Ryan keeps them guessing

MANILA, Philippines - After house hunting last month somewhere in the south, Ryan Agoncillo remains mum about his and Judy Ann Santos’ wedding date. However, some think the two stars will tie the knot in May. Ryan shares their lovenest is expected to be fully constructed in March.

Judging by the way he looks these days, Ryan is successful striking a balance between his personal and professional commitments. Devoid of the movie character’s unpleasant ways, he is like The Talented Mr. Ripley, similar to the contestants of his TV5 show Talentadong Pinoy.

“We are on the third season,” reports Ryan of his post-Philippine Idol show. “We were informed recently that from single digit, the ratings are now double digit. We are steadily climbing, slowly but surely.”

The show’s ratings only reflects the camaraderie among Ryan and the creative people who man Talendatong Pinoy every Saturday night at 7.

“It’s special because I’m working with the same people behind Philippine Idol from the director down to the writers, floor directors and production assistants,” says Ryan. “I didn’t have to adjust to anyone or to the working system. It’s like we are rekindling the friendship we have made before.”

It’s something Ryan looks forward to each day. Talentadong Pinoy is smaller compared to Philippine Idol which required Ryan to work closely with 50 persons before, during and after the show.

But what keeps Ryan going as host of the show are the reactions Talentadong Pinoy has been receiving from people he encounters every day.  

When he was on location at the Rizal Provincial Jail, inmates expressed their desire to be part of the show. Ryan and Iskul Bukol co-stars Vic Sotto and Jose Manalo swapped stories about the contestants of Talendatong Pinoy during breaks in Cambodia. Even the auto mechanic he met in a car shop and the waiter who served him food in a restaurant showed their enthusiasm about the talent show.

So, why is Juan dela Cruz hooked to it? Ryan says Talentadong Pinoy is not only limited to aspiring singers and dancers who want to make a dent in local tinseltown. It gives everyone a chance to show their talent even if it is bizarre. A sampaguita vendor and a classically-trained singer can compete fair and square for as long as they impress and entertain the talent scouts and jurors. On the show, once the contestant gets to perform on stage, he has already a take home pay of P5,000. If he wins in the first round, he receives P10,000 and an additional P50,000 for the final face-off round with the weekly defending champion.   

“It’s a good feeling we have come up with our own show,” says Ryan. “We trust each other and we can change things on the spot. There’s a lot of empowerment going on.”