My 15 most memorable TV interviews

(Fourth of a series)

This is the second to the last of my series on my 15 most unforgettable Startalk interviews to commemorate the longest-running entertainment talk show’s entry into its 15th year.

Boy Abunda — It was the 2004 Film Academy Awards presentation. There was a red carpet rolled out for the movie stars’ grand entrance, except that at 2:30 p.m. when Startalk went on the air, the only celebrity there was Vincent Daffalong.

I just kept annotating the non-event (nothing moved till 5 p.m.), but there was nothing to narrate. Then I thought of a bright idea: I pushed Boy in front of the GMA 7 camera and talked to him on the air. He was also there to cover the Academy Awards for ABS-CBN, which was the official carrying network (we were allowed by the FAP to hook up though) and they were on standby for the stars’ arrival.

It was a surprise for everyone — even for Boy himself. I was told that the staff in the GMA EDSA studio squealed with delight when they saw Boy on the monitor because after more than a decade, he still is well-loved by Startalk and we will never forget that he and Kris Aquino (along with Lolit Solis who is still with us) were the original pillars of this showbiz talk show.

Benedict Aquino — It was a tell-all interview and I’ve never had any other interviewee who had the same kind of candor displayed by Benedict. The issue was about ex-wife Jessica Rodriguez and Benedict may have said a lot, but never lost his gentlemanly ways (I guess if a person is truly well-bred, he can still say a mouthful without being bad-mannered).

It was just too bad that the GMA legal department didn’t allow it to be aired because it could have caused us problems and we would be spending a lot of time attending court hearings. But I swear it was my best interview ever.

Rio Diaz-Cojuangco — She was one of the people I didn’t see much, but deep inside I knew she was a true and loyal friend. Our friendship started when Ricky Lo assigned me to interview her for this paper a long, long time ago. From then on I kept her pager number (just to show you how long ago that had been) and we never lost touch, especially when I was having problems and she guided me spiritually. But for us to see each other for coffee or dinner was rare. She was doing Eat, Bulaga! daily that time and was very busy with her commitments (aside from raising her son, Ali).

I was able to prove that she was a real friend when she gave birth to her and husband Charlie Cojuangco’s first child. The Cristy Per Minute staff tried to make an appointment with her at her St. Luke’s Medical Center room where she was still recuperating, but they weren’t sure if she’d agree. She was, after all, part of the Eat, Bulaga! family and the last portion of the noontime show was up against Cristy Per Minute and was, in fact, also being scheduled by her own program for an exclusive.

It so happened that the staff of Cristy Per Minute was shooting my Butch Review segment for the show and they asked me if Rio was my friend. Of course, I said yes. The staff then asked me to come with them to the hospital to convince her and I was left with no choice. We barged in and Rio was surprised (in a pleasant way though) at my sight. She said that since we were friends, she’d do the interview. Where else can you find a friend like that?

When I was based in the US a decade ago, I was told she had cancer. By the time I returned, she was already in San Francisco for treatment. One day, Startalk informed me that I had a scheduled interview with Rio who was visiting. My heart leaped with joy and dropped everything in my calendar.

On the day of the interview — at the Cojuangco residence in Balete Drive — we hugged so tight when we saw each other and nobody wanted to let go. I’m still emotional typing this because she went a year after that meeting (she died Oct. 4, 2004). I so miss her up to now. I’m just thankful that we were able to see each other that one last time and I savor that occasion in my heart to this day.

Lara Morena — The interview in itself was not exactly memorable. In fact, I don’t recall exactly the issue (must have been about her ex-husband). But at one point in our on-cam conversation, she cussed and all jaws dropped in the studio. MTRCB flashed in my head immediately, but in a split second, I managed to apologize to the viewers and asked her to also say sorry to the people watching at home.

We didn’t get into trouble with the MTRCB and I learned later that this government agency under Chairman Consoliza Laguardia would not consider it a violation if immediate rectifications were made. That’s a lesson for those hosting live programs, especially talk shows where the guests can be very emotional.

Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes — Last quarter of 2008, news broke out (I think it was Funfare that got the scoop) that Dingdong and Karylle had split up. It so happened that the new GMA building was being inaugurated and the talents were asked to be there. I wasn’t only there for socials though. Startalk gave me the mission to run after Dingdong and Marian because it was being bruited about that they were already an item.

When I found out they were doing a number, I checked all the dressing rooms to find them. Aha, they were there — in matching Castilian costumes. They both turned pale when they saw me, but tried their best to be polite. A less gentlemanly person would have punched me in the face, but Dingdong was brought up well and tried to deal with me in the most courteous manner. Also, neither could drive me away rudely because, well, they were aware that dear Tito Butch had always been nice to them (I sincerely like them) — on print and on TV.

In the end, I was able to make them talk (but not admit) and I got enough sound bytes for a whole segment about the then raging issue. Thank you again Dong and Marian for accommodating your old man and that made me really confirm that in this world it pays to spread goodwill.

(To be concluded)