After being introduced as part of the roster of regular hosts on It’s Showtime earlier this year, Brent Manalo is very grateful for being given another golden opportunity in showbiz. After emerging as the Kapamilya Big Winner in Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition last year, the 28-year-old actor revealed he is still amazed every time he arrives on set of the noontime variety program with the very people he used to look up to growing up, especially Vice Ganda.
“As in kinalakihan ko sila, pinapanuod ko sila. Solid Showtimer talaga ako growing up. Alam yan ng maraming tao. Lahat ng highlights sa YouTube napanuod ko yan. Siyempre ina-idolize ko si Meme so lagi akong nasa-starstruck sa kanya,” he said during the Preview Ball held at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City.
Brent readily admitted that he is still getting the hang of his regular hosting stint, and shared the secret behind his confidence when the cameras start rolling.
“Oo naman, hindi mawawala yung kaba. Pero siguro yung sikreto talaga is practice. Kasi yung nakatulong sa akin yung talagang sinasalang ako sa hosting jobs and payo rin ng mga co-host ko sa Showtime na ilang years na sila, so ang dami kong natutunan sa kanila eh,” he added.
After recently speaking out online to address those who continue to criticize him, Brent admitted that it was also going to be the first and last time he would ask for grace from those netizens who seem committed to misunderstanding him. He also explained his process before posting anything personal on his social media accounts.
“I always take my time. Lalo na pag alam kong it would be beneficial not just for me, but for of course, mga Pinoys. Actually yung recently na sumagot ako, first time na I ever spoke for myself and I think it only reached that point kasi parang naramdaman ko na yung iba sumosobra na. Hindi naman alam talaga yung buong kontexto or hindi na siya constructive, parang ibinababa na lang yung pagkatao ko. So parang I felt the need to speak up for myself. Pero last na rin yun. First and last. I think I said my piece and they can take what they want with it and kung ano man sabihin nila after that, okay na ako,” he said.
After his post went viral, Brent said he has no problem going back to his usual way of not getting involved with the issues online.
“Hindi talaga ako nagbabasa. Recently lang talaga ako nagbasa kasi nga I was trying to get mga puwedeng matutunan sa Showtime stint ko. Nakikinig ako sa audience. Pero nasobrahan ata ako sa pagbasa. Umakyat sa ulo ko. So kailangan ko ulit maglagay ng wall when it comes to reading comments online,” he admitted.
The talented actor and recording artist also shared what experience has helped strengthen him to face the challenges in showbiz.
“Halos bago sa akin lahat ito. After PBB, dun lang talaga ako naka-receive ng ganung kalalang atensyon. So napatatag niya ako in a way na I have a good support system, good co-workers, a good management. Star Magic talaga really guided me through all of the good and bad. So dun ako kumukuha ng lakas ng loob,” he revealed.