Ivan Mayrina’s windfall of blessings

Ivan Mayrina is all aglow nowadays.

Minus the makeup, his cheeks are refreshingly tainted with the natural blush that is very telling of someone who’s in the pink of health, so to speak.

The 29-year-old resident reporter of GMA 7 and QTV 11’s News and Public Affairs department has every reason to celebrate – after all, it’s not every day that one becomes a dad of not only one but two babies.

Ivan calls it a windfall of blessings and the phrase fits too well in summarizing all the good things that is happening to his life now.

His wife Karen gave birth to a now month-old baby boy named Elias Joaquin, making him a first-time dad and a proud one at that.

"I am a very hands-on dad, I could even change diapers with my eyes closed," he beamed.

The very picture of a first-time father, Ivan willingly re-tapped the emotions that gripped him when he first saw his son.

"I witnessed how he actually came out of the womb and I cried. I don’t know why, I just suddenly cried. And it’s the first time I cried after a long, long time. I was just so overwhelmed with emotion. Imagine seeing this little human being, this little guy that someday will grow up most probably just like me. Who will probably look and sound like me, maybe move his head in the same way or move his mouth in the same way," he gushed.

As if on cue, Mayrina was tapped to lead QTV 11’s newest infotainment program Sapulso – something that he would be doing for the first time.

Suddenly, Mayrina, a former better-half of an on-screen tandem is now shoved towards the limelight to host the 30-minute program aimed to revolutionize afternoon TV viewing.

Sapulso’s format in itself is exciting, dynamic and challenging.

Something that readily appealed to Ivan’s liking, hence, he accepted the offer without any hesitations.

"At this point of my career, I think I’m not into making choices yet. Kasi hindi pa naman ako nade-define na si Ivan ganyan ang linya niya. I mean, I am open to trying out different show formats, different stories. Okay ako dun. So when they first offered it to me, of course. I’d do it," he expressed.

Mayrina offered a taste of the Sapulso experience, narrating basic facets of the program. A magazine-type show, Sapulso runs from Mondays through Saturdays, from 12:30 to 1 p.m.

It has more than seven segments daily, running from the most attention-grabbing news to the most-extraordinary feature story. Topics are not limited to people alone, as Sapulso also offers segments that talk about animals, health, events, places and yes, even the supernatural.

"Challenging ‘yung show. Na magpo-produce ka ng istorya na dapat interesting, attention-grabbing, dapat tipong pag-uusapan kinabukasan, that’s not easy to do. Especially with the several options, na ini-o-offer ng TV ngayon. Ang Sapulso, iba siya eh, for the timeslot na sanay ‘yung viewers na may sumasayaw diyan, may kumakanta. But this is different. Public affairs show siya na nagta-tackle sa iba’t-ibang topics," Mayrina noted.

The excitement in his voice is contagious when he talks about the two babies he now cradles in his arms.

Much as Ivan’s name will be carried by baby Elias so will Sapulso be given a face by the man who professed that he remains to be a reluctantTV personality.

One gets infected with Mayrina’s tale of the show’s potentials, especially if it carries the kind of fair reportage and responsible journalism that GMA and yes, even QTV has been noted for not only by the local award-giving bodies but by international institutions as well.

It should be noted that three of QTV’s programs reaped Silver Screen Awards (Day Off, At Your Service and Women’s Desk) in the recently-held US International Film and Video Awards at Los Angeles, California.

"I think it’s the brand, na ‘pag sinabi mong GMA News and Public Affairs, it pretty much represents credibility… ‘Pag sinabi mong credibility, it means trust eh. Pinagkakatiwalaan ka ng tao with very important information. Important interpretation of events. We take it as a very serious responsibility, " Mayrina shared.

But this should not lead to conclusion that Sapulso would be a hardcore news-feature program, as viewers can expect a totally different Ivan Mayrina this time.

"It’s an interesting mix. It’s somewhere in between newscasting and hosting Pinoy Abroad. Kasi ang Pinoy Abroad, medyo light siya. Nagke-kenkoy-kenkoy kami ni Rhea diyan di ba, ‘pag nasa mga places kami. News casting naman as you see, napaka-stiff. Seryoso halos hindi ngumingiti. Sapulso is somewhere in between, may pagka-light pero may pagka-serious pa rin," he enthused.

Slowly, Ivan finds himself getting more involved with the show in the same breath that he gets wrapped up in Elias Joaquin’s tiny finger. Both demand his time and focus, something which he is only too glad to give.

"They serve as an inspiration to each other eh. Every time I work in Sapulso, at the back of my head andun ang anak ko. ‘Pag kasama ko naman ang anak ko, inaalagaan ko, iniisip ko, it gives me comfort na may show ako, maganda ang career ko," Mayrina explained.

He added how several segments of the program are fast becoming his favorites. Topics that dwell on family health and issues would often catch his attention, especially now that a totally new world has been opened up for him by his baby boy.

Six years with the Kapuso Network has helped Mayrina in ways more than one, and the guy who started as a segment producer on GMA’s early morning show Unang Hirit has indeed gone a long way.

From news reader to field reporter, co-anchor and now as a solo host to Sapulso, Mayrina re-affirms his slot in GMA and QTV’s stable of well-respected broadcast journalists who has minted the word credibility with their shining creed of providing the public with Serbisyong Totoo, responsible journalism and fair reportage.

With two babies in his arms now, things are bound to be a tad more complicated. Will the brand-new dad be able to handle the challenge?

"Definitely," came the simple reply from the newest face on QTV 11’s noontime block.