The ABS-CBN morning talk show, Ruffa and Ai, is now included in the long list of casualties of GMA's "Sis" which is now airing on its 9th year on television.

SiS was conceptualized by GMA executives in 2001 who wanted a different approach to typical morning talk shows seen on TV. At the time, the morning talk shows that were seen on TV were mostly live panel discussions with guest celebrities.

“Sis” premiered in July 2, 2001 as a replacement to Dina Bonnevie‘s D! Day. The original hosts are true-to-life sisters Janice and Gelli de Belen. Carmina Villaroel was later added in the show.

The first program toppled by SiS was “Morning Girls” hosted by real-life bestfriends Pops Fernandez, Zsa Zsa Padilla and Kris Aquino. SiS was too strong against the so-called “Power Girl Trio” that’s why ABS-CBN reformatted the show making it “Morning Girls with Kris and Korina” with the powerhouse tandem of Kris Aquino and Korina Sanchez.

Year 2004 saw the show easily coasting through the ratings after “Morning Girls with Kris and Korina” folded up and was replaced with “Good Morning Kris” and “Morning Star” in succession.

Year 2005 saw the show competing against Boy Abunda‘s morning talk show “Homeboy” and Roderick Paulate and Amy Perez‘s variety show “Most Requested Show (MRS)” on ABS-CBN, and “Chowtime Na!” on IBC-13. However, “Sis” was still the preferred morning program of most Filipino viewers, as they clobbered the competition in the ratings. Both “MRS” and “Chowtime Na!” has since folded up and “Homeboy” was left to slug it out with “Sis” in the ratings.

Other shows that “Sis” faced stiff competition from ABS-CBN were: “Boy & Kris” featuring the Philippines’ King of Talk Boy Abunda (from Homeboy) and Philippines’ Queen of Talk Kris Aquino (2007-2009) and “Ruffa and Ai” (February 2009-present) hosted by Ruffa Gutierrez and Ai Ai delas Alas but the latter is about to become one of the casualties of the GMA talk show.

According to reports, Ruffa and Ai is ending its season this week together with the hosts’ contract. The kapamilya talk show will not return for another season as it will be replaced by the upcoming talent variety program “Showtime” to be hosted by Vhong Navarro and Anne Curtis.

We can’t help but speculate that the ratings of Ruffa and Ai didn’t live up to the expectations of the ABS-CBN management that’s why they decided to end its season (or series) run. And with another show pitted against the kapuso trio, the guessing game is on once again if how many months will “Showtime” last on air or will it be the very first program to topple “Sis”?

For now, it’s safe and fair to say that the real “queens” of morning television are Janice de Belen, Gelli de Belen and Carmina Villaroel. Do i need to explain further?