Welcome to my little corner of the world called "What’s The Tea?" If you’ve spent time around Zoomers and millennials, you’ve probably heard this phrase. But trust me, even my Gen X friends use it when we’re catching up on life—or when they’re trying to pry the latest showbiz gossip out of me. The term "tea"—meaning truth or insider scoop—was popularized in the early days of "RuPaul’s Drag Race", where the queens would tease each other about "spilling the tea" on something or someone. That’s precisely what we’ll try to do here, one cup at a time!

For our maiden column, we will spill the tea on multi-talented actress Rhian Ramos's new lifestyle and travel show, "Where in Manila." It will be shown every Saturday starting March 8 at 11:30 p.m. on GMA Network.

The lithe and lovely Rhian in the show will not just serve up "looks." As a confessed foodie who bakes "the best chocolate chip cookies" in town, she promises to take her audience to a delicious discovery of Manila's not-so-secret nooks. 

After the press conference, we caught up with Rhian about her new show at Winford Manila. She's hyped to learn that while living in the Philippines her whole life, there’s still much more to discover about the big city. 

"It’s not just an experience for the audience," Rhian shared. "Even for me, I love traveling, trying new things, and tasting food I’ve never eaten. Who knew there’s so much to be seen and celebrated in our backyard?"  

From relishing "skewered veggie meat" in Binondo to munching on yummy "tofu squares" in Sampaloc, Rhian will be taking her viewers to a Metro Manila food adventure. Her go-to street food? "Betamax, isaw, and fishballs"—because even a celebrity can’t resist these classics.  

"Where in Manila" isn’t just about food. It’s about uncovering hidden gems, learning about the city’s diverse culture, and proving that it isn’t just a place where people live, study or work—it’s a full-on experience! 

"Sa ibang bansa (in other countries), when you visit, they proudly show you even the simplest food stalls. Pero tayo (But us), sometimes we focus on the high-end places. I want to show that Manila has its own personality, something we should be proud of," she said.  

Now, hosting a travel show is a different ballgame than acting, and the Sang'gre actress admits she’s always been more comfortable when she has a script. When I have to be myself, that's when I get shy," she laughed. Hosting, though, is teaching her to be spontaneous, and honestly, we love that for her.  

"Being a host helps build your confidence—the ability to express an organic thought freely, right here and now, even without a script. It’s also about being very honest and just saying what’s on your mind, sharing your thoughts on a topic most genuinely and authentically," Rhian remarked.

At the end of the day, "Where in Manila" is about coming home to familiar sounds and scents. Rhian wants every Filipino to feel excited about exploring the country before looking elsewhere. So, if you know Manila, think again—this show will reveal a whole new side of the metro.

(For tips on juicy stories and other inquiries, email me at [email protected])