Lady Reads-A-Lot

More memories! :)

You know what’s crazy? I’ve been working with ABS-CBN’s CGE TV for a year and a half now. I remember the auditions very clearly: it was back in 2010, the first opportunity I’d had for TV work post-UAAP. I’d jumped at the chance, though the lineup of people auditioning with me made me nervous—Angelicopter was there, Maxine Mamba, Cerah Hernandez of RX 93.1, and a lot of other talented people.

I actually went home telling myself that it was all a part of the television industry that you win some, you lose most; but that you keep trying, which was what mattered.

We taped our first episodes in one corner of the ABS-CBN Interactive offices, with barely enough room for a couple of makeshift chairs, a camera, and some lights. We started early in the day and wrapped at nearly eleven that night—a marathon session that’s still a running joke for the original cast and crew today.

It’s been an incredible ride with the CGE TV family. Thanks to our writers, we’ve put together episodes with every imaginable theme, from Mario to Pirates of the Caribbean, from The Addams Family to Filipiniana, from CSI to Dodgeball to Men In Black to Ghostbusters. We’ve also grown: from a little family with just Edu Ibazeta and myself as hosts, to a huge one with Anna Tan, Nikko Ramos, DJ Chacha, Kuya Jobert, and multiple ambassadors (special mention si Jhai’Ho!!!!) and writers (Beba, Joaqui, Butch, Kimo, even Alden!) and directors (Direk Jemster, Direk Enzo, Direk Mike).

And last night, after nearly two years of work, we’ve made it out of the semi-obscurity of specialized cable to Channel 2. A lot of this is because of the diligence of our producers, crew, and staff (Sir Ralph, Sir Ian, Ms Grach, Marie, Kamille, Carl, Kirsti, Jeff, Ares, Jerry, Mark the Shark, Ramona, Kirei, Nicole, JR, Bio, everyone!) and I know they are every bit as proud of our baby as I am.

Yun nga lang—I missed the pilot episode because my bed was warm and I fell asleep waiting for it to air (it’s on 12:30am). Ahihi. BUT the best part is that I can catch the next episode because it’s on every day, from Monday to Friday. I almost can’t believe it. And we were trending on Twitter! That’s incredible.

I’m hoping that this works out, I really am. I’m hoping that viewers send in better and better videos to the website (www.cge.tv) so that we can air better and better quality shows. I’m looking forward to it!

But we’ve made that big step! Just gotta keep swimming now, and keep our fin(ger)s crossed.