Cebuana in ABS-CBN's PBB Teen Clash; 'Balitang Bisdak' drops showbiz segment

“It’s a girl and a fresh graduate!”

 These are the only details I got regarding Cebu’s bet in ABS-CBN’s Pinoy Big Brother Teen Clash that will unfold tonight. Nobody is talking further. I messaged people, who are supposedly in the know last Thursday night, but they’ve chosen to keep mum. Anyway, I’m expecting to see a pageant winner or a model from Cebu to be introduced tonight as among the housemates of the third teen edition of PBB—that is my gut feeling. So we really need to watch out for it tonight to really know who is representing us.

 PBB history tells us that Cebuanos have always been a force to reckon with. Take for example Kim Chiu, who is very much visible on television and very much loved by fans not only in the country but abroad where there is TFC. Then there was Keanna Reeves, who is inactive in showbiz and is now focused on her business. And of course, Paul Jake Castillo, whose fan base is getting bigger and better.

 But it’s still too early to say whether I’ll personally campaign for the bet in my radio program on dyLA and in Hugyaw, Banat News’ entertainment section, just like what I did very recently. You see, I don’t want to be disappointed again. You see, I have been personally campaigning for Cebuanos wanting to make a name in the showbiz capital through these reality shows, but the sad thing is that after the competition you become useless, you are forgotten.

 I don’t demand anything, all I want is for these talents to text me every now and then about their projects, or how they are doing, because the ones who voted for them—those who wasted their money on text votes—would ask for updates, which I think is just fair.

 But it’s not the case. The one who disappointed me very recently, they say, could just be busy. It could be. But the thing is, replying to a text message would not take three minutes, as compared to the time you need in updating your Facebook account. That is why I say hats off to 2006 Bb. Pilipinas-World Anna Maris Igpit who even after making a name for herself has never forgotten me, and who remains just a text away. She will even go out of her way to call me in the office just to answer my questions. Local talents who wish to make a name for themselves in Manila should learn a thing or two from Anna then.

 Yes, the one who disappointed me very recently is a girl and not yet a graduate!

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 Balitang Bisdak returned to its original 6pm time slot last Monday and went back-to-back with 24 Oras. In fairness, the opening billboard of Bisdak is very commendable. I will not describe their opening billboard here, so that you will see for yourself and get what I mean.

 Bisdak still runs for 30 minutes in the evening primetime with tri-media personality Bobby Nalzaro and Atty. Rose Versoza as anchors. It has a new segment called “Super Bobby Banati,” where Nalzaro comments on the day’s burning issue just like what he does on dySS program in the morning and in Buena Mano on weekdays. It’s a good segment, but I believe the people behind Balitang Bisdak should change Nalzaro’s action as he closes the segment because it looks awkward and comical.

 Also, with Nalzaro pointing his finger before the camera is very much like the style of Mike Enriquez. Don’t tell me, we Cebuanos do not have originality?

 Anyway, those of you who are fans of Cecille Quibod’s segment and are yet to watch the new Bisdak, should not be surprised if you’ll no longer see and hear her say, “Thanks Bob.” Yes, the light news segment of the said newscast is gone. Production manager Zanie Salva Alueta explained to me, that they want all their reporters to concentrate on hard news because they have many projects for the upcoming May elections.

 As president of E-group (Cebu’s Entertainment Beat media), I am sad of this development because it seems to me that light news, which is basically about showbiz happenings, is never given enough importance. As if it does not matter because Bisdak can afford to let go of the segment, which has been there for almost five years. I really do not know what triggered them to let it go, when years ago GMA News and Current Affairs Vice President Jessica Soho pointed out to me in an interview the need to have a showbiz segment because aside from the fact that it helps in boosting the ratings, it serves as a breather for viewers from the gory and violent headlines.

 Thus, on behalf of E-Group, let me say thank you to its rival TV Patrol Central Visayas for retaining its showbiz segment. I really must commend the people behind TV Patrol and also Kara Noveda because she really features local talents in her segment. Kara is really into it—beauty pageants, local bands, and dance groups—you can really say that it’s very Cebuano. Bravo!

 Meanwhile, as a friend of Cecille I’m happy for her because she now has a clear direction as to which field she must concentrate on, and that is the hard news department. She definitely has time to do investigative stories and special reports, which are the true measure of a hardcore broadcast journalist. Anyway, Cecille welcomes the development positively, because according to her she will now have enough time to relax and focus on finishing her Diploma on Professional Education at Saint Theresa’s College where she also finished Mass Communications. Good-luck Cecille!

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