Kapamilya host Melai Cantiveros-Francisco admitted she continues to learn and improve as a host, even after years in the entertainment industry, while helming her Bisaya talk show Kuan On One.
During the media conference for Kuan On One Season 4, Melai revealed that she regularly watches her own episodes to monitor her performance and personally critique herself.
“Winawatch ko ang show ko kasi minsan napapasarap ang usapan naming mga Bisaya kaya may mga wordings kami na baka mapalabas so I watch my own show,” Melai said.
She also welcomed feedback from viewers, including criticism about her hosting style, adding: “Kung ano rin comment niyo na OA ako, or pangit naman nito, lahat sinasabi ko pero wala ako magawa kasi ayon na yung lumabas pero kini-critic ko naman.”
However, Melai clarified that any content deemed inappropriate or “below the belt” is screened out, especially for the show’s younger audience.
“Pero yung mge below the belt na, hindi ko na talaga pinapalabas kasi medyo delikado na. Open tayo sa mga komento. May mga advice sila (sa management) na bawal ganitong sabihin kasi siyempre may mga kabataan tayong nanonood and bawal yung mga ganitong topic kasi sensitive ang mga guest,” she expressed.
Melai also emphasized the importance of making her guests feel comfortable during their interviews.
“Welcoming naman ako kasi ako dapat yung magpakumbaba kasi sumama sila to our little show. Wala naman akong nae-encounter (na pangit na experience) kasi yung pagka-Bisaya nila kumukulo-kulo at gusto nila mainterview din sila at lumabas pagka-Bisaya nila,” she said.
When asked how she would rate herself as a host, Melai humbly rated herself as someone who is still improving even after years of hosting different shows.
“I will rate myself with a rated PG. Char. I rate myself with 5 because I’m learning pa rin every day. I’m learning pa rin sa mga co-host ko sila Ate B (Bianca Gonzalez) and Robi D (Domingo) kung paano maging magaling na host talaga kasi sa PBB nganga pa rin ako. Sila talaga yung mga halimaw sa host,” Melai said.
Melai added that she approaches hosting as a job that requires humility and dedication.
“Five kasi kahit papaano mayroon na rin ako natutunan sa hosting. Nahihiya talaga ako kasi siyempre hindi naman tayo feeling host talaga pero tinatanggap ko siya as a work. Hindi naman pwede lumaki ang ulo mo at magfeeling ka talaga as a host na. Of course, this is a work and kailangan natin gawin ang best natin sa pagbigay serbisyo sa mga tao,” she continued.
Melai then expressed gratitude to those who appreciate her way of hosting.
Meanwhile, having interviewed various personalities with their own struggles, Melai reminded viewers to be mindful online and to practice kindness, a lesson she learned from her guests.
“Be kind talaga kasi nakikita ko yung pinagdadaanan ng mga naiinterview ko na minsan ang mga problema talaga nila ay minsan mga bash kasi nakakapagdown siya ng emotion and minsan nakakapaglead to a very serious problem pa. Be kind. Hindi mahal maging kind. Para wala kang masabing masama, wag na lang magsalita. Be kind kahit just a little lang,” Melai stated.
New episodes of Kuan On One Season 4 are available to watch on the ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel and iWant every Tuesday.