A Long and Memorable Talk

As it celebrates it 13th year on the air as the pioneer showbiz oriented talk show in the country today, Startalk continues to give us the latest news and issues in its own unique manner. Together with this, one cannot disregard its success on the inimitable style of its current hosts. – Text by Erick Mataverde. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. iGMA.tv was able to have a chat with two of Startalk’s hosts, Butch Francisco and Lolit Solis. And, as if trying to live up to this show’s reputation of delivering unexpected surprises, they were as forthright and articulate as they are with the stars they are used to having a tête-à-tête. Fleeting No More Butch Francisco, who revealed that, surprisingly, it was a Showbiz Central host who reminded him that they would be celebrating their 13th year on air this November, "I was told by Rufa Mae Quinto that we were celebrating our anniversary, she told me that. I didn't know. "We're moving to a new building, we are problematic because we don't know how to sneak in food anymore. That is only the reason why we go to work, for the food," he joked. However, when it came to realizing that the show that he has been hosting has been on air for a significant number of years he turned introspective, "I never thought I was gonna last this long here. When I came in, I didn't even want to sign a contract because I was already an immigrant that time. I just came here for a vacation. And then the job came along, I said, 'Okay but I can only be in it for one season.'" Little did Butch know that he would be staying on in Startalk longer than that and, thus, disclosed to us in parting, "I'm hoping that you will all be with us as we enter our fourteenth year, and I was in nine of those fourteen years. So expect the unexpected." Giving due Credit Similarly, Manay Lolit Solis was also a amazed by the realization. "Thirteen years na kami! Imaginin mo for a talk show to stay that long!" she stated. When asked about her feelings and if there would be any plans during their anniversary, she replied, "We'll try to find big stories para may iba namang ma[ipa]kita sa inyo. Ako talaga ang talagang hino-hope ko lang, wini-wish ko lang, kasi talaga pag nawawala ang isang show, you feel a part of you dies, [so more years to come]." She adds, "Eklay naman yung sabihin mong hindi ka nanghihinayang dun sa kinikita mo but the mere fact na naging close na close na kayo, can you imagine thriteen years na kayo magkakasama, kung baga kung nag-alaga ka ng bata, dalagita na ngayon, syempre yung closeness ninyo ngayon! "Yung closeness mo dun sa mga kasamahan mo yung lagi mong hahanapin. Ako talagang close ako sa staff, minsan pag may extra money ako, nag–paparaffle ako ng trip abroad, mga ganyan. Kasi parang one way or another parang mag tha-thank you ka sa kanila" she declared giving full credit to the people working behind the cameras in Startalk for making the show last as long as it has. (And at this point one of her staff interjected, "Nakapag-Europe na kami!") Manay Lolit explained further "[This is] my way of paying forward, kasi talagang I have never forgotten na ang first job ko was given to me by Mother Lily [Monteverde], I felt so happy that time." Queried about the real secret for Startalk's success she quipped candidly, "Basta team-play, kami-kami [ang] nag-sisiraan!" She also did not try to hide her gratitude to the loyal viewers of the show who kept their eyes and ears glued to the latest in show business week-in, week-out, "Talagang thankful na thankful kami, hindi kami iniwan!" Discuss what's up with the latest on Startalk by logging on to the iGMA Forums! Not yet a member? Register here!