AFTER a few months of hiatus, Charlene Gonzales-Muhlach is back on television, this time hosting "Proudly Filipina" on QTV-11.

The show, as can be surmised from its title, features exemplary Pinays from all walks of life. Charlene gets to interact with outstanding individuals like inventor and the first Filipina Harvard graduate, Dr. Fe del Mundo to the country’s longest-running TV show "Eat Bulaga’s" first lady, Malou Choa-Fagar. She was also able to have a very candid chat with Mikee Cojuangco, who was once the girlfriend of Charlene’s husband, award-winning actor Aga Muhlach. This Friday, Charlene talks to much-awarded actress Maricel Soriano and several remarkable teachers who are modern-day heroes.

"The difference with the format of ‘Proudly Filipina’ to what I was doing before is that the questioning has more substance," she said.

She is obviously enjoying the chance to meet these interesting subjects. "I am really amazed at our staff on how they are able to find these extraordinary women," she said. Those who made a mark on her are two teachers, a former private school teacher who was able to make the public school in Samar where she now teaches into one of the country’s best, and a teacher of special children who herself gave birth to an autistic kid. "They are so passionate about what they are doing," she observed.

Last Saturday, Charlene was seen hosting "Binibining Pilipinas 2008," the pageant she won in 1994, which incidentally had Aga Muhlach as one of the judges. It was a very relaxed and poised Charlene that faced the cameras that night.

"When we had the question and answer portion, we were wearing our gowns," she recalled. "The girls now were in their bikinis, so it’s understandable if they were very nervous," she said, when pressed to react on one of the winners’ booboos.

"I believe they are all worthy of their titles and they will be given a chance to prove just how worthy they are in the international arena," she said.

She has not yet decided on whether she would accept an offer to act on television or in the movies. "It really depends on the project. It must excite me or it must be something I really want to do," she said. "Syempre I have to ask Aga first, because when we got married, we discussed it that para mas buo ang family, one has to do less."

She knows they made the right decision. "At least I can look back and say we never missed out on anything when it comes to the kids."

She was excited to announce that the twins are both into music. "They play the piano. Frustration ko kasi ‘yun," she admitted. "Atasha is more inclined to it. Si Andres naman is a good dancer. He even choreographs their dances. They will be performing nga in school tomorrow (today) and we will know if they will have awards," she excitedly announced.