These celebrities on their own or as a foursome are as ubiquitous as a selfie.
You see them on local TV every Sunday morning, drumming up excitement for whatever is currently hot stuff. While the normal lifespan of local shows is only three years, the fabulous four managed to score already seven, and hereby hold the record as the region’s longest-running magazine show.
This summer, school heiress and top model Carole “Blinky” Monique de Leon; Mr. Cebu 2009 and DOST-scholar graduate from USC with double major in physics and chemistry Kris Nimrod “Borgie” Cabigas; Miss Lapu-Lapu 2008 first runner-up, Miss Mandaue 2009 first-runner up and USC Nursing Magna Cum Laude Phoebe Kaye Fernandez; and rice scion USC Business Management graduate Jonathan “OJ” Cimafranca have banded together to lead an extensive personality development workshop for the young.
Called SELFI for Self-Efficiency Learning Formation Institute, the workshop is designed to help shy teens get out of their shell and shine in their respective field of interests with no less than the fab four guiding them. When word got out that SELFI is to be realized this summer, seats were selling like hotcakes, so much so that the crew is thinking of having as many classes to accommodate enrollees from out of town.
Read on and make this summer be your ticket to being the next Blinky, Borgie, Phoebe or OJ.
Borgie, Phoebe, Blinky, OJ
How did you become part of “MagTV Na!”?
Blinky: I was persuaded by my agent Chicoy Tomol of MAC (Models Association of Cebu) to join the audition for the show.
Phoebe: After joining Miss Cebu in 2010, Miss Cinbeth Orellano (of the Cebu City Tourism office) introduced me to the people of ABS-CBN Cebu. Since I already had some hosting experience with them in college—for their baranggayan and mall shows—they asked if I can do a stint for MagTV because some of the hosts were unavailable for an out-of-town shoot. After that one appearance, they invited me to host another one, and then another. When Kuya Erwin and Mommy Tiks left the show, they asked me if I was willing to accept the job of being one of the main hosts, and I did.
Borgie: I joined “MagTV Na” in June 2011. Out of 80-plus auditionees, I was luckily chosen.
Oj: In 2009, ABS-CBN Cebu held auditions for Star Magic Cebu. I auditioned to be one of the hosts and I got in. But it was only in May 2012 that I was blessed to be part of the “MagTV Na” team.
So, who’s in the original cast?
Blinky: Just me. I’ve had different co-hosts as the show transitioned from family- to youth-oriented.
Blinky, you had to leave the show for a job abroad, right? What made you come back?
Blinky: Yes, there came a point that I wanted venture out into something new, got interested in an offer abroad. But I never really wanted to leave the show. It’s just that I needed to do so. When I resigned from my job abroad, I went back because I realized that hosting is a big part of me. There were “MagTV Na” viewers even texting and asking me to come back to the show. Some came up to say that they missed seeing me. And that hit me, that my presence in the show mattered to them. Aside from the fans, I personally missed the nature of the job, and the team. I realized how I so loved what I was doing in the show.
Phoebe, why did you decide to pursue a career on TV rather than practice nursing?
Phoebe: It’s a new world for me. I never imagined being on TV, not even in my wildest dreams! So when the opportunity came, I didn’t hesitate. But, sadly, with the demands of the show, I am not able to
pursue my career as a nurse. But I’m not closing my door to Nursing. I entrust everything to God.
Did you guys become friends right away?
Borgie: It was an instant connection for me. When I started, Blinky and Phoebe made me feel very comfortable. They knew that I never had experience in hosting and they helped me out. They were my first mentors. Through the years, we continued to be friends. We have our differences, but we also have one major thing in common—our love for the show.
Blinky: Without a doubt! The show helps us get along easily because of the activities that we do
together. We help each other out.
Oj: For me, there was some hesitation at first with Borgie. I felt intimidated. I mean, with that body, those huge biceps, tattoos, who wouldn’t? But it wasn’t long before I became comfortable with him. He treats me like a brother and I see him as a big bro. Phoebe and Blinky, on the other hand, weren’t hard to get along with. They’re friendly and accommodating. But the close relationship that we have right now didn’t happen in an instant. We took every opportunity to bond outside work. Borgie and I bond through basketball. Phoebe and I have the same group of friends. Blinky and I clicked because the year I got in “MagTV,” we were both graduating from school and related to each other’s struggles in our final year.
Phoebe: Yes, our personalities jelled and we became friends.
What were some of the major adjustments you had to go through for the show?
Borgie: A lot! Remember, I never had prior hosting experience. But somehow, I managed and became comfortable with this job.
Blinky: I think I had to make the biggest adjustment. I was only 17 when I joined, still a freshman in college, so time management was something I needed to work on, not to mention my involvement with MAC. There were times when I’d have a fashion show or pictorial, attend class, then go to a taping—on the same day! Plus, I live really far, in Minglanilla. All the more when I joined a national hosting competition (she’s a PLDT Watchpad crew winner). Even I sometimes can’t believe that I was able to it pull off!
Oj: Buying clothes. I don’t really have a huge wardrobe. I keep it simple… plain white shirts are my favorite. And putting on make-up! It’s hard… Hahaha I don’t really want to put them on, not comfortable with it but I guess I have to. Hahaha!
Phoebe: I was a shy kid. I’m not even sure where all these “artistahin hormones” come from. Haha. So maybe it’s the whole fame thing that is the major adjustment. Whenever I go to out, someone eventually recognizes me. I pretend not to be shy and all and just flash out a big smile.
Did you guys at some point get attracted to each other?
Borgie: During the first months, I admit I felt a little attraction to someone but I realized that you should never mix emotions with work. It spells trouble.
Blinky: Never. I treat them as a brother or sister.
Oj: Well there’s no denying that both Phoebe and Blinky are beautiful, stunning, and drop-dead gorgeous. But romantically? Nope. We just here for one another, 24/7.
Phoebe: Hahaha! Can I just laugh? Considering them as friends made it easier for me not to get attracted to them.
Name your Top 3 perks of the job.
Borgie: Business connections, freebies, attention.
Blinky: Free travel, the credibility factor when being booked by clients, sponsorships.
Oj: The avenue to help, reach out to people. Meeting new friends, our ka-Mags! And having tons of fun while working.
Phoebe: Travel for free, eat at awesome restaurants for free, working and having fun at the same time.
Any embarrassing moment on the job that you may want to share?
Borgie: Each shoot tends to be embarrassing for me because the other hosts made me their laughing stock. I don’t take it personally though. In
fact, it feels good to make people laugh.
Blinky: Just a while back, we had an out-of-town shoot where I was very confident enough to show off how good I am in slides. So I went for
it just to find out that the stairway was too long and that there was no stopper at the end. So I fell and hit the floor. The team laughed at me. But
it was all good, just minor bruises.
Phoebe: It’s so embarrassing. I decided to prolong our kaMags’ agony.. and I will reveal it next year on our seventh anniversary.
What is your favorite summer experience?
Borgie: Last month, we went surfing in Siargao as part of our month-long anniversary special. It was a day to remember.
Blinky: Doing water sports activities in Shangri-La Mactan.
Oj: Time spent with the family.
Phoebe: This summer, when we went to Siargao. It was my first time there, and my first time to experience surfing. It was awesome!
Let’s talk about SELFI. What got you guys together on the project?
Borgie: SELFi is a summer workshop conceptualized by Blinky. It started out as an idea for us to bond this summer, at the same time, earn a little cash.
Oj: Blinky had this great idea and we all thought it was a splendid idea. We made it possible.
Blinky: My boyfriend Erik Lim and I thought about it. I always get invited to teach modeling and personality development in schools. So I realized that there is that demand, which the school could not provide. I thought of asking my co-hosts since they also get invited to those sort of things.
Who’s taking care of what?
Borgie: All four of us will teach TV hosting. Blinky and I are assigned to teach modeling, Jonathan for dancing, and Phoebe for acting.
Blinky: I take care of almost everything basically. My boyfriend is more on the business side. He would summarize the deliverables for the week and do the finances needed to make it all possible. In terms of marketing, I tapped “MagTV Na” director Gilbert Gamolo to help conceptualize and create needed materials. He was also the one responsible for the logo. The four hosts are assigned to conduct the hosting class. At the same time, we gave them the floor to teach their expertise.
Like me, I’m also assigned to teach modeling and make-up since being part of MAC even before I joined “MagTV” has given me enough experience. And I was also the make-up trainer in Starworld Macau. Other than that, we’ve invited special guest mentors who are professionals in each field to help us teach students.
Oj: We have five modules—hosting, modeling acting, dancing, and make-up. Blinky will conduct the make-up classes, Phoebe on acting, and Borgie on modeling. I am doing the dancing workshop. I’ve invited the group KiNeSyX headed by Zyruss Guantero and Eunice Cuizon. They have been the USC Engineering popjazz champion for many years, 1st Dance Carnival Champion, Simple Swagg 3 champion, just to mention a few.
Phoebe: Since I’ve had acting stints (she starred in several indies like “My Paranormal Romance,” among others), I’m taking care of the acting workshop with Remton Zuasola as one of our guest mentors.
How important is taking a selfie to you?
Borgie: Selfie has become a phenomenon, a culture, a habit. It is our way of letting our inner confidence out.
Oj: Well, let’s define it. Wikipedia defines selfie as “a type of self-portrait or photograph, typically taken with a hand-held digital camera or camera phone. Selfies are often associated with social networking, like Instagram.” They say a picture is worth a thousand words. And memories are priceless. Selfies are important because they document like’s moments and experiences.
Blinky: A selfie for me is as important as personality development—we need to be serious about it.
Phoebe: Selfies are meant to make us comfortable with ourselves.
What’s your dream selfie post?
Borgie: My dream selfie post is either underwater with sea creatures, or up in the air.
Blinky: My dream selfie post would have to be with my mom and dad. I never had a family picture in my life. I’m from a broken family. I rarely saw my dad when I was young, and then I didn’t want to be photographed with him. But now that I have matured, I want that selfie to symbolize how grateful I am of having them despite what happened, and that even if we are apart physically, in our hearts we are as close our selfie.
Oj: I dream of becoming a father someday. That said, my dream selfie would be with my wife and kids.
Phoebe: Posting a selfie with Ellen Degeneres, hoping it crashes Twitter and beat the Oscar selfie. Hahaha!
Now that “MagTV” is celebrating its seventh year, what is your message to fans?
Borgie: Thank you for your continued support! I hope you will stick with us. We promise to give you more fun and excitement in your Sunday mornings.
Jonathan: Daghang salamat ka-Mags and happy anniversary to all of us! If not for you, we wouldn’t get to where we are now, so thank you very much! Please continue to support “MagTV Na!” We will do our best to make your Sunday mornings a blast! And we’re looking forward to bonding with all of you during our ka-Mags Grand Eyeball! Kining tanan alang kaninyo, among kaMags.
Phoebe: Words can’t express how thankful I am to all our ka-Mags who never fail to express their support and love for us. What got me motivated all these years are the heartwarming messages I get from people. Knowing how I was able to touch their lives and inspire them truly makes all the effort worth it. “MagTV” wouldn’t reach six years if not for the support of our ka-Mags.