If we’re talking about the face of Bisaya humor and heart, it would be our beloved Kuantie, Melai Cantiveros. And through her Bisaya digital talk show "Kuan On One," which is celebrating its first anniversary with a brand-new third season, she's able to brandish the Bisaya spirit by inviting celebrity guests who are either proudly born-and-raised Bisaya or have learned to speak the dialect out of love. And in doing so, she gives audiences a rare chance to witness often unseen sides of these famous BisDaks through unfiltered kuwentuhan.
Melai is grateful to the producers and the entire creative team who believed in the concept of "Kuan on One" early on and helped bring the show to life, as well as to the growing community of fans who’ve embraced and helped it reach its third season. She thanks the viewers, called Kuanizens, because there wouldn’t even be a Season 3 if it weren’t for their love and support during the first two seasons. "Sobra akong flattered, as flat as my nose," Melai threw in her natural punchline in this episode of Kapamilya Chat.
She hopes the program continues for more seasons to come. And even if you’re not Bisaya, you’re still more than welcome to tune in because all episodes come with subtitles. For someone who feels most at ease when talking to fellow Bisaya guests, she admits that the conversations hit differently when they’re in her native tongue, joking, "Talagang no holds barred. Anong ibig sabihin nu'n?" But kidding aside, she explained how her thoughts and her natural kulit flow more freely when speaking in Bisaya.
"Unlimited! Walang makakapigil sa akin," she said, mimicking a dinosaur to describe how untamed she becomes when she’s conversing in her first language, adding, "Because this is my mother tongue, so I have no hesitation to talk. Limitless!"
Aside from the charm of Bisaya humor, another reason "Kuan on One" has lasted this long is that Melai remains deeply grounded in her faith, and she never forgets to offer her talent and the entire show to the Lord. She makes it a point to pass by the church to pray and often attends a mass before heading to the "Kuan on One" studio for taping to make sure she’s spiritually guided when she sits down with her guests, as she believes part of what convinces artists to accept interview invitations is when they trust that the host knows how to ask questions with the right amount of sensitivity.
"Lalo na 'pag may mga issue minsan na hindi na dapat tinatanong," Kuantie Melai said, "Minsan, 'Gusto mo pa bang magka-anak?’ Hindi naman na dapat 'yan tinanong. Bakit mo pinapakialaman ang buhay nila?" She believes it’s not anyone’s place to meddle in someone else’s personal journey, which is why she always prays for wisdom. "Gusto ko i-guide ako ni Lord na maging tama ang aking pagtatanong na hindi maka-off sa mga guests."
When asked to name the most unforgettable guest for her, Melai thought of her 'amiga' Kim Chiu, who graced the show's pilot episode. She remembers how natural the conversation was, as they were both speaking in Bisaya, which made everything feel extra relaxed and unfiltered to the point that they didn’t even notice they had gone over an hour talking.
As for her dream guests, she has quite a list, starting with none other than her 'kababayan' from General Santos City, boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, his mom Dionisia "Mommy D" Pacquiao, as well as Jinkee Pacquiao along with her twin sister Janet Jamora. She also hopes to sit down with Paul Jake Castillo, her batchmate from “Pinoy Big Brother,” and his wife, actress Kaye Abad, who might be fluent in Bisaya by now, given how long they’ve been based in Cebu. And speaking of famous Cebuanos, she also named ‘90s sweetheart Donna Cruz.
Now for Season 3’s pilot episode, Melai offers an exciting kickoff with guest Gerald Anderson and promised that fans will get to know a more unfiltered side of the "Sins of the Father" actor. “Kuan on One” Season 3 is now available on ABS-CBN Entertainment's YouTube channel, with fresh episodes dropping every Tuesday.