Meet your everyday chika buddies

It’s a breath of fresh air to see Pauleen Luna, Pokwang and Ria Atayde serve everyone talking points on love, life, health and motherhood two hours before midday (10 a.m.). They keep viewers company with their pleasant personality. Their friendly mien simply lightens things up. The Kapatid triumvirate’s show, Chika, Besh!, is a happy place to be in every day.

“Among the three of us, ako yung pinaka-nahirapan I guess,” replied Ria when asked to describe their transition from acting (on TV and in the movies) to hosting (a morning show) in a recent virtual media call. “Madaldal as I am, I’m not as bubbly as Mamang (Pokwang) and Ate Pauleen. Sobrang chill kong tao, there’s that. In terms of adjusting from acting to here (TV hosting), the work ethic is still the same. You still have to be on time, you still have to be always in your best behavior, always in your best performance.”

Her adjustment period was easy because of Pauleen and Pokwang’s presence. “It is also such a big help that Ate Pauleen and Mamang are the ones here with me,” added Ria. “It wasn’t so hard to adjust. They’re just so open (as) people, not only (they’re) open talking about their lives, but also open helping me adjust.” That openness translates into a friendly, homey atmosphere that Pauleen, Pokwang and Ria create for the show.

“With me, medyo na-expose na rin ako, sa Eat, Bulaga, when it comes to hosting,” said Pauleen, “you know talking to people from different walks of life. So parang hindi naman ako masyadong nahirapan. Naturally, I’m fond of talking to others. I’m a people person. I really like to have conversations with different kinds of people.”

Although she has mastered the art of telling people rib-tickling stories and jokes, Pokwang makes sure that she can take on the task of asking questions.

“If I’m not that familiar with the guest, I would do research on the person, para yung itatanong ko sa kanya ay may katarungan naman at para may knowledge naman ako,” she said. “If I know the guest or I have worked with the guest before, I feel the questions come out easily, kumbaga sa alon, dinadala na lang kami at nagkakaintindihan kami (my train of thought and my conversation with the guest can be likened to a wave that will just carry us through, everything runs smoothly. We understand each other).”

The previous episodes of Chika, Besh! show that Pauleen, Pokwang and Ria are in the zone and have found their footing as hosts.

“To make people happy and to enlighten (them),” said Ria of what Chika, Besh! brings to the talk show viewers. “I think it’s something very, very important at a time like this. The topics that we touch on aren’t just (on) the surface level. A lot of people have opened up about how they’re dealing with the situation that we are in. This is something that’s relevant to the times now.”

Along that line, Pauleen saw their morning show as a platform “to uplift the spirit of everyone. Kasi right now, hindi natin alam yung pinagdadaanan ng ibang mga tao. It could be easy for this person, but it could be very, very hard for another one. So, in our show, we just try to spread good vibes and good news. Para kahit sa isang oras lang…, mapangiti sila, mapasaya sila (For just an hour of watching, they’ll get entertained.).”

As for Pokwang, their work comes with the goal of giving viewers “(continued) happiness.” Being able to accomplish it is extra special these days as everyone deals with the pandemic. The ladies of Chika, Besh! feel safe as they come to work. “Everybody is following the proper protocols,” shared Ria. “We have fun at work. It doesn’t feel like work.” By the way, Ria would love to have a one-on-one with Korina Sanchez. “I like how she speaks and how she thinks.” She also shared that her mom Sylvia Sanchez’s generosity and openness are two qualities she inherited from the veteran actress.

Aside from the discussion Pauleen, Pokwang and Ria provide, the show also has segments like Tatak Pinoy (on Philippine products with DJ Malaya Macaraeg), Laps Trips (local and foreign food recipes, Christian Antolin) and Share Ko Lang (viral videos and stories, Inricho Bautista). Chika, Besh! also features Taki Saito, Kimpoy Feliciano and Shine Kuk as international correspondents.

(Chika, Besh! Basta Everyday Super Happy! airs weekdays on TV5 and has same day airing on Colours at 11 a.m., available on Cignal TV Channel 202 HD and Channel 60 SD.)