HONG KONG — During a break in our taping of our Sunday TV show Mel & Joey last July 10, I was talking to the audience about Eat, Bulaga!’s 30th anniversary on July 30. I was even proudly showing off the special edition Eat, Bulaga! T-shirt I was wearing that time which will only be available at selected SM Dept. Stores by the last week of this month in time for the anniversary (You will see this nice Eat, Bulaga! tee for the very first time in our July 26 episode and also that Sunday morning’s Joey’s Quirky World before S.O.P.).
And what made the T-shirt extra special is that for every piece sold, P10 will go to Eat, Bulaga! Foundation. This great idea came from some great kids — my kids. According to them, it’s their way of giving back and thanking the long-running show which they grew up with and of course, which put and took them all the way to college. All my three sons are now connected with TAPE, Inc. and Eat, Bulaga! in various capacities.
And in the course of that friendly conversation with the audience, my partner Mel commented, “Pards, ang tagal na ng Eat, Bulaga! ‘no,” even adding, “Biro mo, bata pa ako may Eat, Bulaga! na!” To which I countered, “Oo nga, tandang-tanda ko pa ikaw yung may karga-karga sa akin!” Of course, the audience was amused and roared with laughter. But when I suddenly shifted wearing a serious face and delivered a few lines, I got a louder and wilder reaction from the crowd. I said, “Alam n’yo ba kung bakit tumagal ng ganito katagal ang Eat, Bulaga!? … dahil sa tatlong letra ng ‘EAT’ ( while pointing to the big letters E-A-T on my chest) … alam n’yo, hanggang buhay ang tao, i-eat tayo … at hanggang umi-eat tayo, s’yempre ( I paused and they were all waiting in suspense) … baligtarin n’yo ang EAT.
* * *
US President Barack Obama extends his invitation to Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to visit the White House on July 30. Some think that they will celebrate together Eat, Bulaga!’s 30th Anniversary on that same day.
* * *
Joey’s Quirky World airs every Saturday and Sunday right before Eat, Bulaga! and S.O.P. But Joey’s Quickie World happens any moment — so last July 5, I made a really quick visit to Macau to try their new attraction and must-experience destination — “City Of Dreams” — located at Estrada do Istmo, Cotai. And yes, just a “dice throw” from the Venetian and the airport.
City Of Dreams is an integrated resort combining entertainment, an amazing array of accommodation, regional and international dining, as well as designer brand shopping. We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel. Other hotels in this new resort are The Crown Towers and The Grand Hyatt Twin Towers. Wala lang, kinuwento ko lang para sa mga mahihilig magpunta sa Macau.
There are two new things to experience here in Macau which we both tried — one is the Fish Spa at The Shoppes at Four Seasons on that same side of the bridge. We first encountered this ticklish offering in Singapore when Mel & Joey taped there for our fourth anniversary presentation. But because of our limited time, we were not able to “feed ourselves to the fishes.” Yes, they nibble away at dead skin of your feet. That’s why now I believe that “the dead have a sole.” Ngek!
These intimidating little creatures (although there are some in the third pool that are as big as three to four inches!) come from South Africa and Turkey. They are called “Hot Spring Fish” or “Doctor Fish.” Try it, it’s fun. Here’s a tongue-twister — “The Ticklish Turkish Fish Feast on our Feet.”
Now let’s go from “foot-eating” to real eating. The other new thing in the City Of Dreams is the Food Colosseum located at Level 2. Have you tried spaghetti, hamburger and desserts the Japanese way? The Food Colosseum is a luxury “food pavilion” concept from Japan. Each menu item is prepared fresh, right in front of you. The Premium Hamburger is my winner.
* * *
While having dinner last Monday (July 13), my daughter Jocas and Eileen were talking about other people’s love for collecting expensive shoes, bags, etc. Then suddenly I said as I stood up, “Ang pinakawalang kwenta d’yan ay sapatos … kasi ang laging tingin sa ‘yo ng tao ay MABABA.” Ngek!
* * *
Samantala, my son Jako invites everyone to watch his friends Mike Unson and Stanley Chi every Sunday at 5:30 p.m. before Wow, Mali! on TV5. Their very entertaining show is called Front Act and it’s the new baby of Brain Barn Productions. It starts today! A really funny front act for Wow, Mali!
* * *
Ah yeah, Joey’s Quickie World is at it again. We’re in Hong Kong pero pauwi na kami ngayon. See me tomorrow on Bulaga. That’s EAT.