Monday, December 03, 2007 Game on By Karl A.E.F. Cabilao
HE admitted to have nurtured a lot of dreams as a child. Among his big childhood ambitions were to be a doctor, a priest, a teacher and an artist.
Ronald “Roy” Empleo did not become a doctor, yet was able to get a taste of the medical world by once working. He came close to being a priest by being a seminarian, but it led him instead to his third choice: teaching (which he did for seven years). On the way, he dabbled with theater and song-writing, which paved the way to stardom.
Quite hard to imagine, you say. But that’s what 30-year-old Roy went through. He is the lead game master now in the newest game show on local TV, Kapamilya, Winner Ka!, which airs every Saturday morning on ABS-CBN.
“When I was yet a seminarian at the Don Bosco Missionary Seminary, I was involved in theater, from acting to directing. I guess that opened up a lot of other talents in me,” he recalls.
The talented Cebuano made waves in another of his forte—songwriting—as he competed in an international songwriting contest in Taiwan a few years back. He was among the top 20 honorary awardees in the said tilt that attracted more than a hundred participants from all over the world. A piece that he made also grabbed the spotlight at the Cebu Pop Music Festival in 1999.
From music, Roy ventured into television as one of the hosts of Sabado Na, Game Na! Then he played an unlikely villain role in the local telenovela, Summer Sunshine. It was during a judging stint at another TV show that he was approached by the network’s executive producer and asked if he could be a main host for a new game show.
“I thought it was a big opportunity for a new talent like me, so I gave it a shot,” shares Roy, who says that he would like to meet Steven Spielberg if given the chance.
It was a brand new world for Roy hosting the new game show considering the challenges that came with it.
“We had to do two episodes per taping day. The challenge lies in sustaining the energy and enthusiasm among the players and the audience.
“There were times I almost lost my voice from doing the job, but the show definitely must go on,” confides the energetic game master.
“But for me, the job offered a lot of lessons, like the need to have a strong personality and a positive attitude toward the many bad things that are often hurled against you. And the opportunity to know and excite other people makes the job all worth it,” he adds.
Outside the glare of the cameras and studio lights, Roy is active in his religious community, Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon (Mactan Chapter). He says it is a great way to thank God for all the blessings that he has received.
Truly, Roy can attest that he has lived his dreams in one way or the other. With a never-give-up attitude and humility, he’s ready to take on just about anything that lies ahead of him, like traveling abroad, going to film school and exploring his work even more.
Whether in the game show or real life, for him, it’s: “Game on!”
