Private Conversations with Jobert Sucaldito

Carpa diem! This was uttered by award-winning actor Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society. It is about seizing the day, the moment. Opportunity only knocks once, they say, and when it comes knocking at your door, go for it.

Most successful people know what an opportunity is. They grab it with style and nurture it with fierce determination. But how does one know that that moment is an opportune time? Gut feel says it.

Last week, an opportunity presented itself to my dear friend Jobert Sucaldito. We were waiting for our guests, fabulous couple Donna Villa and Carlo Caparas in Private Conversations and we were 15 minutes late into the show when Jobert came rushing into my dressing room. He wanted to say hello to Donna and Carlo. Traffic was horrible and Donna and Carlo were caught in the middle of congested Libis at the height of rush hour. Confirmation for the guests came in late, too, because of the possibility that Private Conversations may be pre-empted because of the Garci hearings. By 5:45, we still had no guests. Private Conversations goes on live at 6 p.m. We already scoured the various ABS-CBN studios for possible replacements. The Anime Boys were in a nearby dressing room but they were about to go on air for Game Ka Na Ba? It would have been a fun conversation about how young people celebrate Christmas. We saw Mark Bautista in one of the studios but he was about to do his number in another show. There were a few other stars but none was available, and some were not ready for a "private conversation."

I was starting to size up with Private Conversations staffers Almed Garcia and Gigi Javier and my assistants Philip Roxas and Donie Ravago and we could have done an episode on celebrating Christmas as a family. Even my dear, dear Tita Guia Garchitorena, my production manager for Homeboy, tried to help us get some possible guests from the nearby studios. I kept my composure. I knew we would find one.

Then suddenly Jobert, like an angel appeared. For once, he behaved like a convent girl. Someone grabbed his face and applied powder, and hands from nowhere braided his hair! Jobert was our special guest. I literally dragged him to the studio and he took his place on the red sofa and started to look like a blushing geisha.

"Di ako makapaniwala," Jobert exclaimed. "Ka-level ko na ang mga senador, at presidente ng Pilipinas." Jobert was scintillating. He was in his element. He talked about the most harrowing experience in his life – the Jojo Veloso exposé on Startalk. He talked about his early days as a struggling movie writer. He remembered his first interview ever for Jingle Extra Hot where his subject was the kind and beautiful Cherie Gil. And when his article came out in the magazine, he told everyone that it was him who wrote the story.

Jobert is also a fighter. He writes what he wants to write. You cannot stop him. Jobert has been at odds with some of the most powerful persons in showbiz. And I somehow suspect that he enjoys it. That is Jobert. He also cooks one of the best adobos I have tasted.

Jobert has come a long way. His family is now proud of him. "Hindi ko dudungisan ang apelyido na ginagamit ko." I know Jobert’s story. He is a guy with a kind heart. And if there is one thing he would not allow in this world to happen, it is for other people to hurt the people he loves.

It was a conversation well spent. Jobert was ecstatic at the "good fortune" that he had. He was deserving of that "private conversation." Everyone in the studio knew we had a good show that night. And before Jobert left, he showed us a text message from our friend Liza Nakpil which in part said that the conversation was "candid and captivating." Thank you, Jobert.

Nyoy at Clamshell

Acoustic singer Nyoy Volante will have a back-to-back concert party with singer-friend King and the Rush Band tomorrow, 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Clamshell in Intramuros, Manila. The concert party is special since guests will dance to the tune of Nyoy’s songs or even dance with Nyoy himself.

Nyoy enthralls people with the way he plays his guitar and the way he sings his songs. As one of the most sought-after singers, Nyoy spends much of his time doing gigs and concerts in almost all the concert halls in the country. His music ranges from acoustic pop to acoustic rock, making him one of the most flexible artists in town.

The concert party will also feature Anton Diva, Le Chazz, Ron Antonio and Freemale Dancers.