Sarah Geronimo may be showbiz royalty — music queen and box-office princess. But she is not above making the first move to introduce herself to newcomers.
This happened at the recent shoot for the station ID of Viva TV, the soon-to-be-launched new cable channel of Sarah’s mother studio Viva.
Sarah had just finished recording her portion and was ready to head back to her dressing room. When she spotted the next artist, a newcomer, quietly making her way to the set from another side of the studio, she immediately changed course and approached her.
And she did not just say hi. “Hi! I’m Sarah,” she properly introduced herself with a big smile.
The newbie, internet sensation Ashley Rivera, wasn’t just starstruck. She was stunned. And perhaps for the first time in her year-old showbiz career, the 20-year old, more popularly known for her glib funny-girl character named Petra Mahalimuyak, was speechless.
All she could shoot back was a shy “Hi” followed by a nervous chuckle.
The two then posed for a few photos together. And then Sarah left as Ashley tried to collect herself and get ready to shoot her spiels.
“Nagulat talaga ako na siya pa ang lumapit sa akin,” Ashley later said after her shoot, still incredulous. “Wala tuloy ako nasabi.”
Sarah and Ashley headline their own shows on Viva TV.
The “popstar princess” stars in “Popstar Diaries”, a weekly 30-minute show that gives viewers a behind-the-scenes chronicle of Sarah’s various showbiz engagements.
Ashley makes her television debut with her own show built around her Petra alter ego. The 30-minute show, “Petra’s Panniest”, presents a round-up of the funniest movie scenes and online videos with irreverent annotation as only Petra can deliver. It airs three times a week.
Viva TV will also feature programs headlined by other Viva stars, such as KC Concepcion, Jon Santos, Maui Taylor and Katya Santos.
The channel debuts nationwide in July. It will be carried by most local cable operators, including Cignal.
