‘Chika Cart’ hosts give two cents on handling blind items

MANILA, Philippines — Entertainment news encompasses profiles about celebrities and creatives and the plight of the industry they all belong to. Part of it also touches on blind items that involve and describe this or that unnamed personality in an intriguing and controversial topic. People get engaged and engrossed about it as they participate in the guessing game. The latest program titled “Chika Cart” on GTV will delve into it with hosts Jeff Fernando, Baninay Bautista and Donita Nose. They will discuss “trending showbiz chika,” beginning Sept. 28 at 5:15 p.m.

“It’s a celebrity talk show on TV na tatawid siya (that will cross over to) online after,” said Baninay, a content creator-influencer-and-actress, in a recent group interview, also attended by Jeff and Donita. “We have blind items, exclusive chats and guests. And then after that, we go online for live selling.”

The latter simply explains the word “cart” in the title in which the hosts talk about featured products and interact with the audience. The hottest celebrity news, including blind items, is also further discussed in the digital world.

“Inaantay ko nga na ma-blind item (ako) (I’m waiting to become the subject of a blind item),” joked comedian-host Donita. “When you’re listening to a blind item, diba?, hinuhulaan mo kung sino (you’re figuring out who is the personality being described). Yung mga clue, nanamnamin mo, parang, ay, kilala ko ‘to (You analyze every clue and sometimes have that inkling about the identity of the person).”

“That’s why tinatalasan ko yung pang-dinig ko (I listen to the clues intently) baka may, parang ako yan (because I might be the subject of it). Parang ako na yata ito. Yung gano’n, pero ako ready ako (I’m ready for it),” added Donita. “Siyempre, kung alam kong ako yung blind item, hindi ako magsasalita, pero tatawa lang ako (If I know I’m the subject of the blind item, I will remain mum about it and laugh).”

If ever she will become part of a blind item, Baninay said and kidded, “Karma na lang po talaga yun sa kaka-chismis ko sa iba (I will think of it as karma for gossiping other people), napa-chismis tuloy ako, ay tatanggapin ko na lang (I will accept it).”

For entertainment writer Jeff, he shared that being a topic of a blind item is something he should probably learn to accept, because for the longest time he has been part of the entertainment journalism group that asks celebrities questions and paraphrases inquiries to get interviewees’ thoughts.

“At saka ‘pag blind item, ba’t ka mag-re-react, blind item nga, diba? (And speaking of being the subject of a blind item, why would you react? It’s a blind item),” added he.

Asked what it is like working with Baninay and Donita, Jeff, the veteran among the trio, entertainment news-wise, said, “Masaya, masaya silang kasama (it’s fun being with them). May na-open up din silang mga, parang hindi ko naisip yun, oo ang galing (they also open up angles and aspects that I have never thought of)… There’s still room for learning.”

“May bigayan naman pagdating sa pagtatanong (we give each other opportunities to ask questions). Wala(ng sapawan) (there’s no upstaging someone). “This question fits you more (or you better ask this),” said he, sharing that his fellow hosts are also in the know, “alam nyo hindi nagpapakabog ‘to sa mga alam nila.”

Before writing entertainment news for print, Jeff worked as a head writer of the talk show program titled “SIS,” with real-life sisters Janice and Gelli de Belen as hosts for seven years. “So, most people who are behind ‘Chika Cart’ are the ones I worked in ‘SIS.’ So, paano ako mag-no-no, mga kaibigan ko sila (how could I say no to hosting the show? They are my friends). That’s why I’m grateful to them because they never forget me.”

Airing weekdays on GTV, “Chika Cart” has the after-show, “Chika Cart Add Pa More” at 6 p.m. on ATM’s (Adventure.Taste.Moments) YouTube and TikTok Channels.