IT comes in threes, we often say. If the saying really does hold water, will Alden Richards likely host the Miss Universe Philippines (MUPh) for the third consecutive year this May 2025?
Or will GMA heed party-list representative and former Comelec Chairman Rowena Guanzon's appeal never to engage the hosting services of the Asia's Multimedia Star anew?
Guanzon was one of the million viewers of last year's MUPh to have noticed Alden's hosting style, albeit unsure whose voice it belonged to: "Sino ba 'yung male host ng MUP na nakakainis ang boses? (Who is that male host of MUP with an annoying voice?) Don't hire him again!"
It was after she posted her comment on social media did Guanzon realize it was the Kapuso actor. Clearly, Guanzon merely relied on her auditory sense, unable to connect the "angry-sounding voice" to a familiar face.
For his part, Alden had already explained himself. Already late at night, the actor was not at all impervious to the live audience's sleepy faces.
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As such, Alden's instinct was to jolt them to stay wide-eyed and awake till the entire exercise came to a halt.
The netizens had taken it well as any host for that matter would have chosen to sound like Alden. On It's Showtime the next day, Vice Ganda even poked fun at Alden's angry hosting style, but warmly greeted the actor nonetheless.
It was Guanzon who solely didn't get away with her social media remark.
If Alden had awakened the sleepy audience, Guanzon also had her share of waking up a sleeping dragon.
Known to have shied away from the limelight, it was former Sampaguita star Daisy Romualdez who Guanzon roused from slumber.
Tita Dai — as she's addressed in showbiz circles — is a "minor goddess of war" (the major one being her closest friend Annabelle Rama). Try picking a fight with her, and you'll never be able to make it out unscathed.
Taking the cudgels for Alden, the girl from the country's marble capital took to social media her equally exasperated comment, similarly without naming names but obviously dropping a hint: "You thought you were a good host?! Are you? At least, Alden is popular! It's only you alone who know you!"
Just as I expected, there was not a single reaction from the camp at which Tita Dai had taken a swipe.
Seriously though, I'm sure GMA will still tap into Alden to host for the third time this year. Better yet, grooming some other male host to take on the "midnight shift" is a welcome idea.
As for Alden's social media "basher," wouldn't it be nice to see Guanzon sit in the panel of judges? Why her? And why not?
Just a throwback thought. I remember Ogie Diaz's revealing interview three years ago where Guanzon made a dauntless confession about how colorful her love life during her younger years was.
Proudly, the Ilonggo lawyer swings both ways.
Ergo, isn't Guanzon a credible authority as far as woman's beauty is concerned?
* * *
Guess who? This showbiz couple need (SC) not publicly admit to their relationship. But if there's one important issue they need to address, it has something to do with having — not just one, not just two — three love children.
How true that the SC's eldest child is a girl, followed by a boy and the youngest being a girl?
While their fans will even be happy for them, won't coming out in the open finally give the SC peace of mind? Once out, at least the SC can go around with their kids in tow.
Best of all, the SC can plan their altar date with the "bagets" in the entourage.
Won't it be cool to see them all at such a heartwarming event?