What is Whattamen up to? - DIRECT LINE by Boy Abunda

Dominic Ochoa, Marvin Agustin and Rico Yan – matinee idols turned TV hosts collectively known as "Whattamen." The three are regulars of the top-rating daily noontime show Magandang Tanghali Bayan. So far, the feedback on the three has been good. But they confess that hosting is not as easy as it appears.

"We take criticisms constructively. It’s very challenging. We are still working on our comic timing. Plus, MTB is a daily live show and we’re still feeling our way through," says Rico, the group’s unofficial spokesperson.

It was also Rico who originated the term "Whattamen." It was during one of the tapings of Gimik (the defunct youth-oriented show in which Rico, Marvin and Dominic were mainstays) when the director decided to shoot the sequence of the three last. It was dawn and everyone was tired. After the director shouted "cut!" Rico blurted out in relief, "Whew! Whattamen!" which made everyone laugh so hard. The term then spread like wildfire in ABS-CBN and soon everyone was referring to Dominic, Marvin and Rico as "Whattamen." Later on, the term was used as a title of Star Studio’s initial episode, also featuring the three. The episode elicited positive response from the viewers ("It got the highest rating so far among Star Studio episodes," shares Dominic) that the people of ABS-CBN Talent Center saw the strength of the trio.

Dominic, Marvin and Rico assert that "Whattamen" shouldn’t only refer to camaraderie and friendship. "For us, ‘Whattamen’ is a term that means versatile men," says Dominic. "The term described the new generation of young men who goes for fun and enjoy the moment but they also do not neglect their responsibilities to family and society. A man of value din. And because of this, girls will just sigh and say, ‘Whattamen!’"

Besides their love for fun, the three also shares common interests like sports (Rico is a badminton enthusiast, Dominic is into car racing while Marvin digs surfing), business (Rico has Orbitz, Tequila Joe’s and Java Hut while Marvin has Mister Donut and Ricecapades Dominic is planning to put up his own business soon) and the value of education (Rico and Dominic both have college degrees while Marvin is currently enrolled in Thames taking up a management course).

"We have so much things in common and that’s what made us jell together as a group," shares Marvin. "We also know each other very well and I think that shows on-cam. We don’t have to pretend and I think our audience appreciates that."

Things are really looking rosy for the trio. ABS-CBN Talent Center is saying that it’s going to strike while the iron is hot so plans are being made for the three. Rico reveals that a TV show and maybe a movie is in the works. "Or an album!" blurts Dominic!

Well, anything is possible but Doms, that‘s pushing your luck a bit too far! Stick to hosting, acting – hmmmm, maybe dancing! Nevertheless, I’m betting that Dominic, Rico and Marvin are three of the most exciting talents nowadays. Whattamen talaga!

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NU 107 has lined up a lot of activities for its loyal listeners. It started with the premiere of the award-winning film Almost Famous directed by Cameron Crowe at the Rockwell Powerplant Mall (NU 107 was the first radio station to stage a premiere in this posh mall). The premiere was well-attended by celebrities like Francis Magalona and his wife Pia, Rachel Alejandro, Lee Robin Salazar, Girlie Rodis, Dominic Zapata, Reyster Langit and his wife Kit Villanueva-Langit and many more.

On hand to welcome the guests were NU 107’s top honchos Atom Henares, Katrina Tuason and Ron Titular with wife Joyce Ann Burton-Titular.

Also in the itinerary of the rock bastion is a bar tour called Son of a Bar Tour (S.O.B.). The tour is being headlined by the country’s hottest bands in one of the most popular watering holes in the metropolis.

Presented by San Miguel Beer and sponsored by Pacific Internet, the tour kicked off with the Eraserheads at Katips in Katipunan, followed by a rocking performance of the Dawn at the Craic Irish Pub. On April 20, the Radioactive Sago Project will headline the bar tour’s final stop at the Nth Degree in Adriatico.

The Son of a Bar Tour is just one of the many summer activities lined-up by the Home of New Rock. They also just staged its annual Summer Shebang recently at the Fort Bonifacio Global City. The two-night festival included live performances by the country‘s most electrifying bands, extreme sports activities and booths selling various merchandise plus a lot more.