The Screening, Part 1

It was the second week of September when I texted Kapamilya Deal or No Deal (Third Season) to become a studio participant.  I'm sure I was absent from work when I watched the show and texted that same day. Yes, I texted them for the second time. Who knows I might get lucky this time around, right? The first time, I only got as far as the first test-- a general profiling done by the resident ABS-CBN psychologist/psychiatrist Randy Dellosa. But was sent home after they had handpicked those who were qualified for the second round of test. And I thought at the time, that it was the end of my try-outs to join gameshows. 

-oOo-

I remember the first time because I filed a leave of absence just to attend the audition.  It was a Friday, May 25, 2007.  I even bugged my best friend to join me (Ruel graciously agreed). We were there around 10am.  The queue outside the main entrance of ABS CBN in Mother Ignacia was long!  I told myself, the next time (if there ever was a next time), I'd be early.  When the security marshalls let the people in, the chaperones were not allowed to go in the studio.  So Ruel found himself a cozy place in the nearby Starbucks and played his Nintendo DS while I was about to be screened. 

The whole process was tedious and tortuous.  Aside from the long lines (they had alphabetized the queue and separated the men from women and those who were pregnant or recently operated on), the weather was so humid you can smell the people around you.  And for those who already filled up the forms but had a snack with them, the security marshalls asked them to dispose of it before they can enter the studios.  Long lines, hunger and boredom... all these for the sake of the prize?  Sad to say, it appears that was the case...and will always be.

To break the boredom and discouragement, we were treated to a stand-up act courtesy of Jimmy Capulong (Music Box in Timog?).  He's one of the resident staff in charge of gameshows in ABS CBN (I assume) and refreshingly, he's not your usual standard gay stand-up act (assuming he's straight). He is also one of the screeners for the show.  His humor was raunchy and vulgar...and he employed the usual poking-of-fun on a particular audience member whom he chose to vent his brand of humor and wit.  Bottom line though, I enjoyed it  because I wasn't his object of attention.  In general though, the audience warmed up to him.  Jim was always reminding us that we should always be game and ready for anything, so he shocked us with how green his humor can get.  His number lasted for an hour before the test was administered.  And while we waited for the result, Jim took to the stage and made fun of some of the audience members (whom he even dragged on stage at some point).

When the results were handed in, Jim told us to treat everything as an experience to be enjoyed and not a disappointment.  As if that would help those who did not meet the profile they were looking for.  So Jim called the names of those who passed the initial screening.

And I wasn't one of them.

to be continued...