Former Vice President Noli ‘Kabayan’ de Castro

 MANILA, Philippines – It must have been a déjà vu of sorts for former Vice President Noli “Kabayan” de Castro who marked the eighth month of his successful return to radio and television broadcasting.

Remember when Kabayan was the second highest leader of the land? As vice president, he was also tasked to take care of the wellbeing and safety of Filipino overseas workers.

Déjà vu, because Kabayan has recently found himself talking over the phone with Pinoy OFWs caught in the conflicts which raged in Egypt and which has now engulfed Libya. Kabayan must have felt he was back in his old job as he directed his staff to coordinate with various government agencies to ensure that our OFWs could be brought back to their families.

Does Kabayan miss his stint in the world of politics and does he regret ever leaving it?

We had a chance a few weeks ago to ask him that question.

“No regret” was the veteran broadcaster’s reply. Kabayan said “broadcast journalism is where I belong” but admitted that his nine-year stint in politics “has enriched my understanding of people and issues.” “I have now seen both sides of the coin,” the radio icon said.

That experience has definitely benefitted our OFWs who found in him a comforting countryman’s voice of sympathy.

This is perhaps the reason why his return to radio and television proved to be one of the most phenomenal successes on local broadcasting. Kabayan’s DZMM news and commentary program “Kabayan” proves that his following has increased. The program has reportedly continued to rate highly, especially after its time slot was adjusted to the 6 to 7 a.m. segment.

Faithful listeners attest that there is now a “kinder, gentler” Kabayan but who is still “feared” by his interviewees, especially bureaucrats.

Kabayan teams up with Ted Failon in the 7 a.m. DZMM newscast, after which he banters with both Ted and Pinky Webb towards the end of that segment. Televiewers have also welcomed the return of Kabayan to evening newscast as shown by the consistently high rating of ABS-CBN’s “TV Patrol.”

Some people are just worried over hushed talks at ABS-CBN’s corridors that Kabayan and his “TV Patrol” team, Ted Failon and Korina Sanchez, have actually not been officially signed up by the giant network. The fact that Kabayan has reportedly not been given a support staff by the network seems to confirm speculations that ABS-CBN may have overlooked the matter.

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Sheryl Cruz likes role in ‘Bulaklak’

Actress-singer Sheryl Cruz has joined the TV5 bandwagon and she said she likes her role in the forthcoming soap opera “Mga Nagbabagang Bulaklak,” which has been described as a “provocative, intense and sizzling dramaserye like the network’s current primetime series “Babaeng Hampaslupa.” Sheryl has worked in both the two giant networks, GMA-7 and ABS-CBN, and she’s happy that she been given the chance to work with TV5. “I feel so lucky that I will be doing new roles and working with other artists in another network…” Sheryl expressed during a recent pocket interview at Max’s Rest.

This time, she isn’t playing a kontrabida (villain) role, but a heartbroken woman named Rosal. She has two daughters, Dahlia and Daisy, aspiring dancers whom she encourages in the pursuit of their dreams.

Why heartbroken? Maybe because there was something that her character was not able to achieve in her life, Shery said. Does like the role because she heartbroken in real life? No, she said, she’s not heartbroken anymore. Her marriage to Norman Bustos has been annulled last August. Sheryl is happy that her ex-hubby is fulfilling his promises especially those concerning the welfare of their nine-year-old daughter Ashley.

Sheryl said she’s really excited about the forthcoming drama offering of TV5 where she will be co-starring with big stars like Ruffa Gutirrez, Richard Gomez, Phillip Salvador, Valerie Concepcion, and Allan Paule (who plays her husband), among others.

Sheryl said she has composed 12 songs that she recently registered with FILSCAP and which she will record this year. Among the songs are “Starting Over.” Included in her previous recording is a song entitled “Joy” which Sheryl herself composed and apparently named after her daughter.

“Mga Nagbabagang Bulaklak,” by the way, is directed by John Red.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, March 6, go to Gretchen Barretto, Rudy Tee of BMG Records, Vicky Amalingan, Robert Reyes, Meden Espino, Mark Ablaza, Norma Williams, Anacleta Rubang-Velasco, Jason Knoch and Archie Alemania… Happy wedding anniversary to Alex and Ana Cayabyab… The fun doesn’t stop at T.G.I.Friday’s. There’s a lot of things happening at the favorite casual dining restaurant. DJ Mo Twister, its new celebrity endorser, has been spotted around select T.G.I.Friday’s branches giving out complimentary drinks, and even a whole table and full bill free to guests. To know when DJ Mo is visiting your favorite Friday’s branch, check out his monthly schedule via www.tgifridays.com.ph website and www.com/welovefriday’s for a chance to win any of their exciting prizing and freebies… Condolence to the family of Candido Sanchez Urbano, Comelec officer of Bimmaley, Pangasinan who passed away last Feb. 27. His remains lie in his residence in Bimmaley. He will be buried on March 9 after the 8 a.m. mass…