Tintin: No bitterness, just betterness

MANILA, Philippines - Having signed a three-year exclusive contract with TV5 recently has officially turned Christine “Tintin” Bersola-Babao to a Kapatid. She is the latest among the many celebrities who made a big leap from ABS-CBN to TV5 after former Kapamilya and now TV5 News Production head Patrick Paez asked her if she could do a show outside of ABS-CBN.

“The offer came three months before I signed a contract here (TV5) and my transfer was smooth,” begins Tintin.

Prior to the offer, Tintin prayed that if having only one show on ABS-CBN is a sign that she’s already in a semi-retirement phase then she would just gladly concentrate on other things. “I said, ‘Lord, Thy will be done.’”

But three days after the prayer, Patrick phoned and asked if she’s free to do a show.

“Ganito kasi yun, I only have one show in DZMM Teleradyo with Julius (Babao) every Saturday and Sunday. So from Monday to Friday, I’m free to do a daily show although I have ParentinTV online. It’s still different when you’re in the mainstream. That’s why I told him, ‘Yes, I’m very free.’”

After giving her nod, TV5 president Ray Espinosa even agreed to continue her radio show in the other network. Tintin happily shared the news to ABS-CBN Manila Radio Division head Peter Musngi.

“Sir Peter told me that if he had his way, he would allow me to stay in Magandang Morning with Julius and Tintin but the network policy stated otherwise,” says Tintin.

With TV5’s Kumare Klub co-hosts Amy Perez and Chiqui Roa-Puno

That means Tintin will have to bid the radio show goodbye. Her ABS-CBN contract expired last July. She was deeply touched by Musngi’s reply after she handed her letter. “He said, ‘Fly high, Tintin. Be well,’” shares Tintin who had worked with ABS-CBN starting in 1996 where she first tried her hosting skills in various TV shows.

Asked if she was hurt with the decision, Tintin replies, “There’s no place for bitterness just betterness because all the moves I’m making now are really for the better. I’ve already proven what I can do in my eight years with Julius in DZMM but this offer is different. I’ve been longing to do a mommy show and TV5 gave it to me.”

Tintin compares her transfer to moving to a new home where one can start new things with more rooms for her to move and grow. She now joins Kumare Klub with Amy Perez and Chiqui Roa-Puno airing weekdays from 7 to 8 o’clock. Husband Julius, Tintin relates, recorded the show’s episode last Monday where she was formally introduced as the newest kumare.

Kumare Klub imparts to televiewer-moms various information and suggestions through its segments that are beneficial to a mother’s day-to-day concerns. Kumare Tips gives solutions to household woes. Amy and Chiqui talk to moms regarding relationship problems in Kumare Chika. Amy is also in charge of sharing some potential startup businesses in Nego Tyang. In Luto na ba Tyang?, she gives ideas what to serve on the family table while Chiqui teaches moms to stay fit and healthy in Chiqui-Chiqui Dance and OK Ka Lang?

Tintin, on the other hand, shares parenting tips via Parentin. She, too, makes sure that moms could stay fab even at home in Fashionistang Mudra. Other interesting segments are Palengke Watch, Pera-Pera Lang and Pasok sa Budget.

Aside from Kumare Klub, Tintin is also set to do a solo show to air in December. And if there are acting projects to come, Tintin will gladly accept. She appeared years ago in Kung Ako Na Lang Sana and Blue Moon.

How about another radio program?

“TV5 is also willing to give me one but in deference to DZMM, siguro ‘wag na muna ngayon,” she replies.