TV host prefers ‘uplifting’ humor

LOBRIN (right) takes a selfie with celebs Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera. Facebook

For Michael Angelo Lobrin—the former seminarian who ventured into motivational speaking, and later on, TV hosting—one need not resort to ridicule and insults for a couple of laughs.

Rather, he sticks to his brand of humor that aspires to give the audience more than just side stitches. “I want my comedy to be uplifting at the same time, something that viewers can apply in their lives,” he said in a press conference for his weekly telemagazine show on GMA News TV, “#MichaelAngelo.”

“I’m very careful with my jokes and I try not to go overboard,” added Lobrin, the author of the book “Laugh with God Today!” which has reportedly sold around 10,000 copies in the country.

Lobrin, who used to teach theology and philosophy in various universities, is known for using comedy to convey his

insights, especially on people’s relationship with God.

Heartening

“I draw my material from personal experiences and

observations, and I try to make sense of those,” he related. “It’s very heartening to have people come up to me and say that I have touched their lives.”

The unlikely comedian has even coined a term for what he does on TV: “Intertainment”—it’s “a combination of the words ‘inspiration’ and ‘entertainment.’ It’s something that will make you laugh and feel light on the inside,” Lobrin explained.

This concept, he said, is the core of his program, which is described as “a cross between American talk shows like ‘The Tonight Show,’ advice shows like ‘Dr. Phil,’” with “the comedy of ‘Saturday Night Live.’” “We always remind people that they’re good and that life is beautiful no matter what happens,” he said.

Six segments

“#MichaelAngelo” runs for an hour and has about six segments, including a comedy monologue, skits, man-on-the-street interviews, studio interviews with celebrities, musical performances and short inspirational talks.

“We do our best to make the program as fun as possible. We don’t want the audience to feel like they’re just attending a prayer meeting. I don’t want it to come across as preachy,” pointed out Lobrin, who has given talks on such topics as human development, ethics, leadership and church liturgy.

Aside from actors, viewers can expect politicians like Senators Nancy Binay, Bam Aquino and Bongbong Marcos to make guest appearances.

“We’ve invited them,” he said, adding that he would also love to have his idols, comedians Michael V., Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon in the show.

Helpful grandma

Asked if he has always been comfortable in front of the cameras, Lobrin, who is friends with Kapuso stars Ai-Ai de las Alas and Dingdong Dantes confessed that he once dreamt of being an actor as a kid. “My late grandma used to accompany me to auditions for commercials and shows like ‘Ang TV,’” he recounted, laughing.

“My grandma wanted this badly for me, and I’m sad that she didn’t get the chance to see me on TV,” Lobrin added. “But she continues to inspire me in what I do.”

“#MichaelAngelo” airs Saturdays, 3:30 p.m., on GMA News TV.

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