IT’S ALREADY Wednesday evening — it’s actually turning midnight in a few — but I haven’t written anything yet. I went out yesterday to meet two first cousins, Irene Sheila Lungay and Chuchi Lungay, for inspiration, and just this evening, I came from a sumptuous dinner upon the invitation of another cousin, Charina Calope Torregosa, in her beautiful home, but, inspiration still eludes me. Darn! Must be the birthday bug!
Some topics came to mind but they don’t interest me at the moment. Well, perhaps I should write about the reception of the talk show on its second season. There’s inspiration there.
So here goes. I have been quite elated by the response we received to Woman Talk’s second season on air. The viewership has increased that we started discussing the factors that could have contributed to this development.
For one, time slot. DJ Jem said that having a radio talk show in the morning is a plus factor. For a bit of history: We began at 4:00-5:00 in the afternoon on Saturdays but owing to the never-ending Saturday brownouts in Bohol back then smacking right into my talk show, we decided to produce it at an earlier time, 2:00-3:30 in the afternoon, after some runs.
Two, since it’s only forty minutes, it’s crisp, crunchy, and fast-paced. Like my co-writer said,
“If my listeners are having coffee, they will savor it while listening to Woman Talk, and by the time they consumed the entire cup, the talk show has also ended. It’s a perfect match.” I think it’s the best illustration so far.
And then there’s me, haha! After a year and five months of having regular guests, we reformatted the second season to only feature me and the topics of my choice. We’re thinking that after seventeen months, I can now pull off a show on my own — sans guests. Maybe I have finally found my way into my listeners’ and viewers’ hearts! I’m so glad. Thank you for the consistent high viewership since we resumed broadcast on May 4, 2024. And we’re only talking live stream views!
The challenge is to study and choose topics that resonate with our audience. Fortunately for us and our viewers, excellent topics and issues hogged the headlines since we renewed broadcast. Indeed we were at the right place at the right time.
With more exciting days ahead, like the upcoming Senate action on House Bill No. 9349: “An Act Reinstituting Absolute Divorce as an Alternative Mode for the Dissolution of Marriage,” the development of House Bill No. 10066 seeking to declare Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef as a protected area with the category of protected landscape and seascape under the National Integrated Protected Areas System, the filing of Certificate of Candidacy for the May 2025 midterm polls on October 1-8, 2024, among others, we expect more newsworthy materials and discussions.
The good thing about having a talk show is the commitment to study, undertake research, and prepare before going on air. You never come to the studio unprepared. And because we study, we get more sharp and engaging. It’s a win-win all the time. I will not discount discipline, as well. Like Roger Federer said, “Effortless is a myth.” Nothing is really effortless. It may look effortless to the viewer or audience but it requires an entirely different level of preparation, commitment, and discipline on the part of the player, performer, or host.
And I agree with him when he said it frustrates him when he hear people say it. I can only chuckle in dismay when after one episode and I took my time to rest, someone who invited me to a later dinner said, “Why are you tired? You’re only hosting!” Haha! It was ludicrous to hear my work minimized just because it looked “effortless.” So, yes, I totally agree with Federer.
To end, I am looking forward to a birthday trip outside of my current locale. I want to write about this place, its people, its culture, its romance. Oh yes, never forget romance! It’s the heart of many stories.
After all, it’s still June, my birth month.
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Writer hosts Woman Talk with Belinda Sales every Saturday, 10:00 a.m. at 91.1 Balita FM Tagbilaran City. She can also be reached at belindabelsales@gmail.com. X @ShilohRuthie./PN
