Of local shows and entertainment

Finally, I got the chance to watch ABS-CBN Cebu's morning show "Maayong Buntag Kapamilya" last Monday since it began airing in May. I must say I liked the format very much-entertaining, informative and befitting the early morning timeslot. My morning television viewing habits would now change, as it would now include the 30-minute ABS-CBN show before tuning in to Super Bobby Nalzaro's morning newscast at dySS at 7am. In ABS-CBN's bid to sustain a stronger hold on the Cebuano patronage, they put up a local show that keeps us not just awake but also informed. I aspire for that day when the Kapuso network would also come up with one not just to compete but to also help promote the local entertainment.

Anchored by Rico Lucena and Mylene Chi, "Maayong Buntag Kapamilya" graces our TV screens every 6:30am. It has several segments; the most prominent of which are the local news, word of the day, morning star and interviews with celebrities. Lending support are their co-hosts: the bubbly and charming Neda Avinante and news reporter Ramil Ayuman. The show usually opens by the showing of the frontpages of the three local papers and two tabloids. The anchors then proceed by alerting viewers on what to expect as the show progresses.

I must say I like the speaking voice of Mylene. It is so clear and pleasing to the ears especially in her delivery of the news in Cebuano. It's sexy even, yet it maintains a certain degree of modulation that it comes out authoritative, thus complementing her credible aura. Bravo Miss Mylene. (Though I think her eye shadow that Monday morning was too heavy.)

And there's Rico Lucena. This anchoring stint of his comes as no surprise to me because even during our mass communication days at the University of San Jose-Recoletos, he and Neda are among those who stood out. Both are campus personalities, with Rico starting as president of the Masscom Coordinates, then becoming news editor of the school publication, and finally running for president of the school government. Even if he lost in the latter, he was still an active student leader and definitely a witty and confident speaker.

Neda Avinante, on the other hand, first made a name for herself in school after she was adjudged declaimer of the year when she was still a freshman. She became more popular in our department when she and the equally bubbly Rudynah Entera became anchorpersons in their Broadcast Communication class that successfully produced live television newscasts under the supervision of the late Christopher Misajon. She was eventually crowned Miss Masscom and became a student leader herself, actively devoting her time to the Supreme Student Council. And so when I learned that they were already "Kapamilyas," I asked no further questions for they definitely deserve where they are now.

I must confess I was not friends with Neda and Rico then, not until we all became local media practitioners. Rico was two years ahead of me and I was a year older than Neda. Back in college, I was just an outsider who was always timid in the company of campus figures and achievers. I guess being promdi made it hard for me to adjust to the new environment then.

And then I saw Neda on the boobtube last Monday and her presence did not fail to brighten up my day. The ever-talkative person that she is, I wish Neda would be given a bigger exposure since she has mellowed and matured a lot already. She is no longer the irritating newcomer as she was seen during her "Sabado Na Gyud" days and when she used to deliver entertainment news for "TV Patrol Cebu." She was very aggressive then that most of the time she came across over-confident. Now, she speaks with perfect timing and has a charming and sunny disposition that registers natural onscreen. I would say that with a little bit of pushing and prodding, Neda will be very ready for a talk show. Go girl!

Of course, Rico carries himself very well before the camera. He appears very refreshing and his facial expression is very friendly that you will be captivated to listen and watch him. But sometimes Rico has the tendency to throw long questions that run the risk of dragging down the momentum. Just like his first question to University of San Carlos' Fr. Roderick Salazar: "How do you assess education in the country, father?" Had he stopped there, it would have been fine because that would give Salazar a bigger opportunity to elaborate on his answer. But Rico went on with "commercialize naman kuno" and with two or more adlibs, which I could not remember anymore, before letting Fr. Salazar speak up.

In my humble opinion, it would have been nicer if Salazar was permitted to reveal his assessment before throwing another question so as to save time. But of course, it was not a mortal sin nor did it lessen my admiration for Rico's talent. To Ric, my fellow Masscom Coordinate: "Continue making a difference."

As a whole, I do wish that "Maayong Buntag Kapamilya" would expand into an hour. It is, after all, a celebration of Cebuano creativity. It's another proof that promdis like us can hold our own in the talk show realm. Kudos to the Kapamilya network for realizing that Cebuanos or Visayans need to have an own show to strike a balance between developments on national scale and what's happening in our own backyard. A pat on the back should be given to Ate Vilma Andales and Adrian Diongzon (executive and associate producers, respectively) for crafting such an informative show that will now serve as my alarm clock.

I have always been proud of local talent and creativity. And I believe that if only we were given the same break as that of the Manila talents, we would certainly come out better. It's just that we don't have enough resources to back us up. It's sickening to note that the chances for a local show to go on air have to depend on the approval of bigwigs in Manila. Unfortunately, we only have the talent but we do not have the budget. For sure, "Maayong Buntag Kapamilya" is doing good - or else it would have been axed already.

TV production is always an experiment; how it would fare in the ratings will not be known unless it is shown. So, I'll say this again: I aspire for the day when the Kapuso network would also put up its own local daily morning show. It attempted to solicit the Vismin support by dubbing some of its shows in Cebuano, but it failed because we felt insulted. It was not so good an experiment, in other words. So why not produce local shows instead? It is not only a campaign at getting closer to the hearts of the people in the Visayas and Mindanao, but a noble way of maximizing the local entertainment to its fullest potential. What do you think Ms. Ann Marie Tan?

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Thank you so much to Mommy Rose Gaisano, Gaisano Main and Gaisano Country Mall vice-president for marketing, for treating The FREEMAN's Cebu Mass Media Awards (CAMMA) winners to a sumptuous lunch at the White Gold House last Thursday. She was in Dumanjug for a Caravan sale so she was unable to join us. Anyhow, we wish to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for we did not only have a great time feasting on the mouth-watering food (especially my favorite humba and fried chicken), but we also had fun bonding. And yes, it was also humbling and inspiring to know that Fr. Roy Cimagala, CAMMA's best columnist, also reads me every Wednesday. Now, I'm more pressured to come up with interesting pieces and to be more careful with my words this time. But of course, with the fine editing of my good friend, Nathalie Tomada, I'm confident I'll always come out fine.

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Please continue supporting our very own Jimmy Marquez in the ongoing "Search for the Star in a Million" on ABS-CBN every Sunday by texting SIAM Jimmy send to 231 for Smart and 2331 for Globe. React at [email protected].