This Week • October 12 2003

On the Spot... Rachel Vella

Rachel Vella is an enterprising woman who confesses to being a good listener. She would call her biography ‘Rachel’. For the last couple of years she has successfully produced and presented the popular programme Tista’ Tkun Int! On TVM. The heartbreaking stories that have featured in this programme have left a mark on this woman. She admits that helping others gives her immense satisfaction. This is Rachel Vella.
What was your first TV experience? Six years ago I started on Basta Mhux Weekend promoting my family business. At the time it was an innovative form of advertising, which proved to be very successful in the long term.

How did you become involved in TV?
After Basta Mhux Weekend I was offered the possibility of having my own TV show. Obviously I discussed the matter with my family and my dad came up with the Tista' Tkun Int! concept. This programme has now been accepted by all Maltese as being a clear image of Maltese solidarity at its best.
What are your future projects as regards TV?
Hopefully one day I will manage to take the Tista' Tkun Int! concept on an international level. We have already been contacted by an Italian station for the concept to be exported. Unluckily we did not have the time to follow up on the idea. Hopefully we will have to do so in the coming months.
Do you have any hobbies?
I had a number of hobbies when I was younger. Today my only hobby is travelling and to my dismay it’s very much reduced due to the time constraints of the programme.
Do you have a nickname?
No nickname as far as I know.
What is your most precious possession?
My family.
If you ruled the world, what would you ban?
Lies.
When you were at school, the teachers thought you were...
Never had the opportunity to ask them.
When you’re feeling romantic, what do you do?
When you love someone you don’t feel romantic at times, you show love all the time in whatever you do.
When was the last time you cried and why?
Probably when one of the families we had on Tista' Tkun Int! lost the younger son as a consequence of leukaemia and subsequent brain tumour. Steve, a Gozitan boy was on our sofa around December 2001. We had sent the whole family to Disneyland Paris during which time with the help of all the sponsors we renovated their house. As soon as all the family returned from their short holiday, Steve was feeling very weak and soon after it was time for him to meet Jesus Christ.
What’s your biggest phobia?
Aracnophobia.
If you were invisible for a day, what would you do?
Just sit down and stare – a luxury, which I rarely have.
Your best friend would describe you as...
I can’t really judge myself – but I constantly find people wanting to tell me their story so probably - a good listener.
The person you text the most is...
Obviously my partner.
Someone hands you Lm10,000. What would you spend it on?
Lm10,000 would really help us with a good number of stories which would change many people’s lives.
What do you want to be remembered for?
For being myself.
What’s the worst insult one can throw at you?
Not telling the truth.
What’s your favourite drink?
A glass of red Australian wine.
What’s been the highlight of your life so far?
Every Sunday, the satisfaction of changing people’s lives
How old do you feel?
Younger than I actually am.
What are you like when you’re drunk?
I spend nine months of Tista' Tkun Int! in hibernation and three months of Tista' Tkun Int! preparing... well when I do have a good drink I feel mellow.
Do you consider yourself an introvert or an extrovert?
An introvert.
Live long or live fast?
Live fast. A job worth doing is worth doing well and don't leave for tomorrow what you can do today.
What’s the most bizarre thing you have ever eaten?
Turtles in China.
Are you good at keeping secrets?
Very good.
If you had a time machine where would you go?
I wouldn’t go anywhere. This is our time and we have to make the best out of it.
If you could be a fictional/real character, who would you be?
No idea.
If you could star in a movie which genre would it be?
Romantic comedy.
If you were to write an autobiography, what would it be called?
Rachel.
Do you believe in the supernatural?
No.
You’re stuck in an elevator with strangers: what do you do?
I wait until some one helps us out of there. Until then I would chat.
Are you a workaholic?
I guess I have to admit... yes.
What are you most afraid of?
Not reaching targets.
Would you quit a job without having another one lined up?
Yes if the one I am quitting is not giving me the self-satisfaction, which a job should give me.
What’s your most embarrassing moment?
I was presenting a concert and the organisers did not give me a running order. At one point I had this guy next to me and I asked him how best to introduce him. He said that if I had to mention the song it was enough. I introduced him thus: "Our next singer on stage will sing...". Little did I know that this guy was in fact Malta’s most renowned violinist.