MAINE Mendoza will now be seen at lunchtime on GMA-7 in “Eat Bulaga” and on Sunday evening in TV5’s new talent search, “PoPinoy.” So how does it feel to work with TV5?
“I’m so happy in my new environment and welcome the chance to work with other artists.” she says at the zoom presscon TV5 hosted for her and her co-host, Paolo Ballesteros. “This is my second big show after ‘Eat Bulaga’ at sabay ko silang gagawin.”
How is it hosting a talent show? “This is something different from ‘Eat Bulaga.’ As hosts, we’d be less casual, more formal, hindi na kami puedeng basta ta-tumbling o magi-split.
We should help the contestants in their journey, para pakalmahin sila kung tense sila. I’m also very thankful na sa dinami-dami ng mga host, isa ko sa napili dito. Kami lang dito ni Kuya Pao, sa ‘Eat Bulaga,’ marami kami.”
How is “PoPinoy” different from other talent shows?
“Ang daming talent shows pero iba ito, kasi solo-solo lang ‘yung iba, ito grupo. We are looking for two groups, a boy band and a girl group. I’m really happy to be part of TV5’s biggest talent search. We’ve met some of the contestants sa taping at very promising sila.”
What are the qualities she would look for in the contestants?
“Unang-una, charisma, X factor. Tapos creativity, passion nila for what they do. At dahil grupo ito, dapat ding maging magaling ang team work nila.”
Along with Maine and Paolo, “PoPinoy” also features what they call the Headhunters, who will act as judge and mentors to the contestants and help them in their journey to become the ultimate PoPinoy idols.
These are singer Jay-R, musical theater star Kayla Rivera, dancer DJ Loonyo and “Niño Niña” star Maja Salvador. “PoPinoy” will have a primer on June 6, 8 p.m., to be followed by its grand launch on June 13.
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‘It’s not COVID but bacterial meningitis. — Lani Misalucha’
Lani Misalucha is having a virtual concert with Martin Nievera, “New Day,” at the Solaire Theater on June 5 and 6, to be shown streaming. We ask her what happened to her exactly when she had to excuse herself from being a judge last year in GMA-7’s “The Clash.”
“I’m not going to lie,” she says. “I’m not feeling well physically emotionally. But just like what everybody says, our lives have to go on. And that’s what I’m trying to do now. The show must go on.”
She reveals she and her husband both got sick. “August of last year, my husband and I had our health issues. It’s not COVID but bacterial meningitis. The problem is our nerves were damaged, with swelling and hemorrhage. We lost our hearing. Nabingi kami. It has affected me immensely. I wanted to give up singing. Singer ka, tapos, bingi ka. Buti bumalik na rin ang pandinig ko, but I have to wear hearing aids. But I have to be careful kasi konting movement of my head lang, nahihilo ako. But it will not stop me from doing the things I love to do, like singing. There might be struggles, but I want to be the usual energetic Lani.”
She hopes her “New Day” concert with Martin will help lift up the spirits of all those who’ll watch it. “We’re living through difficult times and the pandemic will now be a part of history. No matter what we do, hindi na natin malilimutan ito. Mahirap mag-perform in this new virtual setup, like wala kaming live audience, but what can we do? We should learn how to adjust.”
How is it performing with Martin? “It’s always a good feeling, a breeze to perform with Martin. Masyado siyang maasikaso sa kasama niya, lagi siyang mindful of his partner and he’ll always make sure you are comfortable. Basta with him, I’m going to do a concert anytime.”
“New Day” with Martin and Lani will be streamed worldwide on KTX.ph, IWantTFC, TFC IPTV on June 5, 8 p.m. (PST/US) and on June 6, 8 p.m. (Manila), with tickets priced at P2,500 and P1,200.
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Joaquin Domagoso is fortunate that while his first TV show is still going on, “First Yaya,” he’s now about to start shooting a movie, “Caught in the Act,” written and directed by Perry Escaño who earlier did “Guro Kong Hindi Marunong Magbasa” and “Ang Lihim ng Piso.” How is he preparing for “Caught in the Act”? Will his exposure in “First Yaya” help him in doing this film?
“Yes, all the experiences I learned from my co-actors sa ’First Yaya’ will definitely help me with this film,” he says. “I’m now ready na for lock-in shooting kasi nag-lock in taping na kami sa ‘First Yaya,’ but I still have to prepare to get into my character for the movie.”
Is it true “First Yaya” is ending soon? “Not soon, but tapos na ang taping namin for the whole season. But we’re all happy, pati GMA-7, for its very high ratings. So prayers na lang na sana, magkaroon nga ng Book 2.”
Their movie is a youth-oriented story about a group of Filipino high school students who invent a new mobile app called “Caught in the Act” as part of their final school project. It aims to stop crime by giving people the capability to report to the police the crimes happening in their campus and community.
Complications occur when they uncover the evil deeds of a cop who is involved with a crime syndicate. This puts their lives in danger as the syndicate members then hunt them down.
The movie is produced by MPJ Entertainment Productions and Golden Brilliance and Joaquin co-stars with Andi Abaya, plus new discoveries Josh Lichtenberg, Jhassy Cruz Busran and Bamboo B.
Going back to Joaquin, since his dad is Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, does he have a plan to get out of his dad’s shadow? “I’m proud of my dad and he has such a big shadow to get out of so okay lang to be under it muna. Why should be I afraid naman to be in that shadow when he’s helping a lot of people?”
Will he also join politics like his dad? “Politics? I dont think that far into the future. I’m still too young. My plan for now is showbiz lang muna talaga. I’m enjoying it here.”
