Myleene Klass is a Proud Pinoy

The host of CNN's brand new monthly TV program Myleene Klass is happy to reveal that she is a proud Filipino.

The 28-year-old host said, "If there's one thing I want to tell the Filipinos in Manila, it's that I am waving our flag here and I'm happy and honored to be doing so."

Myleene Angela Klass is a former member of the UK pop group Hear'Say. Born in Gorleston, Norfolk on April 6, 1978 to a Filipino mother and an Austrian father, Klass comes from six generations of classical musicians, thus, the decorated career from doing back up vocals for K.D. Lang, Cliff Richard and Robbie Williams to West End's "Miss Saigon" and the 2001 the ITV1 show "Popstars," a reality show that paved the way for two things:

The group Hear'Say and mainstream celebrity fame for Klass who finds herself out of the back-up line and into the front with co-members Kym Marsh, Suzanne Shaw, Danny Foster and Noel Sullivan. For a slot at the British pop five, Klass had to beat 4,000 others who auditioned for the show.

Hear'Say went on to achieve two No.1 singles, a No.3 single and a #6 single in the British charts before the group disbanded in 2002.

Klass then moved on to "Moving On," her solo CD released a year after the Hear'Say break-up in 2003. Like her album title, Klass did pass the acid test of going solo with raved reworked versions of Fauré's "Pavane," Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" and Satie's "Gymnopedie No.2."

Also in the album are cuts from the movies "Gladiator" ("Now We Are Free") and the theme from "The Piano." Not leaving pop far behind, Klass did versions of Linkin Park's "Crawling" and Daniel Bedingfield's "If You're Not The One."

"Moving On" carved success when it achieved Gold six months after release and since reached Double Platinum.

However, pay-off for her hard work did not come with an easy price. Klass worked her way to become the top of her class during her school days. She also learned piano by four and harp by 12. Whilst at school, she received an A grade in A-level music, and became a Norfolk County scholar.

Klass said she has been to Manila when she was about seven years old and back again when she was 11. The last time she's here though was when she was 15. "I miss being in the Philippines. I miss the people, the beach and the food there!"

Currently based in London and expecting a baby boy in August, Klass almost palpably described her favorite Filipino dishes like Lechon and Adobo and would like to try Halo-halo again soon. "If we can arrange a segment in ‘The Screening Room' about the Filipino film industry then maybe I can travel back there," Klass hoped.
CNN'S CALLS SHOTS

In "The Screening Room," Klass country-hops on location of movies-in-the-making, interviews the people in front and behind the camera, covers world film events, and presents thought-provoking insights on one of the biggest industry in the world. All that, aside from hosting the monthly show which airs every third Saturday of the month (today, May 26 at 1:30, 3:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.).

The show premiered only last month and Klass confessed to a ton of work she and the people behind the show so painstakingly works for in order to achieve an all-angle exploring monthly movie program. "Even if the show only airs once a month, the work itself takes a lot more than what it looks on TV. We still work for each show for almost an entire month to get the segments done. I work for three to four days a week for the show but it's a fun job! It's an opportunity I would be crazy not to accept. My days are filled with premieres, interviews and filming we are doing for the upcoming programs, to give you an exclusive insight from the other side of the camera."

Klass said in her CNN blog, "From the moment I landed the job presenting this show, my feet haven't touched the ground; and I mean that literally! All the travel that's been involved has been so exciting. I've visited Africa before, so it was fascinating to discover how the film industry there has been affected by the success of movies like ‘The Last King of Scotland' and ‘Blood Diamond,' I've been in France looking at advancements in animation there, and I've hit the red carpet for some top premieres."

What makes "The Screening Room" easier for Klass despite the jostling schedule is the fact that she is a big fan of motion pictures. "I'm a huge movie fan! The show gives me that privilege of not only enjoying the movies as they are but get deeper into how they're done. I'm very much fascinated being privy to how people behind the scenes make it work, how actors become their characters and how directors' minds work."

For "The Screening Room's" pilot, Klass related a clash and co-existence of Hollywood pop movies and independent productions. When told that Manila has its own version of Hollywood versus Indie productions going on, Klass was happy to take note of it. "My mother has told me of movies during the 70s in the Philippines and it would be such an interesting sidelight to feature what's happening there today. I would definitely go for that given the opportunity."

Klass also found the fascinating CGI secrets of "300." She told of the movie, "I got to meet up with the people behind the new blockbuster "300." It was fascinating -- I'm so intrigued by the CGI process. As an actor in front of a blue screen, the concentration and added effort that's involved is so impressive, and to learn about the degree people go to when making these kinds of movies is extraordinary. I've never been to a press screening at 7 a.m. before, so to watch "300" before breakfast, with decapitated heads rolling towards me, was actually quite exciting!"

In its latest episode "The Screening Room," Klass will celebrate Cannes Film Festival's 60th anniversary and goes in-depth with Johnny Depp. The show is also loaded with Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Matt Damon at the premiere of "Ocean's 13;" Angelina Jolie launching her new film "A Mighty Heart," Michael Moore's new documentary "Sicko," Jude Law, and Natalie Portman.

Hollywood top directors Roman Polanski, Stephen Frears, Ken Loach, Wim Wenders and Wong Kar Wei are also featured in "The Screening Room's" second episode.