Bernadette Sembrano on her love life

BERNADETTE Sembrano is yet to confirm reports that she has broken up with her boyfriend.

A few years back, Bernadette was linked to Senator Noynoy Aquino, (then congressman in Tarlac).

How soon will she fall in love again? we asked her. "Hindi na muna siguro," she replied. "I’d rather concentrate on my career muna."

Bernadette is one of the busiest newscasters and hosts, with the most number of programs on ABS-CBN. She hosts the Sunday edition of "TV Patrol" with Alex Santos. She is one of the correspondents featured in the magazine show, "The Correspondents." And there is, of course, "Nagmamahal, Kapamilya," which celebrates its first anniversary.

"I love doing ‘Nagmamahal, Kapamilya’ as the show is able to bridge families worldwide," said Bernadette. "We all know that there are about 10 million Filipinos abroad. And not all of them are with their families. And somehow, they suffer because of the separation."

"Nagmamahal, Kapamilya" started airing in April 2005. The show featured the lives of Pinoys around the world by dramatizing their plight, the loneliness and the longing they suffer because of the distance between them and their families.

It was in November 2006 that the people behind "Nagmamahal, Kapamilya," headed by Ethel Espiritu, decided to change the format of the show. This time, they document the actual journey of the reunited families. So far, the show has featured 13 real-life stories and has succeeded in reuniting 17 families.

One of their best episodes, according to Ethel Espiritu, was about this woman who has been in Japan for sometime. She had failed relationships with, at least, four men. She had children with three of them.

She decided to work abroad and left her children under the care of some relatives. She finally thought of returning home for a visit to patch things up with her kids but they were not interested to see her.

But thanks to "Nagmamahal, Kapamilya," which facilitated the reconciliation between her and her children before she returned to Japan. The show also shouldered the expenses of her trip back home.

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As part of the show’s anniversary, the exceptional stories of celebrities will be featured. These include the stories of Nora Aunor and "Pinoy Big Brother Season 2" winner Beatriz.

There will be a "Nagmamahal, Kapamilya Day" on August 26 wherein Bernadette will host a one-hour-radio special on live broadcast via DZMM Teleradyo. Select people will be allowed to contact their loved ones abroad, via overseas calls, for free.

And guess what? Also, in celebration of its first anniversary, "Nagmamahal, Kapamilya," together with Globe Asia-tique, is also giving away a house and lot to lucky viewers. Mechanics of this contest will be announced soon.

The month-long celebration of "Nagma-mahal, Kapa-milya’s" first anniversary will start Saturday, August 4, after "Wowowee."
Ethel Ramos
Malaya