Barnes Luz
On the illustrious occasion of Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2024, Mike Ilagan, the Managing Director of StarCentral Magazine, and I had the privilege of attending ABS-CBN’s hit noontime show, ‘It’s Showtime.’ Our gracious hosts for the day were none other than Mr. Raymund Romero, ABS-CBN Global Regional Marketing Head for Asia Pacific, and Ms. Yeddah Joy Maballo, Marketing Manager at ABS-CBN Global Ltd.
Our journey into the heart of ABS-CBN’s entertainment empire began at the Audience Entrance on Eugenio Lopez Drive, where we were met by the affable Yedda. The stringent security measures at the front gate, even for the stunning contestants from Miss Laguna 2024, underscored the significance of the production. Notably, their charm and looks were not enough to sway the vigilant security personnel.
After navigating the rigorous security checks, we finally entered the premises, guided by Yedda to meet up with Raymund. To my surprise, Raymund, despite his high-profile role as the Regional Marketing Head of a prominent television empire, exuded humility and approachability. Having traveled to Australia for various events, he shared insights on event organisation, emphasising the need for a scientific approach to running events. Raymund’s memorable advice included the art of ‘seducing’ the audience, creating suspense akin to ‘foreplay,’ culminating in an eagerly awaited ‘climax’ – the culmination of a successful event.
Raymund’s humility was evident in his willingness to be on the front lines, motivating and assisting everyone rather than assuming a supervisory role. His desire for recognition was not to place himself on a pedestal but to be rewarded through self-determination, reflecting a rare blend of knowledge and humility.
Our hosts generously treated us to lunch at the ABS-CBN cafeteria, offering us an opportunity to witness the inner workings of the ABS-CBN compound before embarking on a tour of the ‘It’s Showtime’ set. The live show, featuring the beloved hosts Vice Ganda, Vhong Navarro, Teddy Corpuz, Jugs Jugueta, Karylle, Kim Chiu, and Ryan Bang, was a delightful spectacle in real life.
As luck would have it, our visit coincided with a Valentine’s Day special featuring the talented singer, songwriter, and record producer Morissette. The show, both on TV and live, proved to be a comedic feast, with Vice Ganda’s humour resonating with the audience. Special segments like “Karaokids” and “EXpecially For You” showcased the hosts’ versatility, with the former eliciting laughter through interactions with children and the latter tugging at heartstrings as a widowed woman’s son tried to find a partner for his mother after the father passed away for quite some time.
In conclusion, our experience at ‘It’s Showtime’ was nothing short of memorable, thanks to the warm hospitality extended by Mr. Raymund Romero and Ms. Yeddah Joy Maballo. We eagerly anticipate future encounters with them, confident that such collaborations will continue to yield unforgettable moments in the world of entertainment.
Jason Harris
rhoda
