Joey Villarama…Who?

As I was eating my tuna sandwich, I could not help but remember a series of circa 1990 canned tuna commercials that featured news personalities.  The likes of Cathy Santillian (RPN 9), Sandra Dayco (PTV 4), Christine Jacob (PTV 4), Gel Santos-Relos (ABS-CBN 2), and many others had their share of endorsements for the many-flavored product.  Makes me wonder, where are these people now?  I know Gel Relos has migrated to the US but still does some hosting work for ABS-CBN’s "The Filipino Channel" (TFC).  I know Christine Jacob has (or used to have?) a cooking show on GMA7. But where are Dayco and Santillian? 

I was a TV news junkie and the names of many reporters and anchors (who may be obscure to many of you) somehow got stuck on my mind. Here are some of them and as far as I know, here is what they are doing now:

- Mari Kaimo (GMA) is with Studio 23.
- Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel (GMA) is a party-list representative.
- Atty. Romy Macalintal (PTV) is the President’s election lawyer
- Veronica Pedrosa (ABS-CBN, CNN) is with Al-Jazeera.
- Cathy Yap-Yang (ABS-CBN) is with Bloomberg.
- Rico Hizon (GMA) is with CNBC and BBC.
- Mon Isberto (GMA) is the public affairs officer of SMART Communications.
- Marga Ortigas (GMA) works for Al-Jazeera.
- Coco Quisumbing (who used to work for RPN, Asia Business News and CNBC) was a consultant for ANC during the ASEAN summit in Cebu.
- Angelique Lazo is with NBN.
- Veronica Baluyot-Jimenez (GMA) is now with NBN.
- Candice Giron (ABC) is now with GMA.
- Anthony Pangilinan (PTV) runs his own consultancy firm.
- David Nye (SBN) is now with Channel News Asia.
- Chi-Chi Fajardo-Robles (PTV and ABC) is a UP professor (i think!)
- Eric Eloriaga (ABC) is with RPN.
- Pete Roa (RPN), I guess, is still undergoing therapy for the stroke he suffered a while back
- Cristina Pecson (GMA, PTV) is now with RPN.
- Joma Carlos (ABC, RPN) is now news manager of RPN(?)
- Kata Inocencio (ABS-CBN) is with Bro. Eddie Villanueva’s group
- Arlene dela Cruz (ABS-CBN) is with Net 25.
- Gina dela Vega Cruz (PTV) is with First Quadrant (methinks) and IBC.
- Gabbie Concepcion (RPN) is now with GMA’s Unang Hirit
- Carmina Constantino (ANC) got married and migrated to the US but still contributes for TFC.
- Kathy San Gabriel (ABS-CBN) is now with NBN.
- Aladin Bacolodan (ABS-CBN) migrated to the US where his wife is a nurse.
- Aljo Bendijo (ABS-CBN) is with RPN.
- Connie Sison (ABS-CBN) is with RPN and still has a show on ANC.
- Vivien P. Zalvidea (ABS-CBN and ABC) is with TFC’s Balitang America.

Then there are the "old timers," people who are still around and have remained loyal to their mother station:
- Freddie Abando (NBN)
- Toby Nebrida (NBN)
- Flor "Zaldy" Perez (NBN)
- Nina Castro (GMA)
- Alex Tinsay (GMA)
- Lulu Pascual (RPN)
- Jimmy Gil (GMA)
- Veronica Cleofe (NBN)
- Justine Espina (NBN)
- Marigold Haber (RPN)
- Mao dela Cruz (GMA, but with DZBB now)
- Dodie Lacuna (RPN)
- Precious Hipolito (IBC)                     
- Wheng Hidalgo (ABS-CBN) is a TV reporter

- Ina Reformina (ABS-CBN) transferred from Cebu to the Manila office
- Lester Chavez (ABS-CBN) is Executive Producer of SOCO
- Irene Javier is (ABS-CBN) is Associate Producer of Magandang Umaga Pilpinas

Sadly, here are other news personalities who have gone into obscurity:

- Ruth Abao-Espinosa (PTV and ABS-CBN)
- TG Kintanar (IBC and ABC)
- Issa Rodriguez (PTV)
- Ida Bernasconi (IBC)
- Manuel Llige aka Manolet Ripol (IBC)
- Grace Choa (IBC)
- Neil Santos III (IBC)
- Melissa Gecolea (GMA)
- Patricia Evangelista (GMA)
- Harry Gasser (RPN)
-  Lee Andres (IBC)
- Teresa Guanzon (PTV, RPN and IBC)
-  Vince Alingod (IBC)
-  Cielo Villaluna (RPN)
- Bobby Guanzon (GMA)
- Buddy Lopa (RPN)
- Ida Vargas (RPN)
- Caren Bayhon (IBC, ANC)
-  Leslie Espino (GMA)
- Mike Lacanilao (GMA)
- Ynna Yulo (IBC)
- Cara Javier (RPN)
- Anna Marie Soriano (IBC)
- Ed Nanquil (RPN)
- Eliza Romualdez-Valtos (ANC)
- Ronald Estella (ABS-CBN)
- Manny Mojica (IBC)
- Nitz de Onon (IBC)
- Anne Palorina (ABS-CBN)
- Mandy Francisco (ABS-CBN)
- Israel Cando (ABS-CBN)
- Ronnie Azurin (RPN)
- Liezel Castro (ABS-CBN)
- Mylene Acuña (ABS-CBN)
- Weng Papasin (ABS-CBN)

I’m having a memory gap now so I guess there will be a part 2.

Our Catholic parish celebrated its 26th year of existence today.  Traditionally, the local

ordinary (or bishop) celebrates a fiesta high mass to commemorate the anniversary. Tonight, I had the privilege of serving as a lector in the mass presided by His Excellency, the Most. Rev. Honesto Ongtioco, DD, the Bishop of Cubao.

I’ve probably attended only 3 masses by Bishop Ongtioco since he assumed office as the first Bishop of Cubao and yet he already strikes me as an able and charismatic shepherd.  I’ve met many Catholic prelates in my life but of them all, Bishop Ongtioco is one of the simplest, most unassuming and most pious Filipino bishop I’ve encountered thus far. For someone who, according to Catholic tradition, succeeds one of the Apostles, His Excellency is a very good example of a leader who always wants to be "last." ("Whoever wants to be first shall be last, whoever wants to be last, shall be first.") His simplicity makes the Church closer to the people of God, as Jesus Himself intended the Church to be.

Try attending one of his masses and see how revved up and passionate he gets, especially when he sings the "Papuri" and the "Our Father."  Cool siya!

Two thumbs up to you, Your Excellency! Excellent!

Lest you think this post is about love or Valentine’s Day, think again! It’s about beauty. Yup, you read it right. Beauty. I’ve often been asked (honestly, sa araw-araw na ginawa ng Diyos) what my beauty regimen is. I know, I know, this may deduct points from my so-called "credibility"; but one of the concerns or consequences of being on television is trying to make oneself presentable on camera. Aside from washing my face before going to bed  (any facial wash will do, but find the one that suits your skin type…mine is oily) and taking multivitamins, there’s one thing I can’t live without. Sunblock!!! If you read the testimonials by my sister Peaches and my friend Allan, you will find out that my greatest enemies are UVA and UVB. And for very valid reasons.

I don’t want to get into the biochemistry of ultraviolet damage to cells and the skin but believe you me, when I say you need to put on at least an SPF 25 sunblock especially when you are exposed to the 10AM-3PM sun, you should take it seriously.

My work begins at 2PM everyday but I put on an SPF 50+++ sunblock on my face. (Surprise!)

I know my face has been the subject of many conversations (and on many occasions, bashing) at the office.  Some of my officemates say my face is too white or it is too oily. Honestly, I don’t care.  I only put make up on naman when I go on camera. So what you see on my face when I get to work is sunblock.  And I have never kept it a secret naman.  I don’t care if people say "Oiliness is next to ugliness or to poverty."  I can always blot the excess oil out anyway when I face my interview subjects.  But the truth of the matter is, by putting on sunblock, I’m doing my skin a favor by shielding it from sunburn, windburn, environmental and chemical degradation, etc., etc., etc!!

Margie Moran, in a television ad for a retinol product, once said: "Wrinkles? I take them seriously."  I do to. Not because I’m vain or anything. I just want to be healthy and keep myself youthful despite the advancing age. After all, when you work on television, how you look CAN be an asset. (I’m not saying it is essential, that’s why there is an emphasis on "can." Remember, story-telling and writing skills are most important!) By putting on sunblock I reduce the risk of acquiring UV-induced diseases and even cancer (parang tomato sauce, ano? ;p)

When people who see me in person ask me how old I am, I ask them to guess. Swerte ko when they say I’m between 22 and 24. I’m 28. You do the math.

Age really doesn’t matter, especially when you take your health seriously.

O sige na, pahid na…!