Exactly a week ago I was fortunate to be part of a tour that I never thought exists. Although I haven't asked anyone if there happens to be the same event the previous years or if it's an annual event (which I hope so!). I'd still want to think that it's the FIRST EVER ABS-CBN DAVAO PRESS TOUR, because for me, it was a lot of firsts. Additionally, out of momentary vanity, I just want to think of it that way because it's the first time in the longest time that the world revolved around me! Hahaha.
Last October 2010, I was in Manila for WordCamp and a School Fieldtrip and since then I never had the chance to come back. I also never thought I would be back in Manila until October this year for WordCamp 2012. But who would have thought that I'd end up going there 2 months before I expected. Thank God! I was lucky to get an invitation from Ms. Razelle of Abs-Cbn for an all expense paid tour in Manila. :-)
If going to Manila isn't one of my 'firsts', then flying with Philippine Airlines and and having "Combi" for airline snacks is. Everything felt "burgis" (a term my friends and I use to refer bourgeoisie) until combi came into our hands! Mother of all biscuits! Okay fine, let's skip that part.
It's also the first time that I've done a decision that is as quick as lightning. In a matter of seconds I said yes to the invitation because I know it's going to be a great experience and who the hell am I to decline such a special invitation anyway?
And so...I went.
We arrived Manila around 8:00 pm. We were picked up by an Abs-Cbn van from the airport to our hotel, but we got hungry and decided to stop by at a weekend food night market in Ortigas. I forgot the name of the place (I'm sure it wasn't Bancheto though) and I forgot to take pictures too. ZzZ. But we had a nice dinner and finally proceeded to La Breza Tower (a Condotel), which is only a couple of blocks away from the Abs-Cbn compound.
Then we went to Kris TV Studio! Unlike most studios, this studio shares the same weight of exclusivity with that of SHOWTIME and ASAP Studios. The reason behind that should be apparent! Indeed, Ms. Kris Aquino has her own studio and no other show can use this except for Kris TV.
Stay tuned for my Abs-Cbn Tour Series. . .and some backlogs too! Hahaha.
Note: Updated! Thank you. :-)
Last October 2010, I was in Manila for WordCamp and a School Fieldtrip and since then I never had the chance to come back. I also never thought I would be back in Manila until October this year for WordCamp 2012. But who would have thought that I'd end up going there 2 months before I expected. Thank God! I was lucky to get an invitation from Ms. Razelle of Abs-Cbn for an all expense paid tour in Manila. :-)
If going to Manila isn't one of my 'firsts', then flying with Philippine Airlines and and having "Combi" for airline snacks is. Everything felt "burgis" (a term my friends and I use to refer bourgeoisie) until combi came into our hands! Mother of all biscuits! Okay fine, let's skip that part.
It's also the first time that I've done a decision that is as quick as lightning. In a matter of seconds I said yes to the invitation because I know it's going to be a great experience and who the hell am I to decline such a special invitation anyway?
And so...I went.
We arrived Manila around 8:00 pm. We were picked up by an Abs-Cbn van from the airport to our hotel, but we got hungry and decided to stop by at a weekend food night market in Ortigas. I forgot the name of the place (I'm sure it wasn't Bancheto though) and I forgot to take pictures too. ZzZ. But we had a nice dinner and finally proceeded to La Breza Tower (a Condotel), which is only a couple of blocks away from the Abs-Cbn compound.
Abs-Cbn Davao Press Tour Day 1
That morning, our epic tour started at the Abs-Cbn Studio Tours and Shop Center. We were then briefed about the nature of the tour, our itinerary, followed by a video showing us the history of Abs-Cbn.
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| Press Briefing - with Sir Ian, Jesse, Zhaun, Mam Stella and Manong Bert. |
From there, I learned from our tour guide that the acronym of Abs-Cbn means - Alto Broadcasting System - Chronicle Broadcasting Network. But since the creatives behind ABS are smart, they came up with another meaning for Abs-Cbn and that is "All the Brightest Stars Come from the Biggest Network". Pretty clever, right?
Studio Tour
Studio 10 was the first studio we went to on our tour. Studio 10 is the biggest and is used for the network's hit Sunday Musical Variety show "ASAP". Interestingly, it can only hold about 456 audience at a time. What looks like an Araneta Colosseum every Sunday noon on tv is actually just a figment of your imagination. LOL. Just kidding! But hey, do you want to know how they do that? Alright, here's a clue: The answer lies below this and above us!
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| Studio 10 - The biggest studio in Abs-Cbn. |
We also passed by the studio where Showbiz Inside Report Studio is set. We just passed by because some of the crew and staff were busy setting up the studio.
Then we went to Kris TV Studio! Unlike most studios, this studio shares the same weight of exclusivity with that of SHOWTIME and ASAP Studios. The reason behind that should be apparent! Indeed, Ms. Kris Aquino has her own studio and no other show can use this except for Kris TV.
After Kris TV, was my favorite studio, the Abs-Cbn Newscenter! From the lights to the big LCD touch screen monitors, tv screens, cables and camera-ish stuff (see first photo below), everything looked so modern around the studio that I felt like I'm caveman from the Paleolithic era. By my next visit, I promise to bring with me a tuxedo!
Finally we went outside the main building to have snacks at their cafeteria in preparation for a 3-Hours Showtime Experience! The Showtime studio by the way is the last studio we visited. :-)
To be continued. . .
Stay tuned for my Abs-Cbn Tour Series. . .and some backlogs too! Hahaha.
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| Here's a teaser! |
Note: Updated! Thank you. :-)
