Ali back with show she can’t refuse
ALI Sotto resigned from GMA-DZBB last November, but now, she’s back in a new show, “Ano Sa Palagay Nyo” or ASPN, with Pat-P Daza that started Monday, October 18, on NET25 TV, NET25 Facebook and YouTube Channel, also on DZEC1062 Radyo Agila Manila at EagleFM 95.5.
“After I resigned from GMA last November, my husband and I decided that we were just going to travel na lang and enjoy a more relaxed pace of life,” Ali tells us. “So I settled into exactly just that -waking up at 8 am instead of the usual 4, and really relishing the joy of a life without the dictates of a stressful job. I procrastinated on solid offers and hints of a possible return to broadcasting with another network because I was reluctant to give up the new-found luxury of waking up and doing what I want to when I want to. We also started making moves to leave Quezon City and move south to be nearer my son and his family.”
But her plans changed when she got an unexpected call. “Yes, it all changed when I got a call from Wilma Galvante. Remember that I was an actress, a singer and an Imeldific impersonator, and she was the one who offered me to be a talk show host, too. She was SVP of GMA 7 then and she’s the first one to believe in my potential to be what I am now. She said she had been tapped by Eagle Broadcasting Corp. to overhaul their programming and asked me to join them.’’
Since the offer is from her mentor, she found it difficult to refuse. “Mario, I am big on “utang na loob,” and I owe this lady a lot. So I cannot turn her down. I tried to weasel my way out of it: I told her I was retired, but she said I was too young to retire. Hinahanap daw ako ng tao. I said I just want to work on my bucket list and travel. Wala naman daw akong pupuntahan kasi the world is pretty much locked down because of the pandemic, which is true.”
She asked the Lord to help her discern in making a decision. “Since November, I have been deep in prayer and meditation, asking God to lead me where He wants me to be. . .basta surrender na lang ako. Sabi ko nga, ‘kung quota na po ako sa public service, let me retire na in peace.’ Apparently He decided na hindi pa, so heto na naman ako.”
She was informed her partner will be Pat-P Daza who used to be with ABS-CBN. “When I was thinking about whether or not I should accept the offer, napag-isip-isip ko na just the fact that this primetime morning news commentary is going to be anchored by two women is already a very powerful statement This time slot has always been male-dominated. Think Ted Failon, Kabayan, Mike Enriquez, Deo Macalma, etc. So expect a different take and approach on issues.”
They will be gentle but full of wit and substance. “The news by itself is already agitating, so why be bombastic and maligalig pa in its delivery, di ba? Makikilinya na rin kami in debunking once and for all that we were are the weaker sex. After all, the country’s first Olympic medalist and first Nobel Prize winner are both women, Hidilyn Diaz and Maria Ressa. So, bring it on!”
She admits she also missed making “sawsaw” about the hottest issues. “I missed having a voice in sorting out the myriad of issues and news that were unfolding. Take for instance the Christine Dacera case. Alam mo bang addict ako sa forensic science? Back then kating-kati ako! I felt there were questions that weren’t being asked and angles that weren’t being dissected enough! So this former Kapuso will join forces with the former Kapamilya Pat-P Daza na I know from way back pero through social gatherings lang. When I found out it she’ll be my co-anchor, ang reaction ko was: ‘Naku! Riot ito! Parang kulang yung 2 oras araw-araw!’”
They’re both happy to be working with Eagle Broacasting. “Since we’ve joined the network, we have been treated so well! Grabe! The management of EBC has gone through great lengths to welcome us so warmly! Nakakatuwa talaga! There’s a laboratory right inside their compound and we are swabbed and tested (regular RT-PCR, daily antigen) to make us safe in the workplace. Ang galing, ‘no? Our new program will go through the birth pains for sure, nut we promise to give our utmost best. Ang ASPN iba-iba ang iterations: Ano sa Palagay Niyo, Ang Status ng Panahon Ngayon, Anyare sa Pagmamaneho Niyo, Ang Sagot Sa Problema Niyo, etc. But for me this is my Alay Serbisyo sa Panginoon Natin!” So don’t miss this new dynamite tandem of Ali na, Pat-P pa starting Monday, 8AM to 10 AM on Net25 TV and on radio at DZEC and Eagle FM.
