A new face will be seen in QTV-11 starting February 29. Former beauty queen Charlene Gonzalez joins the staff of the weekly public affairs program Proudly Filipina.
Before Charlene appeared at the show's press conference this afternoon, February 20, the entertainment media have been asking if this new show would not affect her relationship with ABS-CBN, where she also did several projects like Oki Doki Doc and the most recent, Feel at Home. ABS-CBN is the known rival network of GMA Network, the sister station of QTV-11.
Charlene clarified that she has no exclusive contract with either of the two networks.
During the general press conference, the Proudly Filipina host argued, "Alam mo kasi yung industry natin, napakaliit niyan, di ba? So, the people that we've worked with in the past, we will see again sometime in the future and even now. Kaya mahirap talaga mag-burn ng kahit anong bridges."
She also explained that she notified her former network about her newest project. The TV host-actress said, "Before I do anything, I was able to talk to ABS-CBN and they were very positive kasi maganda naman daw yung show, di ba?"
Charlene considers herself one of the few celebrities who are lucky enough to work with different TV networks.
"I think I am one of the lucky ones who was able to experience working with all the networks, di ba? Nagsimula ako sa [GMA-7], nag-ABC-5 ako, nag-ABS-CBN ako, and now QTV-11, di ba? Parang umikot ako sa lahat ng networks. I think I'm one of the lucky and fortunate ones who has a good relation sa lahat."
With the ongoing network war, the wife of Aga Muhlach wishes it would stop soon because it already affects the celebrities.
Charlene narrated her past experience as an actress: "Kasi dati nae-experience din namin 'yan, dati kapag nagpo-promote ka ng movie, nakakapunta ka sa GMA-7, nakakapunta sa ABS-CBN, nakakapunta ka sa ABC-5. It's such a wonderful feeling, and it's also one of my dreams for all the artists as well para mas lalong lumakas at mabuo ang industriya natin."
She reiterated, "Sana wala na talaga [ang network war]. As an artist, I think it hampered us kasi mas lalong lumiliit ang mundo namin, di ba? Ang pangarap ko lang talaga is magsama-sama na lang lahat para mas lalong mapaganda ang industriya natin at para mas lalong tumagal."
As of now, Charlene is only focusing on her new show Proudly Filipina, which will be shown every Friday starting February 29. She will also be anchoring the 2008 Binibining Pilipinas pageant on March 8 to be telecast in GMA-7.