Carmina Villarroel clarified that it didn’t cross her mind to turn down the offer for her to host GMA-7’s newly reformatted show Sarap 'Di Ba? because she’s replacing Regine Velasquez.
Formerly known as Sarap Diva, the same weekly Kapuso variety show used to be hosted by Regine for six years.
“No, hindi ko talaga iniisip yung ganun. Ayokong i-stress ang sarili ko. Kasi kahit naman hindi ako, meron pa rin naman talagang ibang papalit, e.
“Sa buhay naman natin, especially in our industry, meron talagang nagtatapos. Kapag may nag-e-end, may magbubukas ng panibagong show.
“Nagkataon lang na natapos na yung chapter na yun, kami naman ngayon yung magbubukas.”
Carmina went on to say that she’s not bothered that she’s headlining a reformatted show rather than a new one because she’s just thrilled to be given the chance to co-host with her kids Mavy and Cassy.
"Hindi ako na-offend. Like I said, I'm not a negative person. I want to take this as a blessing, as an opportunity."
Talking about retaining some elements in the show, Carmina explained, “That’s why they also decided to stick with Sarap. Instead of Diva, it became ‘Di Ba? because mahal nila yung programa, mahal nila ang viewers.
“So, we are just hoping na kung sino ang loyal viewers ng Sarap Diva will continue watching our show na Sarap ‘Di Ba? naman.
"Kung ano man ang sayang ibinigay niya, we will continue giving the fun and entertainment sa loyal viewers nila."
Then Carmina pointed what she considered a deciding factor when the project was offered to her.
"Walang kinalaman sa Sarap Diva.
"Yung mga concerns ko lang kasi it's a regular show. Kakayanin ko ba kung magso-soap pa ako?
"Actually, pareho kong love ang talk show at teleserye.
"So yun lang naman ang mga hesitations ko, pero hindi dahil sa Sarap Diva."
PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and a select group of reporters interviewed Carmina at the media launch of Sarap 'Di Ba? held at the 17th Floor of GMA Network Center in Quezon City last October 16.
Carmina said that what makes Sarap Di Ba? different from Sarap Diva is that she gets to co-host with 17-year-olds Mavy and Cassy, who will both bring the element of having two millennials' point of view in the episodes of this family-oriented program.
"Ang gusto naming mangyari, ma-bridge yung generation gap ng mga magulang at teenagers.
"We try our best na intindihin lalo yung mundo ng mga teenagers, at ganun din naman yung intindihin nila yung mga magulang nila ng mas mabuti.
"Meron silang sariling portions. This is outside the studio, they'll be doing their own vlogs."
Asked about the advantages of working with her kids, Carmina said that being on the set of Sarap 'Di Ba? feels like it's an "extension of our home."
She elaborated, "Even if I'm working, I get to spend time with them. Parang hindi naman ako nawala sa bahay kasi ka-bonding ko sila.
"So kung paano ko sila kinakausap sa bahay, ganun ko sila kinakausap sa taping.
"Kasi I want it to be authentic. This is us."
As a parent to showbiz newbies Mavy and Cassy, Carmina admitted that she feels a little nervous about how the two will handle challenges in the world of show business.
Note that Mavy and Cassy were just recently launched in GMA-7's musical-variety show Studio 7, which is the twins very first show since they signed as exclusive Kapuso artists in June 2018.
Carmina continued, "Siguro ang pinaka-disadvantage for myself, parang ako yung ninenerbiyos for them. Yung parang, 'Sana okay sila, okay sila sa spiels nila...'
"Pero sa nakikita ko nga, they're both enjoying. They both love what they're doing. So nale-lessen yung stress ko. Na-relax na ako.
"So parang wala ng disadvantage, advantage na lang talaga."