Amy Perez temporarily bids Face to Face goodbye to attend to her delicate pregnancy as advised by her doctors. The mediatrix of Philippine TV’s top-rating morning program personally recommended TV host/actress Gelli de Belen to pinch-hit as the “Pambansang Kapitana” while she attends to her motherly duties.
Amy, 42, admits that she needs to be more cautious when it comes to looking after her and her baby’s welfare. “I’ve come to a point that I feel so blessed because God has given me a great family and career. I just can’t thank Him more for another blessing,” Amy shared. “I pray it’s a girl para ’di na ko outnumbered ng boys sa family,” she said in jest, referring to sons Adi (15) and Sean Kyle (3), and life partner Carlo.
Amy confessed that she personally handpicked Gelli to attend to the serious task of mediating two clashing sides on Face to Face. “Being a referee on the show is no easy task. It requires patience, deep understanding of everyday people, and genuine care to resolve their conflict. I can see and feel that Gelli fits the bill perfectly.”
Gelli mastered the art of hosting when she, along with sister Janice and friend Carmina Villaroel, led a daily talk show for a good nine years. Last year, she returned to her home network TV5 as a presenter for the food magazine program “Gellicious.” She also appeared in the TV series “Nandito Ako” and some episodes of “Untold Stories mula sa Face to Face.” Gelli currently co-hosts Sunday noontime show “Game N’ Go.”
At home, Gelli is a doting mom to her young boys (Joaqui, 12 and Julio, 10) and a dedicated wife to actor-singer husband Ariel Rivera. She advocates women empowerment, assisting battered women in depressed communities. Unknown to many, Gelli is also a “galloner,” a regular blood donor of Philippine Red Cross. She sees the value of donating blood as she shares the rare A-negative blood type with only one percent of the national population. This July, Gelli will take part in the blood-letting activity organized by the Alagang Kapatid Foundation, the charity arm of TV5.
When asked about hosting Face to Face, “Ateng Gelli” said she’s excited to be at the helm. Tiyang Amy will formally hand over the reins to Ateng Gelli in the coming weeks.
Aside from their shared duties, Ateng Gelli and Tiyang Amy will work together in reaching out to communities in Metro Manila via “Soup Kitchen for Kids.” This feeding program will kick-start this July, in partnership with Alagang Kapatid Foundation. Face to Face’s “Payo sa Bayan” will also soon return to barangays to offer free legal, spiritual and psychological advice via the show’s own “Trio Tagapayo.”
