Mixing and matching ideas does not always come easy, but for M&M Studios, it is exactly what makes things work.
Composed of irregular students from different colleges and universities, M&M Studios brings together individuals who eventually found their way to Communication Arts at the University of Santo Tomas. The group was formed through their TV Production course, where they were tasked to produce two original shows—an academic requirement that laid the foundation for the studio’s collaborative direction. While their paths may have started in different places, they now share a common space, one built on creativity, collaboration, and the willingness to adapt.
Led by Supervising Producer Margaux Navarro, M&M Studios introduced its first production, Matira Matibay, during the COMMTV Launch 2026. At its core, Matira Matibay is a three-episode Filipino-inspired survival game show where student teams from different UST colleges face off in SDG-anchored challenges that test their physical strength, mental sharpness, and adaptability. As the competition progresses through elimination rounds, only one team will emerge as the ultimate survivor.
The show’s title mirrors not just its concept but also the very journey of the people who worked hard to make this show possible—those who chose to continue, adjust, and move forward despite taking unconventional paths.
Aside from being a survival game show, Matira Matibay also blends games with advocacy-driven challenges rooted in SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), encouraging both contestants and viewers to actively engage in sustainable endeavors.
Premiered on April 6, 2026, the show brought together four teams from different UST colleges—Team Ang, Team Besties, Team Socleolos, and Team Empanada—to face off in challenges rooted in Filipino culture and everyday problem-solving.
The first episode, Larong Kanto, brings back familiar childhood experiences, with games inspired by Ping-Pong relay and Jackstone. Apart from this, the episode also highlights the importance of physical activity and teamwork among students. Anchored in SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, it shows how simple, everyday games can promote movement, coordination, and connection, reminding viewers that staying active is essential to overall well-being.
The second episode, MariTEST: Fact or Fiction, shifts to a more mentally demanding challenge in which contestants must separate fact from misinformation, testing their awareness of current events and trends. Anchored in SDG 4: Quality Education, the game highlights how easily misleading information can spread, encouraging both players and viewers to think critically and stay informed. The episode is further enriched by insights from Political Science Professor Mr. Paul Francisco, who emphasizes the importance of media literacy in today’s information landscape.
The final episode, Ang Huling Pagsasala, serves as the ultimate round, where contestants are challenged to create their own DIY water filtration system. Anchored in SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, the episode highlights the importance of access to clean water while testing the players’ creativity, problem-solving, and resourcefulness. As they take on the challenge of creating their own water filters, real-world applications of sustainability are highlighted. Insights from Ms. Maria Rosario Virginia C. Garcia, PhD, underscoring the importance of clean water and sanitation, further enriched the episode.
Across all episodes, the show conveys the message “Tatak Puso, Tatak Tibay,” which emphasizes that survival is not only about strength but also resilience and resourcefulness.
Following its pilot, new episodes aired every Tuesday from 11:15 AM to 11:45 AM throughout April on campus television screens and via UST Tiger TV’s official Facebook page.
As M&M Studios continues to grow, it invites viewers to look back on the journey and see how survival takes shape through play, challenge, and teamwork.
All episodes of Matira Matibay are available for replay on the UST Tiger TV Facebook page, M&M Studios Facebook page, and M&M Studios YouTube channel. Follow M&M Studios on Facebook, Instagram (@mmstudios26), and TikTok (@mmstudios2026) for more updates, behind-the-scenes content, and future productions.
