Pilipinas, Game Ka Na Ba?

Yes, you've guessed it right, I was a studio contestant of the famous TV show GKNB of ABS-CBN. Actually, I still am. But don't confuse yourself, read on to find out what happened.

It all started when I stayed in Manila for a company project. While watching the show, out of curiosity and maybe just to see if I will be selected via electronic raffle, I joined as a studio contestant by sending a text message to 2331. I really am not expecting to be selected, but to my surprise, a week later on a Saturday, a certain Joey Paez texted me informing that I was one of the lucky ones choosen for the pre-screening of contestants. At first, I thought it was a hoax, especially that it was sent at around 11:30PM and a celphone number was used (not 2331), nevertheless, I confirmed to attend the screening.

Friday came, I boarded the MRT and was on my way to the studio. I was expecting around 30 people only assuming that the pre-screening was more like a briefing for the show (what to say, act, wear, etc). But boy I was so wrong for a hundred or more were lined-up inside the gate. The guard told me, that a total of 300 contestants were to be screened that day with no definite number to be selected (depending on who passes). Whoa, now this is competition! And the text was not a hoax afterall.

Finally, after more than an hour of lining, validating and filling-out forms, we were ushered to the GKNB studio, yes the actual studio where the show is held. But Chairman Edu was not there rather a friendly, approachable and jolly person who turned out to be sir Joey Paez, entertained us. We were told that there will be a 2 sets of screening, a written exam for the first screening and another exam and interview on the second one. Only those who passed the first exam can undergo the 2nd screening. The 1st exam was administered, very difficult with 10 items. Passing grade is 8 correct answers and I was only sure of 5 correct answers. But to my surprise again, I passed it. I was one of the 120 hopefuls left standing out of 300. The 2nd screening was more nerve-wracking. We were to introduce ourselves in front of everybody and afterwards answer a question on the spot. My turn came and I introduced myself in mixed dialects (Bisaya for the greetings and Tagalog for the rest). Sadly, I wasn't able to answer my spot question. How can I? I was asked to name the place in Manila famous for its lechon! (I am just a newbie here...my scapegoat...hehehehe). Anyway, we took the 2nd set of exam which is more difficult compared to the 1st one and were advised to wait for the confirmation text within the next 2 weeks to know if we were selected to be a studio contestant.

I already accepted that I will not be choosen, for one, I gave a wrong answer to the La Loma question and two, I am only sure of 4 correct answers in the 2nd exam. Worse, 2 days after the screening, I saw some of my batchmates on TV as studio contestants! And the next day, and the next day, until Saturday. More than a week had passed and I haven't received any text, so I just told my husband that I didn't make it. But again for the fourth time, I was wrong! On the eve of Saturday, while watching Maalala Mo Kaya, I received a text saying "Congratulations Kapamilya, you have passed the qualifying requirments of GKNB and is scheduled to play on Monday, August 4...." Much as I wanted to shout, I couldn't coz everybody is sleeping already. I was so happy and excited but at the same time nervous. What if I couldn't get thru the qualifying round and will be told "Ba-Bay(goodbye)" on national TV? For sure, many will laugh at my stupidity and my friends, colleagues, classmates, and other more will tease me. Or what if I will be the one to answer the million round? What shall I do with the 1 million peso prize? Shall I win the pot money for 5 consecutive answers??? These thoughts kept me awake until the wee hours of the morning and damn I realized I should have slept well to have a fresh face on TV.

August 4, I woke up early and attempted to refresh my memories of general information by surfing the net but to no avail. Excitement and nervousness got the better of me. And so, I resorted to text brigade by texting my father, my husband and my sisters of possible questions and answers that will be asked on the show. At least I could review their text messages on the way to the studio. I arrived at the gate 45 minutes earlier, with 4 more contestants. I chit-chatted with one of them who hailed from Agusan (Bisdak pud) and learned that the other 3 had been waiting for their name to be called for 7 days now. We were allowed entry to our dressing room at around 1:30PM and there I met my other co-contestants who came from all walks of life. One common denominator though, most of us are young and looked intelligent. The defending champion at that time, Migs, graduated summa cum laude of his batch at Ateneo de Manila. How can you beat that?

Anyhow, sir Joey told us to get dressed and be ready for the make-up session (yah, there were make-up artists tasked to make us look good on camera). Later, he called the names of those 30 contestants that have the chance to play that day and guess what, my name was called! And I was assigned with the number 3, my lucky number (was this a sign that I will won the 1M ? :-)). The taping was about to start and we being the newest members of the studio contestants were briefed of the process. Of course, we have to learn the Papaya and Papayo dance steps also. And finally, I was able to see Chairman Edu up close and yes, like in TV he really knew how to tickle the audience and keep their adrenaline pumped up! It was really fun, though my name wasn't called on the first day, I really enjoyed being on the show. On the second and third day, my name wasn't called still but I sure had a blast! I was in awe watching how Migs trumpled the other four contestants in the 3 epsisodes and how he could rightaway answer the questions even if these were half finished...

On the fourth day, I informed sir Joey and ma'am Aida that I could not continue anymore. I relinquished my number to a new contestant not because I am afraid to fail but rather for work-related reasons. I was supposed to fly back to Davao last Monday to present updates on our project but pleaded to my boss to allow me to join the show even to the point of sending her the text messages from ABS-CBN as proofs. But I was already away for long so I had to choose and undoubtedly, my work comes first. I bid my batchmates goodbye, wished them goodluck and told them that I will be cheering for them on TV, regardless of who wins. I even congratulated Migs and jokingly asked for a "balato". Yes, its kind of "sayang", but the experience alone is worth more than the grand prize of 1M. Ironically the day I left the show, my number was called but it was no longer me playing but a male contestant.

The episodes where I was one of the studio contestants and where my face was broadcasted on national TV were shown last August 5, 6 and 7, 2008. For those who knew me and had watched these episodes but doubted if its me you saw on TV, yah, you got it straight from me, it's me. I wasn't really able to see how I looked like on TV but my brothers, sisters and some friends texted telling me that I was very singkit, thin, a good dancer and was always laughing (hahahaha, liars!). Migs held the record for the most number of winning days (7 days if I am correct) and earned a big sum of money for him to bring to France (he is leaving on Aug 28 for a scholarship grant). Most of my batchmates already played, the latest is Nel who is the defending champion right now (August 16 episode, he won the P200K pot money and was dethroned by an actress).

I couldn't help but think what could have happened if I continued being a studio contestant. I might win, I might not. But one thing's for sure, if I continued, my work will be greatly affected and my credibility is at stake. So I have finally accepted the fact without bitterness my decision and savor the memories of my Game Ka Na Ba experience. Being a studio contestant was a feat already and being on TV for 3 days was once in a lifetime experience!