Dannyka Manangan

MJ Felipe reflects on his path in entertainment journalism with new show ‘Are You G?’

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>Broadcast journalist and ABS-CBN’s senior entertainment reporter MJ Felipe takes a fun and adventurous route as he reintroduces beloved stars through his new show <em>Are You G? </em>which airs on The Filipino Channel (TFC).</p><p>During an intimate media conference held on Wednesday, August 20, MJ shared how “totally different” his latest project is, offering viewers a glimpse of celebrities beyond the camera.</p><p>“Sa <em>Are You G</em>, it’s something fun and light. Wala masyadong intriga, may mga revelations here and there, pero it’s mostly fun and seeing the quirky and fun side ng mga celebrities,” he explained.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1756099723714MJ Felipe reflects on his path in entertainment journalism with new show Are You G.png" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><strong></strong><strong></strong></div><div> </div><p>He also revealed that the show gave him the chance to try different activities himself, a refreshing return to his earlier years in media before becoming widely known as an entertainment reporter.</p><p>“Na-expose ako sa lifestyle magazine shows for 7 or 9 years, so when this show was offered, nag-flashback lahat na parang ‘uy dati, I was doing this!‘ but then I was head writing it, but now I’m in it, you know, hosting it. Exciting siya,” he added.</p><p>The title <em>Are You G?</em> comes from the Gen Z slang meaning “Are You Game?” The program thrives on spontaneity and lighthearted conversations, where favorite stars share personal stories and career milestones while trying out activities they wouldn’t normally do on camera.</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLrCpDeu2mk/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A350331%2C%22ls%22%3A349189.40000000596%2C%22le%22%3A349591.2999999821%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong></strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>Currently the show features some of Kapamilya favorites stars such as Kathryn Bernardo, Vice Ganda, BINI, Maris Racal, Gerald Anderson, Melai Cantiveros, FranSeth, JMFyang, Brent Manalo, Maki, as well as Filipino-Canadian Hollywood actor Manny Jacinto.</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-8" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNO7ScbzCC8/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A8%2C%22os%22%3A452953.40000000596%2C%22ls%22%3A349189.40000000596%2C%22le%22%3A349591.2999999821%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-8" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>For MJ, <em>Are You G? </em>marks another milestone in his career as it is his first show as host, something he is grateful for while balancing multiple programs.“Ako, masaya na ako na nabigyan ako ng opportunity to have my very first show which is <em>Are You G</em> and it’s totally different. Right now, ang ginagawa ko now is <em>TV Patrol</em> and a little bit of <em>On Cue — </em>it’s our sit down interview on <em>TV Patrol</em> — and then <em>Are You G,</em> then <em>Philippines Most Shocking Stories</em>,” he shared.</p><p>He added that he makes a conscious effort to keep each project distinct from the other.</p><p>&quot;Magkakaiba ‘yun, magkakaiba siya ng flavor na ginagawa ko. I just wanna make sure na everything is different, ayoko rin naman maging — nangyari na kasi sa ‘kin ‘to before — I’ve been the jack of all trades and a master of none. Kaya nag-zone in lang ako sa <em>TV Patrol </em>but nung na-solidify ko na ‘yung footing ko with news reporting, that’s when I started branching out doing other things,&quot; he expressed.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIG8Q3BJcUe/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MWgwMXdlNjV1OGhibQ=="><strong></strong></a></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIG8Q3BJcUe/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A368524.2999999821%2C%22ls%22%3A349189.40000000596%2C%22le%22%3A349591.2999999821%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="880" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-4" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong></strong><br/></div><p>Beyond the show, MJ has long been regarded as one of the notable representatives of entertainment journalism today, known for asking bold and intriguing questions. Over the past two decades, he has built a name for himself by interviewing both the country’s biggest stars and rising talents, a reputation that <em>Are You G? </em>further strengthens.</p><p>Reflecting on his more than two decades in the industry, MJ shared one of the most important lessons he has learned.</p><p>“Every day naman kasi is an opportunity to learn. Ang sabi ni Tito Boy sa akin na if you stop learning, doon ka na rin mag e-end, ‘di ka na mag go-grow. I think it’s just that: just take each day, each opportunity, each interview as a learning moment,” MJ told PUSH ABS-CBN.</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DAbTAqlB8g-/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A350356.2999999821%2C%22ls%22%3A349189.40000000596%2C%22le%22%3A349591.2999999821%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="746" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong></strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>When asked if he feels pressured to follow in the footsteps of prominent entertainment reporters before him, MJ admitted he does not.</p><p>“Hindi naman pressured because, as they always say, you can never replace them. You know the people who have been or paved the way for us — interviewers, hosts —you can never replace them. Ang lagi kong sinasabi, everyone has a corner in the sky,” MJ expressed.</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNGEyeIS2fr/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A350373.7999999821%2C%22ls%22%3A349189.40000000596%2C%22le%22%3A349591.2999999821%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong></strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>He went on, “Lahat tayo may pwesto, lahat tayo magkakaroon ng audience, magkakaroon ng market. ‘Yung iba mag sha-shine bright, ‘yung iba dim lang ng konti, but we all have that corner. Everyone has their own corner in that sky.”</p><p>With <em>Are You G?</em>, MJ Felipe not only brings audiences closer to their favorite stars but also shows his versatility as a storyteller and host. The show airs daily on TFC Cable and Satellite before <em>TV Patrol</em>. Replays are available the next day before <em>It’s Showtime</em>, while episodes also stream on TFC IPTV and YouTube.</p>

<p><b>Here’s what MJ Felipe’s greatest lesson is in his more than two decades as an entertainment journalist.</b></p>

Here’s what MJ Felipe’s greatest lesson is in his more than two decades as an entertainment journalist.