Unforgettable guests on Showbiz Stripped

(Second of two parts)

The other day, I attributed the success of the late Saturday night program Showbiz Stripped to the dedication of the hosts (Ricky Lo and Melanie Marquez), the hardworking staff and the cooperation of their celebrity interviewees. The last one is an important ingredient because it is the revelation of these celebrities that make the show very interesting.

I asked the staff members of Showbiz Stripped to come up with a list of the celebrity interviewees they feel made an impact in the program’s previous episodes. Already, they mentioned the names of Susan Roces, Lily Monteverde, Dolphy, Teri Onor, Jenny Roa and the Sexbomb girls. Below are the other celebrity interviewees in their list:

Janno Gibbs – This very talented singer-comedian, who rarely talks about his personal life, appeared in Showbiz Stripped’s male vanity episode. During the interview, the show’s staff immediately fell in love with him because he proved to be very accommodating. In front of the camera, Janno demonstrated the daily rituals he goes through – all in the name of vanity (a must for both men and women in show business). He even endorsed to them what he feels is a very effective hand sanitizer (Bench). Today, even Showbiz Stripped associate producer Agnes Suriaga keeps a plastic bottle of Bench hand sanitizer in her bag as part of her hygienic practices – and she thanks Janno for the tip.

Diana Zubiri – The staff members of Showbiz Stripped put Diana in their list because of the kind of honesty and openness she displayed in front of the camera. Diana didn’t hide anything and was even humble enough to admit that if it were not for that flyover issue some years back, she probably would never have been noticed by the public.

Bamboo – This former member of Rivermaya seldom grants interviews, but for Showbiz Stripped, he sat down for a one-on-one on-camera chat and talked openly about himself. Says Showbiz Stripped writer Yani Bautista: "You’d think Bamboo is suplado. You just have to know him better and you will surely like him. He’s not really all that aloof. In fact, he is very approachable."

Ely Buendia – Another elusive celebrity interviewee. But for Showbiz Stripped, he gamely talked about himself. In the beginning, he actually requested not to be asked anything about Eraserheads. But he enjoyed the freewheeling on-air conversation so much that he eventually talked about the band that first brought him fame.

Antoinette Taus – Showbiz Stripped staff members believe that Ricky Lo’s interview with the former child actress in the United States a few months ago was a major achievement and boosted all the more the popularity of the show. I believe so myself because the exclusive interview was the first time Antoinette got to dispel the rumor that she is hiding a kid there (actually two kids in some versions) courtesy of former boyfriend Dingdong Dantes. That finally stopped the rumors and that ugly issue was finally cleared – thanks to Showbiz Stripped.

Melanie Marquez – This former Miss International and Supermodel had always been open about her personal life – her sad childhood, her personal fights and even the men in her life (thank heavens, she seems to have finally found her perfect match in her present husband, Adam Lawyer). In one Showbiz Stripped episode, however, Melanie (turning interviewee instead of the host) talked for the first time about a phase in her life she has never discussed in public before. Here, she admitted how she once had a lesbian affair with another actress. Actually, Melanie wasn’t really pressured to discuss in public this well-kept secret of hers. But she was sure the people of Showbiz Stripped would handle this delicate personal matter carefully and with much sensitivity. And she doesn’t regret this decision at all.