Filipino noontime show Eat Bulaga has had a lot of good fortune in the last few years. ABS-CBN killed their biggest threat, Wowowee, their “Juan 4 All, All 4 Juan” segment became a huge hit and reinvigorated the show and an Indonesian television network franchised the format. Sure, popular co-host Wally Bayola decided to cheat on his wife and sick child with one of the show’s dancers, film themselves having sex then not take care to keep the video private.
But maybe the biggest bit of good fortune the show received in the last few years comes in the small, cute little package better known as Ryzza Mae Dizon.
The Little Miss Philippines 2012 winner (and one-time Wil Time Big Time contestant) quickly rose to stardom. The cute, charming little girl immediately left an impression on the show and viewers, leading up to Eat Bulaga‘s production company TAPE, Inc. developing a talk show fronted by what would be the world’s youngest host.
Ryzza Mae Dizon only continued to shine brighter the rest of 2013 with her daily exposure on Eat Bulaga and her very own 30-minute slot. The precocious, bubbly, cute and charming 8-year old was a legitimate star with great talent.
So then why are her “Bossings” wasting that talent and worse, overworking her with trivial projects?
Audiences in the Philippines and around the world likely enjoy Ryzza and her show for the sheer novelty; A little girl giving out prizes and interviewing celebs like only a little girl could do.
Now, it is no secret that she is fed lines, especially on The Ryzza Mae Show. But that you can watch and often forget that she is merely repeating what is being told to her is a big accomplishment. It hasn’t even been a year since her talk show began, yet she has quickly adjusted and grown more comfortable. After her tepid first few months where she really looked and felt younger than her age, Ryzza has quickly grown up and has come into her own as a refreshingly legitimate host and promising talent.
Looking at her show’s title card and then looking at her now, it’s amazing that it hasn’t even been a year since her show first premiered.
But in just under a year, she’s asserted herself alongside some of the Philippines’ biggest stars. Not only is she cute and funny, but she’s nice and likeable. Not many Filipino celebs are able to say that. She has a charm and wit about her that immediately draws you in.
She may repeat lines from some off-camera director, but you can easily tell the times she is now able to ad-lib and say things that come from her own head. It’s part of that growth she’s gone through in the last year.
But there’s two problems that her “Bossings” are pushing on to her. First, it is clear that she is being overworked. Indeed, her daily exposure has helped catapult her. But in just the last month or so, there was a little bit where she got sick and was unable to do her show, appear on Eat Bulaga, tape her weekly sitcom or film her movie. That’s in addition to her schoolwork. There too are days when you can tell she is absolutely tired and out of it, but of course, she has no say in the matter. The show must go on.
What her “Bossings” should realize is that she is already at a point where she doesn’t need to be working more than people 4x her age. She’s popular and loved. No need to overwork her more than need be. The worst thing they could do is burn her out and a talented little girl’s bright future is cut short because the people around her forget she is but an 8-year old girl.
On the other hand, she deserves good work. She deserves great projects. The blockbuster My Little Bossings is not one of those great projects.
The critically panned film/feature length commercial potpourri is just the kind of project Ryzza should not be doing. Pairing her up with Kris Aquino’s disinterested (and talentless) son did her no favors. And even though she may have won a Best Child Performer award at the film festival’s awards night, that doesn’t erase the fact that she was merely hawking products on the big screen in a film that didn’t even use her talents.
Ryzza Mae is naturally bright and happy. And in the last year, she’s become quick and witty. She has a knack for making people laugh and smile, whether or not she’s being fed lines. She’s likeable and a great role model for other kids (the opposite of most Filipino celebrities).
Moving forward, her “Bossings” need to remember that she is still just a little girl. But also realize that she’s a little girl with immense talent and potential that deserves more than some piss-poor, hastily made movie or some cheap gag that gets her spat in the face with juice. She deserves a great, long career. But that’s not going to happen if her talent and her personal well-being aren’t taken care of in the right way.
Filed under: commentary
