Q-11 to launch new VJs soon

MANILA, Philippines – One decided to stay in the Philippines for good because of love. Another decided to make a career out of her gift of gab. 

The first is Valerie Bariou, who was born and raised in France and embraced the Philippines as her home to be with Onemig Bondoc, the man she loves. The second is Gazelle Canlas, a seasoned model who can outtalk anyone, as her show on YouTube is proving.

Valerie and Gazelle are the new VJs of Q-11. They’re joining the trio of pretty, articulate talents the TV network is fielding in its various programs starting this year (the other one is Joy Hendrickson).

Valerie and Gazelle may be no stranger to the cameras. After all, Valerie has three indies to her name: PS I Love You, Xenoa 2 with Jericho Rosales and 2999. Gazelle has appeared in a couple of indie films herself, one of which cast her in the dual role of a person and a tree (“The prosthetics alone took all of six hours!” she exclaims).

Their love for theater (Gazelle used to appear in outreach shows for the poor) allows them to mirror a variety of moods in front of the cameras.   

And while photo shoots (for magazine covers and TV commercials) have become Valerie’s playground, Gazelle banks on her talent to speed talk (give her a word and she will talk endlessly about it) to propel her to the top.

A burning ambition to succeed consumes them. The 25-year-old Valerie admits, “I’m adventurous! I want to do many things. I don’t want to tell myself I should have done this or that.”

Gazelle lives up to her name — that of a swift, captivating creature of the forest — not just in the way her mind works at lightning speed. Thanks to a radio program she hosted as a Communication Arts student of Miriam College (she has graduated since), Gazelle can whip up a witty dialogue or spiel as fast as the director can shout, “Action!”

“Those who meet me for the first time think I’m meek. But once I feel comfortable with them, I can really talk non-stop!” Gazelle remarks.

The two new VJs are happily attaçhed. In fact, Valerie’s daughter Armelle, by fiance Onemig is already two years old.

“Onemig and I will have a civil wedding in June,” Valerie reveals. “The church wedding will follow. But it can’t be this year since Onemig’s sister will get married later in the year.”

Gazelle, on the other hand, dreams of parrying her gift of gab in a talk show. That’s why her eyes remain glued on the TV set when her idol Tyra Banks’ show is on air.

Then there’s Gazelle’s YouTube show, Say Wuht, which executives from another network found so engaging, they invited her to join them.

How far will their faces and talent take Valerie and Gazelle? That’s for them — and us — to find out when Q-11 introduces them on air, soon.