Calvin, Belinda and Shannen: 3 for the show

The local entertainment scene abounds with all sorts of hosts. Corporate entities, beauty pageants, gay festivals, music awards, school presentations, product launches provide the arena for hosting opportunities. Television is also a potential ground for hosting.

Webster’s New World Dictionary defines a host as a person who entertains another as his guest.

The gift of gab, an impeccable charm, magnetic personality, the ability to "hold" a crowd, an unflappable stage presence, a good sense of humor, and sharp wit are some of the characteristics that make a good host.

Three personalities seem to more than make up the qualifications of a good host. They are Calvin Millado, Shannen Torres and Belinda Panelo.

Shannen is the product of the first MTV VJ Hunt. Versatile Shannen is a crowd pleaser. And obviously she loves the crowd, too. She hosted affairs like the Motorola launch and Siemens, URC product launches. As an MTV VJ, she used to host MTV Diyes, an MTV Philippines production of the happenings on the local music scene. This stunner can easily pass for a beauty queen - what with her aquiline nose, auburn skin and a disarming smile. She is a favorite in campuses, music video productions, rock music awards, and even beauty pageants.

Calvin Millado is a veteran in the field. Calvin regularly hosts beauty pageants. Among his peers, Calvin is likely to be the choice to host a beauty pageant. Some of his assignments were the Miss Cebu Tourism, Mutya ng Pilipinas 2000, Body Shots Competition, Manila’s Five Loveliest 2000, Miss Asia Pacific 2000, Miss Philippines 2001, among others. Also listed in his string of hosting engagements are Let’s Dance with Becky, where he co-hosted with ballroom dance queen Becky Garcia, Mommy Ko Si Tita with Dina Bonnevie, For Art’s Sake, and others.

Calvin psyches himself up before a performance. He tells himself, "You have to give it your best shot." His humor, wit, timing and gift of gab have endeared him to his audiences. In fact, he is considered one of the best in town.

Calvin does not only host, he also sings, acts and dances. These make him a versatile performer. He last appeared in the theater in Rent staged in Manila and Singapore.

Belinda Panelo shines on television in Sa Puso Ko’y Iingatan Ka as Piolo Pascual’s scheming girlfriend.

A commercial model and product endorser, Belinda’s face graced the Coca Cola commercial and Panasonic TV ads. Blessed with a chameleon charm, Belinda shifts from one character to another with ease. She can be flirtatious, scheming, sheepish, seductive, coy, a vamp, or a damsel in distress. Belinda would love to play varied roles to the hilt.

For Calvin, Belinda and Shannen, the world is their stage. And for as long as there are people who love entertainment, the trio will be there.