The difference they make

If laughter is the best medicine, then Maverick Relova and Ariel Villasanta are two generic hilarity pills that can be taken in large doses every Wednesday night starting Aug. 20 as they host one of the three banner shows of GMA 7’s Bilib Ka Ba Nights. Titled Masquerade, the two will spice up the 30-minute show as they present every episode with humor sure to wipe blues and the cranky feeling away.

Maverick and Ariel first hit the TV screen via the reality show Misadventures of Maverick and Ariel after they were noticed in an audition booth of On Air. They, too, partnered on Wala Yan sa Lolo Ko.

Though not new to the task, Maverick still felt butterflies in his stomach during the first taping day.

“I felt nervous. Unlike in a reality show, this is done inside the studio and we have to make our lines funny without appearing scripted. It should come naturally,” Maverick says. “But it’s okay, I’m getting used to it. Taping in an outdoor setting is the most fun.”

“This is the first time on Philippine TV and it will be more exciting than any other show. Even I look forward to its every feature,” Ariel shares.

Add to that the eye candy, stylish get-ups and oversized accessories only the duo can wear with utmost confidence, never failing to catch everyone’s attention.

“We are the self-proclaimed fashion scientists. I really love experimenting on clothes. Even when I was in college, I was always in all-pink, all-yellow get-ups while most of my friends were mostly in black or white. They thought I was weird since I love loud colors and stylish suits,” Ariel says.

Clothes, Maverick agrees, often speak about one’s personality.

“Back in my elementary days, I dressed up differently I always got into trouble during college days because I got all the girls’ attention. Even my mom who worked in a bank was ashamed when I showed up in a skirt,” Maverick quips.

He loves initiating trends, like hip-hop or rave parties he used to hold when he was still an events coordinator.

He even changed his real name Anthony to the more appealing Maverick because he says it perfectly fits his persona: Odd, different and weird.

Ariel and Maverick design their own outfits. The former prefers Italian styles and even buys fabrics in bulk while the latter goes for wing-collared ones.

These days, Maverick says, being different is one effective way to gain a fair share of the showbiz spotlight. The stiff competition never stops as the next big thing pops out as fast as the ticking of the clock. “Everyone must create his own identity.”

And what everyone has learned in science is true: Like poles do repel. Maverick and Ariel often have heated arguments when their ideas don’t jibe.

“We agree on clothes, styles and colors but when it comes to making funny concepts, we don’t. So what we do is to just give and take. That way, it shows how talented we really are,” Ariel enthuses.

But the two are not limited to putting up a belly-aching show. They take life outside showbiz seriously. Ariel has a management degree from Letran and works as creative director of PLDT while Maverick finished Aerospace Engineering at Airlink Aviation School.

“Actually, we are both serious. Performers like us should have lots of experiences to effectively know how to tickle people — rich or poor; young or old.”

How about their supposed movie together under GMA Films?

“Our director got pregnant but we are already through with 70 percent of the movie. We failed to get necessary permits that’s why we never got to audition for American Idol like we planned to,” Maverick and Ariel answer.