CEBU, Philippines - On September, witness the birth of a brand-new News and Public Affairs show on GMA-7 Cebu. This is the realization of its promise to come up with a show to replace the successful “Visayan Agenda,” which the network execs reiterated to me last Saturday during the Energizer Night Race at Parkmall, that it was only meant for the May 10 elections as a guide for voters. The new show, however, will be here to stay—or at least, depending on the viewers’ reception.
It is actually too early to talk about this new show because it’s still two months away, but thankfully Program Manager Zanie Alueta failed to contain her excitement and had a “slip of the tongue,” accidentally revealing details about the show. So, while we were at it, I forced her to reveal some more details, which she is allowed to share.
According to Zanie, the upcoming show will be like “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho meets Reporters Notebook.” Therefore there will be lifestyle, food, and travel features, along with investigative stuff. The catch is, this will not just be a weekend show, but will air daily, most probably in a morning slot after “Unang Hirit.” She said that GMA-7 is very much preoccupied now with pre-production to beat the deadline, as they’re looking into the possibility of launching it during the Cebu Press Freedom Week.
Since this is a new show, new production equipment is expected to arrive very soon, complete with a new service vehicle.
Zanie also shared there will be two new faces who will act as segment hosts. The main host will be chosen from its roster of reporters.
Buena Mano and “Balitang Bisdak” Good News reporter Bexmae Jumao-as, who finished mass communication at the University of San Jose Recoletos last year, has been appointed Executive Producer of the upcoming show, and will work under the close supervision of Zanie. I don’t know Bexmae personally but I love her delivery and speaking voice every time she reports. I am truly happy for her to be given this huge break especially as she is a Josenian like me. Good luck Bexmae!
On Monday, two new faces (a male and a female) will also be introduced as additional segment hosts of “Buena Mano”. Watch out for these two new hosts who will energize your early morning viewing with more local features. Speaking of segment host, it will take time before “Balitang Bisdak” will bring back its entertainment segment. As it is, the 30 minute airtime can barely accommodate all the news reports. So, much as it wants to, it cannot also go beyond its 30-minute airtime because it is the pre-program for “24 Oras”. Okay, we have no choice for now!
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Tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. will be the conclusion of the two-part series of the judges’ deliberation for ABS-CBN Cebu’s Search for the Next Ka-Mags. The winner will be MagTV Na’s newest co-host, joining Blinky de Leon and Phoebe Fernandez. Having been chosen as part of the panel of judges, together with ABS-CBN’s Mommy Tikay and 2008 Miss Cebu Sian Elizabeth Maynard, was a great honor. I’m so proud of fellow Josenians Neda Avinante-Esguerra, Regional Entertainment Head, and Adrian Dionzon, MagTV’s Executive Producer, for having raised the bar in local entertainment by coming up with such kind of search that we used to see only on national TV. Bravo!
So while it was raining hard in Banilad last July 6, comments also rained inside the Vudu resto bar where the deliberation was held. It’s good to know that the production team has chosen five promising finalists composed of four models and a history teacher. The lucky five are: Mr. Cebu 2009 Kris ‘Borgie Cabigas, Mr. Mandaue 2010 Marc Kenneth Estuart, Mr. Mandaue 2010 First Runner-Up Dan Harry Genson, Mr. Mandaue 2010 3rd Runner-Up Dandie Dimataga and USJR History teacher Zerey Romero.
Who among Marc, Zerey, and Dan got the judges nod? Who among them was told monotonous and boring? All that will be answered tomorrow at 8:30 in the morning. Interestingly, the judges have the same favorite finalist as evident in the positive comments given to him. But it does not mean this finalist is already the winner, because judges’ score is only 30%, another 30% will come from the production team, and 40% will be from the text votes, the voting of which ended yesterday.
But really, if I were the producer I will pick the top two finalists as additional co-hosts to compensate for the time, money and effort the production team has invested to come up with such high-level search. This is aside from the fact that the search really has a promising set of finalists. Adrian and Neda, will there be surprises and changes during the finals night at Formo resto bar on July 20? I’m keeping my fingers crossed!
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Also tomorrow, from 1-5 p.m., the Mutya ng Pilipinas screening will be held at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug. Applicants must be strictly 18-25 years old, must be a high school graduate and should stand 5’5 above (barefoot). If you have what it takes, give it a shot and bring with you a valid ID containing your birthdate/ age; a profile picture and a whole body shot photo. Bring also a black/ dark-colored swimsuit and sarong to cover yourself while at the waiting area. I believed the girls under Danny Booc’s Ozar Models, Marlon Wafer’s Wafer Models and Dexter Alazas’ A.D. Models have been preparing hard for the screening tomorrow afternoon. To all the hopefuls, go, go, go!
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