Arnold Clavio and Lala Roque-Galongca indubitably make a perfect pair. Oops, before anyone raises a trimmed or bushy eyebrow, there is nothing romantic going on between them. I am referring to the kind of partnership they have onboard their DZBB program, One on One With Igan Kasama Si Lala Roque.
Try tuning in every Monday to Friday at 10 to 11 a.m., 594 on your AM radio dial, and there you will find how Arnold and Lala tackle issues in a manner that is light and free-wheeling. Their voices remain normally calm, which in the vernacular means parang nagkwekwentuhan lang, unlike others who sound panicky whenever breaking news comes in. Still, the two maintain credibility in delivering the news. They make sure the community gets to hear two sides of the story on issues that are controversial and need some discussions, adhering to GMA Network’s tagline of Walang Kinikilingan, Walang Pinoprotektahan, Serbisyong Totoo Lamang.
It’s been two years now since Arnold and Lala became partners on the airwaves. It was management’s decision to take Lala in as Arnold’s partner.
“When Ali Sotto left, Lala came in because it’s too taxing for us to invite guest personality every day especially during Fridays where we sing for our Jengjeng segment, a political satire where we choose a song then change its lyrics to something that pertains to an issue,” Arnold says. “Eh, ang hirap mag-invite ng singer ’pag umaga kasi puyat sila sa gig so it’s good na sinamahan ako ni Lala na magaling kumanta ha,ha,ha.”
Kidding-aside, Arnold approved of manning the program with Lala as soon as GMA SVP for Radio Mike Enriquez made an announcement. Arnold knows Lala’s strength as a journalist. She does field reports and live news on TV. Besides, he doesn’t believe in the monopoly of ideas. He knows it is better to give listeners broader perspective on topics that are being dissected.
“Especially when it comes to health, you can truly count on Lala. She also does field reporting about politics that’s why we are able to give listeners details on certain issue at talagang maganda kasi batuhan kami ng ideya which gives listeners a clear picture of what’s going on.”
Arnold admits a slip in information happens occasionally but he is quick to note that they correct things right away without putting their credibility at stake. “We don’t pretend to know everything. We also commit some boo-boos like in one discussion, it turned out that I kept on telling that Hacienda Luisita is 700 sq. meters when someone called my attention. I made it clear that it’s almost 7,000 (sq.m.), yung mga ganun, kinokorek agad namin pag mali kami.”
Lala, on the other hand, considers the program as voice of the people who do not have access to public officials or want a quick response to their concerns.
“We represent our listeners — from tricycle driver to students to plain housewife —- because they have many questions in mind. We give the answers if we know some facts about their concerns. But if not, we make a call to someone in-charge of the matter. Life is a continuous learning process so we can never really know everything. Even I seek answers to my questions because it is in asking that you will know the deeper meaning of things.”
Arnold and Lala agreed listeners enjoy the less formal approach of probing to an issue. Their inbox is always full with comments because according to Arnold, “Di lang lagi intelektuwal ang paghimay sa isyu, may kasama din dapat na puso. Sometimes when we share experiences like what’s it like growing up in Tondo, kasi dun ako lumaki or how Lala lives up to being the daughter of a military man, ang dami na agad text messages from listeners.”
“We make sure to balance everything,” Lala offers. “We are flexible here as we can talk practically about everything especially when your life has relevance to the topic. Like me, I can share experiences growing up with a military dad (her dad was former Gen. Rolando Roque) or I give my low salt, no sugar diet recipes.”
With regards to serious concerns, Arnold and Lala still make it a point to have a light attack to hard news. “Our show comes in after Mike’s program which is hard-hitting so we make things more relaxed, cariño brutal lang kami dito,” Arnold explains.
Asked if there are people who felt slighted in their political satire, Arnold answers, “There are few but it is one gentle way to wake them up. It’s different when you directly point an accusing finger than you do it with a charm, konting lambing.”
Are they also after the ratings? For Lala, “I don’t think about it but with lots of text messages coming in, it only means we gain the trust of our listeners.”
They, too, touch lives. There are listeners who send messages of thanks for memorable experiences they had through the show. An example was when Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn dropped by their program inviting everyone to vote for the Puerto Princesa Underground River to be included in the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Many had mistakenly sent their votes to Arnold’s number. Delighted with the outpour of votes, the mayor gave the first 10 text voters a round-trip ticket to Palawan with free accommodation.
“It’s a nice feeling that through the show, we are able to give listeners joy and some precious moments to cherish. That’s why my adrenaline is always high even if I’m already wide awake at 4:30 in the morning,” quips Arnold.
It’s now time to find out how busy Arnold and Lala are from morning ‘til night. Arnold during workdays:
4:30 a.m. — I wake up and prepare to leave the house (near GMA) for Unang Hirit which airs until past 8 a.m. I usually take my breakfast there because as you can see we eat during the cooking portion with our guest chef.
After the TV show, I will go to our radio booth with Mike Enriquez onboard then by 10 a.m. I sit down with Lala on our radio booth for One on One until 11 a.m. I either do tapings in the afternoon for my shows like Rescue, Tonight With Arnold Clavio and Sanib Pwersa or I attend meetings for Igan Foundation.
I take power naps during free time or on the way to my coverage. What’s usually for lunch? I like menodillo, lumpiang tinapa with ketchup. I love fried stuff. Then I come back at GMA for Saksi then after I go home and sleep.
On free days, I’m up by 5 a.m. to play golf. I’ll take breakfast first.
7 a.m. — that’s usually the tee-off. The game usually lasts four to five hours. But on Sundays, I make sure to bond with my family. We eat breakfast together then hear the Mass. After, mall tour na yan, wherever they wanna go.
Mid-afternoon — We head back to the house to rest. I sleep then we go out again for dinner. Even if there’s no work, I sleep late kasi nasanay na din ako.”
Lala’s activities from Monday to Wednesday:
3 or 4 a.m. — I wake up because I breastfeed my baby who is two and a half months while monitoring the news. I have this transistor which I carry wherever I go.
7 a.m. — We eat together for breakfast while monitoring the news on TV, my two and a half years old daughter is already used to watching the news while I’m still in the house.
8 or 8:30 a.m. — I take a bath at dala ko pa din ang radio hanggang banyo.
9 or 9:30 a.m. — I head straight to the office and browse the news before going onboard with Arnold.
10 to 11 a.m. — Doing the radio program. After, I go back to the house for quick lunch and breastfeed my baby.
Before 1 p.m. — I’m inside the newsroom for Flash Report which I’m doing at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. While waiting, I research and go to the newsroom for updates.
On Thursdays and Fridays, after the radio program, I go straight to my assignment, sa field naman ako. Then I go back to the office to write the news then do a report for 24 Oras. Sometimes, I also go live for Saksi.
12 midnight — I’m home. I check my daughters before going to bed by 1 a.m.
I devote my free days with my family especially Sundays because it’s our bonding time when we go to church together before visiting our parents house for them to see my two girls. I also do my grocery on Sundays. Me time? I exercise or enjoy a relaxing massage at home. My husband and I also go on a date once a month.