Why Solenn & Rhian click
Having many things in common, Solenn Heussaff and Rhian Ramos are perhaps going to be the most quirky and adventurous hosts televiewers will about to see on GMA News TV’s lifestyle magazine show Taste Buddies beginning June 25 at 8:45 p.m.
You see, both Kapuso stars are “terrible” — until now — in speaking or pronouncing words that are “too Pinoy.” Pardon them for that since we are indubitably aware that Solenn is half-Filipino, half-French while Rhian is of Filipino-Welsh descent. Their being bulol naturally comes out funny. Besides, Solenn has a wit very much akin to Pinoys while Rhian’s doe eyes and disarming smile complement her natural wittiness that makes her more charming even when goofing around.
Solenn and Rhian also love adventures. Both are willing to experience new things, explore some of the country’s remote tourist spots and try mouthwatering food in and outside the Metro. Both, however, are quick to enumerate some restrictions when it comes to food. “No okra (lady finger) and oysters for me. (They are of the) same level, I really can’t take them,” Solenn said during the pocket interview held last Tuesday afternoon. “And she ( referring to Rhian) hates ampalaya (bitter gourd).”
“Yes, (I’m) anti- ampalaya movement,” agreed Rhian. “But I love
okra. It’s so good, it’s my favorite vegetable and I don’t eat oysters also.”
Rhian continued, “Usually, I have restrictions like on every other day except for Taste Buddies day because I would consider it like one of my cheat days and that’s the day I am allowed to eat everything that I want. I’m so lucky that I have a cheat day provided to me now and I don’t have to like drive myself around the metro feeding myself, hahaha.”
According to Solenn, they would normally visit three or four restaurants in one taping day and that all the more made Rhian excited to start the foodtrip part of the show. “Yeah, di ba and when do I get the chance to eat six different dishes in the same restaurant like this?,” asked Rhian while pointing to the nachos with different toppings. “And it’s free which makes the food tastes better.”
Perhaps you are wondering why Rhian has suddenly become Solenn’s “buddy” in the show. That’s because Iya Villania has bid the show goodbye. She is now on her second trimester of pregnancy with her and husband Drew Arellano’s first child. Her delicate condition limits her from doing strenuous activities. If you’ve been watching Taste Buddies, then you have seen how Iya and Solenn cried buckets during the former’s farewell episode as host.
Program manager Charles Koo also explained the reason of Iya’s departure from the show. “As much as Iya loves the show and she really does, the answer to questions na if her absence is just temporary, well, Iya is transitioning to a new stage in her life. It’s not just her being married because when we got her, she’s already married and still, we had her. But now her being a mother serves as some limitation to some dietary requirements and s’yempre di mo na s’ya p’wedeng patalunin sa jumpyard, mag- volleyball at di na s’ya pwede sa shooting range so there’s a lot of limitations. Although she’s healthy because she does a lot of exercises, it’s the stage in life that she’s transitioning at yun ang concern namin so we really had to say goodbye to Iya. And we believe we’re leaving the program to the capable hands naman of Rhian. She really fits the bill.”
Asked what can televiewers expect from the show with Rhian and Solenn as a hosting tandem, the latter answered, “Next week, we’re going to Tagaytay, our first out of town together so I’m sure Rhian will also be having fun kasi
pag out of town it’s a bit more fun because we always bring hot guests, hahaha.”
Rhian burst into laughter while expressing her excitement over the trip and Solenn naughtily quipped, “Of course, we have to bring palaman to their pandesal
— you know their abs. Yun ang paraan ko para maging malandi ng konti sa buhay.”
Rhian added, “That’s legal landi because it’s part of the show.” And Solenn agreed by saying, “Yeah, it has been part of the show although may kaunting totoong factor, hahaha.”
Kidding aside, Rhian said she also looks forward to watching Solenn demonstrate make-up techniques “because she’s a pro and then I think I’m gonna pick up some tips from there and I just look forward to bonding with her ’coz I’ve known her for a while. We had shows together but I think we’ve never been locked up together so this is just me and her now. So, I think I’m gonna get to know her a lot better and I’m excited. So far, everything I’ve seen, I love (because it’s) so super fun.”