When it comes to fangirling, no one does it quite like the Bisaya people!  

There's something so endearing about the way Bisaya fans idolize their favorite artists. Maybe it’s because, for many, access to the entertainment scene is less frequent in the provinces, compared to Metro Manila. So, when a celebrity shows up or when a Bisaya fan gets the chance to be near their idol, it's a big deal–an experience everyone in the barrio will probably hear about! 

This undeniable fan spirit is something Melai Cantiveros, Alora Sasam, and TV writer-turned-showbiz personality Darla Sauler know all too well. Before they were rubbing elbows with today’s hottest stars, they were just like any other diehard fans—starstruck and admiring from afar. In fact, both Darla and Alora, who are from Mindanao, shared that their humble beginnings included being part of the ‘ultimate fans club.’  

Darla, who spent most of her childhood in Davao, revealed that her family moved around a lot, but she always felt a deep connection to the entertainment world. Fun fact: Darla was a Cum Laude before she stepped foot into ABS-CBN! Meanwhile, Alora, born and raised in Lanao del Norte, didn’t let her career as a registered nurse stop her from chasing her showbiz dreams. Both of them knew what it was like to admire their idols from afar—something Bisaya fans can relate to on a deep level. 

Now, they’re living out their dreams of being friends and colleagues with the very people they used to idolize. How cool is that? 

In this episode of “Kuan On One,” ABS-CBN’s first mainstream Bisaya talk show, hosted by ‘Kuantie’ Melai, Darla and Alora opened up about their journeys from humble beginnings to the spotlight. Both hailing from Mindanao, they shared stories that prove how even the most passionate fangirls can find themselves in the heart of showbiz. 

One of the most fascinating parts of their conversation was about how Bisaya fans are often the most dedicated–proof is how Bisaya housemates often dominate “Pinoy Big Brother.” They credit this to the “power vote” culture in the Visayas and Mindanao, where fans will go the extra mile to support their faves.  

In provinces where celebrity encounters are rare, spotting a famous face is a big event. Alora reminisced about how, back in the day, she'd save up her lunch money to buy Starstudio magazines or notebooks with her favorite celebrities on the cover—proving just how far a fan will go for a glimpse of their idols. 

Alora and Darla’s personal experiences reflect this fandom dedication. As kids, they were obsessed with collecting celebrity memorabilia. Darla was naturally drawn to the entertainment world since her family ran a movie theater business. She also collected autographs and even kept old scripts from live shows she was part of. Darla would also hold on to any trinket related to celebrities, like even the bottled mineral water that her favorite actors drank from. 

Back then, Jolina Magdangal’s dolls and butterfly accessories were all the rage. However, Melai shared that she couldn't afford any Jolina merchandise back then. So, now that they've broken into the showbiz industry, Alora, Darla, and Melai are amazed that the celebrities they once idolized are now their colleagues. Take Melai, for example, who not only works alongside but is also close friends with Jolina on “Magandang Buhay.” These are the moments where they’re left thinking, "Who would have thought?" 

They went on to recall their first encounters with their ultimate idols. Melai, for instance, almost fainted with excitement when she saw her ultimate celeb crush, Jericho Rosales, visit the Big Brother house during her time as a housemate. She vividly remembers the overwhelming mix of nerves and joy that flooded her, but she had to stay composed and focused on her task from Big Brother. 

As for Alora, before she entered showbiz, she went out of her way to attend an event just to see Judy Ann Santos in person. So, imagine her shock when, years later, she found herself hosting “ASAP Chillout” and was asked by her friends to interview Judy Ann on the spot, knowing she’s a huge fan. Alora nearly froze with excitement! It was followed by many more encounters, where she felt like floating on cloud nine each time. She’d always sneak in a request for a photo with Judy Ann at showbiz events. Despite working in the industry now, Alora is still too shy to strike up a conversation with her idol, limiting herself to just photo ops. 

Hosting “ASAP Chillout” was certainly a dream come true for her. It was the online show where almost every celebrity guested, especially when promoting their projects. For Alora, it was like living out her ultimate fangirl fantasy! 

Darla also reminisced about the time when she was in college and wrote a paper on being a proud Sharonian. Thus, she could barely hold back her tears the first time she saw Sharon Cuneta in person—it was a full-circle moment for her! 

The three went on to share their thoughts about the fine line between fangirling and respecting an artist’s privacy. They all agreed that there’s no harm in granting fans a few seconds for a photo op. As former fangirls themselves, they know the lengths these supporters go to just to see their idols, often making trips with just enough money for the fare. These fans don’t get to see their idols every day, so their excitement is completely understandable. 

Darla expressed, ““Ako naman, real talk lang. Ang mga artista dapat ay umintindi rin sa fans. I’m sure lahat ng nag-a-artista, umabot din sa time na nagde-daydream sila na, ‘I hope someday pagkaguluhan ako.’ Pinagdasal mo ‘yun. Pinangarap mo ‘yung may magpapa-picture sa’yo at pagkaluguhan ka. So kung dumating na ‘yung time na ‘yun, best behavior na lang talaga,” Darla expressed, to which Melai seconded, “At saka i-enjoy mo.” 

Melai also believes that fame isn’t forever—it’s a blessing that will eventually pass on to someone else. That’s why she’d rather embrace and appreciate her supporters. However, she emphasized that it works both ways: fans should respect their idols by not fueling rivalries with other fandoms, as it’s ultimately their ‘stans’ who bear the brunt of these conflicts. She advised fans to always protect their idols and to behave well, both online and offline. 

They also pointed out how lucky Gen Z fans are today, as celebrities are much more accessible through social media. Unlike in Alora, Melai, and Darla’s time in the provinces, where celebrities didn’t often visit, today’s fans can easily leave messages for their idols on social media, and there’s a good chance those messages will be read. It’s also easier to attend shows and events nowadays, which wasn’t always an option for them in the province back then.  

Dakong Problema 

The fun conversation carried over into the “Dakong Problema” segment, where the trio took turns drawing names of celebrities from a bowl and sharing their first in-person encounters with them. Exciting, right? Who’s ready for the tea they’re about to spill? 

Darla squealed with excitement when she picked the name Piolo Pascual—exactly how she reacted the first time she saw the “Pamilya Sagrado” lead actor in the flesh. Like any girl would! Even now, she still can’t help but scream with kilig whenever she sees Piolo. The only difference is that they’re friends now, and she no longer feels shy about giving him a hug every time they meet. 

Meanwhile, Melai got goosebumps when she first saw Maricel Soriano guest on “Magandang Buhay.” Her immediate thought? She needed to get slapped by the Diamond Star! You’re not a true actor unless you’ve been slapped by Maricel, as young stars would joke. All three of them confirmed that Maricel, despite assumptions that she’s intimidating, is actually warm and kind in person. 

When it came to Kris Aquino, the three of them shared the same initial experience: shy, starstruck, and very, very intimidated. Their first worry was that they might smell bad! Given Kris’ well-known cleanliness and penchant for honesty, they joked that the last thing they wanted was for her to call them out for it! 

 Alora, on the other hand, expressed her gratitude not just for meeting but for working with Belle Mariano in “Can’t Buy Me Love.” She couldn’t help but admire Belle’s professionalism and strong work ethic, which she said is also reflected in Belle’s love team partner, Donny Pangilinan. 

 The segment took a playful turn when Melai’s name was drawn, leading Darla to jokingly comment that Melai’s love story with husband Jason Francisco truly proves that "love is blind." You could almost feel how much fun these Bisaya girls were having teasing each other! 

 Meanwhile, “Nasa lupa pala si Mama Mary?” was Melai’s amusing reaction during her unforgettable first encounter with Marian Rivera, whom she admires not just for her beauty but also for being such an authentic and loving mother and wife. 

These moments just showed how down-to-earth and relatable Alora, Melai, and Darla are despite working with some of the biggest names in the industry. The trio wrapped up the show with the “Ultimate Yawyaw” segment, where they reflected on their key takeaways from their conversation. They unanimously agreed on one thing: the powerful inspiration that comes from being a fan. For them, it’s not just a phase; it’s something that will remain in their hearts forever. 

 Darla, in particular, shared how being a fan kept her going, saying if it weren’t for her love for her idols, she would’ve given up on her dream and work in TV production a long time ago. It’s her fangirl heart that continues to fuel her passion, motivating her to give her all—her talent, soul, and life—to the entertainment industry. 

Melai echoed Darla’s sentiment but added that they’re so lucky to have experienced both worlds, referring to their transition from fans to celebrities themselves. Melai admitted that her own fangirl past gives her the patience and understanding she now has for her followers. She’s been in their shoes, and she knows how much just a simple smile or a quick photo can mean to them. 

 But as they closed the segment, they also left an important reminder: at the end of the day, celebrities are just people, too. They’re not gods. They have real feelings, and they deserve to be treated as humans.