HOW does one adjust from being a model to a television personality? Join Clint Holton P. Potestas as he finds out how from one who’s “been there, done that!”

When you see Phoebe Kaye Fernandez on television now, it is certainly not like the first time she appeared on screen. To put it in one word, she is “smooth” – she smiles, then holds the microphone and throws her spiels in a casual way, the same as how she converses to her friends on the lunch table.

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“Before, I was too conscious in front of the camera, making me act unnaturally, and at some point, forgetting my lines. Shamefully, I was also poor with my Mag TV Na! hand signals (the thing we do when we say Mag TV Na!). But now, slowly, I’m getting more comfortable, and thankfully, I’ve mastered my hand signals,” says 22-year-old Phoebe, who hosts Mag TV Na, a Sunday morning magazine show on ABS-CBN-Cebu.

“First shoot? Totally nerve-wracking. It was for the Mag TV Na! PanagSogod Special that I first experienced hosting the show. I wasn’t even able to attend my nursing master’s class just to be with the team on an overnight stay in Sogod.

“I was thrilled with the opportunity laid before me, considering that it was a whole new experience. But at the same time, I felt nervous because I know for a fact that TV hosting is tough.”

But she is pretty much understood. With her experience as one of the 12 Miss Cebu candidates in 2009 while working as a model under Circa Models and Events, it is impossible not to adjust quickly to the challenge. And she would not graduate Magna Cum Laude in her degree in Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of San Carlos and immediately have passed the board examination for nothing.

“Everything is challenging. Every small detail is always taken into consideration, especially when it comes to handling myself in front of the camera. Balancing my energy levels, with my voice, with my facial expression, with my body language, and with the way I handle individual differences. Everything should come out as natural as possible, not minding the camera focusing on me,” she relates.

From a spectator’s point of view, Phoebe seems to enjoy the demand of the schedule, the heat of the lights, and the throw-away changes in her script. Above all, the show has carried her through life’s simple lessons, not a usual reflection from a 22-year-old.

“The most enjoyable part of being on Mag TV Na! is the chance to experience the extremes. I get the opportunity to be toured for free around the most gorgeous and wonderful destinations, and enjoy the beauty of nature.”

“But aside from that, I also get to appreciate the strength I gather from people who, sad to say, are unfortunate enough to be living on low incomes. Even if how small their houses are, or if they’re living near a dump site, they never fail to inspire me and make my hosting much more memorable,” she continues.

During her Miss Cebu stint, Phoebe met Cinbeth Orellano, officer-in-charge of Cebu City Tourism Commission, who was also the floor director of another local show, Kapamilya, Winner Ka. Cinbeth invited her to join Star Magic-Cebu, a pool of talented youth, and then later on, she was presented to the network’s president, Charo Santos-Concio.

For five months, Phoebe has become a household name. The attention even off-camera – Facebook messages, smiles from strangers, and that familiar greeting from adoring fans – has never gotten into her head. In fact, she’s a little uncomfortable with it, but then, there’s no choice but to live the moment.