In my years of working in Mellow947, I’ve had amazing encounters with different guests: celebrities, bands, singers, career people, magazine editors, experts and even CEOs of companies. I always look forward to interviews with them because I learn a lot and get to know them as regular people.
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| Anne Curtis was all over TV and advertisements when she came by the station. I remember that in this particular visit, she just launched her album and was expressing her appreciation of her management’s support. She wasn’t very proud of her singing skills but she was happy to be given the chance to put a record out. She’s one of the nicest guests I’ve had on the program. |
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| Frances Sales was Editor in Chief of OK! Magazine when she visited my show. I have always admired her because of her ability to juggle motherhood, her editorial job and blogging. Check her out on www.topazhorizon.com |
Of course, there are encounters with the not so pleasant guests. Those who walk into the radio booth oozing with cattiness and the “I’m better than you” aura. Back then, whenever bands/celebrities of this sort would come into my show, I don’t bother getting to know them on a personal level. It’s just the information they have, their music and whatever they’re promoting. End of story. In my head, I didn’t even think of creating a relationship with them because their mere aura put me off.
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| Screenshot from the Mean Girls movie |
Fast forward to a few years, the Lord made sure that He worked on my rebellious behavior that had to be done away with. Through His Word, prayer and the guidance of Christian counselor-friends, my outlook and attitudes were transformed and that included dealing with unpleasant and rude people. When we are confronted with offensive behavior, we either shy away or confront depending on our personality style. Being on the defensive is a recourse for me, but not all the time. There were encounters wherein I’d let the other party go yakkity-yak-yak while I kept quiet and stare at them blankly. As I look back now, I’d say that my response to their rudeness was still not very nice. I’ve learned to improve my responses and how to handle difficult people through the years.
One time, a has-been singer who was just launching her career then, traipsed into the station with her management team. I don’t know if it’s the people around her that puffed up her ego or she really is that type of person. So we let her promote, talk about her album and she answered us matter-of-factly, with her eyebrows raised up high to the heavens. I remember assessing if we asked her offensive questions, but so far we stuck to the guide provided by her management. The impression I got was that she was acting all “mean girl from Cali-forn-i-a”. Funny how she tried getting a job at the station 2 years after.
Thing is, she WAS a local singer and her behavior was a huge contrast to how international singer Lenka behaved when she swung by the station. Lenka was warm and very genuine (even if I made the unforgettable starstruck booboo: “Hi! Uhm, you’re LEN-KA… RIGHT?) If there was anyone I’d expect diva attitude from, it would be her but she totally debunked that. Lenka was humble. Even if a lot of us wanted to take pictures with her she gamely smiled and posed, not showing a hint of annoyance.
Another international singer I enjoyed talking to was Allison Iraheta of American Idol. She’s loud, fun and witty but never in the 10-minute interview did she show signs of irritability or cattiness! Her energy was infectious, even listeners were raving that they loved her.
Writing about these experiences got me thinking: Don’t obnoxious and catty people have a concept of God who can just take everything away from them so they know what really matters? They live in a world where their lives are anchored on fame, popularity and money. What happens when all of these fade? Then they also lose their sense of self because it is anchored on the wrong things.
Matthew 6:19-21 says “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
It’s never too late to have a change of heart. If the Lord has used this to convict you of being obnoxious or catty, would you humbly come before Him and ask for forgiveness? Sincerely repent and ask for strength that this un-Christlike attitude might be done away with.
Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Obadiah 1:3
The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’
Ingrid Nieto-Pagulayan 