Gretchen Ho wants to try hosting

MANILA, Philippines - Will Gretchen Ho plunge into showbiz waters? If ever, the UAAP hottie will not be the first sports belle to cross over to the entertainment biz.

Gretchen admitted that she has received offers and she has already said yes to a co-hosting gig for an ABS-CBN show which is good for this summer, but she’s still weighing her options if she’ll make a go of it as a career.

“I really want to take my time before making a decision. But I will be doing hosting this summer for a show,” said the Ateneo Lady Spiker, who had her final playing year in the last UAAP season, in an interview during the launch of the upcoming Studio 23 show Game On!: The Chevrolet Sonic Celebrity Challenge wherein she’s one of the challengers.

“If ever, I’m interested in doing hosting, especially sports hosting. It’s something I can see myself doing. It’s something that (I think) helps me grow as a person.”

There are acting offers as well for the striking 22-year-old chinita, but according to Gretchen, “in terms of acting, no, I will not go there. It’s really a no.”

 She explained, “I’m really inclined to (things that have to do with) sports, the youth and the like. Sabi ko nga, if it puts me in a position wherein I can better influence and inspire, especially the children, or where I’ll be able to maximize my potential, I’m game. That’s what I’m thinking about right now,” said Gretchen, who took up Management Engineering (minor in Communications).

Among the established hosts, she said she looks up to Bianca Gonzalez, who’s also a graduate from Ateneo. “I can see that she’s an empowered woman, and that’s one of my reasons to enter showbiz, to hopefully effect positive change.”

As for her sport, Gretchen said that for now, “medyo papahinga muna kami ngayon. But I’m planning to continue with sports. I’m not sure if it’s volleyball, running or learning how to swim kasi di ako ganun ka galing. But definitely, I will still have a sport.”

Will she ever coach a volleyball team? “Not now, maybe in the future.”

Gretchen said she inherited her passion for sports from her parents, particularly her father who was a varsity player in his student days.

Asked how her parents are reacting to her plans of giving showbiz a try, she said that her parents are supportive. “My parents say na sayang naman yung opportunity. It’s once in-a-lifetime.”

Another source of support is Robi Domingo. Robi and Gretchen were batchmates in college. They met at the career placement office of Ateneo.

Gretchen confirmed that they’ve been dating for several months now. “He’s the first (guy) I really entertained because I was really focused before (on my studies and my sport).”

Of Robi, she said, “He’s supportive. It helps that he gives me a view of the showbiz world, like ano ba meron diyan so I can make a better decision. I’m really pursuing my own path. I’ve never attached myself to his name. Gusto ko sariling sikap ko, gusto dahil sa sariling effort ko. Kaya din rin ako masyado nag-re-react tungkol sa kanya.”

Meanwhile, Gretchen is surprised at her increasing popularity, especially on social media. She’s said to have one of the most, if not the most, number of fanpages and Twitter followers among the (past and present) female athletes of UAAP. That she’s being admired among fellow young people, “is overwhelming. But I try to take it all as blessings…Di naman ako ilalagay ni Lord dito kung walang reason.”

Catch more of Gretchen as she plays challenger and unleashes her competitive spirit in the upcoming Studio 23 show in tandem with Chevrolet Philippines, Game On!: The Chevrolet Sonic Celebrity Challenge that pits two celebrity teams against one another. Other challengers are Paul Jake Castillo, Melissa Ricks, Gretchen Fullido, Manuel Chua and Andrei Felix. Game On! airs on April 6 and 13 at 6 p.m.