camella and a trophy with ₱1,000,000 from Topps. The 2nd placer will receive ₱200,000, the 3rd placer will receive ₱100,000 and the 4th and 5th placers will receive ₱50,000 each.

The winner as the second Tawag ng Tanghalan Grand Champion will take home ultimate vacation package from 2GO Travel, music gadgets package from JB Music, negosyo package from Siomai House, premium television sets from HKTV, talent management contract, a brand new house and lot from Camella, and a trophy, with a tax-free cash of ₱2,000,000 from Nescafé Creamy White. The 2nd placer will receive a tax-free cash of ₱500,000 from Nescafé Creamy White, while the 3rd placer and tax-free cash of ₱250,000 from Nescafé Creamy White. Those who are able to advance to the Top 6 but were not able to advance to the Final 3 were given a consolation prize of ₱100,000 cash.

Here is the list of Tawag ng Tanghalan Year 3 Grand Champion's prizes:

The 2nd placer will receive a tax-free cash of ₱500,000 (£7,839.52, US$9,635, AU$14,242.94, €8,806.29, CN¥68,628.18) from Nescafé Creamy White, while the 3rd placer will receive a tax-free cash of ₱300,000 (£4,703.71, US$5,781, AU$8,545.76, €5,283.78, CN¥41,176.91) from Nescafé Creamy White. Those who are able to advance to the Top 6 but were not able to advance to the Final 3 were given a consolation prize of ₱100,000 (£1,567.90, US$1,927, AU$2,848.59, €1,761.26, CN¥13,725.64) cash.

The first season of Tawag ng Tanghalan aired on January 2, 2016. Dubbed as "Your all time favorite search for outstanding amateur talents", the competition is open to Filipino contenders from Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Noven Belleza of Visayas emerged as the grand champion for the first season that spanned a year (2016–2017).^[4] Sam Mangubat was declared as runner-up or 2nd placer and Froilan Canlas finished at 3rd place. The season conclude on March 11, 2017 at Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila in Pasay City.

Tawag ng Tanghalan Kids was the next season intended for young contenders ages 7 to 13 years. Auditions started on December 4, 2016^[5] and on March 13, 2017, following the conclusion of Tawag ng Tanghalan season 1 on March 11, 2017 held at Resorts World Manila. Its grand finale was held on June 10, 2017. Jed Madela and Jolina Magdangal was added to the judging panel while Rey Valera did not return as head judge for the kids season. With this, Yeng Constantino, who served as a fill-in head judge for Valera in the regular, served as the head judge for the kids season.

Jhon Clyd Talili of Mindanao emerged as the grand champion for the kids edition that spanned for three months.^[6] Keifer Sanchez was declared and finished at 2nd place, Mackie Empuerto finished as the third placer, Sheena Belarmino emerged as fourth placer, and Francis Concepcion finished at fifth place. The season concluded on June 10, 2017 at ABS-CBN Studio 3 instead of large venues.

The second season of the regular edition premiered on June 12, 2017, following the conclusion of Tawag ng Tanghalan Kids on June 10, 2017.^[7] For this season, the competition was also opened for global Filipino contenders from different parts of the world.^[8] Rey Valera returned as head judge for the second season with Gary Valenciano as a new member of the judging panel.

Janine Berdin from Visayas emerged as the second grand champion for the second season that spanned almost a year (2017–2018).^[9] Ato Arman from Mindanao was declared and finished at 2nd place and Steven Paysu from North America finished at 3rd place. The season concluded on June 2, 2018 at Aliw Theater in Pasay City.

The third season of the regular edition is premiered on June 25, 2018, with the last defending champion of Season 2 will return for Season 3.^[10] It also saw the additions of the competition's 1975 champion Dulce, Randy Santiago and Zsa Zsa Padilla to the judging panel.^[18][19][20]

Elaine Duran from Mindanao, the TNT record Holder, emerged as the third grand champion for the third season that spanned fifteen months (2018-2019). John Mark Saga from Luzon, the TNT record Holder, was declared and finished at 2nd place and John Michael dela Cerna from Mindanao finished at 3rd place. The season concluded on September 28, 2019 at Caloocan Sports Complex in Brgy. Bagumbong, Caloocan City.

The fourth season is currently on an unknown status due to the controversies in Season 3, and to give way for the upcoming month-long activities for the show's 10th anniversary.

Rey Valera has often as a judge been criticized by viewers and critics alike for his offensive comments to contestants regarding their physical appearance. He has received backlash on the internet for repeated incidences of body-shaming several female contestants and failing to focus on the contestants' singing skills.^[21][22][23]

Karla Estrada's qualification as judge has also been questioned by some viewers.^[24]

Judges' scores and text votes results are also questioned by many viewers either for lack of transparency, a faulty system that fails to confirm their votes thru SMS, allegations of unfair judging^[25] and similar claims that the show is rigged.

In the 2017 Grand Final, acclaimed actress Nora Aunor, the original Tawag ng Tanghalan Grand Champion in 1968, was scheduled to be the special judge but pulled out at the last minute due to a conflict with Vice Ganda, one of the main hosts of the show.^[26] According to reports, Aunor believed Ganda's brand of insult comedy was against her moral beliefs and made her deeply uncomfortable with the idea of being on the show.

Since 2018, Tawag ng Tanghalan is often mentioned as one of the factors for longer airtime of It's Showtime, which in turn led to subsequent delays for the afternoon and primetime programs of ABS-CBN.^[27][28][29]

One of the semifinalists of Quarter 4, Season 3, Shantal Cuizon, made a headline when she made a controversial post in Twitter saying "Composer ka lang" and "Hustisya".^{[30][31][32][33]} Later, after her public apology, it was deleted and deactivated her Twitter account for good.^[34]

On the September 11 episode, after the second round of songs between Mariane Osabel and Mariko Ledesma, Mariko took the seat of power, dethroning Mariane. But when the screen appeared where the split scoring was revealed (showing the public and judges scores), the viewers noticed that Mariane's score given by the judges was 16.50%, while Mariko received 50%. Due to the allegedly "rigged" results, netizens used #HustisyaParaKayMariane and it was trending on Twitter, citing the expression, rants and sentiments over the score given by the judges.^[35][36][37]

On September 14, 2019, Hurado Dulce speaks out regarding to the controversial result last September 11, 2019.^[38]

With the recent controversy of the alleged results, Mariane withdrew the opportunity to compete for the Final Resbak due to her health problem. Mariko, who was one of the finalist for the Huling Tapatan, also withdrew her slot due to the netizens backlash to her.^{[39][40][41][42]}