Show business is a world of its own. The glitter and glamour makes you forget reality once you step into the red carpet where all the lights shine brightly. It’s as if you are stepping into a different dimension.
Ganito ang naramdaman ko nu’ng baguhan pa akong reporter more than two decades ago. Pero masaya akong binabalik-balikan ang mga araw namin sa showbiz dahil kahit madalas ngarag kami sa deadline, showbiz personalities then were very open and accommodating and even studios for tapings were lenient for press people to visit the artistas.
Mid-90’s ako nu’ng pumasok sa showbiz bilang movie reporter sa StarNews movie magazine.
At that time youth oriented shows were also launched and a new batch of stars was introduced. Masuwerte ako dahil we were trained and sent to field work to interview artistas sa mga tapings, shootings and in the luxury of their homes where we can relax while they warmly welcomed us with cooked meals and chika-chika.
Ganoon ka- personalized ang relasyon noon ng mga artista at movie reporters.
That’s why, it brings back warm memories whenever thoughts of my good ol’ happy days in showbiz cross my mind.
There were fun times to cherish and lessons learned as we all passed and enjoyed our showbiz experience.
STARS AND TAPINGS
Then and Now
We were taping tambays in the mid-90’s until 2010. As far as I can remember, it was around this time that studios became strict already and followed different network guidelines. On location, tapings were scheduled at hindi na puwedeng basta-basta na lang lumusot na walang pasabi unlike before na mismong artista ang nag-iinvite.
Now, it’s different. Talent management was professionalized and everything had to be done formally and kailangan may advance notice sa mga handler/manager ng mga artists.
Sabi nga ng isang kasamahan namin sa panulat, masarap balikan ang mga panahong simple pa noon ang showbiz. Na nakakasama pa natin ang mga artista na walang kiyems, ngayon kasi iba na.
HOW STARS ARE TODAY
In fairness, hindi naman lahat ng artista sa ngayong panahon eh dedma. Okay naman sila, they are very civil, respectful and courteous sa mga press. Pero wala na ‘yung personal na relasyon sa kanila. I’m speaking from experience, hindi ko alam sa iba kung hanggang ngayon na -establish nila ‘yung gaya ng relasyon ng mga artista sa reporters nu’ng 80’s and 90’s.
But of course, as long as they are courteous, okay lang. Iba na rin kasi ang mga stars at kabataan ngayon, di ba? Millenial na ang isip at kilos.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS AT WORK
Oh, kung iisa-isahin ko, marami. I’ll just write down a few na minsan eh, ‘pag naalala ko napapangiti ako dahil mababait sa akin ang mga taong nakasama ko sa aking showbiz journey.
Well, unforgettable ‘yung mga biglaang out of town invites by the late great talent manager Douglas Quijano. Ang mga late night tapings sa ABS-CBN studios na tatlong shows ang aming pinupuntahan para mag-interbyu, pictorial at makipag-chikahan.
After that, we’d eat meryenda with Star Magic talents- Bojo Molina, Jericho Rosales and Rico Yan at kuwentuhang kaswal lang.
Nakakatuwa ring balikan ang ngarag days ‘pag pupunta kami sa tapings ng TGIS para interbyuhin sina Bobby Andrews, Onemig Bondoc, Michael Flores at Red Strenberg tapos lilipat sa isang location para puntahan ang mga bida ng GIMIK na sina Rico, Judy Ann Santos, Jolina Magdangal at Marvin Agustin.
Also, when reporters would gather at the Palibhasa Lalake studio during tapings and we’d have dinner after tapings. It became a Thursday habit until the show’s last day of taping sometime in 1999.
Of course, showbiz parties were then well-attended. Kung sino ang ka-close ng reporter na artista, siguradong present sa mga okasyon at parties ng celebrant.
These are just a few of the many wonderful memories I have as a showbiz reporter that to this day makes me smile even if a lot has already changed. Oh, the glorious days in showbiz!