Hosting Lessons

If there is one thing Mariel Rodriguez has to learn from Wowowee's guest host Robin Padilla, it is that of shutting her mouth.

To say that Mariel is very, very talkative is like saying that the sun rises from the east. She has spoiled the Willie of Fortune segment many, many times because her mouth endlessly spews nonsense words that do not allow Pokwang the space and the timing to deliver her punch lines. Instead of supporting Pokwang, or setting the stage for Pokwang's jokes to have the maximum impact, Mariel and her machine-gun for a mouth destroys everything.

I am happy Robin Padilla became a temporary host in Wowowee because he proved that hosting is not about the host showing how he or she could talk non-stop. It is about paying attention and relating to your audience and to your co-host. Mariel does none of the above. She keeps on talking and talking and talking and talking. Here comes her antithesis, Robin Padilla. Because Robin does not mince words, and Pokwang can deliver her antics, the show became more entertaining.

Maybe it comes with experience. Both Robin and Pokwang have experienced the hardships that most of us Filipinos are going through that's why they can relate and can really make us laugh. As to Mariel, she is not even funny. I do not know what her talent is. All she does on tv is try to look cuter than she actually is. She is on tv because she represents the thousands, perhaps millions of teen age girls who are like her.

Until Mariel learns to shut up, she will remain the Mariel that kills joy and irritates. And shutting up is very hard to do. But no body said that her job is easy.

(My source of Mariel's picture is Abante.com.ph)

Carmina Villaroel is a hero

One of the most popular names in the Philippines now is Bebe Gandanghari.

Bebe is a female name, and Gandanghari is the combination of two Filipino words "ganda" meaning beautiful and "hari" meaning king. Loosely, the surname means king of beauty.

There is nothing so special about the name since Bebe is a very common nickname in the Philippines, and Gandanghari is a family name that is very long and has a tendency to call attention upon it's bearer. But Bebe Gandanghari caught the attention of the Philippines because this female name is used by 1. a once hunk actor; 2. who used to be married; 3. and who belongs to a clan known for being macho.

Bebe Gandanghari is now the name of Rustom Padilla, the brother of Robin Padilla, one of the most popular action star in the Philippines.

How this change came about, Endemol, the franchise owner of the reality "Big Brother" show has a role.

Rustom Padilla was one of Big Brother's house guests in Pinoy Big Brother celebrity edition, where Rustom revealed that he belongs to the third sex.

The revelation did not shock the country since the rumor that Rustom is gay had been circulating in tabloids and showbiz gossips for so long a time. His revalation only served to confirm the rumor and elevate it into a fact. But the revelation attracted sympathy for Robin Padilla who never missed an opportunity to defend his brother, Rustom, from being called a gay.

Bebe Gandanghari declares Rustom Padilla is dead. So, let us bury him, she said. When asked for her reaction, Rustom's ex-wife actress and talkshow host Carmina Villaroel said, since it is Bebe who says Rustom is dead, so he is.

Filipinos find Rustom amusing. He was not contended with revealing he is gay on national tv in a show with very high ratings, he also changed his name and appearance from a macho male to a sexy Bebe Gandanghari.

But with all this national amusement about Rustom Padilla=Bebe Gandanghari, one person does not get the publicity she deserves. Her name is Carmina Villaroel, actress, talkshow host and ex wife of Rustom Padilla.

My aunt who used to have a store where she read the newspapers and tabloid she sold, is a fan of Carmina. She noticed Carmina's silence at the height of her controversial split with Rustom long time ago. My aunt said, she never read a word about Carmina revealing Rustom's sexual preference as the reason behind the separation, nor did she read Carmina saying a word against Rustom. She gave Rustom the respect that he deserved.

Her conclusion was, Carmina is a decent and an admirable woman. She embodies the values of a true Filipina who is temparate and modest. One word best describes her. And that word is: hero.

Carmina Villaroel is a hero.

She has since married Zoren Legaspi, also an actor, with whom she has two children. Her family appears on TV endorsing Nido, and other products. Carmina is also one of the hosts of "Sis" a daily talk show in GMA 7, the second largest TV station in the Philippines.

Do you want to have fun and can tolerate a little ego tripping? Read my comedy skits.