After almost 10 years, TV5's well-loved and highly anticipated legacy program "Face 2 Face" is back on television.
Aside from Mama Karla Estrada as TV host and comedian Alex Calleja as mediator, the show will also feature three resident "Tagapayo" in “Dr. Love” Bro. Jun Banaag, Atty. Lorna Kapunan, and Dr. Camille Garcia.
The new "Face 2 Face" covers a wide range of topics, from family relationships to personal struggles and triumphs, all with a goal of inspiring empathy and understanding between the conflicting parties.
It will give a fresh take on the popular talk show format with its new mantra, “Isyu ay harapin, huwag palakihin,” as it features real people with real problems and finds the best possible resolution to their conflicts.
During a recent press conference, the TV personalities were asked about their stint on the show.
Dr. Camille, who was part of the original reiteration of "Face 2 Face", couldn't be thankful that finally it returned.
She admitted that at first, she didn't believe when they told her about it.
"Dahil parang palaging sinasabi na babalik pero parang sabi ko after nine years parang impossible na," she said.
But it seems like the project came back at the perfect time as she's now retired.
She admitted: "Nung nangyari to parang naging adrenaline junkie na naman ako."
"Pag nandito ako iba yung pakiramdam ko. Dito lang ako nakakapag payo na hindi ako masyadong nagagalit dun sa mga ina-advisan kong mga bata. Dahil kasi sa mga counseling, kung minsan maiinis ka dun sa ibang mga bata na hindi nakikinig. Pero ito nakakagulat dahil talagang nakikinig sila."
Meanwhile, Dr. Camille also likes the dynamics she has with Bro. Jun and Atty. Lorna.
She also commended Karla's passion, revealing: "First time - nakita ko lahat ng hosts e - and one thing nakita ko last time nag-taping kami was the fact that Mama Karla was one of the bravest mother na nakita ko kasi siya lang yung nakita kong umawat. Hindi pa ako nakakita ng umaawat na host. And I'm so happy na parang nagulat ako umawat talaga siya. Nandu'n ang tapang talaga. So yun, nakita ko na talagang iba yung host namin. Siguradong talagang ma-e-enjoy namin."
Bro. Jun couldn't agree more.
In fact, he noted how he always looks forward to their taping days.
"Because we learn a one or two in every episode we do," he maintained.
He shared that "Face 2 Face" is not that different from his "Dr. Love" radio show, which has been on for 25 years.
"Ito talaga yung programang tumatalakay sa makulay na buhay ng tao, yung totoong tao. At the same time, totoong buhay at totoong kasaysayan na pinaguusapan natin."
Bro. Jun said that when it was offered to him, he really liked the "purpose" of the program.
"Para ma de-clog yung mga problema natin sa mga barangay. Sa mga korte natin."
Atty. Lorna has the same sentiments when she accepted the job.
"Maganda nga itong 'Face 2 Face' kasi kagaya nga ng sinabi ni Dr. Love, lalo na kung away ng pamilya or magka-barangay, wag niyo ng paabutin sa korte lalo na't kulang ang mga justices, kulang mga korte. Meron tayong barangay system na if you're residents of the same barangay e necessary step yun before going to court."
She shared that at first, she had no concept of what the show is all about.
"But nung sinabi na nalipat ito from Entertainment to Public Service, parang sabi ko: 'At my age, payback na tayo. It's time to pay back. It's time to reach out there for people who need our help.' So opportunity ito for me to be able to reach to more."
Atty. Lorna then expressed gratitude to the network, saying: "You have given me the opportunity at these late years of my life to pay back by giving advice to the public."
In the same press conference, Media5 COO Dino Laurena reiterated that this version is an improved one.
"Pinag-aralan naming mabuti kung ano yung bagay na kinagigiliwan ng mga manunuod. Masama mang pakinggan, yung dating pinanggalingan ng 'Face 2 Face' talagang binabantayan yung bangayan. Pero ang hindi natin nakita noon yung resolusyon na nangyayari pagkatapos. Kasi hindi naman pinapabayaan ng TV5 na ma-uwi na lang sa awayan dito. Ta's pag uwi parang wala rin. So mahirap po yun, parang blood money yun - pinagkakitaan natin yung away ng iba."
As for Karla, he said they considered someone who knows both the entertainment and public service fields, and the latter fits perfectly.
But more than anything, they choose the actress-singer-TV host because she has the heart of a mother; nurturing.
Well, Karla couldn't be more thankful for her latest blessing.
She revealed: "May hinihintay ako actually na shows. Nu'ng ina-announce na hindi matutuloy sabi ko: 'Lord, ikaw na bahala kung ano talaga ang gusto mo para sa akin.' Wala pang tatlong araw tumawag na yung TV5."
"So minsan pag pinipilit mo ng pinipilit ang isang bagay - dahil hindi naman yun ang gusto ng Diyos para sayo, talagang mawawala. So kapag we lift it up to the Lord, du'n darating yung parang sayo. Basta relax ka lang. Wag kang magmadali, wag kang paladesisyon, wag kang manguna kasi meron talagang para sayo. Relax ka lang," she added.
"Itong show na meron ako, mas bongga pa ito kaysa dun sa gagawin ko dapat."
"Face 2 Face," showcasing the “barangay hall on air,” will premiere May 1 on TV5 and on One PH, available on Cignal Ch. 1, SatLite Ch. 1, and Cignal Play.