Dick Gordon in a new ball game

I’ve always known that one day he would end up in television not just as guest or resource person as we’ve been seeing him all these years but as host of his own show — you know, just like Dong Puno who has returned to television after his unsuccessful foray into politics.

Dick Gordon (who could have handily won had he run for reelection as senator and not for president in the last election, no regrets though) hosts the dozen-episode-old Duelo: Barilan ng Opinyon on Aksyon TV, TV5’s sister station on UHF Channel 41 (Channel 7 on Destiny Channel). According to the presskit, “Duelo is a bold and intelligent talk show that focuses on the various angles of the hottest news and political issues in the country,” different from other such shows as it pits Dick in a debate with a special guest every night, 7 to 8 o’ clock. The guest (so far including Rep. Teddy Casino, Sen. Gringo Honasan, lawyer Harry Roque and whistle-blower George Rabusa) takes one side and Dick, often acting as the devil’s advocate, takes the other side.

His years in politics (starting as mayor of Olongapo then as Tourism secretary before he became a senator) and public service (he’s the current chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross) come in handy in his entry into an entirely new ball game. Yes, he has appeared as guest in TV shows (largely during the pre-election debate among presidentiables) and we were all ears as he discussed varied issues in his characteristic rapid-fire manner of talking, weren’t we?

“My mind works fast because I have so many ideas coming up all at the same time; ang dami kong iniisip,” admitted Dick who talks as if he’s being chased by a hundred askals (asong kalye), forever racing with time, “I don’t want to waste time.”

Because Duelo calls for him to think in Tagalog, Dick, who is used to thinking in English, is forced to talk slower, the better for televiewers to digest what’s being discussed on the show.

Just because he’s Dick Gordon shouldn’t intimidate his guest or televiewers.

“I like the career change,” said Dick. “It works for me because I’ve always wanted to more or less try to make people think, not just listen to me or follow the surveys. In other words, I don’t want them to be awed by anybody. I want people to think and make decisions for themselves. So I try very hard to explain all sides of an issue. If Rizal was great in this country, it’s because he made us think. Cogito ergo sum. I think therefore I am.”

Noted (notorious?) for his quick temper, doesn’t he get carried away by the debate and become, you know, emotional?

“I try not to be,” he assured televiewers. “My guest and I can discuss the issue in a friendly manner without shouting at each other. I am naturally assertive and people look at me…you know, ‘Si Dick Gordon ‘yan, temperamental…’ I make sure that my guest and I give each other enough time to disagree and come out with a clear discussion of the issue.”

While Dong’s show (also on Aksyon TV) is a reinvention of his shows on ABS-CBN (Dong Puno Live, etc.), Dick said that his show differs on one point: “Sa akin, proselytizing and at the same time most important to me is after the debate I wrap up and let televiewers make their own conclusions.”

The show is spontaneous, not restricted by a script.

“I’m a maverick,” insisted Dick. And even if there’s one, “I don’t follow a script.”

What he finds a bit tricky are words he’s made to say, such as “mag-barilan tayo ng opinyon.” The word “barilan” is too violent for his taste but he would say it anyway, as per the script’s requirement. But if he doesn’t agree with the show’s outline, he doesn’t just keep quiet. “Like the other night, binago ko ‘yung outline completely.” The topic was about the impeachment of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.

Asked which TV host he admires, Dick named Larry King (who has retired from his CNN show Larry King Live last year) and the late Peter Jennings.

“I’ve been interviewed by Larry King and Peter Jennings, and by Ted Koppel,” he recalled, “short interviews but very memorable. Larry King is a natural. People like him because he lets his guests talk.”

And that’s what Dick is doing on his show — let the guest talk.

After all, what’s the use of inviting a guest if the host tries to outtalk him (as some of local hosts irritatingly do)?

Meanwhile, tune in to tonight’s edition of Duelo and, go ahead, rate Dick Gordon as a host.

Royale Artists Management (RAM) new office blessed

Annabelle Rama’s stable of talents come in full force at the blessing Saturday morning of the office of the Gutierrez-family-owned Royale Artists Management (RAM) office at the fourth floor of the Imperial Palace Suites (Timog-Morato Rotunda, Quezon City). From left: Paolo Paraiso, James Blanco, Bearwin Meily, Elvis Gutierrez, TJ Trinidad, Jon Hall, Carla Humphries, Ehra Madrigal, Ana Roces, Arci Muñoz, Michelle Madrigal, Jay Manalo (partly hidden), Ynna Asistio, Assunta de Rossi, Bubbles Paraiso, Ramon Christopher, Annabelle Rama, JC de Vera, Ritchie Paul Gutierrez, Danita Paner, Jay Aquitania, Ruffa Gutierrez, Miriam Quiambao, Alynna Asistio, Ykka Asistio and Eddie Gutierrez. The two girls are Ruffa’s daughters Loren and Venice (also shown with Ruffa above left). Above right: Guests (from left) German Moreno, Pilita Corrales and Daisy Romualdez. 

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