Goodbye, Dollywood: It’s time to say, Hello Dolly

After serving as an entertainment journalist for three decades, the time is right and ripe for a change. So, I am raring to start this next chapter in my new home, The Philippine STAR. Goodbye to my long-running column, Dollywood. Now it’s time to say, Hello Dolly.

Since my late mom, Inday Badiday, is one of the pillars of showbiz, I grew up in the limelight. I see celebrities in their unguarded moments, and I am privy to inside stories.

As I always say, I am not too much of a showbiz writer to be a friend. That’s why I consider these larger-than-life personalities as persons first and foremost.

As I embark on the fourth decade of my showbiz journey, allow me to share some of the lessons I have learned along the way. Let’s go beyond the “Marites” culture and create a positive space where celebrities are at home, while readers will feel like insiders, too.

The author (second from right) with celebrity couple Rudy Fernandez and Lorna Tolentino, and mom Inday Badiday (rightmost).

Columnist

Stars are public personalities, not public property. We must respect their boundaries. Fans can turn into fanatics when they feel entitled to know even the intimate details of their idols’ lives. They should try to adore their favorite stars a little less to understand them a little more.

Fame must be handled properly to avoid harmful side-effects.

Real friends can be found in the make-believe world of showbiz. I don’t let my job as an entertainment writer get in the way of my friendships with celebs. When they tell me it’s off-the-record, I keep it that way. Scoops come and go, but friendship remains.

The secret of longevity in the biz is being a good person off-cam and not just a good actor on-cam.

When I asked my mom how she felt when comedians impersonated her, her reply was, “Imitation is the highest form of flattery.”

My mom also told me that in showbiz — or any industry for that matter — you must not keep track of what your competitors are up to. If you keep looking their way, you will lose focus on your own path.

In a world full of copies, strive to be original.

For showbiz couples, there may be unspoken rivalry. So, to avoid growing apart, they must give each other room to grow.

When I asked a married actor how he remains faithful to his wife amid all the temptation in the biz, he said, “I avoid temptation by not letting any dangerous situation start.”

As an entertainment journalist, it is more rewarding to be respected than feared.