printedshaleMarch 2007

Reality bites. (Really, it does.)

starring Niña Jose, Bianca Gonzales, Ace Aceron,

Jennifer Mendoza, and those who watch them

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printedshaleHenrik Batallones

editor

Kristina Balingit, Danica Cohu, Mimi Esteban, John Pangan, Burton Raya, Kaymee Santos

contributors

Email comments to henrikbatallones@gmail.com or visit http://shale.wordpress.com

From celebrity status and backPinoy Big Brother Teen Edition’s Niña Jose talks about her experiences, and living after the show. 3

And the parents speak upEdgar and Annalyn Bernal, parents of Starstruck’s Kris Bernal, relates on sup-porting their child. 5

The impulsive birthday presentClose-up To Fame’s Ace Aceron on how a birthday present to himself became one of his best experiences. 8

Trying the first timeStarstruck reject Jennifer Mendoza talks about what she went through, and how she coped with the decision not to include her. 11

Examining reality’s popularityWhy do people watch reality shows? DLSU’s Dennis Erasga provides an explanation on viewer habits and . 13

“You know, I’m your biggest fan”Here’s what the fans think and do about their favorite reality stars. 15

Watch out—Big Brother is backPinoy Big Brother’s Bianca Gonzales talks about her term in the house, and the new show that’s coming up. 16

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Cover photo byHenrik Batallones

March 2007 printedshale �

by Danica Cohu

Greetings from almost all directions came and were given back to almost everyone on the tenth floor of the Andrew Gonzalez Building after I sat down with Niña Jose for a little chat. With this, I couldn’t help but notice that she seemed to be everybody’s friend so it got me wondering why I got the impression that she’s a snob when I first saw her on Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition. Maybe it’s my stereotyped way of giving an impres-sion on people with pretty faces. But she somehow proved me wrong because even at the very beginning of the interview, she made me feel

like her friend, and that she’s just an ordinary, college girl just like every-one else.

Niña’s full name is Mary Clare Niña Jose. She used to be an As-sumptionista but is currently study-ing at De La Salle University taking up an undergraduate degree in Inter-national Studies. She recently turned eighteen years old last August 26. She rose to fame by joining Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition. Well, the story behind how she got to be a house-mate in the said reality TV show is much more fascinating. At first, she just needed a summer job because she wanted to help her mom out with their financial problems. Her

parents are separated. Although her father gives financial support, it still wasn’t enough. Since her grandfa-ther died and her mom doesn’t have a job, she felt the urge to help her mom by taking up a summer job. Her mom suggested she join Pinoy Big Brother, so she went to the audi-tions. As fate would have it, she was picked out of the line and so she was chosen as a housemate. Her mom was okay with her being in showbiz. However, her dad being the strict parent that he is was against it be-cause as many would say it, “Show-biz is a whole lot crazier world.” But still, Niña stood her ground and went into show business.

From celebrity status and backNiña Jose talks about her stint on Pinoy Big Brother, dealing with fame, and how it all works out in college.

Niña Jose de-scribes herself as

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Niña said that her experience on Pinoy Big Brother was fun and totally unforgettable. She said that after getting herself into show business, she grew more matured and tougher. As we all know, in showbiz, you will be swarmed with a lot of issues may it be a rumor or not. If the rumor is true, then, she explains it. But if it’s not, then, she simply ignores it. She even quoted Gretchen Barretto by saying, “Merong mga isyung pinap-atulan at meron ding isyung tinatawa-nan at pinaglalaruan lang.”

When I asked her a more personal and showbiz question, she reacted a little violently. Wondering what I asked her? Well, I simply asked her whether she liked all the people she worked with. At first, she merely said, “No. I don’t want to comment on that anymore. All I can say is that I don’t.” I pursued the answer further by saying she need not mention names but it would be good if she can give scenarios of why she doesn’t like the people she worked with. She eventually said that “they are bitches… most of the actresses bitch about other actresses then when they are in front of the actresses they bitched about, it’s as if nothing hap-pened… they are plastics [sic]…” She said it with a tone as if she was mad. I concluded that she must be pertaining to someone but was restricted to what she must say so as to save herself from trouble.

Other topics were also discussed like how were her friends like after she became a celebrity. As anyone can predict, her true friends re-mained the same way towards her. However, there are those people whom aren’t close to her and yet af-ter Pinoy Big Brother, they suddenly made her feel, as Niña would put it, “pa-close” (feeling close). Since

her two best friends were around as I interviewed her, I asked them if they felt even the slightest insecu-rity. Then, again, the three of them had the violent reaction going. Her friends said that if ever fans approach her, they just step out of the way and let Niña do her thing.

Another confession Niña said in the interview was when I asked her whether anyone hates her. Then, she told me a story about this girl who was also a La Sallian who made her feel insulted. She looked at her from head to toe, and then said, “yuck!” I asked her if she did something wrong to the girl. She said that she doesn’t even know her. Thus, she concluded that she must be envious of her because why else would this girl have reacted in such an insulting manner.

I later asked her what the differ-ences in her as a person were after Pinoy Big Brother, and her best friends, Zane Sobejana and Anton Magsaysay, affirmed her by saying that she’s still the same fun, bub-bly, and sweet person that she used to be only tougher now. There was no change at all. I then asked her whether she had a favorite house-mate among all housemates. She an-swered by saying she has no favorite because she liked them all equally. They were all special to her in their own different ways.

I asked her this trivial question since I myself would like know the truth behind it. I asked whether the text service of ABS-CBN called KTXT was real or not. KTXT is a text service wherein the celebrities themselves text you directly from their cell phones. And, yes, she confirmed it with all honesty that it’s all true. It was really her. She even told me what some of the fans text her. They even text her to go to some links wherein she will see their messages for her and their cell phone numbers. Sadly, her KTXT is not updated regularly because her cell phone is broken. So to confirm it, I subscribed to that service and it was indeed true because no message from her came to me that night.

As a final question, I asked her to give me one adjective that would best describe her and why. “Witty,” she said, “because I am like Audrey Hepburn.” Then, both of her friends laughed with her.

Surely, Niña has a lot of wit. And if I were part of the press, she’ll defi-nitely be one of the favorites of the press because of her bubbly, amiable, and accommodating personality. She is, without doubt not just a pretty face but also a pleasant person. She sure is a star in the making! •

With her best friends, from left: An-ton Magsaysay and Zane Sobejana.

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And the parents speak up

by Kaymee Santos

Kris Bernal, seventeen years of age, is just like any other person who dreams to be a star. She, like all the other people who want to pursue their dreams lined up and auditioned for the new batch of Starstruck, the artista search contest in GMA-7. But unlike the thousands of people who were denied and were not given the chance to fight for their dream, Kris luckily got in and up until now, still continues to fight her way to reach her long-time dream. From 80 preliminary contestants, cut down to 30, and again reduced to the Final

14, now there are only 8 of them left.

Does she have what it takes to be the next “Ultimate Survivor”? There’s only one way to find out. Let’s get to know her with the help of the two people closest to her heart, the ones who have been with her ever since she was born, the ones who have been with her through thick and thin, happy or sad, the reason why she is here. These people are none other than her dad, Mr. Edgar and mom, Mrs. Annalyn Bernal.

There from the startEver since she was little, Kris already

knew what she wanted to be. Unlike other children who easily change their mind as they grow up, Kris is really determined and decided to pursue her dream. “Yun ang ambi-tion niya, to be an actress,” Kris’ dad shares. According to her parents, she’s a certified fashionista. “Maarte kasi siya eh, mahilig mag-damit at tsaka yun talaga ang gusto niya, gusto niya maging famous,” her mom explains.

This dream of hers was not that hard to reach for Kris grew up to be a very beautiful and lovely lady. As a proof for that, even before she joined Starstruck or any other contest, many

As Kris Bernal tries her luck on the reality talent show Starstruck, her parents Edgar and Annalyn support her—and keep the family together.

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Edgar and Annalyn Bernal are supporting their daughter Kris’ aspirations all the way.

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would come and approach her and ask for her autograph and picture taken. Many people think she was already an actress. “Pag nagma-mall kami or lumalabas kami, maraming nakakapansin kung artista ba siya kahit hindi pa siya artista noon. Last summer pumunta kami ng States, sa airport yung mga tao doon pinagkagu-luhan siya, akala artista siya,” her dad tells.

The fulfillment of her dream started two years ago when she and her sister were in a mall. A saleslady approached them and said that there was a contest for Clean and Clear. The saleslady said that Kris and her sister were pretty and asked them if she could take a picture of them. Kris and her sister thought that there’s no harm in trying and de-cided to give the saleslady a chance. A few weeks later, somebody called them and said that they won the contest. The prize? They were an instant cover models of Meg maga-zine, April 2005 issue! Not only that. They also received P100,000 in cold cash!

A dream comes trueIt was then followed when she

entered Holy Trinity University of Asia for college. At the university, she joined a pageant and of course, won. She was given the title, “Ms. Trinity”. “Encouraging talaga yung sa Trinity na beauty pageant. May question and answer, may competi-tion ng mga damit damit, so doon ko na-discover na aba may talent pala ‘tong anak ko! Siya ang nanalo! Sabi ko, i-try mo ang Starstruck. Hindi siya naging mahiyain eh, bibo siya sa mga question and answer,” her mom narrates.

That’s why after finding out that her daughter has the talent and

Kris Bernal, in a publicity shot for GMA’s Starstruck.

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“Pag nagma-mall kami or lumala-bas kami, maraming nakakapansin kung artista ba siya kahit hindi pa siya artista noon. Last summer pu-munta kami ng States, sa airport yung mga tao doon pinagkaguluhan siya, akala artista siya.”Edgar Bernal

“Noon nakakasama ko siya [sa] mall, ngayon hindi na kasi busy na, hindi na namin siya masyado nakakasama sa family outings kasi lagi siyang nasa GMA. Matutulog kami wala siya kasi nasa GMA tapos gigising yung iba pupunta na ng school tu-log pa naman siya.”Annalyn Bernal

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als of Starstruck. But the school gives her some consideration since she is a very smart and diligent student. “Nanghinayang yung mga teachers kasi ang galing galing niya daw. Top daw siya sa Zoology.” The school asks here to comply with some projects and requirements and to submit them until March, before the school year ends. So, schooling is not a problem at all. “Anyway matatapos na rin yung Starstruck,” her dad says. When she doesn’t have too much things to do, she sees to it that she does her school projects on her free time.

The baby girl of the BernalsKris is the baby of the family. Even though she is not the youngest and she is already seventeen years old, she is still very childlike. She is really very sweet particularly to her mom. Actually, Mother’s Day of last year, Kris gave her mom a simple but very

after seeing the Starstruck advertise-ment on television, Kris’ mom was personally the one who encouraged her daughter to join. Besides, Kris’ already had enough exposures and experiences that will surely help her in Starstruck. As for Kris, of course she didn’t think twice because this was really her dream.

Miss Beauty and BrainsKris doesn’t only excel in the hearts of men but also in her studies as well. Who would have thought that this gorgeous ‘Ms. Trinity’ whose suitors are extremely hard to count is taking up nursing and even made it to the Dean’s List in the first semes-ter of her first year in college? Per-haps that’s why guys can’t help but like her. Beauty and brains, she has it. What more can you ask for?

As of now Kris decided to stop school temporarily since she has been busy with tapings and rehears-

From a saleslady approaching her, Kris (at left) landed on the cover of Meg magazine—her first shot at fame.

Nevertheless she remains the baby of the Bernals. Photos of her, like this, appear on different picture frames around the house.

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touching gift – a refrigerator magnet. The magnet says, mothers are angels that help children learn how to fly. “Nafe-feel ko siya. Baby pa eh, pa-embrace-embrace. Minsan hiwalay kami ng higaan lilipat sa akin. Sasabi-hin niya, ‘mommy hug’ tapos tatabi siya sa akin,” her mom recounts.

“Noon nakakasama ko siya [sa] mall, ngayon hindi na kasi busy na, hindi na namin siya masyado naka-kasama sa family outings kasi lagi siyang nasa GMA. Matutulog kami wala siya kasi nasa GMA tapos gigis-ing yung iba pupunta na ng school tulog pa naman siya,” her mom explains. Even if there have been a lot of changes ever since she joined Starstruck, her family understands the situation. “Dream niya talaga eh, kaya sinuportahan namin,” her dad narrates.

And even if all the attention is focused on Kris at the moment, her siblings understand their condition and do not show any sign of jeal-ousy towards their sister. Instead, they give their all out support by campaigning for their sister. From flyers to Internet announcements, the whole family really exerts their own efforts in helping Kris reach her dream.

Kris’ parents gave this advice for other parents whose children also want to enter showbiz. “Habang bata pa i-develop nila ang talent ng anak nila. Kung dream talaga ng anak mo, all we can do as parents is really to support the dream. Hindi yung pera eh. It’s more of the dream,” her mom clarifies. Anyway, they said that in case everything fails and Kris doesn’t win, she can still go back to her studies. And that is still their full re-sponsibility and obligation as parents to send her to school and guide her all throughout. •

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by Henrik Batallones

Contacting Ace Aceron for this interview was quite easy. He isn’t exactly how you would define some-one as “well-known”, but it probably helped that he was my classmate for two subjects last term. Before that, I knew him as one of the contestants for Close-up To Fame 2, the talent search which aired on ABS-CBN in the middle of last year. And he didn’t win that either, although he was voted back into the competition’s

wild card stage, and before that, was apparently ahead among other con-testants in terms of SMS votes.

Despite all that, it was hard to actually do the interview. He al-ready agreed to it, but for some reason, the flurry of examinations he and his classmates—he’s taking up European Studies in De La Salle University—meant we couldn’t find the right time to meet. Which also proves that despite all of this, he’s still very much into his studies. In fact, he was sort of shocked when he

realized that shooting for Close-up To Fame would take up so much of his time. He was even forced to drop six units during the time the show was on-going.

All that, for a birthday present he gave himself. Upon seeing the plugs for the program airing on television, he decided that he’d do just that. He kept it a secret from his parents, who are both based in Iloilo, until he received news that he got in. Little did he know he was in for one big adventure.

The impulsive birthday presentFor Close-up To Fame’s Ace Aceron, his birthday present to himself was more than an experience.

Ace Aceron now continues his studies at De La Salle University in Manila.

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Close-up To Fame wasn’t his first appearance in a television talent show, having joined (and lost) a VJ search for Studio 23. Nevertheless, he got in, from among three thou-sand aspirants to twenty-four final-ists. The program, which was hosted by Heart Evangelista and Bianca Gonzalez, was to search for new faces who will appear in an advertise-ment for Close-up toothpaste. (The eventual winners of the competition, Ara Hanesh and Reb Sibal, appeared in the toothpaste’s Christmas adver-tisement.) Set like a reality show, the contestants had to undergo different challenges, looking for, among oth-ers, a person’s “idol factor” and “kilig factor”. And all of this intimidated Ace, at least initially.

“Ang kilala ko lang ata sa mga judges, si Dina Bonnevie,” he said. The other two judges, which includ-ed film director Jose Javier Reyes and a “surprise judge” each week, were to pass judgment on their perform-ances. Ace particularly recalls an incident with guest judge Tim Yap, who wasn’t impressed with his per-formance and gave him some nasty grilling. The same was felt towards the other contestants and, of course, towards the guests.

Also inevitable is him meeting new friends, although initially it wasn’t the case. Close-up To Fame’s segment producers created twelve pairs out of twenty-four contestants; he was paired with fellow contestant Aimee Villarico, and things weren’t immediately all well. “One time gusto niyang buhatin ko siya nung shoot,” he said, keeping a smile in his face. Eventually they would be close, and he’d be close with the other contestants, some of which keep contact with him up to now.

But stress came in, and soon

things weren’t as easy as they seemed on the television. For the first chal-lenge, the segment producers had each contestant do something they think they’re good at. “Tinanong nila ako kung saan ako magaling,” Ace recalled. “Ang sabi ko, ‘I can’t dance or sing, but I can speak well.’” So, he was asked to do a short hosting clip, “at konting dance,” he said with a chuckle.

Even more, there are those behind the scenes that would really pres-sure them to do stuff—maybe even shout at them, to some extent. In the beginning of the competition, Ace recalls, he almost backed out at the very last minute, on the day of the shoot itself. “Lahat naka-all-white

na, tapos ako, nagpalit na ng damit,” he says. “Uwing-uwi na nga ako nun eh!” Eentually he got talked out of it, and pushed through.

It also didn’t help matters that the talent search continued well into June, right in the middle of his first term in DLSU. “It’s unfair,” he thought. Expecting that the program would keep him busy during sum-mer, it stretched up until the start of the term and beyond. The shoots were particularly stressful, he said. “Magsh-shoot kami from 6 am to 3 am,” he said. Eventually the long shoots, and the long commutes from his classes to his shoots, led him to drop some of his classes. But that didn’t prevent him from being

Expecting that the program would keep him busy during summer, it stretched up until the start of the term and beyond. The shoots were particularly stressful, he said.

The experience was very memorable, Ace says.

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noticed by classmates. One time in speech class his teacher would men-tion that she saw him on the show, but that was the farthest it got, he said.

And there are also observations he can’t help but mention. There are some idiosyncracies in the show that makes the entire “reality show” con-cept a bit mesleading. “Hindi lahat ng reality show, parang reality show,” he said. One time, he recalls, what he thought would be a continuous shoot for the time when the contest-ants receive a makeover, the staff had them do a reshoot of a scene where they walk to the location. Another one was about a spa treatment that never came, probably only done out of promotional consideration. Even another one, which struck me the most, was one challenge where some of the male contestants had to break something and use their charm to get them out of paying for it. When one contestant struggled to do just that—he broke something particu-larly expensive, Ace said—the staff had an actor “save” him by “paying” for the damage.

But, the experience was worth it. Aside from the people who suddenly become “close” with him after seeing him on television, there is the pay he got from the program, and the good memories that came along with it. Watching the advertisement where winners Ara and Reb eventually ap-peared, he can’t help but remember all the memories and experiences he’s had with his stint on the pro-gram. He’s still intent on finishing his studies and eventually finding a job, but he wouldn’t mind joining another one of those contests. In the case of Close-up to Fame, he wasn’t in it for the winning, but mostly for the exposure. Now, each contestant

has a handler giving them different offers every now and then; in fact, he and a few others tried to get into the current season of Starstruck, but were unsuccessful. (He was even surprised that Reb didn’t make it despite win-ning Close-up To Fame; he reckons, though, that previous exposure was a factor.)

And, as he studies and continues to practice his speaking abilities in things such as school projects - I’ve seen him perform a role in a play for Literature class and he does a very good British accent - he’s gone through with one lesson he particularly learned from the stint:

taking criticisms as constructive. That’s exactly the reason why he now counts Jose Javier Reyes as an idol of his; his comments on the show were contructive, he believes, and now he can take such criticisms in stride. Of course, there was the help of friends, who simply found it cool that one of them got on the television, and his parents, back in Iloilo, who got around to voting for him, and convinced the others there as well, to vote for him. How many boxes of Close-up they had to buy to vote for him, he’d rather not divulge. Oh well. That’s another story in itself, I guess. •

The Close-up To Fame contestants wear red...

...and white. Ace almost backed out at this point.

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Trying the first timeby Kristina Balingit

People have negative notions when it comes to being rejected or things related to it, but Jennifer S. Mendo-za has the opposite. She accepts the price of everything she does without holding grudges or regrets to any-body including herself.

Acting is one of the passions of Jennifer, or Jenny, a sophomore stu-dent taking up Hotel and Restaurant Management in De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde. She was a member of Drama Club in High school and played one of the main characters in the play “Twinkle”. Her talent in acting was discovered through school plays which left everyone including her teachers amazed that this timid-looking girl has much more to show

in the field of acting. In stage, when the director says action, she acts naturally that everyone would forget that “it is indeed just acting”.

Acting is not only the thing that she does excel but also playing the piano and singing. Playing the piano was her hobby since she was four years old. This passion of hers paid off when she became one of the members of the Piano’s Theater Guild of the Philippines. She had attended several sessions of voice lessons over the years which had honed her as a singer in Interna-tional concerts particularly in United States and Canada. She also knows how to balance her school and extra curricular activities. For the past five terms of her life in CSB, her GPA would not be lower than 2.9. She

has extra curricular activities such as a volunteer for the Social Action Of-fice, Lasallian Ministry Office, and a member of Chefs in Progress, an organization in the CSB.

Let’s get to know more about Jenny as she unfolds a memorable chapter of her life .

What motivated you to join Star-struck?My family motivated me to join Starstruck. The parents who I grew up with are not the real parents of mine. I discovered I’m an adopted child at an age of four. As I grew up, I constantly searched for ways on how to repay the parents that have brought me up since I’m a baby and since I had an experience in acting, I thought that this could be a break

Starstruck reject Jennifer Mendoza talks about her auditions, not making the cut, and moving on.

Jennifer Mendoza is now a student at the College of Saint Benilde in Manila.

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for me. I was actually inspired by the life story of Jennylyn Mercado.

Share something about your experience while you were audi-tioning in Starstruck. Gosh. There’s so many to tell.

First of all, there were about hun-dreds if not, thousands of applicants that day. The audition was set to start at 8 am so I was there already at 6 am to fall in line but it started around 11 am already. At 11:00, organizers of the audition started to let the people go inside the walls of GMA. We were asked to go to this small room where you get to show your talent, may it be singing, acting or dancing.

The judges (which were not the same set of judges that viewers get to see on TV) would ask the contestant what are his/her talents. If he/she could sing, then sing. If he/she is good in acting, then act. If dancing is his/her thing, then dance to the music that they will play. If you feel that you could do all the three, do it. Since I love to sing and act, I did both.

While I was showcasing my talent, there was this small TV in front of the judges which enables the them to tell whether the one auditioning looks good on TV or not. I think that this is very crucial to the one auditioning because if he/she does not look good in that small screen, he/she would automatically not be accepted. The audition did not take more than five minutes. The result was not that instant. One would know if he/she got accepted if he/she receives a call within a week. I did not receive any.

How did you feel when after a week you did not receive a call

telling you that you did make it to the cut off? Honestly speaking, I did not feel sad or anything related to it. I did want to make it but I said to my-self, taking the risk of auditioning is already a fulfillment. I accepted the result whole-heartedly because in the very beginning I did not expect something. I should know how to stand for what I have decided to do no matter what the results would be. I did not have regrets of auditioning because I know I did my best. And besides, there were like a thousand applicants that day which gives me a less chance of getting in. In your opinion, what are the standards of the judges which you were not able to meet?Probably the looks. I think that in the said competition, judges were not really looking for the talent of the person but rather his/her physi-cal features. As you may notice, there are some who get into the fourteen finalists that have the looks but do not have the talent. I also do not have the height to be a star because I only stand 5’1”.

What was the reaction of your family and friends?My family was supportive in a way but my mom was not in favor of me getting into show business. My friends did not know that I au-ditioned. They just knew when a friend of mine saw me in the com-

mercial of the said program. I did not want my friends to know at first but they were very supportive of me when they knew and were happy for the step that I have taken.

What advice would you give to those like you who wish to show their talents on national televi-sion?All I can say is that when you audi-tion, be as simple as you can be. That was my mistake because when I auditioned, I was wearing heavy make-up and I really looked pre-pared because of what I have worn. Yasmin Kurdi, who was one of the final four in Starstruck batch 1 wore just simple clothing and light make-up when she auditioned. The judges were probably looking for someone who is definitely beautiful without the help of cosmetics. And also when auditioning, one should remember to give your very best and set aside your shyness.

What are the lessons that you have learned?Definitely a lot but in a gistI learned that though I was not able to make it, it should not be taken as a burden but a challenge for me.

Do you have any plans of joining or auditioning on other shows like Starstruck?For now, none. My main priority right now is to finish my studies with flying colors to get a good job. •

“Honestly speaking, I did not feel sad or anything related to it. I did

want to make it but I said to myself, auditioning is already a fulfillment.”

Jennifer Mendoza

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by Burton Raya

Reality TV is a genre in television programming which is popular among viewers. In the Philippines we can see these programs in dif-ferent sub-categories of reality TV. Pinoy Big Brother, Kapamilya Deal or No Deal, Starstruck, etc. Why do people love watching such shows? And what are the effects of these shows to viewers and participants.

I interviewed Mr. Dennis Erasga from the De La Salle University Manila’s Behavioral Sciences Depart-ment, which is mainly concerned with the study of society and human social interaction. He graduated from the University of the Philip-pines with a degree of Bachelor of Arts Major in Sociology. He also holds a master’s degree in Sociology and a doctorate degree in Environ-mental Science, both coming from

the University of the Philippines.

immediacyAccording to Mr. Erasga, people enjoy watching reality television be-cause it is unmediated and anything could happen because participants aren’t limited to a certain script or commands from the director. The viewers want to follow the events that would transpire, or they see a certain participant in which they

Explaining reality’s popularityDe La Salle University’s Dennis Erasga explains why people watch, and avidly follow, reality shows.

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participants, most of them comes from different places, families and academic backgrounds, and different attitudes and personalities. Putting them together in a certain show forces them to relate with the rest of the participants, and gives them an opportunity to use their impression management in which they could also deceive their fellow participants, especially during eliminations.

But no matter what, even if they picked a person to eliminate, they still break down in tears or become momentarily sad because of the bond the participants have shared in such shows. The moment they joined the show, the participants became their immediate family. •

probably would change the way they act. Participants of such shows are able to manipulate the impression they make on other people, which is called impression management, which is a big factor among the audience. There are also other people who are true to themselves and don’t put on a mask on, but this is usually the exception, because of the Haw-thorne Effect which changes the par-ticipants’ behavior when they know they’re being observed. The latter would come out after about a week or so when the participant will get used to people looking and would even forget that there is a camera.

Participants also get to relate with people better. Being chosen as

oneself in, or events would occur in the show in which one can relate with. They want to see the per-sonal lives of the participants, things which we aren’t used to seeing. Un-like soap operas which are scripted even to the minutest detail.

Different shows are targeted for different people, some shows have a small target audience like The Ap-prentice in which only the educated would enjoy watching, but reality shows such as Pinoy Big Brother or Philippine Idol has a big scope be-cause everybody from the A-D class would be able to enjoy it.

The effects of these shows on the viewers vary. People get addicted to the show and they want to catch every episode because it portrays “reality”, it portrays everyday life. It sends realizations to the viewers when something happens in the show which already happened to them in real life. It makes the people support a certain participant because they see a mirror of themselves or the like a participant because of his/her qualities.

FavoritesUsually the favorite of the masses is the ones who come out on top or would be able to win the show. Like in talent searches, the masses would always support people from their own. They have this mindset that why give that chance to the rich participants when they already have money. So they support their participant, and their numbers vastly outnumber the rich. It also has a cultural aspect; Filipinos want their choice of participants to experience difficulties before winning the show. So we support the oppressed.

These shows play a big effect on the participants. It would, or most

People get addicted to the show and they want to catch every epi-sode because it portrays “reality”, it portrays everyday life. It sends realizations to the viewers when something happens in the show which already happened to them in real life. It makes the people sup-port a certain participant because they see a mirror of themselves or the like a participant because of his/her qualities.

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March 2007 printedshale 1�

“You know, I’m your biggest fan”Every star must have a dedicated following. Meet some of those who have had favorites from reality show stars.by John Pangan

“I’m your biggest fan! Can I have your autograph?” These are but a few statements a regular fan would say when he or she comes face to face with a reality star. But what is it in these reality personalities that fans find appealing?

“I like Marky Cielo because of his cute, physical appearance” as Sars would note. She believes that the cute exterior of Marky Cielo in Starstruck is something in which she prefers.

Speaking of appearance, another notable issue here is that Icka’s dad would favor Asian girls like Sandara Park (of Star Circle Quest) and her Korean nationality and Iwa Moto (of Starstruck) and her Japanese roots. While she does not ultimately favor local reality stars, her dad does.

Bert Garcia is a true Rainier Castillo fan from the time Rainier’s “smile” became popular. He noted, “A smile could win you a lot of fol-lowers”. He also stressed the impor-tance of charisma and your overall projection that makes you stand out above the rest.

Some fans would go for the younger generation. Ariane and her preference for Star Circle Kids Quest stars Nash Aguas and Sharlene San Pedro said that her reason for liking them is that “they’re cute, young and talented”.

Some fanatics like reality stars that are contestants in one big reality show. Neill proudly says this, “big

fan ako ng kahit sinong Starstruck survivor, kasi love ko ang show na ‘to, puro challenges” According to him, it does not matter which contestant wins or loses or who becomes a sole survivor, because to him everyone did a good job out there, and he sup-ports his fans to the best he could. He does this by simply watching Starstruck on television or going to the GMA studio when it is time for elimination night.

Other fans go for reality stars with good and powerful voices. James and his devotedness to Pinoy Dream Academy contestant Yeng Constan-tino’s “Hawak Kamay” meant that he liked Yeng’s voice and vibe. Aside from Yeng, James also noted Mau Marcelo’s powerful voice when Mau sang her heart’s content in the fFinal showdown of Philippine Idol.

At times, fanatics would not simply like these reality stars, they would follow them! According to Tina, she has a friend, Reina, who is such a big fan of Jennylyn Mercado (sole female survivor of the first sea-son of Starstruck) that she goes to the GMA studio for Jennylyn’s shooting. Tina also notes that her friend gets close to the sensational reality star

by befriending the manager and in effect, gets free passes whenever she wants to visit.

Taking the devotion to the next level, Mitch once endorsed in one of her school class to vote for Gian Magdangal, runner-up of Philip-pine Idol by giving off flyers to each student. She finds Gian as “a livewire idol being able to sing, dance and act at the same time and give his [over-all] performance on stage. [He is] young and has [a great] potential.” Of course, he does not only prefer Gian, but also another runner-up of Philippine Idol, Jan Nieto. The reason behind this, as Mitch would explain is because “he’s open-minded and [still] learning more things… and that he’s new in the music in-dustry”.

With all these information, it is clear to us that each fanatic would have his or her difference in per-ceiving a famous reality star. Some would choose the exterior appear-ance, while others would go for the talent potential”. Whatever the rea-son may be, it is very important that without these fans supporting their favored reality stars, they would not be there to entertain the public. •

James loves Pinoy Dream Academy. Mitch loves Philippine Idol.

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1� printedshale March 2007

by Mimi Esteban

Kuya is back. On February 25 at 9:30 in the evening, armed with more challenging tasks and stricter rules, the Pinoy Big Brother will launch its second season at the Concert Hall beside the PBB house. Fourteen compete strangers will enter the blue and yellow house and live a bizarre lifestyle for more than a hundred days listening, confess-ing to, and obeying the orders of the one and only mysterious voice of Big Brother.

Judging from the success of the past season and the two special edi-tions namely the Celebrity and Teen Editions, it will be no surprise to learn that millions and millions of people here and abroad will again, eagerly watch it to spy on every move and word that will be done and uttered by the housemates.

Winning this most true-to-life reality show and receiving the “Big Winner” title is no joke. Over-whelming prizes are at stake so getting nominated for elimination is the last thing each of the house-mates would want to get. Just like other reality shows, someone has to go so that others can get the chance of winning the ultimate prize. Then again, fame is not the sole reason why most of the housemates want to get in. Some see this as an extraor-dinary opportunity to try living the life PBB has to give; some see this as a perfect setting for them to discover themselves; while others see this once in a lifetime chance as an open

gate to popularity.Others may say that it would

be impossible to achieve all these – fame, popularity and self-discov-ery, but Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition runner-up Bianca Gonzales was fortunate to grab it all in one blow. This smart young TV host, who turns 24 this March, started her career as early as 17 years old. Aside from being one of the hosts of the upcoming PBB Season 2 together with Toni Gonzaga, Mariel Rod-riguez and Jason Gainza, she has also co-hosted several shows including Breakfast and Y! Speak. And before that, she has already done a couple of product endorsements and pic-torials for magazines like Candy, Seventeen, Meg and Chalk. She has been working her way up in showbiz for a while and with each task she accomplishes, she has proved herself to others while keeping her feet on the ground, just like what she did in the PBB house.

Why did you audition for Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition?I was really the reluctant housemate! But in the end, I said yes because I wanted to see how it would be on

my own and if I could live out of my comfort zone.

When you passed the audi-tion, what preparations did you make?None! Well, more of preparing my-self to be away from my loved ones and other things like my phone, the TV…

What are the major changes in your lifestyle after Pinoy Big Brother?A lot the same and a lot different. More work, more people recognize me.

What do you do when you’re not fulfilling your showbiz commit-ments?Resting at home, hanging out with my family and friends and going out of town.

What would be your advice to the new housemates of Pinoy Big Brother?To have their sense of direction and purpose with the experience… to always pray for God’s guidance and protection.

Despite all the controversies that welcomed her from the moment she went out of the PBB house, and while she deals with situations in her career and personal life, she remains strong. I believe she has already proven her best in the world but with her honestly amazing attitude and optimism, she will surely flour-ish more, not just on TV, but as a simple yet stunning individual. •

Bianca Gonzales hosts the second season of Pinoy Big Brother.

Watch out—Big Brother is backFormer housemate and now Pinoy Big Brother host Bianca Gonzales opens up on her life in the show.

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