The first and the last taping days are the most memorable events for every project that I am working on where I have support roles. Perhaps because these days would determine two things: once the camera starts to grind on the first taping day, I am assured that I already have a new project on hand (although other artists would counter that until our first scene is aired, we are not assured of the new project) and on the last day once the director would confirm that indeed what the Executive Producer said that I am done with my last scene, it means goodbye to the project! I would have to move on and hope to get new calls for possible new projects!
I started taping for Nasaan Ka Elisa last 02 July 2011. However, in between my first and the last taping days for Nasaan Ka Elisa, I was able to tape for four other projects: for an episode of TV5′s Untold Story of Face to Face, for a scene in ABS-CBN Channel 2′s Budoy, for a role as Governor in the no to mining in Palawan episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya (ABS-CBN 2 and for a role as governatorial candidate in Reputasyon (ABS-CBN 2)!
For my latest project – “Nasaan Ka Elisa?” where I will play a support role my last taping day was an event! This was how it went…
A week before, I already received text messages from the Talent Coordinator (TC) and the Associate Producer (AP) that we will have our last taping day on 21 October 2011. The names of all the actors that were called were on the text messages sent. Several text messages which served as reminders of the schedule for the last taping day were sent by both the TC and the AP r almost every other day before the taping day itself. My call time in the text message was 5:00 am on -call (with emphasis that it is already 5:00 am of the next day or 22 October 2011).
A day before my last taping day, the Location Manager (LM) of the tv series texted me that BBR (the name of my Tucson) will also have taping on the last taping day! He asked me what time would BBR be ready and where will he pick up my Tucson for the taping. I told him that BBR will be ready at 5:30 am at the same place, parking lot of my office.
The LM arrived a few minutes after I arrived at the office. I told him that I will also have a taping early morning the next day and I would use the car to go to the taping. As I have mentioned in my previous blog entry , my car which is used a picture vehicle as the car of Danna (Agot Isidro). For the last taping day, my car had its taping in Antipolo while I had mine in the next location which is the Bureau of Telecommunications on Roces Avenue, Quezon City.
I told the LM that if the scenes of my car will be done by 5pm, I would appreciate if he could return it at the office so that I could drive it home. In case the scenes of my car will not be done early, I asked the LM to bring it to my home.
I went home and slept early at 8:00 pm to get enough rest for the early morning taping. At 12:00 midnight, I got text messages from both our TC and the AP that there were changes in the call time of the artists who were previously told to stay on call. All artists were advised to be on the set (Telecom Building on Roces Ave) as soon as possible since the director might decide to change the order of the scenes to be taken.
However, my Tucson was not yet returned by the LM!I called and texted the LM where he was and if he could already bring the car to our house. I got no answer from the LM! I texted our TC that I am just waiting for my Tucson. I went back to sleep. At 2:00 am, the TC texted again that I have to be at on the set as soon as possible. When I called the LM, he answered and said that my Tucson was already at the Telecom Building in Roces Avenue. I asked him if he could bring the car to our house in Bulacan. However, when I looked at the clock I realized that it will be too late. So, instead I woke up my wife and asked her to drive me to the location using her car. We hurriedly left and brought our household helper with us so that my wife will have a companion in driving back.
We arrived on the set in 35 minutes. I saw the LM. It was then that it sinked into his mind that I will also have taping that early morning! Anyway, I did not make an issue why we was not able to bring my Tucson to our house.
I asked our household helper to help me bring my stuff to the stand by area in the 4th floor of the Telecom Building. When we arrived at the standby area – the conference room , Albert Martinez and Direk Jerome Chavez Pobocan were there.
I talked to Albert and Direk Jerome. It was already 4:00 am and Direk Jerome told me that they will have just one scene ready to be taken and then we will take our scene. I only had one scene left: a remnant to the scenes we taped in Timberland when there was no more time to tape it.
After about 30 minutes, it was already our last scene that was being taped. My last scene was wtih Albert Martinez, Vina Morales, and Allen Dizon. Before the take, I was with Allen Dizon. I asked for a picture taking with Allen and Allen graciously agreed.
While waiting for the director’s call for action, I asked Albert if we could take a picture together once the take is declared a good take. After the take, I approached Albert who told me that we will pose with the logo of Altamira Corp as the background. Albert commented after he saw the our picture that: “o, di ba may corporate look pa!”
I gathered all my staff and said goodbyes to every one. From our Director to our Executive Producer, the staff, the cameramen, the bit players, etc..Before I left the set, the LM gave me the fee for my Tucson. He asked for my TIN which I could not locate. I told him that I will just text my TIN to him later.
I went back to sleep when I reached home. I woke up at 10 am and ate the food from the set for breakfast. I texted my TIN to the LM who acknoweldged it and commented that they were still on the set for the final scene. I asked our household helper if she saw Albert Martinez when she went up with me to the stand by area. She said yes but added that: “sir, mas gwapo pa po kayo kay sir Albert, mas matanda lang po kayo ng konti!”.
My household helper was definitely telling a lie! I looked at my photo with Albert Martinez, I am so proud that I had a picture with the latest Belo model! Indeed, Albert looks 30 at 50! I will treasure this photo with Albert taken during my last taping day for Nasaan Ka Elisa?
