MANILA, Philippines-Dashing and dapper Mike Concepcion still can't believe that he was picked as one of the hosts of trendcast "ETC HQ" considering that it's his first time to audition for such a show.
"Just a year ago, I didn't think I'd be doing something like this but when the opportunity came up, I asked myself, 'Why not?' This could turn out into a great experience for me---open new doors for me---and who knows what would come after this," he told Bulletin Entertainment in an interview held on Sept. 14.
Concepcion said that it took five months before he got the "call" from producers and was counting down the days leading to it. The 21-year-old model and entrepreneur described the audition process "rigid" as the producers wanted someone who not only hosts well but also knowledgeable in pop culture.
"Talk to my agent and he'd tell you---I was screaming on the phone when I learned about my inclusion to the show. It was awesome, a cool feat," he said. "This is the kind of show I want to be doing because I know our topics are relevant to our target market."
"ETC HQ" is an extension of Concepcion who is into movies, music, TV and style. He likes it that everyone in the team works in collaborative fashion and that he is given a voice to suggest topics for the show. Concepcion is signed to do the first season consisting of 12 episodes.
Asked if he plans to use the stint as jumping point to becoming an actor, Concepcion shook his head and gave a somewhat tentative smile.
"I have had my fair share of modeling and being an endorser but I don't necessarily see this as my door to showbiz. My bread and butter is business and I see myself as entrepreneur more than anything else," said he whose latest venture is a chain of Japanese restaurants.
It helps that Concepcion has been friends with co-hosts Julia Siegowski and Patti Grandidge long before "ETC HQ" came up. The chemistry they share is undeniable even onscreen even as they work on building more rapport by holding "bonding" sessions even outside the set.
Though some would mistake Concepcion as an "Am-Boy" [American Boy], Concepcion was in fact born and raised here. He speaks very good English but throw him a question in Filipino and he'd reply as if you've been talking in the dialect all along.
According to a release, "ETC HQ" offers viewers the latest trends on all things that interest the stylish youth. The 15-minute weekly capsule premieres on Sunday at 8:45 on ETC which is seen on free TV RPN-9, Sky Cable Ch. 14, destiny Cable Ch. 14, Cable Link Ch. 34 and Cignal Ch. 14, Dream Satellite Ch. 6 in Metro Manila.
