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Personal Facts
Age: 26
Birthdate: Sept. 5, 1977
Highschool: Father Michael Goetz Secondary School (Canada)
College: University of Sto. Tomas
Course: Political Science
Siblings: 3 others - 2 boys, 1 girl
Height: 5'5.5"
How's married life so far?
It's pure bliss. Vince and I are truly meant for each other and we prove that with each passing day. I've never been so happy and so sure about things. We are so blessed and the most wonderful thing about it is, it's just the beginning. It's amazing how we have so much love for each other, and God continues to be at the center of our relationship. Being married has drawn us closer, not just to each other, but also to Him. This is why we are absolutely happy.
Media
How did you end up in sportscasting?
I started out as a newscaster for then PTV4 back in 1999. I did Tagalog newsbreaks (believe it or not), and admittedly I struggled at first coz' I couldn't shake off my TWANG (as they called it). Then after a while, taking special Tagalog lessons on the side, I got better at it. I started anchoring news programs and even writing for the department. Then I got into Political talk shows, interviewing some of the more powerful men and women in government. My immediate superiors back then were Edgar Reyes and Bobby Arias who were in charge of sports but were handling the current affairs department projects. They saw my potential and asked if I would be interested in sports. Even the great Freddie Abando took me under his wings and helped train me. During the training, I was given an opportunity to host a television show with the First Gentleman Atty. Mike Arroyo called "Explore with Mike". We went around the country helping the needy. Then, as if my life wasn't already hectic, I was given a ticket to join the elite coverage team for the Sydney Olympics. The opening ceremonies of the Olympiad was my first EVER sportscasting stint… I covered various other sports like Taekwondo, Equestrian, Beach Volleyball, and other disciplines. I've covered numerous other sporting meets on the national and international level since, and I've done other disciplines like Judo, Fencing, Karatedo, Indoor Volleyball, bowling, rowing, Diving, and swimming.
How much of basketball fan were you before you became part of the PBA?
I grew up being exposed to basketball coz' my dad and my kuya played for various Filipino leagues back in Montreal Canada. I've loved the sport since. Plus my Kuya's and Dad's passion for watching the NBA kinda rubbed off on me, and I found myself wanting to catch all the games of Charles Barkley. In my high school in Toronto, my friends and I loved to watch our varsity basketball team and were caught up in the school spirit. When I moved to Manila some 8 years ago, I still watched as much NBA as much as I could but cheering for the UST Tigers became my basketball priority. I never really paid much attention to the PBA. I'd try to watch the games but I wasn't as interested because I didn't know anyone. To be honest with you, the first time I watched a live PBA game was when I started dating Vince. He fed me with all the stories of the leagues and the players and I've been hooked since.
What were your past jobs that are related to media?
Goodness, I used to be one of the hosts for this one lifestyle party show
on ABC 5 called "Hard Hat Extreme". It was a show about the underground
party scene that was thriving back then. I also dabbled in marketing that program.
Then news and public affairs came along. What a jump eh? Then I got to be head
writer and host of this one lifestyle show on channel 4 as well called "The
Scene" - it was about events, parties, fashion, latest craze, etc. After
2 seasons of that, the Mike Arroyo show was given to me and the various other
political talk shows. After years of doing news and current affairs, I decided
to concentrate on sports. I also became one of the hosts for Lakbay TV's "Six
Packers", where we traveled around the country doing extreme sports. After
that, I joined the original producers of Lakbay TV, who formed Isla, the Advocacy
Channel. There I was a host, a writer, and a producer. I've also been producing
AVPs for companies and I've been doing some video editing for a small production
company I started.
When was your first TV exposure? How did it feel?
It was a party show so at that time, I was in my element. A camera following
me around in a party didn't faze me at all. It's my first few live newscasts
that I can never forget. Mind you, it was Tagalog. I had no training whatsoever.
They just sat me in front of a camera, and I had to figure out how the teleprompter
worked. I wanted to DIE! I didn't really understand what I was saying, a lot
of the words I had to look up in my dictionary. I was awful!!!! There was even
a time when I did a live newsbreak and the teleprompter bogged down in the middle
of it all… I thought I was off cam and a video was being shown, so I lifted
the printout of what I was reporting on very close to my face coz' I have bad
eyesight, and started reading from there… Sure enough, I was caught on
camera, on a live news report, with a piece of paper practically covering my
face. The head of the news department almost bit off my head that day! I went
home crying. That was the last "bad" episode I had with the news.
As for my first sports coverage, like I said it was the Sydney Olympics opening
ceremonies, I was crying and throwing up in my room a few hours before I had
to go on coz' I was so scared and nervous!
Have you endorsed any product? TV commercials, print ads?
A few years back, I endorsed this one hair product. I did the print ad for
it and it was my face that was on the product itself. For the past 2 years I've
been an endorser for Killer Loop Eyewear. That's how Vince and I got closer
actually. Both of us were endorsers and we did the print ads and an AVP / tv
ad together.
Others
What exactly are you doing in the U.S.?
Vince got an offer to be one of the first Filipino to play professionally
in the States back in March. As soon as he got the offer, we both decided that
I was to put my career on hold and be with him on his 3-month stint in the United
States Basketball League. We just got married last January 1, and we didn't
think being physically separated for that long was wise. While I'm here cheering
on my hubby, I've been the media liaison for the team, making sure that the
Philippine Press is updated. I've also been writing press releases for the Filipino
spreadsheets here in the US. I've also gone around with my video camera and
microphone and interviewed the families of Fil-Am players that are here for
the PBA coverage. On top of all that, I'm busy being PREGNANT! I'm going on
my 10th week of pregnancy now, and it's been difficult.
When are you going home?
I've asked Vince if I could go back home right after the elections so I could
go back to work. ABC5 has been asking me to come back to cover the PBA, and
I honestly miss it. Of course my husband won't let me, but I think in time,
I'll be able to convince him. If not, we'll be home by the 2nd week of July.
Are you an Introvert or an Extrovert?
Depending on what day it is… ;p I'm definitely an assertive person, and
I love being out there!
Has anyone asked for your autograph?
A few years ago, I never would've thought I'd be signing autographs.. It was
never really a goal of mine.. But now, I appreciate signing autographs and getting
to talk to the fans. I love meeting people, and PBA fans are an interesting
bunch. I love the fact that people come up to me, not just to shake my hand
or ask for an autograph, but they come up to me and ask me about my views on
how a particular game turned out, on which team has a better chance, on which
player is much more talented. I appreciate the fact that they respect my basketball
opinion and knowledge enough to ask me about it.
Are you madaldal, mahinhin or mahiyain?
Shy??? Not at all… My nick name is SHAI but I'm far from being SHY. If
I'm mahinhin? If you mean soft-spoken and a Maria Clara type of woman, then
the answer is NO. I'm quite opinionated and very vocal about my beliefs. I play
American football and I don't need a man had to change my flat tire. But when
the situation calls for it, I'm quite the refined lady. About being madaldal,
I'm not a blabber mouth, I listen more than I talk (that's why I have 2 ears
and 1 mouth), I can keep my mouth shut, but there are times when I'll really
speak my mind and no one can stop me.
Were there any other basketball players that you went out with before?
Not at all. Though I had daydreams about being Vince Carter's girl!
How long have you been going out with Vince Hizon before you got married?
As witnessed by millions of Filipinos, Vince proposed to me on the half court
of the Araneta Coliseum 3 days after our 9th month of being officially together.
We were dating for a while before being girlfriend and boyfriend. We were together
for about a year and 3 months before tying the knot in California.
Who is your favorite basketball player (local) other than Vince Hizon?
I admire a lot of Pinoy ballers, not jut in the PBA, but also in the amateur
ranks and the collegiate level. I'd rather not name anyone though. I don't just
admire what a player does on the court. There are players that I admire for
the charitable deeds they do, I admire others for their strong faith and spirituality,
and for the younger ones, I admire them for their academic achievements.
Favorite PBA team? NBA?
I love all 10 PBA teams! Honestly, the management, the coaching staff, and
the players of every team have been very helpful to my career in the PBA. They
entrust me with information, they wouldn't easily share with just anyone. Some
teams treat me as one of the boys, and that's great! They're all my favorites.
As for the NBA, I love my Toronto Raptors! I would be crushed if they were to
be moved to St. Louis or any other city that's being rumored to buy them off.
During these NBA playoffs, I'm cheering for the Spurs because my husband is
the biggest Lakers fan. Watching the games with him just makes it all the more
interesting! I'll cheer for whoever goes up against the L.A.Lakers, just to
get Vince all riled up!
What car do you drive?
I have my super fast Honda Accord, black with super dark tints! When I get
back, I'll be settling for a "family car" to make room for the baby
seat!
How often do you go out on gimmicks? What kind of gimmicks do you go to?
Vince and I enjoy staying home. We also enjoy going to our friends' houses
or entertaining guests at our humble abode every now and then. We always drag
our friends to out of town trips or just go on our own. On the rare occasion
that we do end up "partying", we go a lot of clubs that play hip hop
and r&b, or just have dinner with friends. There are just too many young
people who shouldn't be out that are out. It's such a turn off.
Are you or conservative?
I'd be a hypocrite if I said I'm an all out soul. To be honest with
you, even though I was raised in North America and have a more lifestyle,
I find that a lot of my views in life are on the conventional end. I'm such
an adventure seeker, I'm an activist, and I'm so open minded about many things,
but when it comes to my faith, and sometimes my views on family, I'm pretty
old school.
What kind of music do you listen to?
I love hip-hop, r&b, I love listening to old school r&b slow jams
(new edition, Ralph tresvant, Jodeci, etc.), and because I grew up in Toronto
(a lot of Jamaicans out there) I love listening to reggae and dance hall, I've
been listening to a lot of SKA as well, and since I'm pregnant, my baby and
I have been listening to a lot of classical music.
What are your thoughts on same sex marriage?
I don't think there will be a law allowing same sex marriage passed in the
Philippines any time soon. Here in the US though, more and more states are legalizing
this union. I believe that every individual, male, female or a person of the
third sex, have equal rights. The church may not or may never recognize it,
but I think the government should. It will take at least another decade before
the laws are more defined, and another decade after that before the Philippines
follows suit.
What was your dream when you were a child?
I dreamt of many things! My dreams were forces that helped push me to be the
person that I am today. I dreamt of being a princess (who didn't?) who had everything
she wanted and needed. Well, I seem to be living that life now, with a princely
husband, a career, financial stability and security, a house, and a baby on
the way… I really can't ask for anything more. I also used to dream about
being able to fly… Well, my air miles will show you that I've been having
my share of flying.
What else would you like to achieve in life?
I really pray so hard to become the best wife and mom! That would be quite
an achievement. I've always wanted to be the best at my craft… I'm still
working on it, but I believe I'm on the right track. I want to do documentaries,
travel shows, and interview international figures. Have a show on ESPN or be
a correspondent. There's still so much I want to do. With every achievement,
comes another challenge. My goals in life just keep getting higher.
What are you better at? Singing or dancing?
I love to do both, I'm quite the entertainer, but I only have a very few select
audience -- me, myself, and my husband!
What are your plans when you go back to the Philippines?
Go back to work, get back to building our dream house, continue the projects
of my foundation "Everyday Is Your Birthday Foundation", finally launch
this one business that Vince and I started, pitch a new tv show to whoever is
interested, and continue going around schools and giving seminars to the youth
about responsibility and how to become effective teenagers.
What do you hate about having a tall husband?
I love having a tall husband.. Add handsome and intelligent, funny, romantic,
patient and adventurous to that!
Please ask the one who is currently reading this a question.
My question to you is "Do you think you're living up to your potential?"
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Article by The Bembang! Master
Posted on June 6, 2004, under Dream Bembang!
