For the dozens and dozens of floor directors, writers, researches, set designer and props men, it was work — really hard work. But for most of the stars, it was a reunion – a time to catch up on each other’s lives. Of course, there were lines to be learned, dance steps to be practiced (for those doing production numbers) and blocking to be put to memory for the hundreds of stars who showed up that evening. But it was also a rare occasion for everyone to see each other and a lot of time was spent chatting and basically just saying hello to new faces and old.
In between, people were getting a touch-up, texting, smoking (and I loudly complained about that) and frantically asking around for breath fresheners or gum (Luz Valdez to the rescue). In the middle of that madhouse of an atmosphere, Ricky Lo and I decided to stick to each other in our attempt to keep our sanity.
Lito Calzado then called everyone’s attention and gave a list of instructions that must have run for about two minutes. But in those two minutes, I was able to greet Celia Rodriguez a belated Happy Birthday, said hello to Sheryl Cruz, reminisce with Tessie Tomas about our old times in ABS-CBN where we would also take part in specials Channel 2 regularly put up then and asked for more gum from Luz Valdez.
Even if I wanted to give my full and undivided attention to Lito Calzado‘s instructions that time, I couldn’t help but get distracted because I kept bumping into old and new friends and I had to say hello and exchange pleasantries with them.
The only time I was able to listen to Lito’s instructions was when he said, "So that’s what you will do in the end."
I wanted Lito Calzado to repeat the instructions, but he would have gone berserk at that point. It was a good thing I saw a floor director giving the Bubble Gang Jr. group instructions and this time I listened intently. The floor director firmly told the kids not to step on the flowers because there was nothing underneath. Oh yeah, you don’t want another Kris Aquino accident, do you? Then the image of Kris Aquino falling off the Araneta Coliseum stage 14 years ago suddenly played in the mind. Okay, I got the instructions clearly. Whew! What a relief. I then started to ask myself: Was my ability to comprehend instructions on the same level as the Bubble Gang Jr. cast members? Well, they’re bright kids anyway.
After that, I started swapping stories with friends backstage – until I realized that everyone had already gone out on stage, except for me and, yes, Ricky Lo. I looked for a floor director and told him that Ricky and I hadn’t gone out yet and so he quickly ushered us on stage and then I found out that we were already the last batch.
More discoveries when I got out on stage: The instructions given to the Bubble Gang Jr. cast members (the one that I listened to so intently) were not applicable to this stage appearance. I listened to the wrong instructions! So there I was on stage – hopelessly clueless on what to do. What I did was just to follow the lead of everyone else – walk down the ramp, put on your best smile, wave, make a U-turn and exit to the right. Somehow I managed to survive that one.
Then, it was on the next chore – the on-air discussion about what makes an idol, which I did with Ricky Lo, along with Raymond Gutierrez, Karylle and Jolina Magdangal.
Officially, we were done after that and it was then that I realized how dedicated Ricky is to his job in this paper because he practically flew out of Aliw Theater to return to his deadlines and put the entertainment section to bed.
As for me, I went back to the buffet table to get more of the chicken liver wrapped in bacon. I actually wanted to watch the taping of Day 2 of the GMA anniversary show, except that the theater was really full – as in full to the rafters.
Okay there were a few vacant seats in the front row and I tried watching from there, but people had turned it into a passageway and I had to get up every time somebody would pass by (if I didn’t, they’d step on my toes). No wonder nobody wanted to take those seats.
When at one point, I already got up, but some clumsy passerby still stepped on my toes, I decided to just throw in the towel and said goodbye.
But tomorrow night, I will be watching Day 2 of the GMA anniversary show on TV right in the comfort of my home – where I don’t have to get up when people pass by and where nobody will step on my toes.