Catching Up with Reema Chanco

I became good friends with Reema Chanco while working at Solar Sports. Even after that episode of my life, we still bump into each other and from time to time chat. The other day, I caught up with her to see what's up.

Rick: What's keeping you busy now? With Solar and other channels?

Reema: I just finished taping the first season of Worlds Most Amazing Videos - Tagalized Version on RPN. I'm looking forward to doing the second season next year. Right now i'm busy reporting courtside for PBL (SOLAR) and hosting PINOY GAMERS (MAKISIG TV). I also host corporate events. My most recent ones are with Goodyear in Alabang and the launch of Forum Robinsons in Pioneer.

Rick: Aside from Ultimate, are there any other sports you engage in?

Reema: Ultimate's been taking a lot of my time and focus right now. I am a member of the National Team and this coming December 7-9, we will be representing the country in the first World Flying Disc Federation Asian and Oceanic Ultimate Championship to be held in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. It's a qualifying tournament for the World Championships in Vancouver next year. Wish us luck! Maybe after the tournament, I will be able to go back to Boxing in Punch Out Gym. I love to box, that's my cross-training. Another favorite workout or exercise of mine is playing with our two retrievers, Sasha and Sophie. Those two big ones really demand attention and playing time. ( good thing they're the cutest!)

Rick: Back in college, was this -- what you're doing now -- what you really planned or had in mind?

Reema: I took up Organizational Communication and Marketing Management. Honestly, i don't know why. Hahaha! All i wanted was to have two degrees to have more options after college. The dream was to work for a multinational company and to stay there forever. I thought that since i went to one school (St. Scholastica's College, Manila) for grade school and high school; and one school (DLSU) for College; I would naturally stay in one corporation after my student life. I know, so naive! To my surprise, after graduating, i was unemployed for seven months! The dream of working for a big company was slowly fading away but thanks to my mother's help, BPI took me in as a Phonebanker for their new 24-hour Call Center. I answered calls for 2 years before i admitted to myself that this wasn't for me. It was then that i started to question myself and what i wanted to do.....only then.

Rick: What was your biggest thrill on TV? Who were your Best interviews ever? Best segments? Best stories?

Reema: Biggest thrill on being on TV? Hmm, can't think of any.

Best interview? OF COURSE, KOBE 81 who else!!!!! Kobe Bryant is by far (very far) the biggest STAR that I've met and interviewed. Boom Gonzalez and I hosted at Nike Boni High Street Kobe's Supernatural Tour. What a surreal experience. I literally only had 15 minutes beside him but it felt great. He was well-mannered, very accommodating and good looking! Hahaha! :) It was truly the highlight of my sportscasting career.

Best segments? For me, the two seasons of Rookie Manual was the best for me. Every new sport in every new episode was super fun especially because i get to learn from the best! Like in bowling, Paeng Nepumuceno taught me; in Tennis, PJ Tierro showed me the basics; etc. I'm just very thankful for the opportunity to learn a new sport every week and to meet amazing athletes and personalities.

Best stories? LOTS! But the story that stands out for me is the story of the Camarines Sur Dragon Boat Team. Rookie Manual covered the First International Boracay Dragon Boat Festival last April and the Camarines Sur Team dominated the Men's 300 and 500 meter divisions. They were really above the rest in athleticism, technique and speed. What was really amazing to know was that this team only trained with a FISHING BOAT. They didn't have the proper gear and equipment but they still finished on top. Now that's a good story, isn't it?

Rick: How do you maintain such an active lifestyle?

Reema: I've been active and into sports ever since i was a little girl. If i don't do any physical activity for a week, I feel sad and my body feels unbalanced. It's really a big part of my life :) I'm very fortunate that i have a partner who is much like me, who is very active and also in love with frisbee!

Rick: So outside all these gigs and sports, how do you unwind? What's an off-day like for Reema Chanco?

Rema: A perfect day of relaxing for me will include a meal of tapsilog, a good movie in the theater and an hour of body massage at home.

Rick: Sounds like a good idea, Reema. I'll go get myself a tapsilog.