The truth and nothing but  

To tell the truth and nothing but is what keeps GMA 7’s Startalk thriving for the past 12 years. The Saturday showbiz talk show celebrates its anniversary today with a special episode titled Startalk Behind Closed Doors: The Anniversary Report. The episode reveals untold stories behind local tinseltown’s most-talked-about issues. Startalk gives televiewers exclusive access to all these hot showbiz items.

Finding the truth, says Lorna Tolentino, one of the show’s hosts, means discussing the real issues and not the personalities caught in the crossfire. This is what the award-winning actress has realized for the past four years she has been doing the show. Lorna recalls she was tapped to be one of the original hosts of Startalk. But the idea of stars who would appear in the movies were not allowed to do TV at that time was what prevented Lorna from accepting the hosting job.

Lorna didn’t push her luck and remained the host in waiting. In 2003, the job was offered again to Lorna and she accepted it. The actress was ready to take the microphone and to be on the spotlight, so to speak.

What’s the hardest part of hosting Startalk?

“When we (the hosts) are put on the spot,” replies Lorna. “Kapag kami na ang naintriga. Butch (Francisco) is the only one who hasn’t been dragged to any controversies among us.”

The actress shares she works closely with the show’s writers. Lorna listens in and tells the juiciest details of the stories as truthful as possible.

Although the writers are the think tanks of the show, Lorna can share what she knows about the issues and put in her personal insights.

If she becomes the center of the controversy, Lorna says she will not have second thoughts about airing her side. She doesn’t find it unethical even if others might think she is being used by the show for the ratings. Besides, the writers are courteous enough to ask her permission whether she wishes to go on air or not.

Looking back, Lorna thinks she has improved a lot as a host. She is better now doing Q and A and delivering repartee and spiels.

Among the many interviews she has done, Lorna finds her one-on-one with Paco Arespacochaga  unforgettable and engaging. Lorna adds Paco was a giver in answering questions.

Although she won’t exchange her work on Startalk for anything in the world, Lorna wants to host a game show. She says it seems easier to do a game show than a soap which requires long hours of shooting and traveling.

What makes Lorna stay on the show is the friendship she has made with hosts Joey de Leon, Lolit Solis and Butch Francisco. Doing Startalk is more play than work. That shows on the small screen. The hosts respect and accept each other’s uniqueness. There’s no subtle intention to outwit or upstage one another.

“(With the success the show has been enjoying), credit should go to the writers,” says Lorna. Whoever gets to host it, the show can stand on its own.”