Mr. Nice Guy ang dating ni Robi Domingo mula pa noong naging runner-up siya kay Ejay Falcon sa PBB: Teen Edition Plus (Marso-Hunyo 2008).
Marunong siyang makisama sa kapwa, lalo na sa mga kasamahan sa industriya. Lagi pa rin siyang nakangiti nang kaaya-aya, kahit nawalan ng franchise ang mother studio niyang ABS-CBN.
Hindi siya pabigat, kaya tuluy-tuloy ang kanyang pagtatrabaho, at hindi siya nauubusan ng produktong ineendorso.
Nang ilunsad si Robi bilang brand ambassador ng courier and logistics service company na Flash Express Philippines noong Nobyembre 29, andoon pa rin ang napaka-pleasant niyang smile at aura.
Evident iyon sa TVC kung saan siya si Flash Robi at “kalaban” niya, Sibat Man?!
“When I was looking at the storyboard, I was just laughing,” masayang kuwento ng 32-anyos na VJ, actor, dancer at host.
“Sobrang nakakatawa, most especially yung gumawa nun, yung direktor of that TVC is Fifth Solomon, one of the ex-housemates of Pinoy Big Brother, and now he’s making it big in the directing scene.
“And actually, dun sa TVC, si Flash… hindi po namin kalaban Sibat Man. Kaakibat po namin. Katuwang po namin.
“Just like what our bosses have been saying a while ago, we’re not this exclusive company. This family celebrates inclusivity.”
ROBI ADMITS PANDEMIC WOES
Sa mga ngiti ni Robi kapag nasa harap siya ng kamera ay para bang hindi siya apektado ng pandemya sa nakaraang 20 months.
Tuluy-tuloy ang trabaho niya, at meron siyang naipundar na mga negosyo. Kumusta siya?
“I am… I think the perfect word is surviving and learning a lot during the past 20 months,” matamang tugon ni Robi sa audio file na ipinadala sa PEP nitong Disyembre 5, Linggo via Messenger.
“Mahirap kasi sa mga nangyari, especially with the shutdown, and with the pandemic… yung mga events, yung mga television shows, yung mga projects significantly kumonti.
“Kasi because of budget constraints, because of health concerns. So yes, naapektuhan din ako ng pandemic.
“And also, personally, my parents who are both doctors, medyo naging uncomfortable ako. Kasi they needed to work in the hospitals.
“At first, I didn’t want them to go out. Pero sabi nila, commitment. Kailangang panagutan yung panunumpa na ginawa nila dati.
“So, yeah, to be at the service as well. Naapektuhan ako ng pandemic in different ways, especially for businesses.
“I had to close down four businesses that I have—three across Katipunan, which is a bar, a burger joint, and a salad place.
“Kasi nagsara yung Ateneo for some time. And I think, online class, walang face-to-face, naapektuhan heavily yung food treafic.
“And an events company. Kasi hindi namin napag-usapan ng mga partners ko kung paano magpi-pivot sa digital age.
“So one of the things which I regret, kasi ang lakas ng digital events ngayon.
“But… ahhhm, I’m good. I’m super thankful na I got to transition because of different social media elements.
“And yun, I’m just really grateful. Na-prepare ako ng MYX at ng ABS-CBN for the digital pivot.”
NO CHRISTMAS BREAK FOR ROBI
Ano ang plano niya sa Kapaskuhan? Magbabakasyon ba siya? Paano niya ise-celebrate ang Christmas kasama ang pamilya?
“Luckily, I have Pinoy Big Brother right now. And yung Pinoy Big Brother, from what I heard, coming from my bosses, aabot hanggang May or June,” malumanay na saad ni Robi.
“So, Christmas plans, slashed. New Year, pati summer plans, hindi ako makakaalis hanggang may PBB.
“And that has been the commitment ever since. So, I will be here, I will be celebrating Christmas sa bahay, at sa Bahay ni Kuya.
“No vacation for me. Actually, wala pa akong bakasyon since pandemic. I asked for a vacation, pupunta sana ako ng Boracay.
“But the thing was, nung papunta na ako, biglang nagkarun ng surge. So, hindi ako nakadiretso.
“I am looking forward to have my vacation sa labas ng Metro Manila when… especially when the condition becomes better, OK.
“And hopefully, hindi lang Christmas yung mase-celebrate namin, ahhm, outside the Philippines… pero different kinds of celebration as well.”
ROBI'S HOPES AND INSIGHTS FOR 2022
Ano ang hopes and insights niya para sa New Year? May realizations ba siya sa buhay para gustuhin niyang ma-achieve sa bagong taon?
“This year, my mantra has been… integrity,” seryosong sabi ni Robi, na tila tinitimbang nang lubos ang bawat salita.
“I think that is the word that best describes my 2021, most especially doon sa mga kaganapan in the political realm, in the… station, lahat ng bagay.
“Ang hopes ko and insights for the New Year, is more on the Filipinos to really know and to select the best leader para sa ating lahat.
“Speaking of delivery services, ‘no, I hope yung makukuha nating leaders for 2022 would be the leaders na kayang ma-deliver yung mga naipangako nila para sa ating lahat.
“Kasi yun naman ang gusto natin for a better Philippines.”
ROBI THANKFUL FOR BEING FINANCIALLY SAVVY
Stable na siya financially, lalo pa’t naging masinop and responsible siya all these years. Naiisip na ba niyang mag-settle down at bumuo ng sariling pamilya?
Natawa ang binata bago nagturan, “I’m just really lucky to have great parents na na-instill sa akin yung kahalagahan ng pagiging masinop sa pera.
“I think I got that one from my father who is an Ilocano. So, yes… ahhm, suwerte lang ako, kasi, I got friends as well coming from Ateneo na kinuha kong financial architect and advisers to lay out some plans for me when it comes to finances.
“Hindi naman ako maluho, e. Siguro, ang pinakaluho ko na lang, pagkain.
“So, when it comes to having luxurious cars, watches—hindi ko realm iyan.
“Though I would love to… someday, kapag merong extra. Pero ang iniisip ko ngayon is… my stability. My financial stability for the family that I plan to have in the future,” natatawang sabi ni Robi.
“And also makatulong sa kapwa. This is no BS but right now because of what has happened to ABS-CBN, I try my best to put aside some funds para sa mga nawalan ng trabaho.
“Or binibigyan natin ng trabaho coming from a certain budget of mine para makapasok sila, and to showcase their skills dun sa mga projects na yun.”
Mabuti na lang, hindi siya nawawalan ng good opportunities. Maging itong bago niyang endorsement ay sakto sa holidays at swak sa pangangailangan ng mga naipundar niyang negosyo.
Sabi ni Robi, “You got that 365-day delivery service, kahit holidays, ‘no, kung may mga package kang kailangang ipadala.
“Lalung-lalo na ngayong Pasko, I am planning to use Flash to deliver all of my gifts sa lahat ng mga kakilala ko.
“Puwede kong magamit when it comes to deliveries, lalung-lalo na sa franchise milk tea from Taiwan na nakuha namin before pa.
“I got a new business called Oink sa Mandaluyong, sa Rockwell Sheridan. And for all the parcels na kailangang i-deliver, kailangang pirmahan. Diyan, magagamit namin ang Flash Express."
ROBI BATS FOR MORE MORE "EDUCATIONAL" GAME SHOWS
Hindi pa batid ni Robi kung ano ang susunod na TV project niya after PBB, pero narinig niyang babalik ang Game KNB sa Kumu.
“Hopefully, mapunta ito uli sa free TV. I think what we need right now is a program kung saan binibigyan yung mga audiences ng pagkakataon na mag-isip,” sambit ni Robi.
“And that’s just me. Sana, magkaroon ng game shows, quiz shows ulit. Kasi, kailangan natin ng mga Pinoy na nag-iisip. Hahahaha!
“Would I like to venture into something else? Definitely. I’m a big fan of current affairs, of news programs.
“I am no journalist, but I would like to have Y Speak come back on television, or digital.
“Kasi napapanahon at kailangang-kailangan, lalo na ng kabataang Pinoy.”
ROBI RETHINKS HIS PRIORITIES IN LIFE
May pinagdaanan ba siya during this pandemic that left a mark?
Humugot ng buntong-hininga si Robi bago nagpaliwanag, “I think, the phrase ‘Kapamilya forever.’
“Hindi naman ako ma-quote na tao pero I would like to come back to what Simon Sinek [motivational author] has been saying, ‘Know your whys in life.’
“Kasi, pag alam mo ang rason kung bakit ginagawa mo ang isang bagay, everything would follow.
“And for me, that is a big why for me—Kapamilya forever—and a big reminder.
“Why am I doing this? It’s not just for the network, ‘no? For me, it’s a mantra, and that certain reminder gives me hope to continue what we have been doing ever since, which is to be in the service of the Filipino.”