Showbiz and its envoys

Showbiz chika is definitely here to stay. And gone are the days when only gays like me were the only ones fond of it. Hosting OkRyan over dyLA 909 khz since May made me realize something that, at first, I found hard to believe. Exactly two months after I began hitting the airwaves every 3-4pm on weekdays, I have found out that even straight men want to know the latest in showbizlandia.

Later on, my audience became more specific. While most of them are housewives between 40 to 60 years old, there are also students, office workers, and the jeepney and taxi drivers, security guards, policemen, businessmen, managers and "standbys" representing the male sector. They who would even go out of their way to text and react on the topic of the day. Some would even call the station's telephone.

Have men gone gay already? (Ha, ha, ha.)

Seriously, I don't think so. It is simply because there is something in showbiz stories that draws one's interest. My journalism professor in college once told us that intrigues and controversies really sell. "Who is sleeping with whom," who got impregnated by whom and who is going out with whom, so on and so forth, spur circulation figures or the ratings. This is not exclusive to Pinoy culture, but is actually a universal trend.

In the Philippines, however, it is safe to say that showbiz stories have made their way to the hearts of Filipinos-young and old alike-mainly because of news of economic instability, political division plus threats to our peace and order situation. Everybody wants a breather from all these and a lot would find solace in entertainment tidbits.

No wonder national primetime newscasts, "TV Patrol World" and "24 Oras" have alloted three gaps everyday for showbiz stories. Whereas before there would only be one story in major newscasts, you can now expect a maximum of five or six showbiz stories. In Cebu, "TV Patrol" started it first, as far as I can remember. When I was a MassCom sophomore at USJR, the now- famous Nancy Bacalso Ferrer was a classmate in the Advertising subject. She always came in late, and when she arrived she'd be all made up because she just came from the ABS-CBN Complex in Jagobiao after doing the segment for entertainment updates. When Nancy moved on to hard news, another Josenian, Neda Aviñante, now executive producer of "Jud Morning," took her place. After them, I could no longer recall who was in-charge of that segment.

And last January, the very charming, vibrant and not to mention pretty, energetic and aggressive Cecil Quibod landed the coveted spot of hosting the "Showbiz Kini" segment of GMA-7's "Balitang Bisdak." A fresh graduate from Saint Theresa's College, Cecil's journey to popularity was never easy. Of course, there were times when she forgot her lines, she stammered and committed other boob-tube boo-boos. Sometimes, she looked unpleasant on TV, with bad make-up, a superficial smile and a wrong choice of dress. One time when I told her she looked ugly on TV, she claimed that the lights were bad. But I never bought that reasoning and found out later that it was all because she does her own make-up everyday. Now she has learned her lessons by not applying eye shadow anymore. The result is oh-so-terrific as my colleagues in the newsroom are now saying Cecil is getting better and prettier everyday. Very good!

But the good thing about this fast-rising media personality really is that she is willing to learn and is very open to suggestions. She welcomes criticisms like a pro. Of course, I had the chance to observe how she works when I was still covering the police beat. And it is only now that she will know that I admired her aggressiveness in going after stories, asking the right questions and dealing well with colleagues. Back then, I knew she was bound to shine. Her nose for news especially was undeniable. And the best thing about her? She is still the same accommodating and thoughtful woman that I know since day one. She still has her good attitude intact and has not let fame go into her head. I say "famous" because I was witness to how the people, who paid their last respects to Kapusong Dan Campilan at the Queen City Memorial Gardens months ago, asked for their pictures to be taken with her, Lalaine Go and Lou Ann Mae Rondina. So a lot are now being mesmerized by her charm.

Maybe another proof that Cecil has finally arrived as far as hosting the entertainment segment is concerned is the fact that "TV Patrol Central Visayas" revived the same segment with Kara Noveda at the helm. Kara Noveda who? Well, I won't blame you if ever you reacted that way upon hearing her name even if she has been gracing our TV screens for almost a month now. That is mainly because in my opinion, Kara lacks vigor and magic before the cameras. Her face comes across pale, audio is less enthusiastic, and her delivery boring.

Blame the background, as for one, it's so bare and the color behind her is very dull as compared to the yellow green backdrop in Cecil's set. And maybe her make-up is also a factor. And her voice? Maybe she could inject some energy into it because for now she really is not that convincing and engrossing. Her clothes are not fashionable at all-she's not really that catchy and interesting enough to watch. She should also gain some weight because she looks so petite. Even if it's a given that you are to gain 10 pounds on cam, she still appears thin. Kara and the production team need to review past footages for them to realize what I'm talking about. Let me clarify this, other people I have talked to have shared the same observation as mine. Let's face it: glamour is a must for those hosting the entertainment segment. Look at Phoemela Baranda and Pia Guanio, it's as if they are going to a fashion show everyday, donning stylish, sexy yet classy dresses.

Well, I do hope she would take my points constructively because if she would hate me for this, then I have reason to believe that the not-so-pleasant things said about her are true. Like for example, is it true that she is not well-loved by colleagues at a local daily where she is section editor because "she rubbed the right people the wrong way?" Is it true that she is banned by two senior editors from writing for their respective sections because it would reportedly take a century before she could submit certain articles, and that sometimes she would accept an assignment but would back out at the 11th hour because she is busy with her TV job?

I sincerely hope there is no truth to these stories from the grapevine. Because if they are, I'm afraid she might be heading down the path of a "pasaway" talent, who in the world of showbiz or any chosen field of endeavor, would never last. I hope Kara, you won't turn into one. You are young, promising and you still have a very long way to go. And please be friendly, mingle and interact with your media colleagues because they would be the ones to help you get to the top. Honestly, I find you snobbish and indifferent. But I hope you'd prove me wrong, and your detractors out there.

My communication line is open. Its [email protected]

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Meanwhile, let's congratulate Ms. Melanie Marquez for having graduated cum laude from the International Academy of Management & Economics (IAME) with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree, during the 31st Commencement Exercises held last November 20, 2006 at the Manila Hotel. Wow! How's that for a beauty queen, turned supermodel, turned actress, doting mother and now product endorser of the internationally-acclaimed New Placenta products by Psamstre Enterprises? That is no mean feat, huh! Two thumbs up for you Miss International! Now you can very well claim, you are not just a pretty face or a walking mannequin because you really have something inside that well-shaped coconut shell of yours!