The Mock Game, Part 2
Of course, I didn't go to work. Hehehe. Tita Chona and Tito Bine arrived early, around 11am. My dad was taking a quick nap then. I just had a late breakfast and asked them if they ate already. Come 11.30, the four of us (my dad, my aunt and uncle) rode an FX to Cubao. From there, we took a cab to ABS CBN. I texted Mimi, Waldy and Erwin that we're already on our way to the studio.
It took us an hour to arrive at ABS CBN. Mimi was there first. She waited at Panaderia Pantoja and I asked her to join us at Joey Pepperoni Both establishments were in front of the Mother Ignacia entrance gate of ABS CBN. Waldy and Erwin were still in transit. We had tuna al olio for lunch.
When the gates opened, I saw that among those who got interviewed from my batch, only three familiar faces were called to return for the mock game. All in all, 13 potential players were called back. And from that, only two will be chosen to play.
Erwin and Waldy arrived late and we were delayed a little bit. The event marshall told us that we can only enter the studio once we're complete. So when they both arrived, we were allowed to pass through the gate. I was so thrilled at the thought that I made it to the mock game that I forgot which corner to take so I can get to the studio. I bumped into Pokwang and Manny Pooh and realized that I was headed the wrong way... I was in the studio where Wowowee was being held.
The event marshall quickly herded our group to the right studio and when everybody was settled in, they briefed us on what's going to happen. I don't know their names but one girl was telling the crowd that the mock game is still part of the screening process. They even cautioned us, the potential players, that the supporters we brought along with us should be game enough and lively. Pangit nga namang tingnan na patay ang mga supporters mo (It's terrible to see your supporters are not lively) while you're playing. It's going to be one of their bases in choosing who will make it to the actual game.
Jim Capulong was there. He'll be acting as host during the mock game. Another girl said that following instructions was also a point for the potential player. If one player brought 5 instead of 6 supporters, that's a point against the player. Jim told us that only two will make it to the actual game.
Another girl (part of the screening committee) began handing out short bond papers to us. She said that the potential player should fill it up with his name and contact nos. and tell something about himself. While the supporters (who wrote their names and contact nos. as well) will write something about the potential player. She saw my uncle (who has white hair) and asked how old is he.
"71!" Tito Bine replied.
"Sino'ng player n'yo?" The girl asked. I raised my hand and she asked me if someone told me that there was an age limitation for participants. As young as 7 but not as old as 70.
"Walang sinabi sa kin na ganun, e," I replied. (Nobody told me about it.)
My uncle replied, "Kaya ko pa mag-push up! Kung meron dito na matatalo ako sa push-ups, aalis ako!" (I can still do push-ups! If there's someone here who can beat me doing push-ups, I'll leave!) The audience and the girl were amused. Be that as it may, he stayed on.
When we were left to do our essay task, one group came in late and caught up with all of us. When we were all done, we handed in our papers. Jim took charge and made all the potential players go on stage. All thirteen of us. (Jim labeled me as a Rez Cortez lookalike. Waldy told me later that I look like Dave Brodett. To which I replied, "Baka 'di na niya kilala yun!" (He might not know him!)) We were arranged randomly and I was number 8 in the line.
"Ok, No. 1 and No. 2 will stay for the mock game," Jim said. "The rest will leave and wait outside."
Again, the event marshalls were there and herded us out of the studio. One female event marshall was kind to us. Mimi took to her and asked her lots of questions about what's going to happen, how long does the mock game last, etc.
We headed to the studio canteen where we had our brunch. I kept on going outside to check if the event marshall was already looking for us to go back to the studio for the mock game. Hmmm... I feel giddy about the whole thing.
I asked one of the event marshalls if it was already our turn. He said he didn't know. He was assigned to take care of the Game Ka Na Ba? participants... Hmmm... I found out that there were three more groups before our turn. O well... it's only past 4pm.
Around 4:30 pm, the event marshall came by. "Ikaw ba si Rey?" (Are you Rey?) I answered yes. "Ikaw na susunod. Humanda na kayo." (You're next. Get ready.)
to be continued...
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