Behind the scenes with the Quizon Avenue stars
I am a self-confessed silver screen addict. I have this condition called chronic couch-potato syndrome. The specific signs and symptoms of anorexia and catatonic schizophrenia associated with crocodile tears are evident during TV sessions. Aggravated by the picture tube, I once scored 8 in the Glasgow Coma Scale. In short I am in a pseudo perfect state, quite detached from the problematic world, every time I cross my legs in front of the set. Can you blame me? Movies, TV shows, and sitcoms are the summation of our fantasies. They allow us to be who and what we want to be. They can make us laugh or cry. They transform us into an omnipresent and omniscient being.
That is why most of the time I do silly things to feed my hunger for entertainment and the likes. I'm just wondering. Will this one can be counted?
Not minding the scorching heat of the 3 p.m. sun of April 7, 2006, I took an hour ride to the captivating municipality of Barotac Nuevo. On my way, I was trying to collect my thoughts. Alas! I can brush elbows with the Quizon Avenue stars.
The crowd gathered outside the fascinating Casa Fiammeta. From afar, I saw Eric Quizon, in his apple green shirt, mounted the white horse as he rehearsed his scene with his dad. The King of Comedy, sitting reclined on the chair, covered his face with a cowboy hat as he patiently waited for the take. The boom mic was raised and the man in a blue shirt signaled the crowd to be silent.
"Action!" the man near the camera shouted. Then they began shooting.
I headed towards the closed gate. The policeman opened it and escorted me to the spacious alley. I searched around for any interesting topic and my gaze settled to a group of people under the huge umbrella. There Valdolph and his girlfriend, the G Girl's Jennie, were chatting with the Japanese man that I soon identified as Yachang.
With the absence of any activity inside, I decided to transfer to the barn where I found the Quizons - Dolphy, Eric and Epi smiling as they were greeted by their fans. The mothers and aunts flocked to have their pictures taken with Dolphy while the younger ones rushed towards Eric.
The kids must have been amazed by the creativity of Epi in his show with Tado - Art Jam (aired on ABS CBN). They offered their shirts for him to sign. One kid asked to have a picture with him and Epi comically said "O cge magpapicture kayo," as he held the camera and pointed it to the group of the excited kids.
Since it was snack time, we went back inside to grab something to eat. It was also the perfect time to associate with the celebrities. Flashes were everywhere as people from different walks of life posed with Valdolph while Yachang and Eric were having a great time savoring the palitaw.
"Pipicturan nyo ba ako? Bagong gising lang ako eh," Yachang comically muttered. Despite that, he still managed to smile as we flashed our camera. On the same time the funny girl Pokwang walk out of her room in a pair of green slippers and white haltered blouse. She was waving like we've been friends for the longest time. Without any hesitation she posed like a model in a photo shoot and giggles after each pose.
"It was a dream come true. Nung bata pa ako pinapanood ko dati sa Sampaguita Pictures [si Dolphy]. Wala pa kaming TV noon. Sumasabit pa ako sa bintana ng kapitbahay para lang makapanood. At ngayon eto kasakasama ko na. Sabay pa kaming kumain," the comedienne who was discovered after joining the Clown in a Million in an ABS CBN gag show admitted as she looked at Eric who was beaming at her.
"Sinungaling yan. Gusto nyo malaman buhay nya?" the Japanese-eyed Yachang jokingly interrupted as he munched some of the native delicacies.
After a few minutes of narrating some of her stories, Pokwang joined the two guys.
"Sorry ha. Tinawag ako kasi dun," Epi apologized as he settled on the chair. He too had his snack.
Further on, three girls in their skirts and boots were doing their scene. The short and cute one was Kit Kat. The leggy Jenny Hernandez and the siren Maui Taylor did a favor for their fans as they smiled and had pictures with them. After a while, clad in a tube top and a white shorts, the alluring Jenny joined Eric and his company.
The sun finally bid goodbye signaling the end of yet another day. I along with the other members of the media said our thanks to few people including ABS-CBN's Miss Desiree Bretaña. As we exited the gate and inched towards the van, I saw numerous people blocking the gate trying to find ways to have a glimpse on the stars.
As I rest my back on the seat, I held my ID and said "Thanks to you." Heading back to the city, I felt better though I had been sweating like never before and had been inhaling dust since 3 p.m. of that Friday afternoon.
I know many Ilonggos were interested to see them but never did. So if you've missed the chance to see them in person, then don't fail to catch them in Quizon Avenue every Saturday night before TV Patrol World on ABS CBN. A guaranteed superb entertainment from the Comedy King himself!