TV host Melai Cantiveros-Francisco expressed her gratitude as her Bisaya talk show Kuan On One enters its fourth season on ABS-CBN platforms.
During the media conference for the show, Melai admitted she never expected the program would last this long.
“I didn't expect talaga na tuloy tuloy itong Kuan On One. I expected na one season lang siya kasi grabe yung kaba ko. Sinabi ko na sa sarili ko na kung ano lang kaya, hindi natin pwede pilitin talaga,” Melai told PUSH ABS-CBN.
Sharing what audiences can expect, Melai proudly shared how each season has allowed the show to evolve not just in format but also in storytelling.
“Nagevolve siya in so many ways. Simula pa lang sa pagtira namin sa opening namin hanggang sa pakulo namin sa mga segments. Lahat iaalay talaga sa mga Kuanizens. Nagevolve kami sa Kuan On One, sa mga staff namin and sa mga iniinterview namin na Bisaya,” Melai said during the press question and answer.
Having the chance to speak with fellow Bisaya celebrities, Melai reflected on how many of them are risk-takers who continue to represent Bisaya identity and culture in the industry.
“Bisaya talaga is very real and authentic. Lahat naman tayo pero ang mga Bisaya para talagang risk taker na hindi namin alam kung mabash sa language or the way kami magpronounce but we have to ipakilala ang sarili namin,” she expressed.
She added that many Bisaya stars had to overcome struggles while building careers in Manila.
“Ang Bisaya kasi kapag nagpunta sa Manila, parang nakakatakot. Iba yung hirap na dinaanan ng mga celebrities but then again kinaya nila. Makikita mo talaga sa kanila an talagang ang choice nila ay lumaban,” Melai remarked.
For Melai, the show has also become personally meaningful, saying: “I've learned a lot talaga sa kanila kung paano sila lumaban sa mga problema sa buhay nila. Blessing in disguise itong Kuan On One kasi minsan nga kapag may pinagdadaanan ako, may natutunan ko at ready and rin ako lumaban sa buhay kasi yung mag celebrities nalagpasan nila and talagang faith talaga and believing in God.”
The Kapamilya host said she is excited to open the Christmas season with another batch of Bisaya guests and inspiring stories.
“Sobra akong excited na ang feeling ko an excited tayong lahat kasi Christmas season na, ganoon ang feeling ko kasi marami na naman ang maiinspire sa new set of Bisaya stars na iinterviewhin natin sa Kuan On One Season 4. Sobrang thankful talaga ako. Lahat talaga ito ay sa mga Kuanizens na nanood talaga kahit yung mga hindi Bisaya na umaasa sa subtitle. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat lalo na sa mga nanay,” she said.
Kuan On One opened its fourth season featuring Bisaya stars Beauty Gonzalez, Matteo Guidicelli, and former PBB Celebrity Collab Edition housemate AZ Martinez.
New episodes are available on the ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel and iWant every Tuesday.