Stellar talent tilt bets stretch their performing limits

From left: Wacky Kiray, Pokwang, Daniel Matsunaga, Cristine Reyes, Sue Ramirez, Arci Muñoz, JC Santos, Gab Valenciano

Filipino show biz luminaries are generally pampered and overpaid performers who try to get by on the least amount of actual work.

When they act, they tend to play more variations on the signature screen persona that first made them famous and prosperous.

And, when they infrequently come up with “special” production numbers on TV, they rehearse for just an hour and expect viewers to be grateful for the “extra” effort.

The most felicitous current exception to this desultory rule is “I Can Do That,” a reality talent and skills challenge on ABS-CBN that should be seen and supported by viewers who appreciate hardworking stars who don’t take their patronage for granted.

For weeks now, the weekend telecast tasks eight stars and starlets to master a difficult performing skill or act each week.
That rigorous objective requires them to rehearse not just for one hour, but for several days—until they get it right.

They are trained by professionals who perform those acts for their bread and butter, so their standards are higher than the usual “pwede na ‘yan” TV production.

At first, the stars’ acts weren’t all that impressive, so we bided our time before “formally” reacting to them. In fact, a couple of past efforts were so underwhelming and flubbed that they were cringe-worthy.

But, the good news is that most of the stellar contenders have now gotten into the spirit of the tilt’s rigorous format, and are faring much better.

They’ve also expanded their range of acts. For instance, we recently caught a unique “foot puppetry” act that required its performers to contort their limbs in order to be able to use their feet and hands in a sassy comedy act that was effectively zany.

We hope other stars and starlets watch the show and realize that the lazy and kneejerk approach to performance is now oh, so “out.”

The screen luminaries who are blazing brightly these days are stars who “kill” themselves to entertain and delight viewers, paced by the committed contestants in “I Can Do That.”

So, the TV tilt’s stars should take a well-deserved group bow: Let’s hear it for Cristine Reyes, Daniel Matsunaga, Pokwang, Arci Muñoz, JC Santos, Gab Valenciano, Sue Ramirez and Wacky Kiray!

Pokwang left the show recently, and others will be “graduating” on a sequential basis from here on in, but the “survivors” should be supported by viewers all the way to the tilt’s finale.

They’ve earned our special respect and appreciation, and have also grown tremendously as versatile performers in the process—so, it’s a win-win situtation all around.

All of the performers involved have benefited from their exposure in the show, and have stretched their range of skills to a notable degree.
Relative newcomers like Kiray and Sue have also fast-tracked the viewing public’s acceptance of their stellar bids.

The hope is that, even after the tilt ends, its stellar contenders will continue to stretch their performing limits, and that other talents realize that this is the way to go!