How Gelli stays neutral

While some people think that possessing the gift of gab is most important to a host for him to be effective on the job, Gelli de Belen thinks listening skills can also spell the difference between a good and bad interview session.

Currently one of the busiest TV5 talents with three shows under her belt, Gelli knows that true interaction is always a give-and-take situation; an “exchange,” as she puts it. The TV host and actress is reminded of this fact even more, now that she is set to host this month the talakserye Face to Face which she temporarily takes over from Amy Perez who will give birth by year’s end.

Gelli was personally chosen by Tyang Amy (as she is fondly called in Face to Face) while she is on maternity leave.

Gelli has already taped some episodes for Face to Face during which she learned that the biggest challenge is to remain neutral over an issue until she’s heard all sides to a story.

“Kahit na minsan alam mo na agad na tama ka at mali siya, it’s important that you listen to the full stories. When you do, you get to understand that you don’t know everything pala and that the other person has a point, too, or at least, that he’s hurting, too,” she says.

Tyang Amy has perfected how to be poker-faced while mediating the conflicted parties. Gelli opines that at times she is able to absorb what happens on the set but tries to shake it off when home. “Hindi na namin pinag-uusapan.”

Gelli adds that having experts (The Trio Tagapayo) and a live audience (Sawsaweros) in the show helps in guiding or influencing the guests in either formulating or reassessing a stand. Ultimately, it is hoped that the guests move toward coming up with a solution to their problems or recognizing that there is a need for one.

Being one of TV5’s top-rating shows, Gelli knows that a lot rests on her shoulders. Still, she won’t let pressure get to her, stating firmly that she will be herself on the show.

“Syempre naman magkaiba kami ng style ni Tyang Amy and I think yun din ang dahilan kung bakit ako ang pinili niya na humalili sa kanya. Although she has been doing an excellent job, wala akong intensyon na gayahin siya, except siguro to get some pointers from her.”

And has she done that?

“Yes. Dapat daw lagi akong nasa edge ng chair — para makailag!”

Funny as that sounds, it has a ring of truth to it. Apparently, many of the case studies in Face to Face are unable to contain their anger — especially when the person causing it is right there within arm’s reach!

“Kahit nga mga bading, biglang nagsisipaglakihan at lumalakas ang boses pag galit na…” Gelli notes, laughing.  “Napapatakbo tuloy ako sa hagdan.”    

Turning serious, Gelli believes that sometimes, one needs to be “unkind” to be kind, such as telling someone the truth even if it hurts him. “Because if you don’t, he will just keep thinking na tama siya or kawawa naman siya. Hindi niya maiisip na ituwid ang landas niya dahil ang akala niya, hindi siya ang naliligaw. You won’t be helping him and why would you want that? Why not do good when you have the chance to do so?”

Aside from Face to Face, Gelli sits as one of the judges in the talent search Artista Academy and as co-host in Game ‘N Go with Arnel Ignacio, Joey de Leon and Shalani Soledad.