Hi, guys! I am Carlo Katigbak!

The other night, ABS-CBN head Carlo Katigbak hosted a well-attended dinner with the members of PAMI (Professional Association of Managers, Inc.). Was there something important or something urgent (perhaps the suspected drug users among the artists under the wings of the managers) in the agenda?

“Wala lang,” said Dolor Guevarra, PAMI secretary. “More like getting-to-know-each-other lang.”

On hand to help entertain the PAMI guys were Cory Vidanes (COO for Broadcast), Deo Endrinal (business unit head of Dreamscape), Malou Santos (COO of Star Creatives), Mercy Gonzales (also a business unit head) and other Kapamilya execs.

Carlo’s gesture is a “first” in the Kapamilya Network, something that should have been practiced a long time ago. Since he took over from Charo Santos-Concio (who retired last year but has remained a consultant), Carlo has actually been hosting a getting-to-know-you get-together among the company’s artists, grouping them according to their birthdays (soon for those born in July-August, so on and so forth).

You see, the Kapamilya network (like the others) is so crowded with newcomers (both artists and staffers) that many of them (especially young stars who should be lectured on respecting and acknowledging the seniors in the industry) cross paths with Boss Carlo along the corridors without as much as taking a slight bow (if not actually making beso-beso) as a gesture of respect.  

“So that when we meet,” Boss Carlo was quoted as saying, “we won’t appear like we were strangers to each other.”

Good move, Boss Carlo! Something that bosses of other networks should follow.

Heard that Susan Roces (member of the Coco Martin starrer FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano) gives Boss Carlo’s gesture a thumbs-up.

Next time the Kapamilya artists (lalo na yung mga baguhan) bump into the network head, there’s no need for him to say, “Hi, guys! I am Carlo Katigbak!”

What is G Tongi up to?

Giselle ‘G’ Tongi and husband Tim Walters with their children Sakura and Kenobi

Just got a letter from Giselle “G” Tongi, this section’s “occasional columnist (Oh My G),” who updates us on her comings and goings in the past few years.

Dear Ricky,

I saw that you recently posted an article of our time together in Lake Como and could not believe it has been two decades since we were both in Italy for Ricky Martin’s English album release for Sony Music! It feels like a lifetime ago as so much has happened since then! (I posted the pictures in relation to my comments on Imagine You & Me, the hit first solo starrer movie of Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza shot mostly in Lake Como, Italy. — RFL)

Wanted to update you and your readers as two years ago, I left Manila to migrate back to Los Angeles, despite my announcement that I was back in the Philippines — FOR GOOD! Moral of this article is nothing is ever permanent and when the wind blows you in a direction you’ve been dreaming of for a long time, you pack up your balikbayan boxes and your family back to America.

Deciding to leave Manila was an easy decision, though. After migrating back to Manila in March of 2012, in only two years I was able to produce a 13-episode documentary travel series with Michael Carandang & Bon Fire Productions called the Balikbayan Project that ran on GMA Pinoy TV. I also got to do three teleseryes as an actress on all three networks playing the antagonist mother to teenagers, which meant that I gave birth to them at 12.

I did an indie reproductive health film called Bayan Magiliw with Gil Portes as well as cameos for films where I got to play the role of a Beauty Queen and an Abused Trophy wife turned drug addict. I also was welcomed in the flourishing Philippine theater world for the first time, working under the helm of geniuses such Bobby Garcia and Atlantis Productions for Piaf and Jaime Del Mundo, and Repertory Philippines for The Producers. I was able to put to use what I pursued in school and became a social media producer for Rappler.Com, creating entertainment and theater packages that covered the latest show in town to the latest showbiz scandal, writing, shooting, producing and at times even editing my own material. Rappler head Maria Ressa gave me that opportunity that helped me make that transition from just an on-air talent to a creative producer for media content.

When the job opportunity was offered to be the host & producer for the only local television station that produces Filipino Content in America, I realized that my entire professional career had led me to this moment. I’ve been known to be impulsive in my life and have been fortunate enough to follow my heart’s desires. Finding myself close to my 40s, finally back in Los Angeles, it truly feels like I’ve come full circle.

The Philippines will always be home but the opportunity to create content for Filipinos in America not only in front of the camera but behind it is what truly ignites my creative passion for media representation, especially with all the talk on diversity. I’ve been doing the hosting for the past two decades and I welcome the new challenge of creating media as a producer this time around that engages the community with sensibilities of our Philippine culture despite being away from the motherland.

Two years have come and gone so quickly on Kababayan Today on LA18, but your posting our photo of us in Lake Como two decades ago reminded me to treasure the moments I have not only shared recently but all throughout this journey of mine.

Will make sure to start writing more for Oh My G soon!

Love, love,

G Tongi

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected].)