It was in 2017 when she shot a video about TV reporting along Cuyab River, (now known as Tunasan-Cuyab River), a river system in the Philippines. That particular video, where she almost perfectly impersonated award-winning broadcaster Karen Davila in her reporting style, became viral and thus gave birth to a name that will soon resonate in the Philippine entertainment and news industries.
The woman in the viral video
was Jervi Lisaba, who later became Mrs. Jervi Wrightson, and now more popularly known as award-winning actress, writer, endorser, impersonator, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, plus (LGBTQIA+) rights advocate, television personality and radio host “KaladKaren.”
As soon as the video exploded and brought KaladKaren to local and international consciousness, it certainly opened doors of opportunities for the young talent, where many lauded her flawless impersonation of the “real” Karen Davila in both reporting style and body language. But being famous because of the video, she was not bereft of bashers and haters, who branded her as having her “15 minutes of fame” and simply a “flash in the pan.”
Anchored on Excellence
But she was unperturbed because Jervi, now Mrs. Wrightson, has seen to it that all that she does in life are anchored on excellence. With all the challenges in life that she experienced, she knows that being at her excellent best is the only way that she will be noticed.
That is why she worked hard starting with her studies, where she graduated with Latin honors (Magna cum Laude) at the University of the Philippines – Diliman, Quezon City with a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Communications.
But her achievements did not end there but actually, more followed.
KaladKaren was lauded as a leading figure in promoting awareness about the LGBTQIA+ community in the country, where she was seen as a positive symbol. She upped the ante when she became the first transgender woman news anchor in the country, and became the first transgender woman to win “Best Supporting Actress” at the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) summer edition for the movie “Here Comes the Groom,” and is also a resident judge of reality TV competition series Drag Race Philippines.
Online presence
To further promote her ideals and other advocacies, many of them on LGBTQIA+ issues, Jervi once again will make her online presence felt as she will be handling hosting chores of the newest game show in town, “Bee Excellent,” organized by Taiwan Excellence under Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs. “Bee Excellent” is an online quiz show where questions will focus on general knowledge on innovation and environmental sustainability.
Of course, it was a no-brainer that given her hosting expertise, Jervi was tapped to host the show, her first time to experience such an assignment.
“I have never hosted a game show yet that’s why I’m quite excited to be the host of this very new online quiz bee. I also have never been to Taiwan that’s why it’s even more exciting that this show is organized by Taiwan Excellence,” Jervi said in her YouTube vlog about the show.
She likewise mentioned that her excitement is also fueled by the fact that her long-time partner and now-husband, Luke Wrightson, used to work in Taiwan, and that she has many friends who go there frequently and always points out that going to Taiwan is always a fun-filled experience.
To express her obvious anticipation and generate more excitement about the show, she made a behind-the-scenes vlog on her YouTube channel regarding her adventures in shooting the “Bee Excellent” episodes. In her vlog, she showed where they shot the episodes, and even had fun interacting with the show’s production staff after their arduous taping through a mini game show.
“Bee Excellent” consisted of three episodes, and the first episode was aired last October 14. Contestants are asked to answer questions related to general knowledge about Taiwan, including trivia and cultural topics. The answers were submitted via Google Forms or in the Comments Section.
Five participants per episode won P5,000 each, along with bragging rights as winners of the first online game show in the country.
The show is supported by well-known Taiwan brands such as D-Link, Acer, Asus, ROG, MSI, Derma Angel, and PC Express, all of which have been long-time partners of Taiwan Excellence.
Winners were already announced on Taiwan Excellence’s social media platforms.
With trivia and general knowledge challenges centered around Taiwan, “Bee Excellent” offered both fun and exciting prizes, including products from top brand partners like Acer, Asus, D-Link, MSI, ROG, Derma Angel, and PC Express.
Link to Kaladkaren’s Vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShEldbWzd3k
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