Why Korina is feeling ‘high’

Don’t believe the rumor that Korina Sanchez is badly in need of a "donor " so she can have a baby out of wedlock. It’s all a joke, cracked by Korina’s Morning Girls co-host Kris Aquino the other day when they had showbiz mothers as resource persons (among them Melanie Marquez who’s giving birth to her second child with her American-lawyer husband anytime now).

"It’s about time you had a baby," Kris teased Korina, who responded with a blush and a smile. "Hala ka, you only have three years to do it."

"Don’t worry, Kris," said the still unmarried Korina (who has a hunk boyfriend), "I’m just waiting for a ‘donor’."

What makes Korina feel "high" is definitely not the prospect of finding a "donor" but two recent developments in her already checkered career. One is the SWS survey (conducted towards the end of last year) which placed Korina No. 1 in both the "likeability" and "trust" ratings.

Here are the standings of the top seven news anchors:

Likeability Ratings:

1. Korina Sanchez – 51.6 percent

2. Mel Tiangco – 42.6 percent

3. Henry Omaga Diaz – 26. 3 percent

4. Mike Enriquez – 26.1 percent

5. Karen Davila – 22.10 percent

6. Aljo Bendijo – 22.1 percent

7. Vicky Morales – 16.5 percent

Trust Ratings:

1. Korina Sanchez – 46.0 percent

2. Mel Tiangco – 39.6 percent

3. Mike Enriquez – 23.6 percent

4. Henry Omaga Diaz – 20.6 percent

5. Aljo Bendijo – 18.8 percent

6. Karen Davila – 17.3 percent

7. Vicky Morales – 12.9 percent.

The other thing that keeps Korina on Cloud 9 is her coverage of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s recent official visit to the US, one of only three state visits received so far by US President George W. Bush. It was, according to Korina, a gruelling but fulfilling week.

"I figured that some would think I was editorializing the positive feedback I was reporting daily in radio and to TV Patrol but there was no other way of describing the experience of the Philippines being so honored," Korina said of the White House South Lawn ceremony. "When the Philippine National Anthem was played and I had a full, unobstructed view of the two Presidents from where I stood, wow, I would not have traded that chance for anything. It was, in no uncertain terms, a moment to be proud of."

Korina also did not expect that she would come to an even closer view of and an audience with Bush after the South Lawn ceremony. She was one of only two Filipino journalists, along with Philippine STAR Malacañang reporter Marichu Villanueva, chosen by GMA to shoot a question in a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House.

"Naku, after the South Lawn, we were mistakenly ushered out of the premises. We had to walk the entire perimeter of the White House to get to the gate and for a while we thought we would not be allowed entry anymore! Buti na lang tinulungan kami ng Malacañang. I was with my producer Ging Reyes.

"Once back in, tuloy-tuloy kami sa East Room where all those American journalists were, dressed to the nines. And before I knew it, both Presidents were right in front of us. I was unprepared to be asked first by GMA to shoot the first question from the Filipino group. Oh my, my debut performance for Fox, CNN and BBC at hindi ako nakapagsuklay man lang!

"I’m glad God granted me enough composure not to stutter in front of the Most Powerful World Leader as I asked my question. Over lunch with GMA and First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, I told the First Couple it was something truly worth preserving in my personal archives. It was humbling."

Describing Bush, Korina said, "In a private conversation he told GMA that he hated state dinners but he just had to go through the motions. Bush is a Texan who prefers to let his hair down. Simpleng tao, cowboy. Hindi siya kasing-simpatiko ni Bill Clinton who I also covered during then President Joseph Estrada’s working visit. Hindi palangiti si Bush.

"GMA’s gown was praised by the fashion editors while they thought Laura Bush’s gown was bland in comparison. Malacañang is much more beautiful than the White House. I’m sure Bush will be very impressed with what the government will prepare for his state visit to the Philippines at the last quarter of this year. Panay ang tapik niya sa balikat ni GMA, mukha silang friends talaga. I look at it as a cordiality for a renewed business arrangement."

Before she left for the US, Korina taped for Morning Girls.

"I’m pretty sure Kris can handle it alone without me whereas I would think twice before taking on the show alone without Kris. The show is consistently doing quite well. I imagine we’ll be taping more because Kris is going to be busy with her movie shooting. Masipag si Kris, nakakabilib. We both wonder aloud how we can both keep up with the demands of our schedules. I have three daily live shows. Wala yatang ibang gumagawa nuon kahit sa Hollywood. The work is both fulfilling and quite punishing. Sometimes I go home and cry, literally, from exhaustion. Between Kris’ schedule and mine, bigayan lang."

All is well with Korina these days.

"Mukhang wala pang humahabol naman na controversy," Korina smiled. "Please, tama na muna. Maganda yung tahimik. I genuinely prefer it that way. That’s why kahit anong tukso ni Kris sa akin about personal matters I try to evade, para wala nang pag-usapan. My TV life is just work for me."

Incidentally, Korina was recently given a Huwarang Anak Award (but couldn’t personally receive it because of the US trip), possibly because of the publicity generated by her travails regarding her mom Celia’s serious illness in 2002.

"Another great source of joy for me is that my Mom is doing very well, pronounced officially, cancer-free! I cannot imagine all that we went through same time last year. For now, we learn from what’s past, cherish every healthy moment of today and look forward to the joys of tomorrow. God is Great."

What’s up?

° Games to watch: The Toyota-Crispa exhibition game at 5 this afternoon at the Araneta Coliseum. Tomorrow, May 31, an All-Star PBA fans’ day will be held from 1 to 9 p.m. at the Elephant World parking area at the Araneta Center. There’ll be singing and dancing, plus games. Players will put up their own booths. On June 1, the much-awaited All-Star Game will be held at 3 p.m., also at the Big Dome to be followed at 6 p.m. by the Commissioner’s Team versus the Governor‘s Team. For inquiries, call 638-1815 to 17.

° Six Masses – four in Metro Manila and two in Zamboanga City, his hometown – will be held tomorrow, May 31, for the late Manny Pichel, former entertainment editor of Malaya. The schedule is as follows:

San Miguel Pro Cathedral, 7 a.m.; San Sebastian Church, 6 p.m.; Santuario de San Antonio, 6 p.m.; Holy Infant Jesus Church (South Admiral Village, Parañaque), 6 p.m.; St. Ignatius Church (Zamboanga City), 5 p.m.; and Immaculate Conception Church (Zamboanga City), 6 p.m.

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