Edu, day and night

ED MANZANO

Although he has overcome insomnia, TV host Edu Manzano had to readjust his sleeping habits once again after joining the TV5 program, “Good Morning Club.”

“I need to be in the studio at 3 a.m.,” he explained.

He’s not exactly unfamiliar with his new job’s grueling demands since he previously anchored morning shows on rival networks (ABS-CBN’s “Magandang Umaga Bayan” and GMA 7’s “Unang Hirit.”)

Bing Mallari-Maaano, “Morning” program manager, related that she would sometimes receive text messages from the hardworking host at 1 a.m.

Patrick Paez, head of news production, sees Manzano as “the perfect foil” for the show’s housewives trio of Amy Perez, Christine Bersola-Babao and Chiqui Roa-Puno.

In one segment, “Kumares con Pare,” Edu often engages the ladies in verbal tussles on relationship issues.

In spite of his contradictory opinions with the female hosts, “he remains a charmer” among viewers, Paez pointed out. “He’s funny and has good chemistry with his cohosts.”

The “Morning” show starts at 5 a.m. and ends at 7 a.m., but Manzano often finds himself hanging out in the studio, attending production meetings the entire morning.

To be an effective host, Manzano explained, he makes sure to participate in planning segments.

In that department, he tips his hat off to “Morning” cohost Paolo Bediones. “Paolo really gets involved and plays an active role in conceptualizing the show.”

Between the Sunday variety show “Game ’n’ Go” and the daily program “Good Morning Club,” Manzano is seen practically six times a week on television.

Not content with his already demanding work schedule, he plans to add another gig—his much-touted return to the late-night show format.

“We’re already finalizing the concept with TV5,” Manzano related.

With the addition of the late-night show, Manzano would become the first and the last face a couch potato would see on TV5.

“You can now call me Edu Bookend,” he quipped.

It’s all about time management, he said.