Category: Travel

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Highlights from the WTBT San-Fo Show

chuckiechavez

As expected, the venue’s wi-fi connection conked out as the evening progressed. So I focused mainly on updating the TV5 International Facebook page. Here are some of the highlights from the show earlier: Astroboy may be covered in silver paint, but his opening number was golden! The main man makes his entrance.  Everybody Baile! Lovely of the Big Time Girls donning a colorful costume during the opening number.  No Other Woman, Part 2? Derek Ramsay is joined by, not just one, but two lucky fans during his song number. The ever-exuberant Aga Muhlach hits the stage.  A few inspiring words … Continue reading Highlights from the WTBT San-Fo Show

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Another Round of Dish

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And the deal is sealed. Executives from TV5 International and Dish Network met up once again to formalize their partnership through a press conference and contract signing held at the Mandarin Oriental in San Francisco. Present, this time, was our Big Boss Manny V. Pangilinan who arrived in the city just this morning. Filipino Dish subscribers can now see their favorite TV5 programs on Kapatid TV5 and Aksyon TV International. Subscribers of other cable providers need not worry. TV5 International is exploring partnership with them as well. So keep posted! 😉 Continue reading Another Round of Dish

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The Great Supermarket Raid

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Jollibee on the foreground, Red Ribbon Bake Shop on the far end and bandelitas dangling the ceiling. One glimpse at this photograph and you’d think this was taken in Manila. If not for the occasional Caucasian customer, you would even think that this was on our end of the Pacific. But actually, this is Seafood City, Concord, California,  the second of two stops of the Supermarket Tour held earlier this afternoon.  With Derek, Ruffa, Nora and the Big Time Girls in tow, we surprised the unsuspecting Filipino shoppers of two supermarkets (The other one being Island Pacific Supermarket in Vallejo) to promote Saturday’s show. … Continue reading The Great Supermarket Raid

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Work (semi-)officially resumes today

chuckiechavez

Welcome to SFO! 😉 I’ve been on standby here at the lobby the whole day waiting for the Kapatid stars to arrive from Las Vegas. Derek Ramsay was the first to arrive. Superstar Nora Aunor is also already here, but preferred to keep it low profile. We’re still waiting for Ruffa Gutierrez and the Wil Time Big Time posse. Our estimate is that they’ll be here by 11. One thing’s for sure, they’re all going to need rest before tomorrow’s mall tour.   Continue reading Work (semi-)officially resumes today

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Back to Masonic

chuckiechavez

Curse my unpredictable sleeping patterns. I woke up past noon today and discovered that everyone had gone to lunch at the Fisherman’s Wharf.  Apparently, they were trying to call me up, but I was probably sleeping like a log. Once again: Free Day Fail. So, I spent the early afternoon making additional updates on the TV5 International Facebook page. Luckily, I eventually got in touch with my cousin Andrea, who picked me up from the hotel lobby after learning about my predicament. After wrapping up on the day’s work, we boarded the bus to their apartment in Masonic. Which is … Continue reading Back to Masonic

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Return to Frisco

chuckiechavez

Hello again, San Francisco! Told you I’d be back! This is only my third time in the city, but I’ve always felt some sort kinship with it. If Frisco were a person, it’d be like that really close friend or relative I don’t see often, but whenever we meet, it’s like we’re always together.  That’s what I feel about San Francisco. And that’s why I’m so thrilled it’s part of the Big Launch itinerary. We arrived in the city at around 2:30 this afternoon. Upon leaving the airport, the entire TV5 contingent (sans Willie and his crew, who went on … Continue reading Return to Frisco

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Mission Accomplished in LA

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1 down, 1 more to go. Thank you so much to our Kapatids who graced the venue with their presence last night. The reception was quite overwhelming, actually. Everything’s been quite a blur after the first show. From the Shrine, we went straight to our hotel to have a mini victory celebration. I say “mini” because it was quite subdued and relax on account of the collective post-event exhaustion. But despite the lack of energy, everyone was happy. Here are some post-event shots I took: Fernando Carrillo of “Rosalinda” fame flanked by Ms. Jane Walker of TV5 Marketing and Ms. Divine Yap … Continue reading Mission Accomplished in LA

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Early at the Shrine

chuckiechavez

This is the Shrine Auditorium where tonight’s show will be held. If the name sounds familiar, that’s because ten (10) Academy Award ceremonies were held here – the most recent one being 2001 before they made the big move to the Dolby (Formerly Kodak) Theatre. Knowing that the likes of Russell Crowe, Julia Roberts, Angelina Jolie, Kate Winslet, and Hilary Swank once set foot in this 86-year-old structure already makes me star-struck. While taking a break from the set-up, the caretaker took me and Ms. Georgette on a quick tour of the basement (or shall we say, it’s own version of the Walk of Fame) where I learned more about the venue’s impressive and extensive pedigree. Displayed … Continue reading Early at the Shrine

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So what’s the dish?

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After only 12 hours in the city, we already set out to an 8:00am call time at the Celebrity Centre. Waking up was not much of a hassle since my body is still operating on Manila time. I did manage to salvage some shut-eye on the way to the venue; turns out it was at least 2 hours away from where we’re staying. First in our agenda today was a press conference with TV5‘s official direct-to-home satellite partner in North America, Dish Network. There, Jennifer Leslie, Dish’s General Manager for International Marketing spoke about their recently-launched brand exclusive for the Filipino … Continue reading So what’s the dish?

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Told you it’s going to be jam-packed.

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A few scenes before boarding the plane back in Manila:  Big Time Girls Bea (left) and Lovely (right) snuggling in the boarding area.  Talentadong Pinoy’s Daniel Darwin (AKA “Astroboy”), low profile without his hula-hoops.  Halfway through the 12-hour flight, Willie took a stroll around the plane and surprised the passengers in our area: Upon our arrival at the Hyatt House in El Segundo, Willie wasted no time briefing the entire production team on everything that will happen within the next two weeks. Also managed to shoot a couple of quick video greetings before heading to our room: Derek Ramsay Astroboy  So, … Continue reading Told you it’s going to be jam-packed.

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In the words of LL Cool J…

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…I’m Going Back to Cali!  More specifically, in less than 12 hours. And as I want to join majority of the Filipino community in lamenting Jessica Sanchez‘ defeat. (Augh, might as well rename that show White Dude with Guitar Idol), I am way too overcome with excitement to focus on that topic. It was only last week when my friend Krizzia informed me that I’m joining the TV5 International team for the grand U.S. launch. Yes, after the long wait, the Kapatid network is now ready to make its presence felt in North American shores and this will be highlighted … Continue reading In the words of LL Cool J…

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Sugod Mga Kapatid sa Sinulog

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Last Thursday wasn’t just a whirlwind trip for me but for the TV5 talents who participated in the activities as well. Upon their arrival in Cebu, the stars had quick lunch then it was straight to a quick press conference. Upcoming young talents such as JC De Vera, Danita Paner, Ritz Azul, Arci Munoz, Nina Jose, Morisette Amon, and Eula Caballero joined the likes of established names like Ruffa Gutierrez, Zoren Legaspi and Wendell Ramos in tackling questions about their current projects and their personal lives. After the press-con, the stars immediately flocked to Fuente Osmena Circle later that afternoon … Continue reading Sugod Mga Kapatid sa Sinulog

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Hello again, Cebu.

chuckiechavez

Currently in Cebu to cover the TV5’s Sugod Mga Kapatid Sa Sinulog event. We arrived in the city at 7:00am. Which means I didn’t have enough time to get ample shuteye. Actually, that one-hour flight was my one shot at salvaging some sleep. Unfortunately, I was seated in front of that one-man snore-chestra. Could have sworn he was almost as loud as the engine. Breakfast was hardly Cebuano: Breakfast platter from Bo’s Coffee. …Either way, this should be enough to keep me up and about within the next few hours.  Today will be jam-packed with activities. I’ll be covering a … Continue reading Hello again, Cebu.

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Singabound

chuckiechavez

In a few hours, 3 1/2 to be exact, I will be bound for Singapore, together with my Mom, my Ninang Gina and her husband Brian, who both arrived from Chicago early this afternoon. This will be my second visit to the Lion City. First one was July 2007 when Mom had to attend a Rotary function with one of the sister clubs there. I agreed to tag along – mainly because I always instantly say yes to countries I’ve never visited. Unfortunately, that trip was a catastrophe. We arrived there on the 13th, which happened to be a Friday. As … Continue reading Singabound