Tintin Bersola on mobile parenting

Author: Maripet L. Poso
Column: Life

Instead of calling their mothers-in-law at ungodly hours for babys weird hiccups, some moms just look up the symptoms online. To save time, they opt to just google recipes of caldereta or menudo instead of dropping by their sisters house on the way to the supermarket. And need we mention that eBay has become their shopping mecca?

For many mobile and busy mommies, the Internet has become a welcome substitute for many things: MIMMs, shopping buddies, recipe books, Friday nights out, confidantes, movie dates, gossip lunches, malls. And now, it has the potential to replace their TV viewing habits as well.

"It is undeniable how the Internet has changed our lives," notes TV host Christine "Tintin" Bersola-Babao, wife of broadcast journalist Julius Babao. And this is why she has launched a new Internet show, ParenTIN.TV.

"It is the power of the now. It is still largely unexplored, but Im tapping into its endless possibilities. This is a good portal to communicate my advocacies," says Tintin, referring to her humanitarian, wellness, environmental and parenting advocacies.

Tintin shares that shes always wanted to have a parenting show on her own. "But there were so many non-believers. All the odds were against me at the time. And then Julius broached the idea to me, Why dont you have a show on the Internet?," she relates. The idea, though promising, took a backseat to the many roles she plays in her life: Being a mom to daughter Antonia, advocating causes she believes in, writing childrens books, hosting a health show and simply maintaining a well-balanced life as a wife, mother and career person.

And then another writer who interviewed her suggested the same idea. "It was an aha! moment for me. So I thought it was about time (and) told Julius about it. And to make the story short, ParenTIN.TV was born."

ParenTIN.TV is the first-of-its-kind, online parenting show in the country in which they combine a dynamic Web site with a 30-minute bi-weekly parenting program. "You cant always bring your TVs with yours, right? But almost anywhere, at home, at work, you have access to the Internet," shares Tintin. "Our episodes are downloadable and can be viewed through your cell phones. While shows are scheduled, you cant always be home to watch the show. With ParenTIN.TV you can watch the episodes anytime you want."

The show caters to the Internet-savvy moms who value and manage their time well, a niche market. Its main purpose is to nurture and educate not just moms, but also dads, grandparents and the entire family. It targets not just Filipino parents but the global market as well since it can be accessed around the world.

Tintin says there is no pressure, ratings wise. "This is good since my main vision is to spread the advocacy of parenting." That way, she says, it will have time to develop in its own time. "Unlike in mainstream television broadcast, there is time for the idea to gestate and (gain popularity by) word of mouth, until we build a community of loyal members or Web site followers and unique visitors." The shows goal is simple: To address parenting problems, to inspire parents and families, and to fulfill the need to communicate.

The show means a lot to the pretty celebrity mom. Shes not only the host of the show, shes also its executive and creative director. "To have my own parenting show has always been a dream of mine," admits Tintin. "I always wanted to have a show that I would have creative control of in all aspects, a show thats not driven by ratings. My driving force is to make this world a better place for children through ParenTIN.TV."

She also notes on the site that the show will be a trailblazer because it is the first of its kind in the Philippines. "It is the first locally produced parenting webcast. I know this for a fact because one sleepless night I surfed the net and discovered that although there are sooooo many, many parenting Web sites they contain mostly blogs, tips, info, picture and video sharing but no format is run like a TV show."

She jokes that shes put all her lifes savings on this project. "Akin palang yun, wala pa yung kay Julius," she laughs. "But it is worth it. When you pursue your life-long dream youll always make it." And the timing couldnt be more perfect, she enthuses. "Because just as I am doing ParenTIN.TV, you know, going through the gestation period, labor pains, up until the moment of giving birth, which is the launch, here I am four months pregnant. This is all in Gods timing, all in Gods love."

"I hope its a boy," blurts out her husband Julius, who came to the event to support his wife.

To view the show, log on to Parentin.tv.

Source: The Daily Tribune