Melai Cantiveros-Francisco lit up the stage at the Pinoy Media Congress (PMC) held at the University of Makati on Friday. Despite admitting to being overwhelmed with nerves, the actress-host captivated the audience with both wit and wisdom during her talk, “Melai Mo, Melai Ko, Melai Niya: Hosting 101 with the Pambansang KUANtie.”

“Sobrang kaba ko. Ngayon lang ako nag-talk. Grabe takot ko,” Melai confessed with her signature candidness, drawing hearty laughter from the crowd. “Para lang kaibigan ko sila kaya medyo nawala kaba ko. Matatalino talaga sila,” she added, endearing herself even more to the young audience.

("I'm so nervous. This is the first time I've given a talk. I'm really scared." "They felt like my friends, so my nervousness faded a bit. They're really smart.")

Throughout her session, Cantiveros-Francisco distilled her experiences into five essential hosting tips, cleverly arranged into the acronym K.U.A.N.S. — a guide filled with heartfelt advice and real-world insight for aspiring hosts.

K — KEEP IT REAL

Authenticity, Melai stressed, is the foundation of trust between a host and their audience.

“Ipakita mo kung sino ka. You are relatable when you are real. Dapat wala ka tinatago,” she said.

("Show who you really are. You are relatable when you are real. You shouldn’t hide anything.")

She emphasized that enjoying the show and being sincere allows guests and viewers alike to open up and connect more deeply.

U — UNDERSTAND DEEPLY

Melai highlighted that great hosts are, first and foremost, great listeners.

“If you are a good host, you are a good listener. Kapag hindi ka magaling makinig, hindi mo malaman sinasabi ng kausap mo. ’Di ka makapag-banter, hindi mo malaman flow ng gusto mo,” she explained.

(“If you are a good host, you are a good listener. If you're not good at listening, you won’t know what the person you’re talking to is saying. You won’t be able to banter, and you won’t understand the flow of what you want to say.")

Attentiveness, she said, paves the way for meaningful conversations and authentic moments.

A — ARRIVE PREPARED

Preparation is key to confidence, Melai shared, encouraging future hosts to do their homework.

“Mag-research. Alamin mo ano show, audience mo, ano at saan papunta ang show. Magbasa ng script. ’Wag mahiya magtanong, dahil collaboration ’yan,” she advised.

(“Do research. Know what the show is, who your audience is, and where the show is headed. Read the script. Don’t be shy to ask questions because it’s a collaboration.”)

Knowing your guest, your topic, and staying aware of current events ensures a host is never caught off-guard.

N — NAVIGATE THE UNEXPECTED

Live hosting often comes with surprises, and Melai reminded everyone that adaptability is a vital skill.

“TV is full of surprises so be ready and flexible. Dapat mabilis ka mag-isip. Wag ka matakot, may trust sila sayo,” she said.

(“TV is full of surprises, so be ready and flexible. You should think quickly. Don’t be afraid, they trust you.”)

Handling unexpected moments with grace and humor, according to her, sets a professional host apart.

S — SUPPORT THE TEAM

Lastly, Melai underscored the importance of teamwork and humility.

“Ikaw host pero writer, nagpupuyat. Ikaw magbabasa na lang, mali pa. Mga cameraman, maaga nagaayos na,” she said, urging young media practitioners to respect and appreciate the behind-the-scenes workers.

(“You’re the host, but the writers are staying up late. You just read, and it’s still wrong. The cameramen are already setting up early.”)

“Kung wala sila, di mo magagawa trabaho,” she added.

(“If it weren’t for them, you wouldn’t be able to do your job.”)