Our Trip So Far: Wowowee!

My wife has seen Wowowee only once before. It is a game show wherein balikbayans are tapped as sponsors for the prize giveaways. As Willie, the host, asks the balikbayans from the audience for their names and where they’re from, the returning expatriates hand over their dollar bills to him. The collected money is then awarded to the studio contestants, who are mostly needy folk. My wife expressed the desire to appear on the show when we visit the Philippines.

In order for balikbayans to appear as audience members, however, one needs to be a TFC subscriber, which we aren’t. But it just so happens that my tito knows someone in the upper echelons of ABS-CBN. Talks began and before we knew it, we were scheduled to appear on Wowowee in a matter of days. June 30 was the day that was reserved for us. Knowing the nature of the show, where the camera is right up in your face and no audience member is spared, I backed out (I’m just camera-shy like that). My father-in-law, who was also visiting the Philippines, took my place. I stayed home with the two-year old (who would have been running around the studio anyway).

Here are pictures from that day:

  
The family with the game show hosts

  
More of Wowowee’s hostesses

  
Left: Dad with hostess; Right: son with dancer (what’s up with the jiggly dancers anyway? I know, I know, they boost ratings…)

Afterwards, Dad chanced upon Ms. Oropesa at Greenhills and asked to have his photo taken with her.

Next: Boracay