Pinoy Potter's Chronicles

During one lunch break at the office, we (the new associates of our company) just found ourselves talking about TV shows that we used to faithfully watch when we were kids. To my surprise, we all had the same TV habits when we were younger. All of us were talking about Shaider and all the stuff identified with the defunct japanese action series. From the characters in the persona of Alexis and Annie, up to the unique weapon of Shaider such as the Babylos (whenever he enters the time-space warp) and Bluehawk. We even found ourselves laughing when we reminisced the "zhigi zhigi" theme. At the course of our discussion, I even felt disappointed that I failed to recall Shaider's weapons and dialogues.

Shaider was one heck of a classic. Those were the days when television can be considered as a really good friend. Alexis and Annie made me stay glued to my chair when I was a kid.

That's not all. During that particular lunch break, we just kept on discussing from one TV classic to another. We reminisced the Maskman and Bioman days, as well as the good old animes during our teenage years, including Samurai X.

As of this writing, I've downloaded the soundtrack of the aforementioned TV classics of my younger days. I surely miss the good old days: the days when I have lesser problems and the days when I could afford to be innocent and carefree. Well, it's not like I've managed to stay away from my "immature" side (as evidenced by my neverending fondness of animes such as Pokemon). I just couldn't help but recall the good old days.

During my Deal or No Deal stint last year, Kris Aquino asked me before cuing for a commercial break, "Game Na?", and I briefly replied, "Game Na!". She suddenly said, "noontime yon".

Who would have thought that after a year, I will be given the chance to play at Pilipinas, Game KNB? In my previous blog entry, I revealed that last June 22, 2007, I underwent the screening for the said show. I have not heard a word from the staff after three weeks. They told us that they will be informing us within three weeks if we qualified to play. Since three weeks have passed, I thought that I didn't qualify to play, and I kinda had the feeling that I only got 6 out of 10 questions correct during the screening. Until last Monday, I received a text message from the show's contestant coordinator, saying that I qualified to play for the game show. I was scheduled to play the following day.

Come July 24, 2007, I arrived at the studio excited without much expectations. My thumb mark and photo was taken by the staff for their records. I had to wait for like three hours before the taping formally started.

I made it to the atras-abante round. Unfortunately, I had two very smart contenders. One of them is Carlo Samson, a UP alumnus and a former instructor who was given a scholarship grant at University of Arizona for a PhD in Optical Science. The other contender is My, a high school teacher. Of course, I did hope that I will get the chance to play for the jackpot round, and that I have a more immediate need for the potential winnings that the show could give. However, I also believe that My and Carlo deserve their winnings. Carlo Samson is really a very talented and blessed person. Among the ten contenders for that episode, Carlo is the closest to me because we were literally together during the screening. He was just next to me in the very long line. I will be more than happy for him if he will really succeed and soar to greater heights with his chosen profession.

As for Edu Manzano, well, he was really such a hilarious and naughty host. He really knows how to make us feel comfortable. He will not make you feel intimidated. He knows how to crack jokes and can make you laugh even at yourself. Though Carlo was his favorite in the episode, I am just glad that Edu made me feel that I am smart myself and that I can put up a great fight.

Please watch my slightly humiliating yet fun and humbling stint at Pilipinas, Game KNB? tomorrow, July 30, 2007. It will be aired 11:30 AM on ABS-CBN after Boy & Kris and before Wowowee.

It's been exactly a year since I dealt with Kris, and in 8 more days, it will be a year since my first (and probably the last) major exposure on Philippine free TV (it was June 14, 2006). The official tagline of the program says "Isang Desisyon ang Babago sa Buhay Mo". Indeed, my decision to deal somehow changed my life. Thanks to the cumulative 30-minutes exposure on Philippine Primetime Television, I met a lot of people from different walks of life. Would you believe that until now, some nasty bystanders and kids in our barangay still shout "Deal or No Deal" everytime I pass by? Though I'm quite known to a handful of students from San Beda, I became more familiar with the Bedan community because of that exposure. Coincidentally, it's been a year since our unforgettable and unplanned Baguio escapade.

I can still remember, days after that exciting moment, that I had heated arguments with my mother as to how I should share a little portion of my winnings. Believe me, it's difficult to escape or put to an end in a monetary-inspired argument. The hardest part is on how to gracefully evade those people that are "seriously" asking for "balatos". Haha.


The prize money that I won had its purpose, as if God really made things happen. Months after my stint, a major crisis occurred in the family. Good thing that I managed to save my money, and a huge portion of it was used for my necessities, specifically for my studies. A little amount of course, was spent on shopping, and the remaining was invested in mutual funds. My mutual fund savings came in handy for the unexpected expenses. Thanks to my dealt prize, I now have an upgraded computer, DSL subscription, and I was able to stay in a dormitory near school for a short time. I became more participative on certain gigs of my friends.



Of course, who would forget my 2-hour encounter with Kris Aquino? I was inches away and conversed with the greatest newsmaker in the Philippines. I had a blast with the person that Filipinos either hate or like.

If only I could turn back time, haha. I'm just glad that I had the chance to participate in that game show. Thanks to that event, I became more blessed, tangibly and intangibly.

Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal is back on its second season. With its pilot that will start on June 11, 2007, the highest amount in the money board that could be won by the lucky contestant in a No Deal situation is P3,000,000.00. I heard that there's some sort of game for the texters, and they could win half of the prize won by the contestant for the day. Indeed, it is the richest game show in Philippine Television history.

Yes, you heard it right. GMA-7, the supposedly number one television station on Mega-Manila primetime, will air the TV show that almost led them to a coma exactly four years ago. I dunno what timeslot, but they actually had the guts to acquire it for airing on free TV for probably the fourth time or so. ABS-CBN aired it for the first time and garnered millions of revenue on year 2003, with a replay on the same year during weekends for those who missed the weekdays. When ABS-CBN lost in the ratings game on year 2005, they re-aired Meteor Garden as pre-programming for TV Patrol World, and was later on scheduled on primetime as post-programming of the same newscast.

This is what Philippine Television has become - an industry of revivals or remakes, or worse, recycled TV shows. What's worse is that GMA-7 actually had the guts to recycle a TV show that is aired for like three times by a rival station.

GMA-7 is really getting in my nerves (actually, both stations, but GMA-7 is worse). After their so many remakes (I've lost count), and after making a mess of the Pokemon franchise by giving it a messy dubbing in tagalog, they are once again making a shinanigans on Philippine TV. Mind you, they also plan to make a remake of Shaider.

Oh please, I appeal to the television stations in the country, save the Philippine Television industry!

If there's one major American drama series that I really fell with love with, it's 7th Heaven. I've been following this drama series since high school, which happened to be the longest drama television show in American television history. It even survived after its former TV station had a joint venture with another. Though I wasn't exactly consistent in following this show due to my preoccupations, it's also the same show which I would usually watch again given the chance. In fact, I loved the show to the point that I even reflect on the teachings and lessons of Eric and Annie Camden. I didn't get out bed yesterday just to watch the show's marathon on Studio 23.

I surely love the Camdens, except for Mary Camden-Rivera (Jessica Biel ruined the storyline, thanks for her semi-nude photographs at Gear Magazine and for her extra-liberal lifestyle). I really hate it when celebrities can't respect themselves for fame. There were also a few recurring characters that I really didn't like to be in the show, but I know that a show, especially if it runs for quite a while, has to let go or include new stars once in a while.

Sadly, it's about time to say goodbye to the Camdens. They will have their season finale on May 13 at the USA, though it will probably take some time before we see the final season on Studio 23. It's a good thing that Leo Katigbak, a Studio 23 executive, promised via PEX that the station will acquire (or acquired) the rights to air the drama series up to Season 11.