Innovative fusion

TV5’S new morning show, “Healing Galing sa TV,” is notable for its innovative fusion of a medical doctor and an alternative healer as the show’s cohost.

The doctor happens to be Hayden Kho, in his first regular public outing after his controversial personal and career crises some years back. The fact that TV5 has opted to enable him to make his comeback in a weekday TV show could become an “issue” with some viewers.

To be sure, other doctors and medical specialists are invited to shed light on specific illnesses, but Hayden is still the program’s top medical point man, so his competent performance in the show’s early telecasts could turn out to be a major factor in its longevity.

For her part, alternative healer Edinell Calvario has been seen on-cam in other TV shows promoting alternative healing, but this new program is her biggest showcase and platform by far.

The fact that she’s paired with the telegenic and much-talked-about Kho makes it more difficult for her to get her share of viewers’ attention—but, to her credit, she’s able to hold her own.

Interesting, instructive

Thus far, the cohosts haven’t disagreed on any medical issue, but that could eventually happen, so it would be both interesting and instructive to see that “delineating” square-off, when it does occur.

After all, some doctors don’t think that alternative healing practices do that much reliable good, so the show’s presently copacetic situation is rife for clarifying dissent. —Or, will the cohosts simply agree to disagree?

Back to Kho: Will he use his new TV show to eventually effect an even broader entry into show business? He’s certainly handsome and hunky enough to make it as an actor—after a lot of intensive thespic workshops, of course.

Thinking less long-range, his next step should be to cohost a show about beauty, cosmetic procedures, etc. His cohost and producer for that new, more pertinently focused medical and lifestyle program? Why, doctor Vicki Belo, of course!

Home for the Angels

Last Valentine’s Day, we celebrated the day of love in a uniquely ardent way—with 20 little children. —Huh? Isn’t that a hugely overachieving case of putting the cart before the horse (wedding first before babies)? We hasten to clarify:

The tiny tots were the wards of the Home for the Angels orphanage in San Andres Bukid, which was very happily marking its 20th anniversary!

It was a real cause for celebration, because founders Beng and Lito Atienza movingly shared that the Home has saved almost 500 babies from a most uncertain and, perhaps for some, an even risk-fraught future!

Our congratulations to them and the many volunteers who take such loving care of their little wards, authentic angels, one and all!

Many of the Home’s angels have found caring homes both here and abroad, and some of them joined the festivities last Feb. 14, fervently attesting to how their adoptive Home had helped them when they were most vulnerable and defenseless, in their greatest time of need.

This is one self-effacing but most worthy endeavor that deserves our support and donations—call 562-8085 or e-mail [email protected].

Aicelle’s time to shine

Another cause for celebration was the Feb. 25 concert of Aicelle Santos, whom we mentored in musical-theater performance in her first stage outing, the “Katy!” musical at the CCP and Meralco.

Since then, Aicelle has also starred in Peta’s hit show, “Rak of Aegis,” for which she won Aliw’s Best Musical-Theater Actress trophy.

Kudos to Peta for briskly following up on that success with its intimate musical showcase for Aicelle!

May her home TV studio, GMA 7, realize, however belatedly, that it has a major talent in her, and finally give her the break she deserves.

If leading theater producers believe that she’s worth building up as a star, her home studio should do no less!