‘Startalk’ segment host Pepita Smith now works at Disneyland

Febe Meneses —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

“Startalk” was a guilty pleasure during its 20-year run. The show biz talk show on GMA Network had a number of hosts, but when it premiered in October 1995, it was led by Boy Abunda, Kris Aquino and Lolit Solis.

One of the segments people looked forward to was Da Who, where the blind items of the week were enumerated by three segment hosts wearing dark sunglasses: Pepita Smith, Fayatollah and Steve.

Their antics clicked with viewers as Da Who was a regular segment of the show from 1998 to 2010. Pepita, whose real name is Febe Meneses, continued to work at GMA until 2015 when she, her husband Parokya ni Edgar guitarist Buwi Meneses, and their two kids moved to California. A few months later, in October, Startalk aired its final episode.

We caught up with Febe who now works at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. She recalled that when they first arrived in the United States, she struggled to land a job.

“Even with my background, it’s really hard to find work in the entertainment industry here,” she said.

She applied three times for an entertainment costuming position but didn’t get it. Instead, she received a callback for a retail position in 2018.

“I had previously worked at the gift shop of Chapman University in Orange County, so they must have seen that on my resume. I took the position offered because I know Disneyland hires internally. Many of the higher ups started work as custodians or in the entertainment or retail departments.”

When a position opened up as an entertainment host, Febe applied and got it. “I now work with the different characters like Mickey Mouse or the Disney princesses. When the characters roam around the park, you usually see someone with them. Ako ’yun. In a way, I’m like their PA (personal assistant).”

Meneses (center) with Mickey and Minnie Mouse

Is it true about the Disney Rule where if a guest hugs a character, the character can’t be the first to let go? “Yes it is. A lot of the park guests test that rule, especially adults,” she said.

Discounts, perks

As a regular employee at Disneyland, Febe is entitled to discounts and other perks. “I get to bring in my family for free at any Disneyland theme park, except Japan. As my husband, Buwi also gets a spouse pass. Whatever privileges I get are extended to him. He can bring in friends or relatives even if I’m not present.”

Does she still get recognized as Pepita Smith? “Sometimes when we’re at an event for the Filipino community, someone might recognize my voice. In ‘Startalk,’ other people dubbed Fayatollah’s and Steve’s voices, but that was my voice you heard. I just made myself sound drunk.”

Febe is determined to work her way up at Disneyland the way she did when she was at GMA. “Right now, I’m trying to be in the live shows like the parades as an actual stage manager. They’re aware of my background, but it’s still a struggle to prove what you’ve achieved in the Philippines. It’s more if they trust that you can do it.” INQ