A show worth leaving home for

MANILA, Philippines -“It’s exciting, it’s special,” describes Mariel Rodriguez on the feeling of co-presenting TV5’s Talentadong Pinoy 2014 with husband Robin Padilla. “I’m happy. Sabi ko nga, I’m happy staying at home. Sobra akong masaya na I’m taking care of him at home as a housewife. Bata pa lang ako, dream ko na ’yon. Sabi ko nga, if it isn’t a project like this na worth to give up the life I have, hindi ko gagawin. Kaya nga lang, it is such a good project. Perhaps, it’s a big factor that I’m (working) with Robin.”

Kapatid televiewers will see Mariel and Robin’s on-cam and off-cam tandem beginning tonight at 7. Robin will be the main host attending to the contestants, while Mariel keeps her hands full interviewing the jurors. Tuesday Vargas is in charge of the behind the scenes and backstory of the talents. This sounds interesting to all and covers all aspects that interest audiences.  

“It’s really completely different. We are three on the show. We will be presenting Talentadong Pinoy live,” says Mariel. “There’s backstage shot. That’s what Tuesday will take care of. There’s a VTR showing where the contestants come from and you’ll get to know them that way.” Talentadong Pinoy 2014 is Mariel and Robin’s first TV project together, although the couple did a movie set in India titled Tum, My Pledge of Love a few years ago. It was followed by Sa Ngalan ng Ama, Ina at Mga Anak.    

“Iba pa rin ito. Every project is different,” says Mariel, whose versatility as host has been seen in such shows as Extra Challenge, Pinoy Big Brother, Wowowee and Wil Time Bigtime. “It is a talent show and contest. What I usually do is game show (or) reality (show). It has different mechanics. It’s masaya at napapabilib nga ako (sa mga contestants).” According to her “when you’re hosting, you’re yourself. You’re no one else but yourself,” compared to acting where one is playing someone else. Let’s see how Mariel’s bubbly personality will inspire the contestants to perform better in their acts and make the jurors kinder with their comments.    

Asked about her and Robin’s secret to enjoying such marital bliss, Mariel replies, “Perhaps, Robin loves to be taken care of and I love taking care of him. Swak na swak kami (We jibe). He likes na bine-baby siya at natutuwa nga ako at hindi siya naiirita. Kinukulit siya. Kahit inaamoy siya. For me, the kulitan was never lost (in the relationship). I think it’s a very important factor in our marriage.”

It is also the reason why their age gap doesn’t stand in their way. “Hindi talaga. The only thing that we’re different is the type of music we listen to. This is because of generation,” she shares. “When it comes to movies, we are OK.” If some people think that things won’t work out well to them because of personality differences (that Robin is quiet and she is “maingay at makulit,” Mariel says it is just a perception. Since she has tied the knot, Mariel is a picture of contentment. That emanates from her personal and professional happiness.   

“Before I wanted to become an actress,” recalls Mariel. “But I was led to hosting. Siguro kasi madaldal ako (I love to talk). I would watch teleserye then. I also wanted to become Korina Sanchez. Nakakatuwa naman na mayroong isang bagay pala na ako ay mas magaling.”

What’s her advice to those who consider TV and event hosting a career in the future?

“This is something that I tell those who aspire to become a host. Have fun and be yourself,” Mariel replies. “You cannot be like this person or that person because you have your own style. Just be yourself and that has worked to me — and to have fun. My then handler would tell me that and put that mindset on my head. Whenever I do something, I have to enjoy it and have fun (at the same time).”

Now you know why Mariel, who admires the careers of SIS hosts (Carmina Villarroel, Janice de Belen and Gelli de Belen) and Amy Perez, is a bundle of joy and full of energy on screen.