Excursions: Off cam on Kris TV Live

Most of the fanatic TV viewers would always wonder what exactly happens in the studio of their favorite TV show. I too have been so skeptical on what's going on during commercial gap in the studio.
I have always been a Kapamilya fanatic. I spent hours watching my favorite ABS CBN shows.

The time has come when my longing to go to ABS CBN puts its end. I with my parents were about to spend a vacation in Manila. So i look for every way in how to be able to get into the ABS CBN shows. We were leaving on Saturday and our return flight was set to Monday. Yes! indeed, it is a very short vacation. Anyhow, i tried booking a studio tour through ABS CBN studio tours department but unfortunately they were already fully booked for weekend shows. Jeez!!! no slots available even if i called them 2 months ahead of time. I was a bit sad that i would not be able to get a chance of going to the ABS CBN studio anymore :( So then i contacted my cousin in Manila and great he advised me to contact someone. But prior to that, i already sent multiple tweets to @kristvOfficial and to their creative staff @darlasauler. Lucky i was that both of them replied to me and provided me a contact number of the audience administrator. The same contact my cousin recommended to me.

I immediately sent an sms to Jonas - ABS CBN Administrator. Ten minutes after, i got a response from him confirming for our visit to the Kirs TV live. Oh Yes! my spirirt lifted with joy. Finally i was about to see the happenings inside a live tv program plus it was the high rated program of the one and only Queen of All Media Kris Aquino (perhaps, the greatest name on television now).

June 16, 2012.

We were advised by Jonas to be there at the ABS CBN Audience entrance by 6:00. So be it. We were there around 5:55AM. Oh no! The gate will open at 06:30AM though. Poor us, we need to stand outside of ABS CBN staring at Willy’s on going building construction (LMFAO).

At 6:30AM, the gate had finally opened. We were called out by the ABS CBN marshals then. We went to some security check with metal detectors then to the waiting area. There we were asked to write our names on a sheet of paper (sort of a guest list). All the marshals were very friendly and always wear a genuine smile on their face. At around 07:00, Jonas came in and welcomed us warmly to ABS CBN. He gave each group a small talk and photo opps. Ooh uhhh, you might be wondering why he offered photo opportunites? Jeez!!! He always appears on TV. He’s kinda celebrity also. Yes! He is the Showtime’s extra on Sine mo to segment. Wow!

with Jonas!

At around 07:15, our attentions were directed to a lady marshal where she discussed to us the Do’s and Don’ts inside the studio.

Not allowed inside:

- Food

- Drinks

- Fire arms (it’s obvious)

We were also reminded not to roam around once we were inside the studio. No using of cameras or picture taking while on air. Cameras were only allowed during commercial gap. Also, all bags must be bestowed under our lap. Yes! You heard it right. Under our lap, behind our legs so as when the camera rolls, it will not be seen. We were also advised on how to applaud and to always smile inside the studio, The orientation lasted for around 20 minutes.

I was checking on my watch and it was at 07:35 AM when we were asked to fall in line and follow the studio marshal as we were to head into the KrisTv live studio. Excitement filled up my mind as finally I would be able to see personally the things I only see on TV. And then we headed to studio 9 of ABS CBN. It was like a 3 minute walk from the audience waiting area. We passed by the studios of Showtime on a separate building and also ASAP studio which is just beside the Kris TV studio. Wow! This is it I whispered.

We were advised to wait outside the studio as they were still preparing for the live show. It was almost 8 minutes standing outside the studio. The area was a bit cluttered. There a lot of props outside the ASAP studio making the aisle a little narrower. While waiting I turned my attention to the ASAP studio as the door was open. It was just a very small place. Only half the size of that we see on TV.

To Your Right is Showtime Studio, To your Left is ASAP and Kris Tv Studio

Kris TV Studio next to ASAP

I heard the marshal asking us to proceed to the studio of Kristv. Then we slowly follow the marshal and a minute after we’re there inside the studio. Wow! Amazing!!! The studio was filled with lights. Very bright inside and everyone is busy preparing for the live show. The studio was just really small. It can only accommodate up to around 40 audiences. It only looks big on tv due to the wide angle cameras used inside.

Jonas, rehearsing the Audience.

I gazed on my watch. It was around 7:45AM. I saw Nyoy Volante with the band rehearsing. Also, Jovit was there preparing for his music. A little later, Sen Chiz Escudero entered the studio. He was the co host of Kris at that time. He was made up then. He was just sitting inside waiting for Kris. The show was scheduled to air live at 08:00 but there was a little delay though as the previous live show (Umagang Kay Ganda) went on over time. At around 5 minutes before 8:00, Kris Aquino entered the studio. Jeez!!! She was so pretty, like a doll walking on the stage. I was mesmerized by her beauty. She and Chiz then went on stage and were sitting on their place. Kris took time to greet the studio audience good morning and she advised everyone that she was sick yet she still smiled. Kris was very talkative indeed even before the show started. We heard her asking Sen Chiz anything under the sun.

While waiting for the live show to start, I saw Ms Nova Villa at the stage side waiting. She was about to give tribute to Mang Dolphy (who was buried a day before). Also, present in the studio were Yeng Constantino and Bryan Termulo who were standing at the side of the stage.

Around 08:07 the show started. Kris greeted everyone on tv and do their usual opening spiel. The show started with Nyoy V singing then Nova Villa narrated her experience working with Mang Dolphy. Then Jovit Sang followed by Nyoy again then Yeng and lastly Bryan Termulo (with commercial gaps in between of course).

Every time there’s a commercial gap, staff went crazy doing some last minute changes or update. Kris had her 2 assistants (one for her hair and the other one for her make up) always ready to do a re touch on her every time they gap for commercial break. Also, Chiz had his own make up artist who did the same thing to him as the assistants of Kris do to her.