MANILA — After a seven-year hiatus, the highly anticipated return of “Pilipinas Got Talent” (PGT) is finally happening!

The country’s biggest talent competition is making a grand comeback with a fresh lineup of judges — Kapamilya superstar Kathryn Bernardo, award-winning actress and comedian Eugene Domingo, heartthrob Donny Pangilinan, and the returning “OG” judge, industry veteran Freddie M. Garcia (FMG).

With the competition tougher than ever, each judge has their own criteria for choosing the next “PGT” champion.

For Bernardo, originality is key. She believes that contestants should not just showcase a skill but bring something new to the stage.

“Unang-una is the uniqueness. Ang dami nang dumaan sa ‘Pilipinas Got Talent,’ especially FMG has been here since Season 1, at siya ’yung nagsasabi sa amin na parang, ‘I’ve seen this.’ When I say uniqueness, it can be singing, but with your own flavor,” she explained.

Meanwhile, Pangilinan is searching for a talent that has the power to transform the room.

“A type of performance that will move the room. A type of performance na after niyo mapanood, magshi-shift ’yung environment,” he said.

For Domingo, her decision will rely heavily on gut instinct and entertainment value.

“I cannot really pinpoint what I’m looking for. Most of the time, it’s gut feel, and most of the time, I go to the basic — masarap ka bang panoorin?” she said.

As a seasoned judge who has been part of PGT since its first season, Garcia admitted that finding fresh talent has become more challenging.

“For the last six years — this is the seventh year — masyado na akong jaded, nakita ko na ang lahat. It’s so difficult for me to look for that one right talent that would make a difference. But definitely, there’s this one word that can describe the ‘wow’ factor — ‘pag tinamaan ka na niyan, alam mong ito na ’yun,” he shared.

Adding excitement to the new season, “Pilipinas Got Talent” will have a brand-new hosting tandem — Robi Domingo and Melai Cantiveros. Both hosts will also have the power to grant the coveted Golden Buzzer, instantly sending their chosen contestant straight to the semi-finals.

While honored to take on the role, Domingo admitted that following in the footsteps of former hosts Billy Crawford and Luis Manzano comes with pressure.

“Grabe ’yung pressure kasi na-set talaga ng Billy-Luis tandem, na alam mo ’yun, who’ve been doing this for the past how many seasons already. Pero nung sinabi sa akin na makakasama ko si Ate Melai, wala — tapos na ’yung pressure! Because I know for this season of ‘PGT’, we’re gonna be standing on the shoulders of giants — Billy and Luis — but at the same time, giving a new flavor,” he said.

The competition officially kicks off on March 29 and 30, promising jaw-dropping performances, heartfelt stories, and the discovery of the next big star.