REGINE VELASQUEZ says that of all the talent searches she has hosted, “Bet ng Bayan” that starts airing on Sunday, October 5, is the most exciting. “It requires me to do a lot of travelling,” she says. “Hindi yung contestants ang pupunta rito sa Manila kundi kami ang go sa lugar nila to hold the contest there. Also, hindi lang ito singing. May categories for dancing at kakaibang talento. We’re going to different provinces, different regions to look for their representatives. Pupunta kami sa mga fiesta and we’ll highlight the attractions of each place pati yung native foods nila. Sa ending, ipapadala sa Manila ang winners sa Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to compete sa winner sa MegaManila. At dahil sa labas ginagawa ang contest, marami kaming kalaban. Unang-una na ang weather.”
How does she find Alden Richards as co-host? “Siempre, bet na bet ko yan. Ang cute-cute, e. Para siyang pamangkin ko. I’ve known him sa ‘Party Pilipinas’ and ‘Sunday All Stars’ but ngayon lang kami nagkatrabaho. Mabait siya. Hindi ako nai-stress. He knows what to do at madali siyang katrabaho.”
Doesn’t she miss acting in a teleserye? “You know, I’m so thankful to GMA for giving me shows that gives me a lot of free time to be with my family. My son, Nate, is turning three pa lang in November so mahirap pa talaga iwanan. As of now, I host ‘Sarap Diva’ na twice a month lang ang taping. Ito namang ‘Bet ng Bayan’, I will be hosting it every weekend lang at mag-out of town man ako, overnight lang. So happy na ako roon. But this coming December daw, I will be doing a Christmas special for GMA News at aarte uli ako roon.”
Did she have to seek the permission of husband Ogie Alcasid for “Bet ng Bayan”? “Hindi. Pag dating sa career, kanya-kanya kaming diskarte. Ibang manager niya, iba rin sa akin. I don’t claim that we have a perfect marriage, but we are really working on our relationship and so far, I’m really having a wonderful time with my wonderful husband and son.”
“Bet ng Bayan” is helmed by Mark Reyes and airs Sunday nights 9:40 to 10:40 PM, with Alden doing the weeknight updates, 10:05 to 10:20 PM.
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