The ABS-CBN management conceptualized the morning show in 1995 when "Magandang Umaga Po" was still on air. The show started on June 3, 1996 as "Alas Singko Y Medya" (literally "5:30"; derived from the Spanish "A las cinco y media") which premiered with original hosts Julius Babao and Panjee Gonzalez. Gonzalez temporarily left the show due to her upcoming marriage to ABS-CBN's chairman and CEO Eugenio Lopez III, but returned a few months later, until Christine Bersola-Babao was named as her permanent replacement.