Gretchen Ho says volleyball opened opportunities for her; will host new sports show

MANILA, Philippines- It was a 180 degrees turn for Gretchen Ho when she entered the world of show business.

Being used to spending his days in volleyball, studies, and her family, she was not used to the attention and curiosity given to her by the people.

“Nang una talaga na-culture shock ako," she admits in a recent interview. “Kasi ‘yon nga sabi ko, hindi nga ako marunong mag-makeup dati, hindi ako nag-aayos. Siguro as an athlete gano’n ka, e, wala kang paki gusto mo lang mag-laro.”

But since she did the show “Gameday Weekend,” she slowly got used to showbiz. "I’ve been learning a lot. Sobrang ang laki nang pinagbago ng perspective ko sa buhay. Lumawak ang pag-iisip ko.”

Gretchen wouldn’t deny that if not for her love for volleyball and being the “Lady Spiker” of Ateneo de Manila University, all these opportunities that are coming her way won’t happen.

“A lot of opportunities opened for me,” she said. “I never really expected it because volleyball is not that popular before. So I was just in to it because I love playing it. And I think I’m part of that lucky generation lang when nag-boom bigla ang volleyball."

“As in lahat nang ginagawa ko ngayon ma-attribute ko ‘yon dahil sa volleyball. Lahat ng opportunities na dumating sa akin, this sports show was offered to me because of my background in volleyball.”

One of these new opportunities is her being a segment host in the sports program “The Score,” which was hosted by TJ Manotoc. Alongside her is Tina Marasigan and Boom Labrusca.

Contrary to what many may think, this 24-year-old lady actually auditioned for this slot amongst others.

“They told me that there’s a sports reporter audition in a new channel,” she recalled. “I didn’t know what it was, basta sports reporting. So sabi ko it’s along my field, tapos naman na ‘yong Gameday Weekend ko, so it’s a good opportunity for me.”

As a segment host of the show, Gretchen will be featuring different sports and athletes that will serve two purposes: one is to promote a sport, and second is to encourage people to get in to sports and live a more active lifestyle.

Though there’s still a lot that she needs to learn when it comes to hosting, she believes that her background in sports helps her a lot.

“siguro unang-una ‘yong experience. It helps me draw insight from the situation. So feel ko na ‘yon ang na-add ko na flavor sa sports reporting, hindi ako outsider, I really know how to be an athlete, so I know which questions to ask.

“Aside from that [I have] connections. May contact na ako ng athletes, so it’s easier for me to find stories. Actually athletes are approaching me, asking me kung puwede ba sila ma-feature.

“Third would be, I have this camaraderie with the players, with the athletes. So it’s easier for them to open up to me, we’re on the same level. ‘Yon ang napansin ko sa reports ko, mas comfortable sila sa akin, kasama ako dahil athlete din ako.”

She started as segment host in the third week of January, but her hosting skills will be tested further as she sit in for TJ Manotoc for five days, starting February 14, due to his absence.

Catch Gretchen Ho in “The Score,” Monday to Friday, 9:30pm at ABS-CBN Sports & Action channel.