MANILA, Philippines - Yes, we find “Mommy Elvie@18” a refreshing comedy show, because it is not the usual comic act that gives us the feeling that the performer is trying hard to make his audience laugh.

In this docu-reality-comedy series that will start showing on GMA News TV tomorrow, March 12 (at 10:30-11 a.m.), Mommy Elvie will bring smiles to your face without effort. Because she is a natural comedian, spontaneous and witty in her own simple, unaffected way. And – intelligent! Ask her the capital of the countries of the world and she will unblinkingly answer them correctly. You can also ask her the size of the Pacific Ocean and she will amaze you with her answer.

Mommy Elvie, who worked with the Comelec for four decades, was a survivor of Ondoy and she still laments that everything that she and her late husband had saved up through the years, were gone to waste when Ondoy devastated their place in Provident Village in Marikina.

“Mommy Elvie@18” is actually Mommy Elvie’s second reality show, the first being the successful “Mommy Elvie’s Problematic Show,” which was also conceptualized by her equally talented son Ariel Villasanta (who is half of the notorious Maverick and Ariel duo). The show was in recognition of his beloved mom’s natural talent. By the way, Mommy Elvie is the sister of Joey de Leon’s mother. This has prompted Joey to say “sa iyo pala ako nagmana.”

But why was her second comedy reality show titled “Mommy Elvie@18?” Because in the show, she is celebrating her birth anniversary as a debutante with all the trimmings: The 18 Roses, and the 18 Wishes which is actually her 18 Bucket List. In this Mommy Elvie cites her 18 wishes, some of them already fulfilled: 1. Peace in our country; 2. Food for the hunger; 3. Homes for the homeless; 4. Jobs for the jobless; 5. Good career and stable future for her son Ariel; 6. A TV show (fulfilled); 7. An ice cream commercial (because she loves ice cream); 8. To do a movie; 9. To meet Pres. Noynoy Aquino; 10. To work with Dolphy (fulfilled); 11. To travel and see the world; 12. Visit a radio station; 13. Good health for everyone; 14. To be able to work without her cane; 15. To be able to dance Cha-Cha, Boogie, and Tango again; 16. To eat everything she wants; 17. See the most beautiful sunrise (fulfilled); 18. To live longer and take care of Ariel.

But of No. 18 in her Bucket List, Mommy Elvie said she’s happy that Ariel has found someone to take care of him – his loving, doting and very supportive wife Cristina Decena. Cristina said that Ariel is one of God’s best gift to her.

“Mommy Elvie@18” was conceptualizes and co-directed by multi-awarded director Aleah Aliporo-Eugenio who considers Mommy Elvie as “the best talent that I ever had. She is very positive about life.” The aim of the show, Aleah said, is to inspire people to fulfill their dreams.

“Mommy Elvie@18” is a 30-minute weekly show that promises, according to Aleah, “to change the type of docu-reality comedy show series and guarantee laughter with its positivity, having something to do, having someone to love and having something to look forward to.”

“Mommy Elvie@18,” produced by AV Productions and RedAnts Media, Inc., will be shown every Saturday from 10:30-11 a.m. on GMA New TV beginning tomorrow.

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Exciting animés now on Hero TV

Four new heart-hitting animated series are now being shown on Hero TV, the most wanted animé channel in the country. These are “Code-E,” “Huntik,” “Familiar of Zero” and “Yugi Oh GX III” that all premiered last month.

“Code-E” whose story revolves around a witty high school girl named Chinami Ebihara who’s gifted with a special power, is shown every Tuesday at 4 p.m. and 12 a.m. with replays at 8 a.m. “Huntik” is also shown every Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. with replays at 6:30 a.m. “Familiar Zero” is shown every Thursday at 3:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. with replays at 7:30 a.m. “Yugi Oh GX III” is aired every Monday at 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. with replays at 5 a.m.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, March 11, go to much-awarded composer-singer Jose Mari Chan, Ms. Vera Isberto, Hero Bautista, Anthony and Michael Segovia, Atty. Nards Virtucio, Chico Querol Moreno, Oyang Capistrano, Lucy Chuaying, Dr. Teresita Gozar, Mr. and Mrs. Rogelio Nolasco, Jessie Lucas, Dr. Remy Suntay, Camille G. Nolasco, Belsha Valdecañas Dizon, Avi Siwa, Janna Dominguez, and former Comelec Chairman Ramon H. Felipe…