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Eugene Domingo's Kapuso comedy anthology, Dear Uge recently released its fresh episodes in the new format, and this is the show's testament of how the multi-awarded Kapuso actress-host values being connected through the help of technology.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the production of Dear Uge went to a halt. But being the ever-adaptive program that it is, the program took the opportunity to reinvent itself and emphasize learnings in the new normal; one of which is the importance of connectivity through available means.

Dear Uge had a make-over, with Uge receiving and sharing stories with the help of her smart gadgets. The production has also taken advantage of technology to add Eugene's second character, a quirky guest, in the same frame as the Kapuso star.

In an exclusive interview with GMANetwork.com, Eugene shared her appreciation of staying connected during these dire times.

“Sabi ko nga sa sarili ko, ang ganda talaga ng developments lalo na sa technology. Umabot tayo sa point na ganito at hindi natin alam kung ano pa ba ang mangyayari in the future. But as of now talagang naa-appreciate natin na we may not see each other in person, in the flesh, but simply to send your voice recordings, your video, zoom meetings, you know, any form of meeting your family, your friends virtually, lahat 'yan nakakatulong mentally, spiritually, emotionally para lahat tayo ay kumapit. And you know, we will survive our loneliness sometimes or our anxieties.

“We really need, people really need each other especially these times. So buti na lang meron tayong mga ganitong ano, 'di ba, technological advancements. But of course, hindi pa rin mawawala ang television para magbigay-aliw at alam mo na, magbigay-impormasyon at maramdaman natin na kahit papaano may nakikita pa rin tayong ibang pangyayari, 'di ba.”

Adjusting to the new normal wasn't a major shift for Eugene who's able to maintain a beautiful relationship with her Italian partner Danilo Bottoni despite the difference in time zones even before the pandemic.

“Hindi naman masyadong naging mahirap para sa akin to take my responsibilities online kasi medyo aware naman ako how these things work. Nagkaroon naman ako ng long-distance relationship so parang umasa lang kami sa technology for a few years, ganyan. And so sanay na din naman ako sa mga pangyayari online kasi 'yan naman ang uso ngayon.”

Eugene also took the opportunity to remind netizens to be discerning of the use of social media.

“Ang nangyari lang is ang dami pang nausong social platforms so medyo namimili lang ako ng kailangan ko at kaya kong ma-sustain. 'Yung iba kasi masisipag talaga 'di ba. They have their YouTube channels, they have their Tiktok. Ako I just have my Instagram to promote my shows and you know, to share some of my personal thoughts, ganyan, and para magbigay ng hope and mag-post ng magandang pictures, ganyan. Wala akong Facebook, wala rin akong Twitter. But I'm always supporting my friends and other artists na masipag sa ganung platforms. Nandyan kasi 'yung mabilis na information so lagi naman akong nakatutok.”

Catch the all-new episodes of Dear Uge and see how Uge is making use of technology to stay connected to her loyal viewers and her special guests!