I used to have a loyal and competent television cameraman at the newsroom of ABS-CBN in the person of Pablito Manalo.
Aside from being my friend, Pablito was my longtime cameraman for "Star News" of "TV Patrol" until I left ABS-CBN to establish my community theater group, DUMALO (Dulaang Don Mateo Lopez) in Lopez, Quezon.
Everyone in the News and Current Affairs Department of the Kapamilya called him Pabs.
Manalo"s birthday falls on January 15, the same day as the Feast of St. Paul, the patron saint of San Pablo City.
Pabs has always been attached to his home city, San Pablo, from which he was named after.
Although he doesn't go home much to this colorful town of Laguna, he always remembers his roots.
One of the most memorable "Star News" coverages was when we got on cam beauty queen-actress Azenith Briones, 1975 Mutya ng Pilipinas Miss Photogenic who in the late 80s decided to settle down with businessman and childhood sweetheart in San Pablo City El Rey Reyes in the middle of her popularity.
Decades had passed and Pabs and Azenith are still around, coming home to San Pablo during its annual fiesta.
Last week, Briones and Manalo got to experience the vibrant fiesta of San Pablo, however on separate occasions.
Zenith spent the religious fest with friends, cousins and other guests while Pabs offered prayers to St. Paul in multiverse.
The other celebrities who observed the annual fiesta were Angelica Jones, Gem Castillo, Beth Jones, among others
It was a lovable experience for both Pabs and Azenith because they got to visit their roots
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