“Choosing the families we’ll help is a tedious process,” says TV5 exec Bobby Barreiro. “We have to make sure they’re truly deserving at hindi makakasira sa buhay ng pamilya ang pagtulong namin. Many are qualified to have a good home but we have to consider other factors.”
TV5 is going to be more aggressive not only in Manila but also with their expansion plans in Visayas (they have a new transmitter station in Mt. Busay to improve their reception), Mindanao and even abroad under Manny Pangilinan’s MediaQuest that will partner with PLDT for their international channel. They’ll soon have their local newscast, “Aksyon Bisaya”, anchored by local talents Atty. Ruphil Banoc and Darlanne Sino Cruz, just before the national newscast, “Aksyon Balita” with Erwin Tulfo. They’re also introducing new shows: “Bangis” – a thriller directed by Topel Lee about a giant crocodile (we’ve seen some scenes and the CGI used here is very good) with Oyo Sotto and Danita Paner, “The Sisters” – the new dramaserye to replace “Babaeng Hampaslupa” with Nadine Samonte playing twin sisters, and “Ang Utol Kong Hoodlum” with JC De Vera and Jasmine Curtis Smith.
“I’m happy with TV5,” says Paolo. “Ang bilis ng asenso. In one year, it became one of the top three players in our TV industry. We now have our round the clock multi platform newscast and public service via Radyo Singko 92.3FM, that quickly became one of the top FM radio stations in Megamanila, also Aksyon TV that’s the first all news channel on free TV and InterAksyon.com, our online news portal. I’m also happy that my investigative show, “USI”, just won the Golden Dove award for best documentary. It’s my validation as a broadcast journalist and no longer just as a TV host. I really enjoyed doing all the dangerous episodes we’ve shown na naging cave explorer ako, our five days in Sendai Japan after the killer earthquake and tsunami, and when I became an embalmer who slept in the morgue with four dead bodies, walang ibang kasama. I now also have my own radio show, ‘Sakto’, 7 to 9 PM.” He’s so busy, what about his lovelife? “None. My social life suffered talaga. Lagi akong pagod and it’s discovered I have sleep apnea. It’s a condition where your heart stops beating while you’re asleep. I underwent a test and the longest na I’m not breathing is 48 seconds, then I choke and wake up so my heart beats again. Dahil dito, I can’t sleep straight, very restless. But now, they gave me a machine to insure my airways are clean and it’s very effective, nakakatulog na ko ng mahimbing. Dahil doon, I can now do more work.”
Well, it’s obvious Paolo is a workaholic who prefers having more work than having a lovelife.
