GMA 7’s new local show “Istayl Nato!” debuts today

Cebu’s Sunday late morning TV viewing habit gets revved up as GMA 7 introduces “Istayl Nato!”—the Kapuso network’s newest local entertainment program.

Debuting today on the 10:45am timeslot, the show features the good-looking and articulate duo of Anna Maris Igpit and Chad Burden as hosts. 

Both Igpit and Burden are already considered celebrities in their own right. The statuesque Igpit has become one of Cebu’s resident beauty queens after she emerged as title-holder in the 2006 edition of the prestigious Bb. Pilipinas pageant. Burden, who was born in Riyadh and grew up in Holland, on the other hand, is a StarStruck Batch 4 alumnus who charged into the reality-contest’s Final 20.

Burden has experienced a bit of hosting when he used to appear in the previous entertainment program “Oi! Show Na To Ni,” while this TV hosting gig marks a first for Igpit. Both admitted to being nervous, but more so, excited to be entrusted with the new show.

While how the tandem will fare has yet to be seen, GMA 7 officials, nevertheless, has seen them fit to helm the hosting duties for “Istayl Nato” that marries fun and adventure, lifestyle and entertainment, and promises to present all that Cebu and neighboring islands in the region as well has to offer, according to Jocelyn Bautista, Entertainment TV program manager.

“This show will have a glossy feel, and based on our studies, this is what Cebuanos are looking for,” said Bautista during the program launch recently.

When asked if the magazine-type of show of the competing station prompted them to change and adopt a new format from the variety set-up used in “Oi!”, Bautista answered in the negative, saying that “Oi!” did well in the ratings and that they had long planned of offering something fresh to its regional audiences.  “Istayl Nato” will be running for 13 weeks.

She also said that the show will have versions in other key cities in the country such as Iloilo and Davao, but the network first launched it in Cebu. “Istayl Nato! is purely about Cebuanos, for them and by them,” Bautista said.

In recent months, the network has visibly gone aggressive in bolstering its regional programming. Late last year alone, it launched two new programs— the early morning show “Buena Mano” and the game show “Eat Na Ta.” (NMT)