After every storm, a Lovely day follows

On a stormy night 13 years ago, the then-homeless family of Love Añover had to endure being soaked in rainwater inside a good samaritan’s humble home. Now, however, being a popular television personality, she has managed to not only provide her family with a roof, but also herself with a successful career.  

Love, who is best known for her perky, lively and high-strung character, recalled that lowest point in their lives in a softer, "not-so-Love Añover" manner. "It was painful, but that incident has always served as an inspiration, motivation. Nung panahong iyon, pinangako ko na I will do everything to help the members of my family live better lives," she said. Looking back was indeed, a bittersweet recollection of the past for this 29-year-old television personality.

Asked why she made it her "mission" to ensure that her family is in a better place, she reasoned, "I have seen our family survive rough times together. We were there for each other through ups and downs. Now that I am in a better position, it is but natural that I help them," she added. "Whatever it is that I am doing, I do not see it as an obligation, but an act of love."

She also admitted that because of the struggles that her family had to face, they have become more united, more bonded. 

More than strengthening relationships, those tough times made her see the heroic deeds her mom, Lydia Añover, had to do just to make ends meet for their family. According to Love, her mom has done almost all jobs just to provide for their needs and dubbed her mom as "Queen of Hardworkers."

After hearing Love’s words of praise for her mother, to say that she idolizes her mother is definitely an understatement. 

Feeling that she might have singled out her dad, Jose Añover, from those words of praise that she has given her mom, she was quick to say, "I love both my mom and dad dearly pero iba talaga yung pinakita ng nanay ko. Hindi talaga matatawaran yung sakripisyo na ginawa niya para sa apat niyang anak." 

Now, it is clear that Love is very much like her hardworking mother. 

With three regular television shows and a radio program, her days are usually packed. Her weekdays start very early at 3:30 a.m. for her Unang Hirit stint. After the show ends, she would then juggle her tapings for the GMA public affairs show, Lovely Day, and GMA’s flagship news program 24 0ras, where she is a segment reporter, and anchoring her radio program Magandang Balita in GMA’s AM radio station, DZBB. 

Having a string of successful television and radio shows, a number of product endorsements and even a novelty album to her name, Love is undeniably one of the country’s most sought-after news/entertainment personalities at present.

Her journey to success, however, was a slow, steady uphill climb that has spanned some years. Her popularity was hard earned and is a product of years of dedication to her craft.  

In 1997, Love, who is a graduate of AB Filipino minor in Broadcast Communications from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, started in the broadcast industry through her stint in Che-Che Lazaro’s The Probe Team, where she became a production assistant, editor, producer and eventually, a reporter. 

She had her first on-cam assignment in 1999 with the Probe Team’s feature on the Filipinos’ obsession with having their hair dyed. Her accidental "stepping into the limelight" was an offshoot of the show’s effort to reach the masses. It was during this time that the program’s features were presented in Filipino, a language mastered by Love.

"Nang una ako nag-on-cam, lahat ata ng comments negative. I think the audience of the show got shocked. But, I am happy that the confidence of the group did not falter," she recalled.

In 2001, Love was tapped to join Unang Hirit. Her charisma blossomed even more with her inclusion in the morning show. It was during this time that she immortalized the line "and everything" through her daily coverage of the traffic beat. 

 After gathering a huge following, she got her biggest break last year when she was asked to host her own show Lovely Day, which airs Saturday mornings at 10. The program, which focuses on good, inspiring news features, seems to encapsulate the fun-loving, lively personality of its host. 

Love is extremely proud of Lovely Day, where she is joined by StarStruck avenger Christian Esteban, child sensations "Tolits" and Bea, because it has proven that such a format can be accepted by the Filipino public if good production values are integrated in the show. She is also satisfied with the high ratings of the show. "Pati na rin sa dami ng commercial loads," she quipped.

Love is also proud to announce that Lovely Day is one of the GMA shows that are being dubbed in Cebuano. This is a pioneering effort of GMA Network to reach out to more Filipinos in the archipelago.

She admitted that being a kapuso is a source of pride for her. She even said that the she cannot see herself working for other networks. "I am not afraid of losing my on-cam job in GMA dahil alam ko naman na marami akong kayang gawin off-cam, pero gusto ko dito talaga ako sa kapuso."

Though she has already reached great heights in her career, she still acknowledges the immense help that Che-Che Lazaro, her GMA bosses especially SVP for News and Public Affairs Marissa Flores, who she fondly considers her "personal manager," have given her.

For allowing her to do– the things she loves to do– to paint smiles on other people’s faces and to make Filipino days lovely, she continues to be thankful to her public for its unselfish support and appreciation of her work.

To close this interview, Love uttered these words in a very convincing yet charming manner, "I hope we can all be blessings to everyone para palaging Lovely Day."