Since day one of being together on the TV show Extra, Extra until it morphed into the hugely-phenomenal reality game show, Extra Challenge, the duo of Paolo and Miriam with their undeniable chemistry, instantaneous rapport, and complementary good looks (dusky leading man to beauty queen charm) have attracted massive fan support. Pinoy Meets World gives their loyal supporters the chance to see them both in heart-stopping escapades guaranteed to bring out their competitive skills in extreme sports and adventure.

“ The first few hours when we were shooting our initial spiels for the pilot episode, the chemistry worked immediately. The rapport is there and as always, everything was effortless,” explains Paolo on the magic that he shares with Miriam. “It just took us 20 minutes to wrap our spiels. Ang bilis di ba? There were even instances wherein we nudged at each other; even the cadence of our breathing, sometimes pareho. Parang hindi kami nagkawalay as hosts in the last two years. We are very comfortable. We enjoy each other’s company. It’s so much fun to work with someone who is not only competent at the job but who understands your nuances. It’s such a pleasure to be working with her again.”

Hard to replace Miriam

In 2004, Miriam, who was first runner up at the 1999 Miss Universe pageant, left Extra Challenge when she married Italian businessman Claudio Rondinelli after a whirlwind courtship. Miriam followed her husband to Hong Kong where she lived the pampered life of a lady of leisure. (See side story) Paolo, left to carry on, tried a number of co-hosts including model Phoemela Barranda, MTV VJ Mariel Rodriguez and comedian Ethel Booba.

But none fit as snugly as Miriam, who returned early this year to host the final episodes of Extra Challenge before the show folded in May 2006, and then continued to work with Paolo on Pinoy Meets World.

Aside from their evident chemistry, the new show promises big stories and surprises. The pair traipses the globe, immersing themselves in the culture of each place and looking at how age-old traditions and beliefs continue to affect the lives of people.

Paolo and Miriam are also set to visit and explore architectural marvels and world heritage sites amidst breathtaking scenery. They will also personally learn how to cook the food native to the country they’re in and experience haggling with local vendors in order to get the best price for stuff like artifacts, clothing or food ingredients.

ON LOCATION IN KOREA, INDIA, GERMANY, ATBP.

The pilot of the show was shot in picturesque South Korea. The fans of Jewel in the Palace must catch the first episode as Paolo and Miriam visit the locations of the immensely popular Korean telenovela, ride horses and wear the traditional Korean dress called hanbok. The succeeding episodes are set in India wherein Bediones gets to meet a puppet master while Quiambao sits with a famous beauty personality. They will also witness the World Cup semi-finals in Germany. They will also explore the cities of Munich and Berlin and maybe drink a beer or two with German sausages as appetizers.

“The show is may pagka-reality pa rin. But it is still very light. We try our best to capture the flavors and the colors of the country we get to visit,” says Miriam. “It is not your usual travel and adventure type of show for we will feature places that are not normally part of a tourist’s itinerary. We will also have one-on-one sessions with very interesting people. From time to time, we will get ordinary people to join in our road trip, share our insights, and let the audience see that we are having fun with our jobs and are very grateful to be part of it.”

The world is waiting to be seen through the eyes of our discerning and inquisitive Pinoy duo. Notwithstanding the current drama in Miriam’s life, it’s interesting to wait and see if the pair that kept us watching Extra Extra and Extra Challenge, and now, Pinoy Meets World, will, in time, become our very own Harry and Sally.

THE sights, sounds, food and people will definitely keep viewers glued to Pinoy Meets World but fans are showing special interest in the show because co-host Miriam Quiambao admitted she and her husband of two-and-a-half years, Italian businessman Claudio Rondinelli, are no more.

During the press conference to announce her new show with Paolo Bediones, a reporter was seen having a one-on-one interview with the former beauty queen. Suddenly, Miriam began crying, dabbed her eyes with a table napkin, excused herself and then disappeared, presumably to compose herself.

The 31-year-old host admitted to the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Nini Valera, that she and her husband “couldn’t settle our differences.” She also admitted that she may have married prematurely as she had known her husband for only a year and in that time, would only see him one weekend a month.

Although she loved the lifestyle in Hong Kong, she became very homesick during the second year of her marriage and began to suffer bouts of depression. Earlier in June, she revealed to the Philippine Star’s Büm Tenorio that when she started a business selling jewelry to Italy, which was financed by her husband, she “discovered more that we cannot go into a partnership.” She added, “How can I live with him and talk to him eye to eye when in fact he’s financially dominant. Money can be an element for control. But I am not saying he controlled me. Wala akong sariling pera. I feel guilty when I spend his money. Money does not make you happy. I had access to all the money in the world but I was not happy.”

However, she refused to blame Claudio for the break-up of the marriage and The Star reported that during the Pinoy Meets World press con, she told her co-host, “He’s a good person. And so am I.”

At the time Miriam was pulling herself together after her breakdown, Paolo told reporters, “It’s a really tough situation for her. All the speculations that are being hurled at her causes her so much pain. It’s no joke to be in her shoes right now. Let us give her all our understanding and offer her our prayers and support. This is one situation that I know she can survive and it will give her the opportunity to show people that she has it to get up again.”

Paolo obviously cares for Miriam and members of the press wondered why they never took their friendship top the next level. “The simplest way to describe it is nagkakasalisi lagi. May girlfriend ako, siya naman ang walang boyfriend or she’s on the verge of breaking up. Ako naman ang may girlfriend or break na ko, and then siya naman ang meron. Right now, propriety should be exercised and it will foolish to even try to push anything at this point. I am just here for her. I am always around for her.”

After Miriam joined the press and apologized for her outburst, she threw in her views on a Paolo liaison. “Anything is possible,” she answered playfully. “Paolo is a very good friend. He’s a really good guy. I’m just glad and very lucky to have him around.”