Sinikap ni Paolo Bediones na tapusin ang naiwang trabaho noong araw ng Sabado, August 28, para makasama siya the following day sa press launching ng storytelling event ng Enchanted Kingdom.

"Si Paolo, dapat may spiel sa U.S.I. ngayon, pero tinapos niya kahapon para makasama siya dito sa press conference," banggit ng talent manager na si Noel Ferrer.

Ginanap ang press presentation last Sunday, August 29, sa Enchanted Kingdom, Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Kasama ang storytelling event sa series of activities na inihanda ng pamunuan ng nasabing amusement theme park in celebration of its 15^th year anniversary.

Bago ang December 12 storytelling engagement ni Paolo, mauuna muna sa kanya ang iba pang co-celebrities: Gab Valenciano (September 4), Tweety de Leon (September 11), Anita Linda (September 12), Bam Aquino (September 18), John Arcilla (September 19), Bayani Agbayani (September 26), Marco Alcaraz (October 3), Joross Gamboa (October 8), Luis Alandy (October 17), at Mr. Fu with Edgar Allan Guzman, Rodjun Cruz and DJ Myke (October 31).

"This is our very simple way of giving back," sabi ni Paolo nang makausap siya ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal). "We've been very blessed throughout the many, many years that we've been in show business and this is a very simple way for us to be able to give back. Ito nga 'yong sinasabi natin na as individuals, meron talaga tayong magagawa. We're very excited to be reading stories to kids, and at the same time, may presentation na mangyayari sa harap.

"This is just the beginning of many activities that we'll be having. We're focusing on various sectors of the society, we have the little kids, and then we have the other less-fortunate individuals as well."

JUGGLING NETWORK DUTIES. Magmula nang lumipat siya from GMA-7 to TV5 late last year ay naging very busy na si Paolo, hindi lang sa harap ng camera kundi maging sa likod nito.

Bukod sa pagiging main anchor ng news program na Aksyon at U.S.I. (Under Special Investigation), tumatayo din bilang "informal consultant" ng network si Paolo sa ilang shows na nasa ilalim ng News and Public Affairs department.

"It's an exciting time to be part of a growing, well, what used to be a fledgling network. Pero it seems na the bosses are going against the tradition... They made a commitment when they bought the network October last year na they want to be competitive, so magugulat ka on how fast the progress is," pagmamalaki ni Paolo.

Matatandaang binili ng MediaQuest group ni Manny V. Pangilinan ang Novaliches-based network sa longtime owner nito at business tycoon na si Antonio "Tonyboy" Cojuangco noong nakaraang taon.

Prior to the buy-out ay nagkaroon muna ng tie-up between the network at ang Malaysian firm na MPB Prime Media Inc. noong 2008, ngunit hindi rin ito nagtagal.

Agresibo ang marketing campaign at programming strategies ng TV5 sa ilalim ni Pangilinan. Pangunahing prayoridad ng network ang magbigay ng "alternative programming" sa mga manonood o 'yong mga programa na hindi karaniwang napapanoood sa dalawang giant networks sa bawat partikular na timeslot.

Positibo naman ang resulta nito dahil over time ay umangat ang ratings ng ilang TV5 programs sa pangunguna ng Talentadong Pinoy ni Ryan Agoncillo.

"We're very satisfied and, in fact, there are a lot of programs that are performing beyond expectations. So, kumbaga, we have realistic targets and most of the targets had been met and if not, nalagpasan. Like for example, sa simula, ang gusto lang talaga namin was double-digit audience share, na-attain 'yon and now it's like from double-digit, 20 percent na," saad ni Paolo.

Hindi magiging madali ang trabaho ni Paolo, lalo pa nga't unti-unti na rin siyang sinasanay ng kanyang home network para maging programming executive in the immediate future.