IMAGES FROM A DREADED TAPING

I'm better read than heard. But still, nowadays, better heard than seen. Plus I never really overcame a bad case of public speaking jitters, despite my age, despite mind-over-matter mantras, despite numerous lecturing assignments where I work.

So when Noemi Dado texted me I was among three bloggers Lifestyle Channel wanted to interview for a feature on blogging moms, I hemmed and hawed.

But wait, I self-talked, giving myself more credit than I would normally claim: "You're now Annamanila, aren't you?" Annamanila, the self-styled goldie but goodie. The one Gibbs Cadiz describes as an inspiration -- ahem -- "for other seniors not only to embrace technology but also to thrive in it."

So I sent word I was game.

Even then, when video-taping day drew near I wished for a minor catastrophe. Maybe, I'd get sideswiped by a car and dislocate my ankle. Maybe an attack of gout would put me out of commission for a day or two. Maybe, I'd have sore eyes, or mumps, or measles or colic -- anything that would give me airtight alibi for ducking out of the dreaded taping!

But July 19 came and I was, alas, intact.

So, I showed up (as though I don't always show up) at Tea Leaf and Coffee Beans at Eastwood, where the interviews were held.

I don't remember much about that morning, believe it or else. I only recall a vague sense of excitement.

The production staff were fantastic professionals, who made us feel relaxed. The makeup man was a magician, whose magic I defied. Mas maganda pala si Chiqui Roa in person, and so slim! And Cathy Babao -- I was prepared to gush to her about her mom (as though there's anyone who doesn't gush over Caridad Sanchez). But I must have gushed over her instead, so floored was I with Cathy's mestiza looks and unassuming ways. And Noemi, my ole friend Noemi, was her usual poised and cool and charming self, still at that late hour trying to pep-talk me.

I don't know how the episode would go when it finally airs, how ghastly I'd look, how much I had stuttered, or even if they hadn't edited me out of it altogether.

Whatever, watch it with me ... this Friday night, 10 PM (replay the next day at 10 AM), Lifestyle Channel, Momworks. Mombloggers talk about why they blog, what they blog about, the unexpected rewards of blogging, and what it takes to blog.