CHRISTINE AND JULIUS: What's The Real Score

Can you imagine waking up in the morning and, stirring your usual wake-upper, not fidning Christine Bersola and Julius Babao when you click the remote control to ABS-CBN (Alas Singko y Medya)? I'm sure you'd be so disappointed that, instead of dressing up and rushing to work, you'd flop right back to bed. Ho-hum!

The tandem, plus the show's segment hosts, has become part of our, yes, morning ritual. How else would we know what traffic-clogged streets to avoid, what's happening around us and other parts of the globe, what's the latest and what's in store for us the rest of the day? Thank heavens for Christine (Tin-tin) and Julius!

Meanwhile, as we start our day with the duo, we also wonder what's the real score between them. Are they getting married or aren't they? Have they "eloped" when they went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land last year or haven't they? Are they, ehem, mere "soul-mates" (like brother and sister, you know) or are they into a deeper relationship?

Let's find out in Funfare's separate interviews with Christine and Julius.

What keeps you busy, Julius?

Hosting Alas Singko y Medya, and anchoring TV Patrol International and Web Patrol, the first Filipino Newscast in the Internet.

What's Web Patrol?

It is a 30-minute newscast that is seen in the Internet. This is the CNN, ABC and NBC. All the major international networks have their webcast already. ABS-CBN is introducing this format in the Philippines.

How do you watch Web Patrol?

You have to visit the ABS-CBN News website (www.abs-cbnnews.com) and download a real player for Web Patrol. Then you can play it and watch the news anytime, 24 hours a day. That is what we call news-on-demand.

So what time do you wake up in the morning?

I wake up at 3:30. Everything is automatic. In about 30 minutes, I am already prepared and off to work.

What time do you sleep?

I am an early riser but a late sleeper. I don't know but after work I just feel that there are so many things that I missed during the day, so I do everything in those few remaining hours before bedtime, like watch a movie, eat in a fine restaurant, surf the Net, fix coffee....

You drink coffee even at night?

Yes, I am a coffee addict. I love all kinds of coffee. When I travelled to Europe, I quarreled with the stewardess because she didn't want me to carry the espresso maker I bought there.

Is Tin-tin also fond of coffee? Do you share other interests aside from coffee?

Oh, yes, that's why we get along well. Sometimes, she says na nahahawa ko na siya. For example, collecting art pieces. It has been my hobby; it's now also Tin-tin's hobby now, Nahawa ko na siya! Tin-tin has also influenced me in some ways, such as enrolling in a gym. I hate working out but she's been able to convince me into doing it -- in the gym! Actually, I've been worried because of my bad eating and health habits. Some drastic changes have to be done. There are so many ailments these days so all of us must be health-conscious.

So what's the real score?

Tin-tin is a very lovable person. What's important is that we compliment each other. We agree on most anything. It's important for you to be on the same wave length as your co-host. Kami ni Tin-tin, magka-vibes on and off camera.

So what other things do you do with Tin-tin?

We watch movies together. We enjoy having dinner in different restaurants. What else? We love going to the mall, even without shopping. She's a constant companion.

GMA-7 already has a new morning show, Unang Hirit. Aren't you threatened by it?

Definitely not. So many shows were pitted against us, but they eventually folded up. I am really happy with this new development. At least now we've proved our drawing power. More and more people are watching our show and everybody's joining the bandwagon.

Alas Singko y Medya will remain the original real morning show on Philippine television. Nasa history na yan. We were told that some of our segments have been copied by (Unang Hirit) and that's good. I always believe that "imitation is the best form of flattery," and our team is really flattered about it. Kung ginagaya ka ibig sabihin maganda ang produkto mo, di ba?

Your format is almost the same, but Unang Hirit is aired earlier.

They may start earlier but their show runs right smack into the ABS-CBN 5 a.m. newscast. Their format is different. Ours is not a comedy show. Our format is real-time coverage, news every hour on the hour -- while things are happening! And these are serious matters, serious issues. If you want to watch a comedy show, e, di you tune in to Oki Doki Doc or an early-evening sitcom, not to an early-morning show.

We deliver things that the viewing public needs to know in the morning. Technology-wise, malayung-malayo na kami. I guess the competition is spending only one-third of the Alas Singko y Media budget. Ours is an expensive show that's hard to match, hard to beat. We have "live" reports daily from all over the Philippines. And when I say "live," I mean "live." Hindi lang phone patch.

We are doing this because we believe that our market is not just the Philippines. We are also servicing our viewers in the United States, Middle East and Asia-Pacific, na sa tingin namin ay isa rin sa aming responsibilidad.

What keeps you busy nowadays, Tin-tin?

Alas-Singko Y Medya definitely! My life revolves around this.

Anything else?

And, of course, there's Balitang K where I do voice- overs and standuppers for Korina Sanchez. Oh, yes, every Friday, I tape for TFC. My show is aired in all parts of the world via the Filipino Channel.

What about "rackets" or extra curricular activities?

I host corporate shows. Since I don't have a manager, I manage my own affairs, like paying the bills, negotiating for talent fees, etc.

What time do you wake up?

Everyone I meet asks me this question. Hay, naku, 3:30 a.m. everyday. Minsan, tumatawad so 4 a.m.

What time do you hit the sack?

Ideally, 8 p.m. I'm usually in bed by 8 p.m. but I fall asleep at around 10 p.m. pa because I still catch up on my reading or watch the Lifestyle Network, Discovery Channel or MTV which I find entertaining.

What stuff do you read?

Long heavy reading is not for me lately. I just end up falling asleep or not finishing the book. Until now nga. I haven't finished reading the biography of Audrey Hepburn. So for quick reading and quick access to information as well, I just read magazines and newspapers. For relaxation, I read home books.

What are your passions?

Traveling, collecting candles, shoes, plants, my dog Chinchin, Spanish plates, home books, fashion magazines.

Do you still have a nightlife?

This is one thing I have to give up. Before, I would watch the last full show on a weekday. Now, I can't even go to movie premieres or opening of restaurants on a weekday. I only stay up late if it's work-related.

What happens if you stay up late and you don't get enough sleep?

My performance suffers the next day. As in major bloopers. My brain doesn't function well and I feel like floating!

Floating! Is that how you feel -- floating on Cloud 9 when you're with Julius?

Hahahaha! Is that what my aura reveals?

What's the real score?

I give him a perfect 10.

What do you think of Unang Hirit.

I think this is the third time they've changed format, no? Ngayon all Tagalog na rin sila. Na matagal na naming ginagawa. It was Alas Singko y Medya's original idea to start the day with a morning prayer, which Unang Hirit adopted. As they say, imitation is the highest form of flattery.

Unang Hirit's press releases say that the strength of their show lies in the hosts. Mas Masaya at mas relaxed daw sila.

The element of joking around on the show is not new to us anymore. In fact, we've been doing it from way back. Aida Gonzales, our "traffic Czarina," has always been the butt of our good-humored ribbing. You know, to make the mood lighter and more fun. The televiewers have become so familiar with out antics that they sort of look forward to them already. They're like members of the alas Singko y Medya family.

The informal atmosphere while giving news and information is original to Alas Singko y Medya. Yet we are careful not to go overboard because hindi naman kami comedy show kundi news magazine show. Our priorities are clear -- to give news and information which the viewing public needs first thing in the morning. We have fun, we horse around. Yes, but only during light moments and only when the need calls for it. Clowning around to an excessive level distracts the audience and defeats the purpose of informing the public.

We cannot afford to "relax." We have too much information to give. That's why we have to be fast paced. Besides, the attention span of a viewer is so short that you cannot dilly-dally. Masyadong hi-tech yung show and we cannot afford to take our sweet time. Then there's the full commercial load that we have to think of pa. But the element of fun is still there, definitely. The feeling of family is always present.

Speaking of family, you have new members in the Alas Singko y Medya family?

Yes. Gilbert Remulla and Ingrid Kwek whom we call VJ Riki. Gilbert takes care of the business and international news. VJ Riki does the music news. Then we have Ina Reformina and Girlie Balaba, "live" news anchors from Cebu and Davao respectively. The Alas Singko y Medya family just keeps on growing...

In fact, you're now on even on weekends.

Yes-yes yo! But this time anchored by Cheryl Cosim and Mon Ilagan. Alas Singko y Medya weekend edition (Saturday and Sundays) airs from 5:30 to 7:30 a.m. It includes RJ Ledesma, the Royal Tru-Orange kid.

What's the real score between you and Julius?

I would still say a perfect 10.