He scoops to conquer

He scoops to conquer, figuratively and literally. Dominic Ochoa is one of the affable young hosts of the vibrant new showbiz-oriented gabfest Ek Channel on ABS-CBN 2, with fellow network favorites Marvin Agustin, Angelika de la Cruz and Rica Peralejo.

Needless to say, Dominic’s previous hosting experiences (MTB, Teysi, and his most recent solo gig on Trip Kita) have more than primed him for the challenges of Ek Channel. For one thing, chismis is a totally different arena for Dominic.

"I’m not really into it," he points out. "It’s just not my character. I don’t like meddling and talking about the lives of other people, my co-workers in the industry." That is exactly what sets him apart as a TV talk show host. He wants to develop an engrossing yet responsible hosting style.

"I can be straightforward and honest, without being hurtful, offensive, and obnoxious," Dominic declares.

Making a difference has always been Dominic’s goal in the biz. This exemplary trait he puts to good use especially since they are hoping to come up with something unique with the Ek Channel.

"It’s set in a salon," he explains the show’s extraordinary concept. "And what do people usually do in the parlor while they are having a foot spa or hot oil treatment? Make chismis and kuwentuhan, right?"

In the same way, Dominic aims to innovate with his hosting style and not copy the already popular, patented styles of other showbiz talk show hosts. "Until now I’m still trying to figure out how I am going to do it," Dominic divulges.

Suffice it to say that he plans to introduce an air of civility and sensitivity to such a potentially controversial show.

After all, Dominic graduated with a degree in Business Administration (from the University of Santo Tomas) before showbiz beckoned. That makes him stand out in the entertainment field.

Dominic has a life beyond showbiz and he can very well shine in whatever field he chooses (be it in race-car driving or in the corporate world). In fact, he once worked in the hotel industry before going full-time into modeling and acting.

Another noteworthy hobby is Dominic’s burgeoning business, the Thumbs Up! ice cream stalls. Ironically enough, talk show host Dominic is also in the business of scoops in Thumbs Up! Of course, this is the wholesome variety of scoops. Make that the creamy, delicious kind of scoops.

Dominic, who is vice president for marketing, is proud of the unprecedented success of Thumbs Up! After a little over a year in business, the ice cream company is still growing steadily.

"Slowly but surely," he pipes in. "We now have over 30 branches all over the country. Thumbs Up! can now be enjoyed in places near and far – in Alabang Town Center and Puerto Princesa, Davao City and Baguio. Still, Thumbs Up! is open to prospective franchisees. Interested parties may call their office, Metro Grind Corp., at 687-4373 and 687-3436 for more information."

All over the Philippines, Thumbs Up! is known as "Dominic‘s Ice Cream." Thumbs Up! has made a dent in the very competitive food and beverage industry. It even brought home a trophy at the recently-concluded Asia-Pacific Excellence Awards (APEA) held at AFP Theater. Thumbs Up! received the 2004 Consumer Excellence Award for being "an outstanding, innovative franchise and business venture."

The once-modest homegrown company is now planning to export. In the pipeline are outlets abroad – specifically in the Middle East and US, where there are large concentrations of Filipino expatriates. Also in the works are other product lines, Dominic reports. Hewing closely to the company’s battle cry – "small indulgence, big satisfaction," they are coming up with other teeny-weenie delicacies. "Like small bonbons. Miniature rolls of ice cream that we will garnish with white chocolate and nuts." The cute bonbons would complement the already popular "five mini ice cream cones in one palette" concept of Thumbs Up!

Without a doubt, Dominic has found equally industrious and inventive partners in the Thumbs Up! team. "We all work the same way," Dominic affirms. "Same wavelength e. We all work hard. We’re all forward-looking."

They are all youthful and dynamic, energetic and enterprising. And they also share one goal: "to create an affordable mobile business set-up, which is fun and yet creates undivided profit."

After all, the brilliant minds behind Thumbs Up! are the same people who put up the ultra-successful Orbitz Pearl Shakes chain with Dominic’s late friend Rico Yan.

Another partner in Metro Grind Corporation, the company behind Thumbs Up!, is Rico’s older brother Bobby Yan, who is vice president for sales and promotion. The rest of the partners – Michelle Chan, general manager; Emerson Lim, vice president for external affairs; and Joel Tuquib, vice president for operations – are good friends of the Yans.

"That was how we met, through Rico," Dominic volunteers. "I am very thankful to Rico because he introduced me to his friends. I am learning a lot from them – when it comes to business, when it comes to handling my time and money. They are very detailed. Very meticulous. That is one positive trait I’ve picked up from them."

Even before he joined the ice cream venture, Dominic has always been very fastidious with record-keeping. He logs in all his appointments (like tapings and other showbiz commitments) in a notebook. In a separate notebook, he lists down a to-do list for his fave sport, race-car driving.

"Before going to the studio or race track, I check my notebooks to be reminded of things I need to do or bring," says Dominic. "In whatever you do, you should always be prepared."

That’s the scoop on Dominic, who celebrated his birthday this month. The Ek host now speaks like an ice cream mogul-in-the-making.

Happy birthday, Doms!