“May Bukas Pa: Awards, Citations, more Awards, Part 2″

From Cubao, my co-actor Tony Manalo joined me in my car as I drove to PAGCOR in Sucat, Paranaque City. The PAGCOR Grand Threater was the venue of the 23^rd Philippine Movie Press Club, Inc. Star Awards for Television.

Since we arrived early at 5:00 p.m. I was able to get a parking space at the back of the PAGCOR Theater. We entered the theater through the back entrance which led to the backstage and the theater exit.

Arnel Pineda and Charice Pempenco were still rehearsing when we occupied our seats. I chose the 5^th row from the stage, a good view I told myself. All the while, people were entering the theatre either using the back entrance or the main gate. When I saw some seated audience reading the souvenir program, I asked where they got their copy. I went to the main gate where the reception table was. I told a PMPC officer manning the souvenir program that I am from May Bukas Pa she immediately gave me a copy. I noticed that it had a price tag of 100.00 per copy. When I asked if I was suppose to pay, she told me that it was for sale to the non- nominees.

When I went back to my seat, people seated at the middle portion of the theater were asking me “father, father, where is Santino?” I noticed that as stars entered there were no ushers and on their own they had to look for vacant seats. There was no seating arrangements.

When it was about to start, I texted Beegee Soldao, our Executive President. She texted back if I could save seven seats for them – she was with Santino, Direk Jerome Pobocan and Lara Quigaman etc. The seats that I saved were slowly occupied as some of my co-actors arrived before the group of Beegee came (Budjie Mortiz, Andre Tiangco, Ruben Gonzaga and David Chua).

When Beegee's party finally arrived, people from the back section of the theatre were screaming “Santino! Santino!” unmindful that there was an ongoing awarding ceremony on-stage!Since the seats I saved were already occupied, I offered my seat for Lara Quigaman and David Chua offered his seat to Santino. Beegee, David and the grandmother of Santino decided to move to the unoccupied seats located a row after the area where the Program Anchor Alex Gonzaga was stationed.

When Piolo Pascual was named Best Dressed Male Actor of the Night, the audience shouted, “ I love you, Piolo!”. The shoutings became more festive as names of popular actors were called for their awards.

I noticed then that the area at the back portion of the theatre were filled mostly with movie fans.

Thanks to the movie fans who were our seat mates at the back portion of the stage, when May Bukas Pa was finally named as the Best Prime Time TV Series they gave the loudest cheering!

Whew! From the subdued awarding ceremony for the elderly to the marketplace atmosphere of the Star Award, “May Bukas Pa” is leading the way!

Bro, as our talents are recognized, we humbly say that these are all for your Glory, not ours.