What cinched the deal, though?
Parang sunud-sunod kasi yung mga nangyari. I did a live coverage for Ernie Baron, giving him an award on my segment in Magandang Umaga Pilipinas. Part-time pa lang ako at the time. And then Ka Ernie was like a prophet when he told me “Ang buhay may hangganan at si Ka Ernie hanggang dito na lamang. Puwede na akong pumanaw dahil meron na akong kapalit. Ikaw yun.” Kinilabutan ako and my partner, Winnie Cordero, was already in tears. Imagine he was very much alive at the time. One month after the interview, he died. Birthday ko noon.
Are you taking after Ernie Baron?
The basic template is Ka Ernie. But I try to spin it in a livelier, younger, more dynamic way. Pero si Ka Ernie, he’s an icon. He succeeded without copying anyone. He also told me these unforgettable words: “Mahalin mo ang trabahong minahal ko nang buong buhay ko.”
Ka Ernie had his barong, you have your hat. But why not don the Hawaiian polo like your dad?
I wore them when I was running for politics. It was a technique to be associated with my dad. But I’m not really a floral person. I don’t even like flowers for my garden. I go for exotic ferns or any exotic plants.
FOR THE FULL STORY, GRAB THE OCTOBER 2007 ISSUE OF FHM
