Summer day... Summer rain... Spoon Fun!

East meets West… shared over a home-cooked meal

It was a warm atmosphere inside the Spoon Studio despite the dark grey skies outside and hard rain. Take note that it’s supposedly a summer feel, yet it was raining?! I was again invited to drop by the set and catch the team in action. And this time, their guest were, can you believe it? Jon Avila and Ms. Boots Anson-Roa!

Around past one in the afternoon on what supposedly was a hot summer afternoon, half-Filipino and half-British model and actor Jon Avila arrived the set donning a summer look, “My attire is wasted, it’s raining…” he says jokingly to Nanizza Reginaldo, Spoon’s Producer. Jon headed directly to the kitchen to check on the ingredients of the dish he was going to make: Spicy Tuna Pasta. Jon Avila’s name in real life is Jonathan Mullaly. Born to parents of Filipino and Irish descent, Jon grew up in East London with his family.

He and Janice de Belen, the host of Spoon were talking about how it is different being in London and here in the Philippines, growing up with family and other topics close to heart. Jon told Janice that he was very proud of his Filipino heritage despite growing up in another country and that he loves his family very much. Over-all he loved the program, the staff and the cake! He told the Spoon team that he was very happy doing the interview and that he would love to come back…

After Jon left for his next engagement, we awaited the arrival of Ms. Boots Anson-Roa. While waiting, Ate Janice (as I call her fondly), Nanizza, Thea Javier (Spoon’s Account Manager), Ate Ning-Ning (Spoon’s Talent Coordinator.) were catching up on each other’s lives. We’ve been so busy lately that catching up was a way for us to kill boredom while waiting for the arrival of Ms. Boots. Ate Janice was preparing the Strawberry Parfait (Ms. Boots’ favorite desert) while we were chatting incessantly. It was delicious, for she let us try it.

Classic lady, timeless beauty, and spoonfuls of knowledge

One hour and thirty minutes later, Ms. Boots Anson-Roa arrives and Ate Ning welcomes her inside the studio. Ms. Boots asked Ate Ning about the ingredients if everything were fine and ready. After which the camera started rolling for their taping for their upcoming Spoon episode. I’ve known Ms. Anson-Roa as one of the most versatile actresses of her time but it really surprised me to find out that she’s an educator as well despite her busy schedule in the glitz and glam that is showbiz. Seeing her dress simply for this shoot, showed not only her outer beauty but the inner as well.

During the shoot she was telling Ate Janice how it was during her time when she started in showbiz. She also shared how her husband supported her all throughout her career. I listened with tears in my eyes as she recalls the days when she would go back and forth during her tapings to be with her kids and for that she was given the Parent of the Year award. A true inspiration to everyone out there.

Catching a glimpse into the simple life under the glitz and glam of the showbiz world made me see that not only do these actors and actresses show the beauty in front of the camera, but they also have the brains to go along with it and it wasn’t just for show, it was for real!

For more of these stories, watch Spoon every Sunday at 6:30 pm.

Here's a glimpse into that shoot.... Lucky for me I was there...