Of local TV darlings

I woke up to the voice of Kapusong Bobby Nalzaro last Thursday early morning while I was scanning the dial to tune in to my home station dyLA. He caught my attention because he was introducing Allan Dominggo and Lalaine Go to his radio program over dySS. I thought it was a new segment but when I checked the time, it was still past 6:30AM. I realized it was the usual segment wherein Allan and Ching Pelayo, hosts of Buena Mano, would banter with Bobby about current issues. But why was Lalaine Go there for that morning (also yesterday)? So I rose from bed, turned off the radio and watched the TV, specifically GMA-7. And there she was, my friend who has remained grounded despite getting famous on the local boobtube for her interesting reports and features in Balitang Bisdak. It turned out she was pinch-hitting for Ching for two days.

Well, I believe it’s about time that Lalaine gets her fair share of good breaks. She’s got a beautiful face, an audio that commands authority (she can be likened to GMA 7 Manila’s Rhea Santos and Connie Sison, and even better than Pia Arcangel and Mariz Umali), plus a good attitude. In short she is ripe for an anchoring job. If I were to offer a suggestion, I would give her a try rather than getting an outsider to tandem with Bobby in Bisdak because by doing so, it would send a message to the rest of the news and public affairs people of GMA-7 Cebu that they too could have their big break at the right time and with the right working attitude.

They have been doing that actually by ordering their talents to audition everytime there is a new show or there will be a reformat. I just don’t know if they’ll hold an audition for Bobby’s partner from among their female reporters at present. Aside from Lalaine, Chona Carreon would also look good with Bobby (morena and mestizo would match, don’t you think?), and her audio is also good. Of course, Lalaine and Chona are not outstanding yet but workshop and training would do wonders on them. But again, mine is just a suggestion and proposed experimentation. That is also if they decide now to have a partner for Kapusong Bobby. Yes, it’s about time that he should have a partner, if you ask me. After all he has proven enough in the broadcast industry. He is already an institution. Therefore it would be good to see a veteran and a neophyte together.

Okay, Chona Carreon was my classmate at University of San Jose Recoletos. We have been  good friends for 10 years now. I used to sleep over at her apartment along with other close gay friends of ours, Junrey and Ysrael, who are now both ESL teachers. But I’m not hyping her up simply because of that. Chona did well academically; in fact, she was on the dean’s list. She has come far, from being a production assistant in charge of the teleprompter during the newscast to becoming a promising reporter. I used to scold her before when we were together for that short time in the police beat because she was passive and did not much have the drive. But after a few months when I left to concentrate on entertainment journalism, I was surprised at how fast she was able to establish her network of sources. And her crew told me once that they are amazed at Chona’s go-getter attitude because again, initially she really did not have the passion for the job since she really wanted to try her luck abroad. But now I could see and feel her energy and thirst for scoops and excellent features. She is determined too, including losing weight. So Chona might be able to deliver.

Lalaine, as we all know is from St. Theresa’s College, and first worked as PR writer for a local paper. It was when she was assigned to cover Starstruck avenger Dion Ignacio three years ago when our paths crossed. That started our friendship because Lalaine is amiable. Soon after, I found her to be real, sincere and thoughtful. She knows when to stop and shut up as respect of other people’s feelings. So she is a people person, one of the most important qualities to survive in this business. She maybe young, but doesn’t everybody star out young and raw?

Lalaine also has a way of making you feel important and special. And since the day we became friends, she has never changed, she sends me text messages and shows her concern until now. She remains humble and open-minded to criticism. That’s the spirit Lalaine. Performance wise, we have seen her treat  various coverages with gusto and she has evolved to become a confident standupper who used to stammer and get tensed. Continue doing that and you will surely go places! Never follow the attitude of your colleague who has a pretty face but with an ungrateful heart! Has this reporter ever proved anything?

Now, jumping to the other side, I must say Star Patroler Kara Mae Noveda of TV Patrol Central Visayas has also grown for the better. She is now an engaging figure on screen and her reports have  become interesting. Physically she has gained weight, which works to her advantage, and her face projects authority now, unlike two years ago, when she was skinny and looked pale and weak. And she’s been going out a lot to gather  reports, a far cry when she first started, wherein she just delivered the story in the studio. Good job Kara!

And we have settled our issues before already. Remember almost two years ago I told her in my column to shape up and be friendly to people in the entertainment beat? Well, she asked sorry and thanked me for a good article about her which I wrote in Banat Hugyaw last February. We bumped into each other during Gary V.’s presscon at Casino Filipino two days before Valentine’s Day where she was hesitant to approach me at first but managed to say hi. According to her she was scared of me before, but I don’t know why. But yes, we’re okay now and I don’t have issues with her anymore.

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