Showbiz Trip : The Buzzness

It was a long weekend in the Philippines last Aug 27-30, 2011. The 27th & 28th fell on a Saturday and Sunday. The 29th was National Heroes Day and 30th was the celebration of Eid ul Fitr. And these days just fit our getaway paid tickets purchased a year ago through Cebu Pacific's piso fare promo (www.cebupacificair.com)!

Labsy and I were a bit hesitant to pursue this trip, but the holiday announcements made it too easy to say YES! So, we geared up, while a few days earlier, requested my friend Glinn to book us for a Studio Tour and The Buzz experience at ABS-CBN, and off we went for a splendid holiday at NCR!

Us @ ABS-CBN Studios

BTW, the tour was Php 150.00 each and you may call for reservations at (63)(2)415-2272 ext 3622 or 3624. Further if you need to get reservations for known shows like ASAP, Showtime, etc. on your preferred date(s), better make the call on the first day of the month, two months prior to your preferred date. Example if you need to watch it on any date on December, make the call or better yet visit the studio, (since more often than not, your call won't get through) on Oct. 1.

Supposed Itinerary for the trip:

Aug 27 : Tagaytay
Aug 28 : Cathedral / The Buzz / Comedy Bar (any)
Aug 29 : Las Casas Filipinas (Bataan)
Aug 30 : Shrine of Valor (Still in Bataan)

Tagaytay View from Up Here

When I told my friend that we will be heading to Tagaytay on our first day. He offered to pick us up in the airport and stay at the comfort and hospitality of their home, since they are just a few minutes away from the place and we could all go together the following day for our The Buzz show. What more could you ask for? So I said yes again!

Festival Mall

Despite our enthusiasm and high spirits, we were also in time with Typhoon Mina's arrival in the Philippines. It wasn't strong in the south part of Luzon, but it was raining the whole time so we decided to change course. Instead of going for a high wind breeze in Tagaytay the first day, we went site seeing and malling in the classy part of Luzon-Alabang.

My friend gave us a quick view inside Alabang Subdivision and their own Church, then drop us off at Festival Mall, where we bought this slimy mouse toy for Pot-pot and Pat-pat. We went around the mall and found something interesting, they have a cool place for kids and teens. Nice, pretty, colorful house to go up and down for the little ones, and some indoor rides for the teens; a mini-roller coaster awaits the risk takers.

From the cool mall, we went to the classy one. We could go to ATC (Alabang Town Center) through the jeepnies going to Zapote, but we had a chance to ride through the multi-cab turned mini-van (we call it loaf bread), paid for Php 60.00 and took us straight to ATC Mall. The mall it self was cozy and it has an outdoor feel due to the verandas and a mini park. Further, my friend told me it's one of those malls where bumping into a showbiz personality is quite a possibility since it's the nearest mall from the classy subdivisions of Alabang.

At Alabang Town Center

We weren't lucky enough to get a celebrity shot or glimpse, but no worries, we enjoyed much our pizza in Amici and our eyes feast on their desserts. Too full to take more food at that time... Pizza was too big for just the two of us, but we managed to completely take 'em all up!

At Mercato

Later in the afternoon, my friend Glinn picked us up from ATC then we joined them (him and Merly) to celebrate an anticipated mass at their parish, Christ the King Church. Glinn and Merly were part of the sponsored group, he read the second reading, Merly was one of the offerers and me and Labsy were requested to offer the chalice and the host. Then we spent the night chatting and loving Glinn's baked salmon...

There goes our first day! Second day came and we were full of enthusiasm  for the up coming Studio Tour in ABS-CBN. We started our day early, went to Mercato to have our breakfast. It was a place where vendors and food carts gather on a weekend to offer their delicacies.

Breakfast at Mercato

It was a Sunday and a fun run also just ended, so, many runners came in to dine. Foodies came in different sizes, taste and inspired from different places, all superbly cooked and prepared, we didn't quite know which to take. Well, me and labsy ended taking the spicy beef steak, I think Merly had a Balamban liempo and I forgot what glinn had. But he sure enjoyed it! :P

After we had breakfast and feast on some delish goodies in Mercato, we went to Quezon City to start browsing on the place they call the city of the stars. We arrived rather early at the ABS-CBN building, so we roam around, went to PBB's (Pinoy Big Brother) House for a quick peak. Unfortunately, the house is restricted and we cannot get in, so we just stayed outside the gate and took some pictures. We looked for a place to stay for a bit, have our hair or nails done or maybe some massage, but the spa near the building is not yet ready for us. So we spent hanging out at ABS-CBN's Starbucks and food court while we wait for our "The Buzz" experience.

Our time came, call time is 13:00H or 1:00PM and we are in their waiting area... waiting... :) And despite hanging out in a coffee shop and a food court, we didn't get a chance to have lunch. The tour started with visits to the studios used by ABS-CBN shows. Before we went to the first studio, we bumped in with two young artists, Sam Concepcion and Enrique Gil in an ambulance, guess it was part of their presentation. They were also friendly enough to smile for our cams.

We continued with the studio tour. Visited studios used by shows like Happy Yipee Yehey, Showtime, Wowoweee and even the Bandila/TV Patrol.Among other things, we enjoyed playing around the studios' gadgets, specially getting ourselves behind the huge cameras they use, they were awesome.

Then came the time to enter the studio for "The Buzz" show. We were oriented with the staff on what and what not to do during the show. We may take pictures during the break. We may also take pictures during live as long as we won't use the flash.

When the show started and the hosts, Toni Gonzaga, Boy Abunda and Charlene Gonzales went on stage, we were nothing less than starstrucked. They were indeed quite a view. I personally focused on their footwear. LOL. Then the cameras were in  for a long job!

One thing we noticed is that, KC Concepcion (one of the hosts, daughter of actors Gabby Concepcion and Sharon Cuneta) is absent. Well, one star less on our view. But "The Buzz" had ample guests at that time.They had Pokwang, celebrating her birthday as she was surprised by her daughter.

The main cast of the movie "Wedding Tayo, Wedding Hindi", Eugene Domingo, Zanjoe Marudo, Wendell Ramos and Toni Gonzaga. Well, Eugene is my personal favorite. I love her movies, they are all super funny.

The main cast of the TV show "Growing Up", Diego Loyzaga (son of actors Cesar Montano and Teresa Loyzaga), Daniel Padilla, Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes. Not so much a fun, but I admire these kids taking care of themselves and their career.

And one of the highlights of the show, the Director of the movie "Thelma" and Toni Gonzaga's BF, Paul Soriano. As Toni somehow trapped him for a while with her unguarded personal YES or NO questions.


After the show, we were all hungry and went straight to dinner, just within Quezon City since we didn't plan to end the night just yet. After a big and very full meal, we went to Klownz, a comedy bar, for a late night fun and stomach-aching-laugh-like, where we meet up with Alden (Labsy's officemate who also happened to be in Manila) and his GF (who is working in Manila) ... and every moment was worth it!

Third day (Aug 29, 2011) came and we opted to go to Tagaytay. The day started good so we were excited to visit this known tourists spot. Unfortunately, since it was a long holiday, the traffic going to Tagaytay is way heavy. Instead of arriving within 30 minutes, we arrived about 2 hours after. Thanks to Glinn, we had a ride and didn't worry much on our transportation. When we arrived in Tagatay, we went straight to the Sky Park. Stayed there for a while, took a few pictures but didn't stay too long since, the weather seemed to change every now and then. Rain was on and off, and we can't afford to get sick. :D

We strolled a bit going down to the entrance of the park and then went for a jeepney ride going to the parking area. Glinn and family waited for us there, since it was raining when we arrived, kids stayed at the car. We were accompanied by Glinn's Ate and nephew though.

Then we headed out for lunch and still, so much traffic. Glinn declared not to visit the place at times like this. :D We ended having lunch at Max's, overlooking Mt. Taal while we dine. We head back to Glinn's place and had a very delish salad, with vinegarette salad dressing for dinner.

Havin' coffee & kaya toast
at the Airport while waiting
for our flight home

On our fourth and last travel day, Glinn and Merly took us to visit S & R, where shopping is exclusive for members only. They had awesome sales and lots of free-taste on some goodies. We bought vinegarette to take home and volcano chocolate cake, which we enjoyed consuming at home in Davao.

It was a relaxing vacation, thanks to Glinn and Merly who made it very "hayahay" as we call it in our language. We (me and Labsy) are glad we push this long weekend getaway through... Now, it's so much nice to look behind, smile and thank God for all the wonderful creations and friends around us...