Carlo Agassi does more for "Victim" than just hosting the show. Because of his enthusiasm and passion for "Victim," he devotes most of his time doing behind-the-scenes work for it. Early in the week, he sits down with rest of the "Victim" staff to brainstorm ideas for new pranks and gimmicks. This is something most artists won’t find easy to do since after long hours of taping, they won’t have much energy left to spend still long hours for meetings. After brainstorming, Carlos joins every shoot to make sure everything goes as planned. He suggests where the hidden cameras should be positioned to capture unguarded moments of the "victims." He also helps in briefing the talents they use as accomplice to make everything appear as real and as convincing as possible. When the cameras start rolling, Carlos stays in "Victim’s" hidden corner with his headset and mic to give instructions to the talents as they do their performance. When it’s time to drop the bomb, Carlos emerges from his corner to shout out his famous line: Victim!

As the crew packs up, Carlos heads back to ABS-CBN to sit down in the editing of the material. He joins the staff in putting together the captured scenes to come up with a funny situation for a segment. He also does voice-over work for the final material. His comments in his voice-over spiels give that additional tickle to the rib for "Victim."

Behind-the-scenes work for "Victim" is tedious and can sometimes be frustrating. After a month of doing it, Carlos has already learned and accepted the grim reality about his reality TV. Sometimes, even with much preparation, some efforts do not bring results as expected. Carlos relates "There was a time when we had to travel far to set-up a prank, but when we got there and went on with the situation, it didn’t turn out the way we wanted it to. So even when all of us were exhausted at the end of the day, we decided not to air the material because it was not at par with our standards. It’s really frustrating because of the efforts wasted and all, but in "Victim" we only want the best for the viewers. When those unforeseen and unexpected things happen, we just head back to the drawing board to cook up something new."

Another important thing Carlos has learned from "Victim" is responsibility for his and his group’s actions. "Victim" is about knowing what and what not to do. Says Carlos "First and foremost, we talk to the managers or the parents of our victims. We explain the whole situation to them to keep everything within limits. If they do not agree or if they make suggestions, we willingly oblige. Everything in the name of fun; for us, for our victims, and for the viewers."

It seems like Carlos is playing in whole new field with "Victim." With his mind and heart set on the show, he barely has time to do anything else. Carlos says "I enjoy ‘Victim’ a lot and I’m happy that the viewers are enjoying it as well. Aside from "Victim," I also enjoy doing "ASAP Mania" and performing in concerts like before. I’ll be guesting in Nina’s Valentine concert in February and Vina’s US tour in March. I’m glad I’m busy with things I love to do. I thank the Lord for this chance to once again entertain the people with things I do best."

Carlos, the "Victim Master," is on the loose. Catch him every Saturday 9 p.m. at ABS-CBN Channel 2 for laugh trip from "Victim," and reality TV ng mga Sikat.

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Here are more reasons why you should sign up for MTV Debit Card – more perks and freebies from its newest merchant-partners!

Now, MTV Cardholders can shop to their hearts’ content with these amazing MTV Vogue offers: a 5 percent discount on all regular items at Ducks Unlimited branches at Shoppesville Greenhills, Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Place Manila, Glorietta lll, Festival Supermall, Century Park Sheraton Hotel, Ali Mall, and Southmall; 5 percent discount at Le Donne outlets at SM Megamall, Robinsons Galleria, SM City, Robinsons Place Manila, Glorietta l, Filinvest Festival Supermall Greenhills, and SM City Cebu; 5 percent discount on human hair wigs and 10 percent discount on synthetic wigs at Scarlet Fashion Center Robinsons Galleria and Rustan’s Tower, and 10 percent discount (except on jewelry) at Fashion Avenue Alabang Town Center and Ayala Cebu!

Craving for more? MTV Debit Cardholders likewise get a 10 percent discount for group less than 6 (not valid on promo items and executive meals) or a free dessert for a group of 6 at Sari-Sari Cafeteria at Glorietta lll and Eastwood City, Libis; 10 percent discount on food and drinks at Sinners & Saints in Cebu; and free dessert for every sizzler order at Veniz Grill in Baguio.

That’s not all. Free accessory for every unit purchased and a privilege card on your first purchase await MTV Debit Cardholders at Junrex Cellphones and Accessories in Cebu; 10 percent discount on regular priced items at Trinity House Variety Store in Baguio; 3 percent off on room rates at Hotel Veniz in Baguio; and 10 percent discount on labor at Special Stage Auto Accessories in Baguio.

Whew! And these, aside from treats from its long list of existing partners!

Don’t be left behind. Get an MTV Debit Card now! If you sign up before Feb. 29, you can even get the chance to win a Casio EX-M2 Digital Camera with MP3 function!

The MTV Debit Card is a Visa Electron co-branded card between MTV and Equitable Card. Linked to an Equitable PCI Bank peso/current savings or dollar savings account, the MTV Debit Card also functions as an ATM Card and can be used to make cash withdrawals in ATMs locally and around the world. It is also available as a prepaid card (E-Card XP). Here, cardholders need to only load a value or amount to enjoy the perks it offers. Opening or retaining a bank account isn’t necessary.

Both the Debit and Pre-paid cards are initially available at Equitable PCI Bank branches in the Greater Manila Area, Cebu and Baguio only. For more information, log on to www.equitablecard.com/mtv.

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We’d like to give way to this announcement.

Father Leo Schmitt, SVD, was formally installed as the first parish priest of Janssenville, Cainta, Rizal in a ceremony led by Bishop Gabriel Reyes of the Diocese of Antipolo last Jan. 15. Father Schmitt, 75, a German missionary priest who opted for Filipino Citizenship is the founder of Samahang Bagong Buhay, a foundation aimed at providing housing for the poor. He has been in the Philippines working quietly in squatter communities for almost over 40 years. The foundation which was started in 1971 has established four communities namely San Antonio Village, in Bo. San Jose, Antipolo; San Jose Freinademetz, in Cogeo, Antipolo; Janssenville in Cainta; Simona in Taytay; and San Agustin in San Roque, Antipolo.

The first community project by the foundation in 1976 San Antonio Village, occupies a total area of 5.7 hectares where 300 families where provided with the decent shelter after majority of them mainly from Mandaluyong had their house demolished through a court order. San Jose Freinademetz was put up to help mainly SVD employees. It sits on a 1.5-hectare lot and 250 families had been settled in the area. Jansenville and Simona now occupied by the less than a thousand families. San Agustin, which was started only last year and the latest SBB (Samahang Bagong Buhay) project is expected to house 250 families. The rest of the area is reserved for the Santa Rita Retreat house, a kindergarten school, a small chapel, and a center for SBB.

Janssenville was recently chosen as the site where the Shrine of Saint Arnold will be established. Saint Arnold Janssen is the founder both of the SVD, a religious organization for missionary priests and brothers, and of the SSps (Holy Spirit) and Pink sisters.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Jan. 28, go to Senator Loren Legarda, former Gov. Oscar Orbos, Ms. Josie Trinidad Lichuaco, Sandy Javier-Rogelio "JB" Bangsil, Jr. of Casino Filipino-Parañaque; Bernardo Bernardo, Buddy Tan, Jules Lopez, Regina Yui-Dee, Tina Maristela-Ocampo, Ric Jumasa, Efleda Agnes Tanopo Tama, Susan Paredes, Jean Remy, and US-based Helen Banaria and Ching M. Schreiner…