By: Bayani San Diego Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
August 25, 2009
HONG KONG — Host Ryan Agoncillo joined wife Judy Ann Santos here recently to help their friends Sharon Cuneta and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan in the latter’s “Rock the Vote” campaign.
Ryan says he fully supports the senator’s advocacy, aimed at increasing the number of registered voters among the youth and Overseas Filipino Workers. The two couples met with the local press and OFWs at the Philippine Consulate.
Agoncillo explained to Inquirer Entertainment that fatherhood compelled him to get involved. The newlyweds are proud adoptive parents to four-year-old Yohan.
“When Juday and I visit places like Hong Kong, where there’s an efficient transport system, for instance, it makes me wonder why the same can’t be enjoyed by Yohan and my future kids,” he said.
Filipinos have the talent, skills and determination to achieve national progress, the actor said, and the only thing lacking is a good government. “In the future,” he said, “when our kids ask how I helped the country, I’ll be able to say I did my bit. If I can convince at least five OFWs to register and protect their vote, then I’ll be happy.”
Read the article in Inquirer.net
By: Bayani San Diego Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
August 25, 2009
HONG KONG — Host Ryan Agoncillo joined wife Judy Ann Santos here recently to help their friends Sharon Cuneta and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan in the latter’s “Rock the Vote” campaign.
Ryan says he fully supports the senator’s advocacy, aimed at increasing the number of registered voters among the youth and Overseas Filipino Workers. The two couples met with the local press and OFWs at the Philippine Consulate.
Agoncillo explained to Inquirer Entertainment that fatherhood compelled him to get involved. The newlyweds are proud adoptive parents to four-year-old Yohan.
“When Juday and I visit places like Hong Kong, where there’s an efficient transport system, for instance, it makes me wonder why the same can’t be enjoyed by Yohan and my future kids,” he said.
Filipinos have the talent, skills and determination to achieve national progress, the actor said, and the only thing lacking is a good government. “In the future,” he said, “when our kids ask how I helped the country, I’ll be able to say I did my bit. If I can convince at least five OFWs to register and protect their vote, then I’ll be happy.”
Speaking of gifted Filipinos, his TV5 program “Talentadong Pinoy” has spawned a spin-off, “Kuwentong Talentado.”
“It’s both a support program for, and an independent show from, the original,” he clarified.
The new show will feature champions and also-rans, even common Pinoys like carpenters and mechanics who have “interesting” stories to tell.
No exploitation
“It’s not limited to the performers who compete on the show,” he said. “For as long as you have a unique talent and story to share … But in the two shows, we make certain that the talents aren’t exploited. There will be no dole-outs. We certainly don’t want to promote the culture of mendicancy.”
He has started taping for the spin-off. “We’ve done a couple of segments. It will be launched soon.”
The spin-off is one of the innovations introduced by TV5 management to bolster its flagship show.
“It’s great to hear that our bosses regard ‘Talentado’ as the network’s flagship . . . [but] to put it in perspective, although we are proud of our achievement, we can’t rest on our laurels. We need to keep soldiering on.”
He feels it’s important for TV5 to play the role of “third force” in Philippine television.
“It’s healthy for viewers to have a choice, to a chance to take a different path. It’s also good for us, the people in front and behind the camera. We are allowed to grow in our respective fields. It’s not just additional income … we are also permitted to express our creativity on a different platform.”
In politics and on television, Ryan sees the urgent need for an alternative.
Read the article in Inquirer.net