Mariel: Talking her way to success

If you were to think and list down who among today’s stars have become a familiar sight on TV from noon till night every day of the week, count Mariel Rodriguez in the list. She co-hosts ABS-CBN’s Wowowee Mondays to Saturdays, gives updates on goings-on inside Big Brother’s house on PBB Uber, talks about the latest showbiz buzz every Saturday on Entertainment Live with Toni Gonzaga, Bianca Gonzalez and Luis Manzano, hosts the Kapamilya cable movie and celebrity news on Cinema One and even does product endorsements. Yet she remains giggly, energetic and seems to be talking nonstop. Many wonder if the 23-year-old host who made a name out of talking is for real.

”This is my true personality. I don’t think becoming quiet would show the real me because I talk even in my sleep,” Mariel says during the press launch of her latest product endorsement, the Eezy Twist and Brush.

Although Mariel broke into the entertainment scene by playing Pamela on MTV Asia’s Rouge, her big mouth and husky voice, says Mariel, have introduced her to a wider audience as she clinched different hosting jobs. She became one of MTV Philippines’ VJs before being Paolo Bediones’ co-host on Extra Challenge. Then, she moved to ABS-CBN where PBB business unit head direk Laurenti Dyogi found her kilometric answer to his question impressive enough to make her part of the 24/7 reality show as one of its hosts.

“My being talkative serves me well and I can’t be thankful enough for the people who continue to have trust in me,” says Mariel who only shuts up when watching Gossip Girl.

Eezy Twist and Brush, Mariel shares, boosts her confidence as it assures her of fresh breath between her hectic schedule. It is also convenient to bring anywhere even on a limited space because it is a toothbrush and toothpaste in one.  

Yet sometimes, Mariel admits, her very lively spirit and actuations are always mistaken for overacting or what she says is kulang sa pansin particularly when she spent some time inside the Bahay ni Kuya as one of the guest housemates. Still, Mariel is unfazed by the tag and insists she is just sharing the positive atmosphere that she grew up with.

“I don’t want to put myself in compromising situations but there were incidents that got me into trouble due to my tactlessness,” Mariel offers.

One shocking incident, she vividly recalls, happened when she made one funny comment after a serious scenario was aired on TV. Mariel relates how she melted in shame for what she did after the station head called her attention. She hastily apologized for her mistake.

Another one was when she blurted out a word on-air without knowing its meaning saying, “I even shouted it for everybody to hear only to find out later how bad the word was.”

Yes, Mariel has learned to be more careful in her words but still can’t slow down in her talking. This almost always leads to happy situations.

“Before, I wanted to be a dramatic actress but with what’s happening lately, I think I can be part of a sitcom because even if I cry, people still find me funny,” Mariel quips.

And what can she say about Precious Lara Quigaman being taken out of Wowowee?

“We all felt bad because we love Lara. I texted her to know how she’s doing and she texted back that she’s fine and thanked me for remembering her. So far I don’t have problems dealing with other people. Madaldal lang talaga ako,” Mariel replies.