22 Professional Events Hosts in Manila We Recommend
14-12.) The Morning Rush (Chico, Del, and Gino)
The Morning Rush, also called “The Kikay Barkada,” is a well-loved morning radio show that airs on Monster Radio RX 93.1. Their show is a mix of the hosts’ friendly banter with each other and their loyal listeners’ witty responses. They consistently win awards, including the Golden Dove Award for Best FM Radio Comedy Program! Once they announce their topic for the day, you could count on it immediately becoming a trending topic on Twitter.
Chico
Chico Garcia is a self-confessed geek and comic book “reader, fan, hobbyist, enthusiast, aficionado and addict.” You could also call him The Dork Knight. He makes good on this title through his entries in The Dork Side, a blog featuring all things dorky. He took up Broadcast Communication in the University of the Philippines Diliman. Chico’s trademark infectious laughter, coupled with his witty remarks, has the power to make you smile through your hectic morning commutes.
What do you love about hosting?
It’s an exciting industry and you get to meet tons of new people. One thing you can’t say about this job is that it’s boring. It’s anything but that.
How did you become an events host?
I guess being in radio nowadays also means having a foot into the world of hosting. It started out as hosting for station events, and eventually branched out to professional hosting.
What are the qualities that a great events host should possess?
You should have a command of the audience’s attention. Some people have it, all they have to do is come out on stage and people are instantly drawn to them. It would help if you also have the talent, but sometimes even that isn’t enough.
14-12.) The Morning Rush (Chico, Del, and Gino)
Delamar
In her own words, Delamar Arias is “a realist who still has time to dream.” The things she shares online and on air could range from mundane thoughts about the traffic or what’s trending, and to more profound subjects such as family and pursuing one’s passion. But no matter what topic she chooses to speak about, Delamar does so with trademark sweet voice and a great sense of humor. She has also graced the cover of UNO Magazine and Smart Parenting.
What do you love about hosting?
I love the challenge of it all. Going up on stage, keeping the flow of a program going, being quick to think on your feet because at any moment there can be changes in the script and in the program. It’s extra fun when the program is something you believe in. Let’s say, it’s in support of a cause that is close to your heart.
How did you become an events host?
It came as an off shoot of being a DJ on the radio. We host many programs for the station and it was just a matter of time that it would extend to outside clients.
What are the qualities that a great events host should possess?
First, you need to have good communication skills, a good presence on stage, you have to have the ability to think on your feet, you have to be able to create on-stage energy that suits any type of program and you have to have the personality that likes to be seen and heard.
14-12.) The Morning Rush (Chico, Del, and Gino)
Gino
Gino is dubbed as one of the sexiest men on the radio! He is also a self-confessed gamer, geek, and “an introverted mind stuck in an extrovert’s body.” He graduated with a Management degree from the Philippine School of Business Administration (PSBA), and got into theater acting through Repertory Philippines. Becoming a DJ for Monster wasn’t something he planned. He just accompanied his friends to the audition for Radio Idol and won!
What do you love about hosting?
Photo by Adrian Gonzales
11.) Eri Neeman
Eri is both a host and a comedian. He co-founded Comedy Manila and represented the Philippines in the International Comedy Festival in 2010. If you enjoyed Bubble Gang’s viral segment, Boy Pick-up, then you might be interested to find out that Eri was part of the cast and was also one of those who conceptualized it. Apart from comedy, Eri also hosts debuts and weddings. A quick search online would show testimonials of grateful couples and clients who thank him for being part of their special day. Jay Adlao Block, an events director from Outbound Asia Inc who often works with hosts, recommended Eri to us. “He looks good and is smart. Making intelligent comments is a must in our events so we appreciate Eri‘s dedication in making sure that he knows what he’s talking about. He might not have that big celebrity status, but he’s a delight to discover for the audience. Like Issa [Litton], I think he’ll carve a name in corporate events.”
What do you love about hosting?
Honestly, in the beginning when I started, I loved the attention. But after doing this for almost 10 years, what I love about it is when I truly connect with the audience and when I’ve achieved the goals of the client as well as the production. When the audience, clients and production genuinely say I did a good job and are happy with my work. That makes me happy.
How did you become an events host?
My first gig was when I was a radio DJ at GVFM 99.1 in Pampanga back when I was 15. It was a mall show. I was so nervous and yelled all my spiels! Then the second time I remember was hosting for an alcoholic beverage when I was 19. It was a bar event. People were saying I did a really good job and one particular person said I was a great host. That gave me confidence. I had no problem being in front of crowds as a kid. I liked it.
What is one must-have quality a great events host should possess?
I would have to say humility. That’s hard because most hosts have big egos (myself included) and you kind of have to be arrogant if you’re going to be in front of a huge crowd and carry a show. But once you get passed that, you have to realize that it’s not about you. I think the worst mistake a host can make is talking about themselves when they are onstage. Why talk about yourself when the event is not about you? The client spent millions putting together an event with specific objectives and those objectives definitely don’t include them hearing you talk about yourself. Once you start being about what the clients want and dedicating yourself to achieving their goals as well as the production’s, then for me, that’s when you become a great host.
10.) Gelli Victor
You might know Gelli from Gelli from the Gravey, her show in RX 93.1 that ran from 2004 to 2010. You might have seen her on TV5’s Alagang Kapatid for her segment, Let’s Get Physical. She’s also been written about in notable publications that laud her talents as a host and as a fitness guru. She was even chosen as an Adidas endorser! Apart from her being a radio DJ and a fitness coach, Gelli is also a fluent speaker of English, Filipino, Bisaya, and Chavacano. This skill, along with years of experience and and the ability to relate to the audience, has made big brands become Gelli’s regular clients. Patrick Estella, an events director from Ideashop recommended Gelli to us, sharing that she is “A thinking host: she does her research; shares her personal experiences; she processes the idea or the concept; she relates and communicates well with the audience; articulate; well dressed.”
What do you love about hosting?
It’s a fantastic “job” that is never boring, keeps you on your toes every single time, where you meet heaps of people from all walks of life and it is just FUN! As Confucius says, Choose a job that you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.
How did you become an events host?
I was hired by a friend to “model” sports equipment back in 2002. The director of the event, Direc Larry, asked what the machine was for and being a fitness instructor, I expounded on its uses, what it targets etc. He realized that I could talk and changed the whole event to me interacting with the main host. He recommended me to some folks after that event and I have been hosting ever since. No manager or talent agent, just recommendations and referrals from wonderful people.
What are the qualities that a great events host should possess?
A great events host is one that commands attention and keeps the audience entertained and interested. You have to be witty, articulate, adlib well and deliver your lines without reading off a script. Dapat kaya mong mag stretch ng bonggang bongga pag nag ka problema. Pero may sense pa rin yung sinasabi. You have to know your programme very well that even without a cue card, or the stage director telling you what’s next, you know it. You have to be someone easy to work with, no-stress and deliver what the client/organizer wants and expects from you. A great events host is the whole package – you have to look good, sound good and do great!
9.) Issa Litton
Issa Litton took up Communication Arts from Ateneo, where she first started to explore hosting. Apart from being a host, she is also a hands-on mother of two, a teacher, and an actress for theater and film. Fans and followers of Issa will have something to look forward to: she plays Magdalena in the independent film The Truth as Told as Lies, written and directed by Ira Giorgetti. Jay Adlao Block recommended Issa to us, sharing that Issa is both beauty and brains. “Her ad-libs are intelligent – that counts a lot when your audience are VIPs and the media. She’s very good for awards, press conferences and conventions,” Jay said.
What do you love about hosting?
I love the LIVE (anything goes, keeps you on your toes) aspect of hosting. The immediate exchange of energy and attention between the stage and the audience. Plus you get to tell people what to do. Yeah, I’m pretty bossy like that.
How did you become an events host?
By accident. I grabbed the mic and started talking.
What are the qualities that a great events host should possess?
Understand production. There’s a lot going on even when the spotlight is on you. It takes a team to make an event seamless.
8.) Suzi Entrata-Abrera
Suzi Entrata-Abrera is a familiar face for anyone who watches TV shows such as Unang Hirit and MARS. You could also see her in covers of magazines, or in newspaper articles where she shares thoughts on being a family-oriented career woman. Both men and women alike will surely learn a thing or two by learning how she balances work, family, and fitness. Rina Villanueva, an events director, identifies Suzi as one of the “thinking hosts.” She went on to describe thinking host such as Suzi. “They study the audience before they go onstage, well versed, they just don’t read the script but do intelligent adlibs, not offensive. Even their punchlines have perfect timing, delightful to look…have good rapport with audience.”
What do you love about hosting?
What I love about hosting is the feeling of being able to get the message across (usually there is a client who has a new campaign or advocacy or presenting new material or product) while seeing the audience enjoy themselves. I love being able to see people’s positive reactions to whatever it is we are presenting.
How did you become an events host?
I started hosting events soon after I started to appear on television as a host on the sports show Gameplan. Naturally they would hire me to host events with a sports or active theme. When I started hosting for Mornings@GMA and eventually Unang Hirit, I started to host events geared towards family, children or motherhood. It’s all good and fun because I can definitely relate with the theme and audience.
What are the qualities that a great events host should possess?
For me, a great host must be sensitive above all else. Sensitive to the expectations of the client, to the reaction of the audience and to his or her co-host. I had to learn those things through experience. Plus, a great sense of humor always makes a huge difference.
7.) Bianca Valerio
Apart from being a bubbly and spontaneous host, Bianca Valerio is a model, a best-selling author, a beauty editor, a columnist, a make-up artist, and a personality development coach. She is a member of the Professional Models Association of the Philippines. She has columns in the Philippine Star, TV5, and People Asia Magazine. She co-hosts the Good Times with Mo Podcast. She is also the Chain of Confidence Ambassador for the Tupperware Brands. Most importantly, Bianca uses her position as an sought-after influencer to forward her advocacies and campaigns against bullying and abuse. In fact, all proceeds of her bestselling book Face to Face were donated to the Philippine National Red Cross!
What do you love about hosting?
Event hosting is my first love more than any other kind of hosting platform. Because it is live, there is no room for error. There are no retakes or pauses when something goes wrong. No matter how nerve-wracking it can get, it is a privileged, adrenaline-filled responsibility to move a show towards a successful end in an entertaining, exciting manner.
How did you become an events host?
Modeling opened a lot of doors for me with the help of my manager back then, Joey Espino (who discovered me) of Cal Carries Int’l. Hosting-wise, I started out as a Channel V Philippines VJ in 2000, which led to event director, Raymond Villanueva booking me to host an extravagant debut. Blessedly enough, it never stopped since then.
What are the qualities that a great events host should possess?
1. Hosts must learn not to make it about them: Remember that the show is not about you, even if you are the host. You are not the star. It is the client, the brand, the guests or celebrities you are interviewing, who are the stars of the show. It is your responsibility to let them shine and not take away from their moment.
2. Think quick: Even if there is a director, the moment you go live and things go wrong, you must make intelligent, quick decisions to troubleshoot any mishaps on stage.
Keep your head down: No matter how good you are, your professional attitude will get you far versus talent. Word goes around quick if you’re a brat or a breeze to work with.
4. Respect your co-hosts: A good, professional host never mic-hogs. If you want to shine, you should work together to shine as a team. When one looks bad, you look bad too.
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