by Maria Althea Teves, Trina Lagura, Reyma Deveza/abs-cbnNEWS.com
Braving the scorching heat of the sun, thousands of celebrity wannabes trooped to ABS-CBN in Quezon City Friday to try their luck as reality-based shows “Pinoy Big Brother” (PBB) and “Pinoy Dream Academy” (PDA) opened their doors to new talents.
The first in the series of auditions was held Friday starting 9 a.m. at the PBB’s eviction hall, just across from the ABS-CBN building.
Security personnel said the people began to arrive as early as 2 a.m.. By 9 a.m., thecrowd estimate was 7,000, and the number continued to go up. By 11 a.m., the number of aspirants already reached 10,000.
As of posting, the line had already snaked through Tomas Morato, Scouts Borromeo and Tuazon, slowing down the traffic.
Bong Osorio, head of ABS-CBN corporate communication, said that this is the "biggest audition so far in Metro Manila."
"As of 1:30 p.m. ay nag-cut off na ang line for the audition sa Pinoy Big Brother, pero yung mga nakapila, bago mag-ala una they will all be processed today," Osorio said.
"Pero gusto din nating ipaalam na yung mga hindi maa-accomodate today, there will be second audition naman na ia-annoiunce natin sa DZMM at Channel 2 para alam nila ang steps," he added.
A shot at fame
The crowd willingly faced the hardship and the long wait just to take a shot at fame.
Twenty-one-year-old Jonathan, one of the hopefuls, had been waiting for his turn as early as 5:30 a.m. He said he came all the way from Laguna and had to leave home as early as 4:30 a.m. so that he could arrive early in QC.
“Sumugod agad ako dito… para sumikat, siyempre,” said Jonathan, who was number 884.
BS Math student Yohan Go, 20, said he believes he possesses qualities that viewers can emulate – honesty and good character.
Paul Cabauatan, 21, who was at the end of the Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) audition line, said he dreams of having a life of comfort and fame.
“I am from Laguna, I am late because I need to get my birth certificate,” he said, panting while trying to see how far he was from the beginning of the line.
He may be late, but he came with a plan.
“I know how I can showcase my talents in the show. I’ll dance during the morning exercise; I’ll serenade my housemates; and I’ll act when Big Brother asks me to do a secret task,” he said.
Joseph Hernandez, 18, does not have the height of a leading man like Cabauatan.
“People say I can’t make it because I am short, but I’m going back later for a second audition. I think I could make it,” said Hernandez believing the length of his legs will not hinder the reach of his dreams.
Hernandez said his passion to become an actor is unexplainable, “I just want to be. It is my dream.”
But Arthur Torres, 32, a masseuse from Marikina, said that he has dreams of being on television because wants to earn a lot of money
“Life is hard, and I am hungry,” he said, while looking at the Fish Crackling vendor who passed by him during the interview. “I don’t even have money right now to buy myself a snack.” He said the money he has left is for the commute home.
Just like Kim Chiu
“What I have in common with other successful housemates is that we all have dreams,” said Torres who wants a better life for his family, just like what his favorite PBB housemate Kim Chiu did for her family.
“I sent two text votes for Kim, I really allotted money so I can vote for her in the PBB Teens finale,” Torres said.
Dorothy Balgos, 22, also looks up to Kim. Kim was able to help her family in Cebu.
“I want to get my family out of debt, we spent the money my dad worked for when he was in Saudi, now he doesn’t have a job and my mom is one earning,” Balgos said.
“I hope my yaya still remembers me,” she said in hopes that she will have her own lifestyle show and eventually be a leading lady in a soap opera.
“I’m not yet confident about my acting skills, I’ll use the money I will win in PBB to join acting workshops and help my family,” Balgos said.
Rea Lucañas, 16, on the other hand, is confident about her acting chops. “I want my own soap opera right away and be Gerald Anderson’s love team,” she said.
Like Kim, whom she idolizes, Lucañas wants to help her parents provide good education for her four younger siblings.
Worth It to Line Up
“It is OK even if I stay here until next week,” said Cabauatan who could not imagine spending the next months outside the PBB house. “I have to do this to realize my dream and to help my family in Laguna.”
Balgos said that being in line for more than five hours makes her excited to see the directors. “I stood here for a long time, there is no point of holding back what I got in the audition room,” she said.
Hernandez, who was already in line 10:48 p.m. Thursday, said that standing in line is nothing for him, “as long as my dreams will come true, as long as I did my best."
Others interviewed by abs-cbnnews.com/Newsbreak said being in line and having new friends is good enough reason to wait in line.
But what if they won’t be accepted?
“Then life will remain the same,” said Torres, still with a smile on his wrinkled face.
Open to all
This year, PBB and PDA's business unit head Laurenti "Lauren" Dyogi said they are looking for “interesting” personalities.
"Wala 'yon sa itsura, wala sa family background mo, nasa personalidad 'yan," Dyogi said.
He added: “Lagi kaming tinatanong: ano ba 'yan looks ba ang criteria diyan? Wala kaming masabing ganoong criteria. Ang importante lang ay dapat swak ka kapag regular audition, from 19 to 35 years old. Kapag teen, from 14 to 17 years old.”
Filipinos aged 20-35 can try out to be one of “Kuya’s” housemates on “PBB Season 3,” while teenagers, 14 to 17 years old, are qualified to join “PBB Teen Edition Season 3.”
The “entrance exam” for hopeful scholars of “PDA Season 3” will also commence for Filipinos aged 18 to 35 years old. Musically-gifted kids aged 5 to 9 are also invited to audition for the second season of “PDA Little Dreamers (PDALD 2).”
Dyogi said the regular edition of PBB will run for almost three months. The teen edition, meanwhile, will run for eight to 10 weeks.
PBB began to be a nationwide hit during its first season in 2005. Ever since, the franchise has spawned numerous dance crazes, hit songs, and the careers of Sam Milby, Jayson Gainza, and Wendy Valdez.
“PDA,” meanwhile, was the jumping board of pop-rock princess Yeng Constantino’s recording career.
The original Grand Star Dreamer is now a certified multi-platinum artist and appears on “ASAP ’09.”
Apart from exposure, millions of pesos in cash and prizes are in store for the big winners.
Screening for “PDALD 2” will be in Batangas, Baguio, and Pampanga only.
Provincial auditions
Provincial auditions for the programs are as follows.
March 1
Lipa City Colleges, Lipa, Batangas
March 3/4
Porta Vaga Mall - Baguio City
March 6
Centennial Arena, Laoag
March 8
Holy Angeles University, Angeles City, Pampanga
March 20
Tarlac State University
April 17
Island City Mall, Tagbilaran, Bohol
April 19
Capiz Gym, Roxas
April 24
Father Saturnino Urios University Gym - Butuan
April 26
GenSan Gym, Brgy., Lagao- General Santos City
May 8
Camarines Sur Capitol Convention Center, Pili, Camarines Sur
