Ricky stays in the (big) picture

ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) TV host and news anchor Ricky Carandang never imagined himself facing the TV cameras after completing his management economics course at the Ateneo de Manila University. He worked as a stockbroker, but got bored with the job, so he tried his luck in Hong Kong to apply in banks. However, the financial crisis had affected the Asian money market, so he wasn’t fortunate enough to get hired.

One entertainment columnist noted Ricky could have made it in showbiz, what with his height and (the pre-requisite) good looks. Although the comment flattered Ricky, the son of noted psychologist Honey Carandang and Dr. Brigido Carandang, was not keen on invading the entertainment scene.

Returning to Manila, Ricky worked at the helm of Market Watch, the 12-page newsletter for stockbrokers.

"For some reason, the newsletter landed in the hands of ABS-CBN people, who asked me to provide additional content to the business reports of ANC," Ricky shares.

Market Watch later merged with Newsbreak when a business tycoon acquired the latter. Ricky subsequently became in-charge of business affairs at Newsbreak. Given the chance to work occasionally on TV, too, he realized that TV was a "more lucrative business," that’s why he made a career move and transferred to ABS-CBN.

Ricky worked at ANC, where he was given the news program Dateline: Philippines and the daily business show, ANC Money. He gets to do news coverage and interviews for ABS-CBN, too.

Recently, Ricky was given another assignment to host a talk show, The Big Picture, the latest addition to ANC’s roster of credible and reliable news and current affairs programs, with Paulyn Halili as executive producer.

The Big Picture brings the lowdown on issues of national and international relevance. "We try to take a broader look at things," Ricky informs. "We can do topics that don’t get tackled at length in news or current affairs programs. We can even do human interest interviews."

The show cross examines the most pressing concerns on politics, society, government policies and economics in the country today. With high-level subject matter experts and people respected in their fields as guests, the show gives the viewers the scoop straight from insiders themselves.

Tough and incisive, Ricky is the person policy-makers talk to when they want their views heard. "We’ve lined up interviews not just with politicians, but with business leaders, as well," Ricky says. "We’ll try to talk about things that don’t get normally covered by the news."

After its maiden telecast last Jan. 12, The Big Picture had so far guested House Speaker Joe de Venecia, Bishop Teodoro Bacani and Sen. Gringo Honasan.

"I want to do an interview with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and ask her about so many things that people had always wanted to ask her," Ricky grants. "I’ve interviewed her in the past about serious national matters, but I want a very candid conversation this time. I also want to interview former First Lady Imelda Marcos and request her to talk about the alleged ill-gotten wealth of the family."

Ricky also expresses his desire to guest ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio "Gabby" Lopez III, "who can talk about the businesses of the Lopez family," as well as recaptured Oakwood mutineer Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon and his alleged girlfriend Capt. Candy Rivas.

Asked how his show differs with that of the other programs on ANC, Ricky reasons out, "Each of the shows on ANC brings with itself the personality of its hosts. The hosts infuse their own distinct mark into the show, like Get Real is really Ces Drilon’s much as Strictly Politics is Pia Hontiveros’ and Straight Talk is Cito Beltran’s. I’d like to think that The Big Picture also carries my mark as a host."

Acknowledging that hosting is a "stressful job," Ricky nonetheless enjoys what he does and finds challenge in his job. "It’s always challenging to do interviews because you’ll never know what your guests will say," Ricky allows. "You have to have your bearing all the time. I had a politician who shouted at me because he didn’t like the question I asked him. But the most important thing is that I love what I do."

The Big Picture airs Thursdays, 9 p.m. on ANC, with replays at 11 p.m. on Fridays, 9 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 p.m. on Sundays.