Volleyball has taught Cherry Nunag a lot of lessons that she now applies in her new role as host of Kalye Confessions, the newest segment of ABS-CBN S+A’s The Score.
As an athlete, volleyball has taught her how to manage her time and the importance of building a relationship with the people around her. Now that she has turned to hosting, Cherry knows these two things will be key to her success.
“Iba ‘yung turo sa akin ng volleyball. ‘Yung makipagkapwa-tao, kung paano mo pagkakasiyahin ‘yung oras mo, ‘yung tiwala sa mga taong nakapaligid sa ‘yo (Volleyball taught me about relating to other people and how to manage my time, who to trust around me),” she shared.
Like a player who is pumped up for the season opener and ready to hit the hard court, but all of a sudden feels a cold sweat right when they step on the floor, the Petro Gazz Angels’ middle hitter had first game jitters as a host.
“Noong nagstart na ‘yung shooting, kinakabahan na ako tapos tinatanong ko na ‘yung sarili ko na ‘kaya ko na ba talaga (When we started shooting, I got nervous. I asked myself, can I really do this?)”
As soon as she was able to relax and get into the conversation, Cherry realized that she just had to be herself. It was as if she made her first spike in the game and then there was no stopping her.
“Noong lumabas yung pilot episode and dami na nagme-message sa akin.
Saka ko lang na-realize na kaya ko pala, tama pala ‘yung mga pinaggagawa ko (When the pilot episode came out, a lot of people were messaging me. Only then did I realize that I am cut for this. That I am doing it right),” she added.
She said what makes Kalye Confessions special is that guests are comfortable enough to be themselves because they are talking to a fellow athlete.
“Iba kasi makipag-usap kapag player to player. Iba kapag komportable ka sa kausap mo and naiintindihan ka nung kausap mo (It’s different when you are talking to a fellow player, to someone you are comfortable with and who understands you),” she said.
Cherry is also able to display proper time management in accepting this gig while her Petro Gazz team is preparing for this year’s Premier Volleyball League (PVL). Not wasting time, Cherry grabbed the opportunity to make to explore new things and other passions. After all, her friends have always encouraged her to pursue this path ever since, as she is known to effortlessly make people laugh.
“Maraming nagsasabi sa akin before na bakit ‘di daw ako gumawa ng vlog kasi for sure papatok ‘yun kasi nakakatawa daw ako (People have been telling me to start a vlog because they know it’s going to be hit because of my humor),” she shared.
In terms of her idol in hosting, Cherry named someone very famous for being outrageously funny.
“Syempre Vice Ganda! Sobrang funny niya kasi then ang bilis niya din mag-isip ng ijo-joke niya (Vice Ganda, of course. Vice is so funny and quick to come up with jokes),” she shared.
Cherry follows in the footsteps of fellow athletes like Alyssa Valdez, Michele Gumabao, Gretchen Ho, and Beau Belga who all began their careers on the court but were eventually welcomed by ABS-CBN Sports as hosts or analysts. With the help of the sports arm of the country’s leading media and entertainment company, they are able to step out of their comfort zone and find success outside of their sport.
With Luzon under an enhanced community quarantine, Cherry is unable to take another celebrity athlete out for a drive. However, with the help of technology, fans of the segment can look forward to another episode of Kalye Confessions as it launches its “Stay-at-Home” edition with the same “chickahan and kulitan” via video chat soon.
For the meantime, watch Kalye Confessions on ABS-CBN Sports’ platforms on TV on ABS-CBN S+A and on digital on the ABS-CBN Sports Facebook page and YouTube channel. Follow @ABSCBNSports on Twitter and Facebook or visitsports.abs-cbn.com. For updates, follow @ABSCBNPR on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram or visit www.abscbnpr.com.
