Kindred spirits

To say they share many things in common is an understatement. Bianca Gonzalez and Jose ‘Chase ‘ Tinio III are both MTV VJs – their gift of gab in full swing each time they face the cameras.

Their faces have launched a dozen products – celphones, pizza, softdrinks, facial cream, shampoo, etc. – in many a TV commercial.

Both exude the elan and confidence of those with privileged backgrounds. Bianca is on her last semester in Communication Arts while Chase is taking up Organizational Systems Development.

Both would bump into each other every now and then at De La Salle Zobel, where they are presently enrolled. Little did they know that they’ll be seeing more of each other when they signed up under Backroom Inc. to manage their careers.

No wonder Bianca and Chase can give each other a gentle ribbing without getting into each other’s nerves. In fact, they even share stories on what they learned from a whole day’s hosting.

Between the two, 21-year-old Bianca has the edge. As the more experienced Karen Davila and Ryan Agoncillo’s co-host in the youth-oriened afternoon show YSpeak, Bianca is learning a lot just by observing.

"Karen and Ryan never made me feel small, on or offcam," relates Bianca. "They even make me feel comfortable by complimenting my outfit."

Grace under pressure is what Bianca learned from them.

From another favorite host, Pia Guanio, Bianca is taking a cue on how to appear energetic on the small screen.

From her mentor, Boy Abunda, Bianca is learning a lot about fast thinking, to parry off any line thrown at her with wit and charm.

"Tito Boy taught me to trust my gut instincts as a host. His emphasis was less on deliberate thinking and more on spontaneity," Chase adds.

A workshop with Boy also made Chase realize that "delving on something not related to the topic at hand is far from being a sin. It’s still conversation."

In other words, use your heart more. You’ll come out doubly effective that way.

Of the two, it’s Chase who is more hellbent on branching out to other aspects of showbiz, like acting. Drama or comedy, it doesn’t matter. Chase just wants to stretch his talents some more and see how he far it will take him.

But even if ten years of tennis have given him a body to die for, Chase vows he’ll never play a bold role. Not even if his New Year’s resolution requires him to lose more weight by frequenting the gym.

But while her Backroom brother doesn’t mind acting, Bianca would rather stick to hosting, thank you.

"You see," she points out, eyes sparkling, "I love talking to people, knowing about their lives."

That’s why she loves getting a good tan in Boracay or Batangas and meeting new people along the way. Beats getting cooped up in the house and burying yourself with tons of dull reading materials.

But while Bianca’s idea of a hot getaway is the beach (the tan says it all), Chase would rather cheer himself up by strumming the blues away with his guitar.

"That’s therapy for me, especially when I have loads of schoolwork," he beams. "I don’t know where I got it, but I can play the piano, the drums, harmonica and guitar by ear."

Never mind if he can’t name a single musician in the family. It’s enough that it’s doing wonders for Chase, who hosts the campus show MTV UBreak (Thursdays, 7:30 p.m.) on MTV.

Bianca Gonzalez and Chase Tinio are having the time of their young lives and – oh yes – getting paid for it.

Lucky, you say?

Perhaps. But more than that, it’s because they would rather listen to a voice within – a voice that tells them it’s always best to march to the beat of your own drummer, be it the start of a new year or not.