My 15-minute fame

Itaktak mo... Itaktak mo... Itakitak itaktak mo... Hehehe.

It was advertised yesterday that the longest running noontime show in the country, Eat Bulaga, needed contestants for their segment On the Spot Jackpot. They were looking for romance novel writers, illustrators, artists. Upon hearing it, I immediately texted my friend Jeje, a writer by the name of Sofia. The prize was not so bad, the highest of which is Php200,000. And though not a fan of the show, she immediately grabbed the opportunity and decided to be listed.

I was informed last night that they were asked to bring along at least one kin or a friend. Since none of her relatives was available, I was asked to come. I kind of hesitated because I did not want to be on national TV. What if a producer discovered me and gave me a contract?? Eeeeee! Hahaha!

The assembly time was at 830am. Despite my fear to be discovered, the rain failed to stop me; I got there on time. Even my family was very excited. This was the first time this happened to any of my friends. This was also my first time to be in the studio of the said show. And if ever they won, I could borrow the money to pay my placement fee. Yipeeee!

I didn't know that being a studio audience needed to be more than an audience. Participation is a prerequisite. They told us what to do, teach us the 'moves', when to applause. It was exhausting! It was only today did I realize that clapping burns a lot of calories. And when I got home, I was never the same. The shouting and the applauses were deafening! I should have brought cotton to protect my now broken ear drum.

And the show progressed. We finally came to the last part of the show - the most awaited part - On the Spot Jackpot. One of questions would come from a song. And they just don't recite the lyrics; someone would sing it. All relatives and friends of the contestants were asked to sit next to each other, so once the segment was already on, the camera would be focused to only one direction. Of all the seats there, Lougee, the vocalist of the band Mojofly, the one who would sing the song where the question would be based on, was asked to sit beside me! Imagine my shock when I saw her coming towards us. I panicked. Grrrr!

I looked stupid. I didn't know what to do. I didn't even know how to wave my hands (it's true!). Ay naku. If only I could melt, I would. My mom was so surprised when she saw her beautiful daughter on TV. She texted me immediately to tell me how beautiful (aherm) but how lost I looked. Oh mom.

So, that's it. Je and Cherie did not win, but they got to take home a thousand bucks as consolation prize. Except for my 15-minute fame that would make me the target of bullying by my so-called friends (hmp!), which I have to endure for three lifetimes or so, the experience was unforgettable. I enjoyed it. I might have appeared lost on cam because I was busy thinking how many people I know were watching and how I could redeem myself after this, I really did enjoy. It was fun! Afterwards, we decided to dissect every occurrence (and the bullying started; my suffering was beginning...), so we ate at a Pizza Hut nearby. The Php1000's life didn't even last for two hours. But it's okay. It would live a meaningful afterlife in our stomachs. ^_^