Startalk suwerte sa 13

How time flies, trese anyos na pala ang Startalk, certainly not a lucky number for those who adhere to superstitious beliefs. But Startalk is going against the ages-old kapaniwalaan as its episode title proudly says Lucky 13!

Defying the misfortune associated with the number, nakahulma ang mga kuwentong hatid ng Startalk sa reversal o kabaligtaran ng mga ito, mapa-sa kung anong aspeto ng buhay ng mga artista. After all, having been with Startalk’s creative team since Day One, I would like to think that Startalk has defied the style of entertainment journalism, pero naroon pa rin ang pagiging disente, responsable at totoo.

Let’s face it, 13 years on air is a feat to beat.
Nagsimula lang bilang alternative showbiz-oriented talk show in 1995, walang takot na sinagupa ng Startalk ang nag-iisa at mapuwersang Showbiz Lingo sa ABS-CBN hosted by two of the most reputable entertainment columnists Butch Francisco and Cristy Fermin.

To my recollection, July-August 1995 noong simulang buuin ang Startalk which was to pilot in October. It had as original hosts an odd lineup with diverse cultures na ewan kung magki-click as a trio: Boy Abunda, the glib talker plucked from GMA’s 7 Show & Tell; Kris Aquino, then a Viva TV-contractual talent whose hosting skill was at par with Kuya Boy’s; and Lolit Solis, both a sore thumb and a sore loser in the still-fresh Manila Filmfest scam in June.

All three of them began Startalk.
Naunang umalis si Kris, at si Dawn Zulueta ang pumalit. ’Di nagtagal (nakatagal?), sumibat si Dawn, at si Rosanna Roces ang humalili. Lumipat si Kuya Boy sa Dos, siya naming entra ni Butch. Natsugi si Osang, sabay pasok ni Lorna Tolentino. Nadagdagan pa ng Joey de Leon. Isinilang din ang carrer ni Alyssa Alano. Nagbitiw si Ms. LT na nakakontrata na sa Dos, and all that have remained are an equal number of male and female hosts with ’Nay Lolit as the still-reigning highest member of Startalk’s royal family.

But as Startalk notches its 13th year, nais kong bigyan naman ng kredito ang men and women behind this longest-running showbiz talk show na sa loob ng labintatlong taon ay namuhunan ng pagmamahal. Sila ay sina Rommel Gacho, Reylie Manalo, Ellen Santiago, Gorgy Rula, Jopay Mañago, Romy Punla, Ricky Lopez at creative director na si Floy Quintos.

We have come this far, hopefully, farther. And luckier.