As she embarks on hosting her first travel show this year, actress and model Rhian Ramos admitted she has long been aware of being pegged as “sosyal.” The 34-year-old actress explained why that would be an impossible image to maintain while you are an actress in the Philippines.  

“Siguro part yun ng image ko pero ang hirap kasi pag nanggaling sa akin eh. Pero sa totoo lang, hindi naman ako maarte. Magkaiba naman yung sinasabi nilang Inglisera sa maarte. And honestly, ang mga tao sa showbiz, although akala mo glamorous, ganun, hindi ka talaga puwedeng maarte sa negosyong ito (laughs) kasi lahat talaga mapupuntahan mo at ma-e-experience mo. Gagapang at iiyak at sasampal sampalin ka sa putik. Walang maarteng gumagawa nun.

"I’m actually very adventurous and I love to experience new things. So kahit saan pa nila ako dalhin. Although I’ve been alive for 34 years living in the Philippines my whole life at dito ako lumaki, ang dami pa rin nilang nahahanap na bagong experiences for me,” she shared. 

Contrary to how she is perceived onscreen, the Fil-British host said she actually loves eating Pinoy street food. “Sa totoo lang, yung mga favorite kong kainin, kunwari nasa taping ako at hindi ko trip yung ulam (laughs), magpapabili na ako ng either betamax or isaw or fishball. Yun yung top three ko na favorite, number one ko talaga yung betamax. So I think I really do have a medyo adventurous palate. We’re always willing to explore, we always have these fun experience together. I think I’ve always had it inside me since childhood pa,” she admitted. 

Now that she is adding hosting to her portfolio in showbiz, Rhian shared how challenging the transition has been ever since they started taping Where in Manila. 

“Well to be quite honest, I’ve always felt the most comfortable pagka meron akong script at meron akong ibang character. I feel like pag yung sarili ko na like during interviews or when I’m being myself, dun pumapasok yung parang hiya (laughs) to express myself. But being a host will really build your confidence in youself, yung pag meron kang organic thought na puwede mo siyang ibitaw right then and there kahit wala siya sa script. And also just being very honest and on the spot kung ano yung naiisip about a certian topic, ilalabas mo yun ion the spot in your most honest, authentic, way,” she said. 

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With her latest project aiming to showcase all the interesting things to do, see, and eat in the country’s capital city, Rhian admits she is excited to discover more about Manila this year.

“I’m so, so excited to be hosting this show. It’s not just going to be a learning experience for our audience but siyempre para sa akin din. It’s very known that I love to travel, I love new experience, tasting things that I’ve never eaten before, seeing places I’ve never been to before. Pero who knew that there’s so much to be seen and celebrated just in our backyard which is Metro Manila.  It’s the capital of the Philippines and so much can be found here. In our first shoots pa lang I’ve been able to have a lot of first time experiences also,” she added.