IT would seem unlikely of a male broadcast journalist — a famed one at that — to be crossing over to showbiz doing vlogs, yet Julius Babao has incredibly defied it.
Julius Babao grants subscribers’ ardent wish to check on folk-rock singer Coritha who is now in her desolate bedridden state. INSTAGRAM PHOTO/JULIUSBABAO
While “showbizifying” most if not all his vlogs is expected to be right up his wife Christine Bersola’s alley, Julius proves to be just as amazing.
By far, Julius’ choice of his vlog subjects includes the stars of yore who hit it big this side of the world.
To name a few, there’s Mia Prats — the 80s screen heartthrob Viva who shot to fame via the youth-oriented flick Bagets. Also a Viva gem, Julius reintroduced and brought back into our psyche the enigmatic Jobelle Salvador from the humongous showbiz clan of actors.
At the same time, Julius was successful in “tracking down” Sarsi Emmanuel of Dr. Rey de la Cruz’s softdrink beauties fame. Julius has got an irresistible charm that made the then-reluctant Sarsi agree to a vlog interview, thanks to his unflinching persistence.
Insightful. Funny. Engaging. Overall, this is how Julius’ showbiz vlogs can be described in a capsule.
Viewers and subscribers though alike are looking for that one important element which tugs at their heart strings. A bit of drama.
It doesn’t have to be a vlog that bleeds their tearducts dry. After all, showbiz has two faces.
kkkThen so be it. Julius granted his subscribers’ ardent wish, at least on two occasions in August.
The first involved a feature on folk-rock singer Coritha, now in her desolate bedridden state.
Unable to respond due to stroke, it’s Coritha’s fan-turned-partner Gerry Santos who Julius interviewed in her stead in his Tagaytay residence. It was Gerry who took upon himself bringing Coritha to his home to personally take care of her.
Gerry recounted the day when Coritha had eaten two large pieces of soursop he left on the table while he was out. He returned only to notice that eating those fruits had caused his partner to feel dizzy. That was it.
Gerry confessed to getting support from Coritha’s former classmates and friends with which to buy at least a small can of milk (P800 which is only good for five days).
“We’re short of money but we’re getting by, thank God,” he shared in Tagalog.
Apparently moved by Gerry’s confession, Julius had prepared a little cash to tide him over. He had also brought in fellow folk singer Lolita Carbon who instantly broached the idea of mounting a fund-raising show days after her visit. Thankfully, the show turned out to be a roaring success.
As though extending help to those in dire need isn’t enough, Julius’ next stop in weeks was to go after Deborah Sun.
His vlog interview centered on the senior actress having been diagnosed with stage 2 colon cancer.
Deborah — inspite of her condition — shines as a beacon of hope although learning she’s inflicted with it initially frightened her, “I thought of my kids, how would they be?”
She, however, has reaffirmed the power of prayers.
“I prayed to God that it be benign or just be stage 1 or 2. He gave it to me! I also prayed that I wouldn’t need chemo or radiation. Thank God, I only need to go oral chemo,” Deborah shared.
Like anyone struck by illness, the 64-year-old actress realizes: “It’s hard when you get sick if you don’t have the means.”
Before wrapping it up, Julius came for the interview expectedly prepared.
Here’s looking forward to Julius’ next inspiring vlog.
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