Updates on Raki, Jude and Rizza

Tonight in Hollywood, California, another pride of Cebu will do her best to make her whole country proud as she competes in the World Championships of the Performing Arts (WCOPA).

I’m referring to Rochelle “Raki” Vega, the country’s one and only Born Diva, who has remained grounded, approachable and thoughtful despite her many achievements, particularly in the field of theater.

I’ve said this already but let me say this again, Raki is a gift, but is the most underrated talent, thanks but no thanks to ABS-CBN for not pushing her to the stardom that she is capable of after winning the reality based contest “Born Diva.”

Hopefully, WCOPA will be Raki’s ticket to global stardom; she deserves to make it big with her talent and right attitude.

Two weeks ago she visited The Freeman new building. Funny because she turned up at our old office, which is across where we are holding office now. Obviously the guard did not recognize her and so told her to just cross the street to get to where we were. When she arrived at the lobby she simply told the desk she was to meet somebody upstairs so she was given a visitor’s ID. What a humble girl!

She could have told the guard she was Raki, the Born Diva, but no sir she did not do that. That is what you call right attitude. She will surely go places.

And when we finally met she was still the Rochelle Vega I knew—bubbly, simple and very amiable. She briefly updated me how she has prepared for the contest and how hectic her schedule was. But my most favorite part of our short chitchat would have to be her declaration that she is hoping to emerge victorious to bring honor to Cebu and the Philippines.

If she wins, she would be the second Cebuana to make a name in that “Official

Talent Olympics”—the first being Rizza Navales, popularly known before at the University of San Jose Recoletos as Nerissa Mantilla.

I don’t where Rizza is now, I was told she is part of that Las Vegas production with Ciara Sotto but I’m not quite sure about it. 

Like Raki, Rizza too was underrated, she could have done more and achieved more in the local music industry, but she did not get enough breaks to make her a singing sensation. Oh well, I must use my classic line again: If you fail it does not mean you are not good. God has prepared something bigger and better for you. So, I know Rizza’s time will come.

And if Raki’s own journey to stardom slowly progresses, I’m sure God has great plans for her, she just have to wait for the perfect time. The WCOPA could be the one.

Good luck Raki and Rizza!

* * *

Where is Jude and how is he doing now? These are the questions frequently asked of me recently by friends and those who know I’m covering the entertainment beat. Therefore it’s safe to say that Jude’s fans, who have followed him since two years ago, miss him a lot. Will the “talk icon” ever go back to TV hosting?

According to the grapevine, until now there are efforts to win back Jude. I remember asking Ms. Donna Ocampo, ABS-CBN’s Production Manager for RNG days ago, when will the new show start but she did not answer me. Oh well my main question then was what would happen to the local Sunday morning show if “LoveSpell” would take the 11am slot starting tomorrow, in which she explained that RNG is given priority as far as talk and entertainment shows are concerned. That means, we would still be seeing ABS-CBN Cebu’s local talk show tomorrow. But which show are we talking here? Going back to my first question, when will the new show begin? Maybe it is really true that ABS-CBN is still pursuing Jude to go back, and this could be the reason why the program title remains to be “Jud Morning,” but featuring different hosts in the last two episodes. Maybe yes, maybe no but there could be some truth into it somehow.

Another tidbit I got from the grapevine (yes I’m never lacking in sources thanks to my five-year stint in the police beat… he he he), is that fellow Josenian Neda Avinante, Jud Morning’s Executive Producer is actually being groomed to replace Jude. Our friends in Jagobiao, Mandaue are not confirming it though, but I’m Beginning to believe it because she hosted the last two episodes of Jude Morning, after Jude bid goodbye. Honestly, I’m happy for Neda, because we came from the same department  in college and every Josenian’s success is our success too. But I just have some reservations though. She used to be very bubbly on TV but watching her in the July 8 episode, I could feel she was not in her element. I know she could give more, and that is what I expect to see from her in the next episodes. Girl, I’ve sensed something lacking in your performance Lately—it’s not dull but it’s not that sparkling either.

By the way, according to the grapevine again that rival show “Oi! Show Nato Ni” got a 12.8% rating as compared to the 6.9% of “Jud Morning” that was hosted by both Neda and Cathy Gabronino last July 8. The episode then was “ Tatak sa Akong Pamilya,” while Oi! continued with the second episode of the Kapuso Day. The latest ratings result was released by AGB Nielsen last Monday, July 23, according to my source. It’s understandable though because Neda and Cathy’s hosting was unexpected and the competing show’s presentation was very close to Cebuanos. But that is a big lead, and something has to be done. After all, my reliable source up there in Nivel Hills revealed that “Oi!” got a 9.5% rating (Kapuso Day Part 1) while “Jud Morning” had a 7.6% (“Aging Beautifully,” Jude’s last episode), last July 1.

Anyway, where is Jude now? Well, the last time I’ve talked to him, he is now focusing his energies on his radio show over Y101 every Sunday from 4 to 8pm. Jude is deeply falling in love with radio like me because aside from the medium being interactive and immediate, you are simply the “boss” once you turn go on air. Especially if the format is a talk show, you are simply responsible for everything—no script, no director. So those who miss the voice of Judea (which is how I fondly call Jude), he can keep you company every Sunday.

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