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Published on July 16, 2007

Popular television moderator and actress Daraneenute "Top" Bhothipiti has just acquired another hat. The bubbly mother of two has been appointed brand ambassador for Fab, the clothes-washing powder.

"I'm a turbo mum," she quips.

Top's loveable character makes her a favourite choice with TV producers and that means a very busy schedule. But she says her favourite role is being a real-life mother to her children.

"Despite being a working mum, I'm also a housewife whose job is to look after every member of the family, keeping an eye on expenses, meals, cleaning and the laundry."

With Mother's Day approaching, she's out and about on promotional stops for New Fab Perfect's campaign.

On August 5 she'll be at the charity event at Central Rama II to pay respect to Her Majesty the Queen.

Top, who has 12 years of experience in the entertainment business, has watched with interest the evolution of television advertising, which these days tends to favour product placement in the programmes themselves. Some advertisers even so go so far as to create dialogue in the show rather than wait for the commercial break.

She acknowledges that some product ads are pushy and repetitive, but says that's how it works. The audience will make up their minds whether to actually buy the product or not.

In her view, overstating what the product can do is a worse sin. "In those cases, advertisers are taking advantage of the consumer."

She thinks that all industries and professions should be ethically responsible.

"For myself, working in the media, I feel that before we speak or convey any message, it's important that we consider what it is we want to transmit. That holds true whether it's for entertainment or not."

Top adds that sometime she feels ashamed of her industry, especially when it involves airing gossipy subjects that don't really benefit viewers.

"We should encourage audiences to think for themselves."

"I often wonder why some people are so interested in the private lives of others, what they do with every minute of their day. I find this kind of obsession in society worrying," she says.

Despite being constantly in the limelight, Top spends time for spiritual refuge.

For more than two years, she's been practising dharma.

"I used to be rather pessimistic, sensitive and quick-tempered, but I've improved. I'm far more aware of myself and I feel more positive about others. I'm not infatuated with material things, and where I used to feel pressured about being a good mother and good friend, now I just do my best.

"I understand more and I'm more accepting - I've realised that nobody is perfect."

Kupluthai Pungkanon

The Nation