MANILA, Philippines — When Cheryl Cosim first broke into television, she instantly stood out for being a refreshing face and a statuesque, charming presence in the weather segment. While she was already cut out for the stage lights as early as when she was being crowned queen or winner of this or that hometown contest, she did not seriously train her sights on showbusiness.

Cheryl was more keen on a career that helped people. As a young girl, she found joy in sharing her school baon, her allowance and her little possessions. She relished the idea of handing down her clothes and shoes, being big sister to everyone, and a defender of the bullied.

With the assignment to host the pilot season of Salamat Dok came Cheryl’s chance to show that she was indeed an asset. People gravitated to the public service show because she came across as genuine and cherubic.

Moving to TV 5, Cheryl was a news frontliner, instantly winning for herself a big fan base. She was also given the medical/public service weekly slot, Alagang Kapatid, a show that makes good its promise by going to the grassroots, serving even outside of telecast hours. She became one of the faces of the emerging TV network, and a credible one at that. So credible and wholesome that when Plan Philippines was shopping around for someone who could represent its advocacy on healthy children, Cheryl was the top pick.

We have seen Cheryl up close on several occasions. Here is one mortal who seems exempt from physical exhaustion. Despite the travails of interminable and uncomfortable land travel to remote, decrepit communities, she always emerges fresh and bubbly, with nary a whimper about the vehicle’s discomfiture, the road’s nasty conditions, the terrible weather or the energy-sapping heat. And she hardly ever trips in hosting chores, absence of rehearsals notwithstanding!

At each event, she acquits herself well with children, as though she has mothered several. Blessed with impeccably silky skin, radiant eyes and a smile that disarms either gender, she gets by with just a dab of powder and a pat on the back which she customarily gets from people who work with her.

As Plan Philippines’ ambassador, along with Boy Abunda and spokesperson Mikee Cojuangco Jaworski, Cheryl’s regal photograph adorns scores of streamers and standees, reminding parents about their duties to mind their children’s health and safety. The messages are effectively brought forward because, unlike image models who peddle cosmetics, cars or food products, Cheryl still has retained the patina of sincerity, believability and integrity.

Cheryl Cosim has weathered the rough road from weather reporting to radio announcing and newsflash anchoring to big time newsreading but it is in public service where she seems to have found her inner joy.

From the radiance she exudes, this kapatid is undeniably at her peak.