PRIETO. Conquers new medium.
FRANCINE Prieto has hurdled a lot of personal and career-related upheavals in the past couple of years. But, the lovely Filipino-Norwegian actress refuses to succumb to life’s dispiriting detours.
In fact, she continues to pursue exciting endeavors that continually stretch her artistic persona and performing mojo. From her early foray into modeling, her sexy starrers with Seiko Films and her stints in TV comedies and dramas, she has found a new medium to conquer: Radio.
Unfortunately, “Ka-Date,” Francine’s hit radio show with former flame, Bobby Yan, on dzMM folded not long after their relationship went awry. Happily, dzMM’s loss is dwKX 103.5 Wow FM’s gain: Francine’s playful candor and honesty is in full bloom in her latest gabfest, “Xtra Xervice,” which she cohosts Mondays through Fridays (9 p.m.-12 midnight) with the irreverent Dehins Trillo and Bob Dale.
The show is also popular for its “SOP (Sikreto o Problema)” segment, which discusses—and pokes fun at—listeners’ immediate concerns and problems. What’s notable about the trio is the fact that, while they don’t shy away from green jokes and veiled “insults” (directed at pasaway listeners), they’re aware that there are lines that broadcasters shouldn’t cross, because of the medium’s multigenerational reach.
When we tuned in to their Independence Day episode last Tuesday, Francine, Bob and Dehins had a lot of fun exchanging pickup lines with their avid listeners (sample: “Francine, sana ID ka na lang, para kung mawala ka, alam nilang akin ka.” To which the hosts had a ready answer, “Ipis ka ba? Kasi ang sarap mong tsinelasin!”) and discussing wacky replies to the Question of the Day: When was the last time you felt free?
A listener felt emancipated after paying off all her debts; a young girl got her taste of freedom when she was given her own room; a woman heaved a sigh of relief when she broke up with her abusive husband, and a womanizer said that he felt free when he stopped playing with women’s feelings, etc.
An answer from a resident of Parañaque was notable due to Francine’s reaction: “I felt free after my husband and I separated. Now, I have a boyfriend who always makes me feel good about myself. I love him so much—and his name is Bobby.” —Francine’s winking, playful reaction: “Sabihin mo sa boyfriend mo, palitan n’ya ang pangalan n’ya (laughs)!”