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In showbiz, surviving a decade is no mean feat. And this is what Startalk has proudly achieved, convincingly establishing itself as...
In showbiz, surviving a decade is no mean feat. And this is what Startalk has proudly achieved, convincingly establishing itself as the Showbiz Authority. Startalk Director Floy Quintos looked back at the humble beginnings of Startalk which started out as a showbiz magazine show. “We gradually developed our news when we started doing stories that are hard hitting, inside and outside the realm of news. We have to understand also that in the past decade, showbiz news which was considered soft news become hard news. Partly, I would like to say that Startalk influenced that trend,” he said in an interview. Theirs was a conscious effort to mix hard news, humor and opinion while sticking to the basic principles of journalism. As a result, Startalk provided some of the biggest scoops in showbiz. These include the Jojo Veloso-Hans Montenegro scandal; Kate Torres’ first TV statement on the murder of her mom, Nida Blanca; and Alma Moreno’s live interview on the Joey Marquez and Kris Aquino controversy. Butch Francisco, who has been with Startalk for the past six and half years shared his nostalgia. “Noong araw walang pakialam [sa ratings]. [Ngayon], mas may pressure. Tumaas ratings niya, mas naging competitive [din yung show.] Any story, hindi mo titigilan hangga’t makuha mo.” Startalk Survivor Startalk first aired ten years ago with Boy Abunda, Kris Aquino and Lolit Solis as its front liners. Manay Lolit is the only one left from the original batch of hosts. The feisty talent manager has covered and survived countless controversies, some of which involved her.

But to celebrate this TV milestone, Startalk gathered its past and present hosts -- Boy Abunda, Kris Aquino, Dawn Zulueta, Joey De Leon, Lorna Tolentino, Butch Franciso, Lolit Solis, Fayatollah, Pepita Smith and Steve Kvetko -- in their fabulous best for a pictorial with ace photographer Jun De Leon. These will be featured in a special edition Startalk Magazine. “No matter where they have gone, no matter their current affiliations, Startalk made the career of these hosts,” Startalk said in a press statement. In a video interview shown during a press conference, Boy Abunda noted “Nabuhay ang mahiwagang salamin sa Startalk.” His close friend Kris Aquino also expressed her gratitude to Startalk for giving her a chance to get into talk show hosting. Manay Lolit attributes Startalk’s success to its pursuit of the truth. “Sa amin kasi, responsible talk siya e. When we open an issue, talagang tinatapos ‘yun, authoritative talaga.” She further noted the strong ties between the hosts and staff which has made it “more of a family and more than a show.” Manay Lolit gave special mention to “Da Who” as her favorite segment which is hosted by the quirky trio of Steve Kvetko, Fayatollah and Pepita Smith. Steve -- Romy Punla in real life – has been with the show since the beginning, although he was initially a cameraman. Direk Floy gave him a shot at the limelight and has since overcome his shyness. Steve talks about a decade in these words: ”Nakuha namin yung kiliti nung tao…Gumanda ‘yung mga segment.. Noong una, magaan ang trabaho...Di kami hirap…Medyo naging busy ngayon.”

New Flavors

The show would not last that long if it weren’t for the new segments and hosts who add more spice to it. Funny man Joey De Leon admitted to being a loyal viewer of the program and is only too happy to join the Startalk family. He describes the show in two words: “Ibang klase.”

“Hangga’t magugulo ang mga artista at malilikot, hindi mawawala ‘yung shows like Startalk. Minsan gusto ko i-dare ‘yung mga artista. Ba’t di kayo tumahimik ng mga two months? Ano kayang klaseng news ang gagawin ng mga chismis shows like Startalk? Subukan niyong manahimik ng isang taon, mawawala lahat ng talk shows. Tingnan natin kung anong anggulo ang gagawin,” he stressed. Another welcome addition to Startalk is Ms. Lorna Tolentino. Only on her 38th episode, she has had her share of controversies, including those involving her marriage with Rudy Fernandez and a case about former friend, actress Deborah Sun. “[When it is about me,] I refuse to make comments [but I need to make one.]…Kanya-kanya kaming time [sa pagiging controversial]. Dati si Manay, then si Joey. Si Butch na lang ang walang controversy,” she noted. She considers the visit of MTRCB Chairperson Marissa Laguardia as one of her unforgettable moments in the show. ”Nabigla kaming lahat pero okay lang. Buti na lang hindi masyadong seductive ang suot ko. Pagkaminsan may mga kapalpakan. Live e.” As Startalk moves on past a successful decade, Direk Floy promises more showbiz news and scoops. “We want to continue to live up to our name as the showbiz authority.” And given Startalk’s previous record, viewers could surely expect nothing less.