TV5 exec: Young talents need time

RUFFA Gutierrez was the toast of the crowd in a Kapatid event in Cebu.

Although TV5 talents Ritz Azul, Danita Paner and Eula Caballero are enjoying steady exposure through regular shows, they’re still far from becoming household names, especially outside Metro Manila.

That’s why TV5 head of entertainment and creative production Perci Intalan said it’s important for these budding stars to be introduced in person to viewers in the country’s key cities. “We have to make them accessible,” Intalan told the Inquirer.

On Jan. 12, TV5 mounted a show at the Fuente Osmeña Circle in Cebu City during the celebration of the Sinulog Festival. Dubbed “Sugod mga Kapatid sa Sinulog,” the show gathered neophytes including Caballero and Arci Muñoz, who regaled the crowd with song and dance numbers.

Other young talents present were Azul, Paner, Alex Gonzaga, JC de Vera, Niña Jose and Morisette Amon.

“It’s good to do shows like these because our talents can showcase what they can do,” said Intalan. “We want people to see that our stars are good performers.”

Prominent TV5 talents Ruffa Gutierrez, Edu Manzano, Zoren Legaspi, Wendell Ramos and Arnell Ignacio were also flown to Cebu for added star power.

“You can see that it means a lot for fans to meet the stars in person, more than just seeing them on TV,” Intalan said.

While the program was hampered by an unexpected power outage toward the end, Ruffa, Alex, Edu and the others took time to bond with fans, obliging them with photo ops.

TV5 likewise announced three of their upcoming series: “Nandito Ako” (starring David Archuleta, Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Eula Caballero), “Valiente” (Nadine Samonte, Oyo Boy Sotto and Niña Jose) and the Kapatid network’s first-ever afternoon soap, “Felina: Prinsesa ng mga Pusa” (featuring Arci Muñoz and Leandro Muñoz).