Former Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Deputy Administrator Arnell Ignacio is back to hosting in a new radio show on DZMM, the Labor of Love.
Alongside Ria Lazo, the radio show tackles true to life issues that are happening to laborers in and out of the country.
The radio station is under the management of the ABS-CBN network which is currently facing allegations and possible shutdown as its 25-year franchise is ending on May 4.
Arnell was appointed as the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Deputy Executive Director but he formally resigned last March 2019 to have more time for his family and mend his relationship with his daughter.
Known as one of the supporters of the Duterte Administration, Arnell shared his reaction regarding the network’s franchise issue.
In a recent interview, he said: “Nakakatawa di ba, kakaiba talaga ang mga buhay natin. Sabi ko nga ‘alam mo ang natutunan ko sa buhay kapag ganitong dinadala ka nang agos sa isang very challenging na alon, e gamitin mo na ang experience mo kung paano sumagwan.’ “
According to a report, Arnell admitted that the new radio show will be challenging for him because of the issue. Moreover, he sees his latest radio show as an extension of his public service.
“Wala naman masama sa gagawin ko, dahil ito naman ay karugtong rin naman ito nang layunin ng gobyerno,” he stated.
Despite being a supporter of the Duterte Administration, the 55-year old singer-songwriter believes that everything will be fine as everything will fall into place for ABS-CBN.
He said, “I’m very, very sure alam mo ‘yun lang ngayon, kapag tinitingnan natin ngayon, parang wow! Pero maayos rin lahat ‘yan. Maaayos lahat ‘yan.”
He also clarified that he’s not caught in the middle between ABS-CBN and the government.
The host added, “Ni minsan, hindi kayo nakarinig sa akin nang maanghang na statements sa kahit na kanino, base lang sa mga impressions, kasi ito nalang gagawin ko sa ABS-CBN objective e, ang mayroong channel to do that is the existing DZMM platform e di doon tayo. kung ano yung ma achieve ko dun, edi yun ang iaalay ko sa publiko.”
Labor of Love began airing on Valentine’s Day, February 14.
Aside from his radio show, the comedienne-actor expressed his interest to join the cast of the longest-running series in the country, FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano starring Coco Martin.
Actually, he was invited several times to guest in the action-packed drama series in the past, however, he repeatedly turned down the offers due to his conflicting schedule. Now that he is free, the TV host-comedian welcomes the idea of joining the top-rating series, if he will be offered a chance again.
Meanwhile, following President Duterte’s acceptance of ABS-CBN’s apology, the franchise bills filed in the Congress seeking to renew the franchise of the media giant are still not tackled.
In light of this, House Speaker Allan Peter Cayetano promised that ABS-CBN can still continue its operation even its franchise expires by March 30 as long as there are bills filed in the House of Congress.
