Eugene Domingo says apartments in New York and London may 

convince her
to become an exclusive TV talent
Noel Orsal

  

When Eugene Domingo embarks on her new role as a

game show host, she won't just explain the rules
of Magic Numbers—she will also take part in production
numbers that she describes as "buwis buhay."
 
Her friend, Noel Ferrer, teased Uge (Eugene's nickname)
by saying that his ward will be wearing a tanga and will
be using a harness for this show.
 
Viewers will have to wait and see until February 27 if she
will actually do all these stunts. But given Uge's
enthusiasm for her projects, it won't be surprising.
Moviegoers have already seen her cross a muddy field
and withstand "tsinelas torture" for Kimmy Dora.
 
During the February 15 press conference at Katre
restaurant in Quezon City, Uge expressed her gratitude
for being chosen to host TV5's Sunday variety game
show called Lucky Numbers.
 
"I feel lucky to be offered this kind of game show on a
Sunday afternoon. It's the best option on a Sunday
afternoon. Alam naman natin na ang mga nagdo-
dominate pag Sunday ay ang mga variety shows
na ASAP [ABS-CBN]  at Party Pilipinas [GMA-7].
 
"Maganda ang step ng Kapatid Channel na huwag nang gumawa ng ganun. Natutuwa ako na
pinuwesto nila ang Lucky Numbers pagkatapos ng [show] ni Joey de Leon na idol ko.
 
"Pagkatapos ng Lucky Numbers, dun naman ang variety show ng mga bagets," she said.
 
This refers to the plan of TV5 to change its Sunday programming starting February 27. Joey's new
show will be a game show called Pinoy Samurai  while the teen-oriented musical variety show will be
called Fantastik.
 
Uge will have a co-host in this game show but her identity is still under wraps. She describes her co-
host as "very talented and very familiar."
 
In the final portion of the show called "Big Money Challenge," the contestant will be given the chance
to select briefcases containing various amounts of money and dreaded X marks. Unlike other game
shows that have ladies carrying the briefcases, there will be ten hunky guys who will bring the black
cases.
 
"Meron tayong sampu na tatawagin nating mga L-boys, lucky boys, ha! Ang mga L-boys ang
magbibigay sa atin—sa akin siguro—ng pampagana," she said with a smile.
 
ON BEING COMPARED TO KRIS AQUINO. Since this will be the first time that Uge will try to host a
game show, how will she react to comments pitting her against TV host-actress Kris Aquino?
 
Uge pointed out: "Hindi ko naisip na competition ako ni Ms. Kris Aquino. Iba namang timeslot siya and
we all know na napakaraming game show na siyang nagawa."
 
Kris recently began hosting the Philippine franchise of the popular game show The Price Is Right on
ABS-CBN.
 
Uge later added, "Hindi naman natin matatanggal 'yan kasi nakakapag-excite sa industriya natin ang
comparison. But with all due respect to Ms. Kris, ang dami na niyang game shows na pinasikat at
kahit ako ay humahanga. We are just offering something new and different. Asahan mo Ms. Kris, hindi
namin iniisip na kakumpitensiyahin ka." 
 
Does she feel that she can compete head-on with Kris when it comes to hosting?
 
"Hindi!" said Uge with a laugh. "Alam mo, iba-iba naman ang estado ng bawat artista, e. Ang sa akin
lang, kung meron man akong kakalabanin o kukumpintensiyahin, sarili ko kasi kailangan ang sarili ko.
Lagi ko kasing sinasabi na 'kaya mo ba 'to? Ito kaya mo pa ba 'to?'
 
"Ako lagi ay humahanga sa mga nauna sa akin, sa mas senior sa akin, sa mga mas eksperinsiyado
kaysa sa akin. Sa akin lang, may bago kaming putahe, subukan n'yo kami."
 
WILL SHE ACCEPT AN EXCLUSIVE CONTRACT? Uge has been dubbed as the "Crossover Queen"
because she is allowed to star in TV projects on ABS-CBN, GMA-7, and TV5.
 
What will it take for her to become an exclusive talent of a TV network?