Just got home from QC about 15 minutes ago.

In case you're wondering (like Arlene did), the text I got from Nana was her asking me if I could represent Chalk Magazine at Y-Speak. Holy kamote, she first said that I was to join the debate. Then if I wasn't comfortable, I could just be part of the audience and just give my own opinion. I chose the 2nd option. So she then replied with the info I need (she wasn't sure about the topic; just something about street smarts versus education), and told me that one of the producers will just contact me.

The text came Sunday morning from Cathy, regarding venue and call time. That was it.

So off I went and when I got to the main entrance of ABS-CBN, I logged in and was directed to Studio 17 along with 2 other girls that arrived the same moment I did. But apparently, these girls were just there to be spectators, because they just went inside and straight to the audience area. Where was I supposed to go? I looked for Cathy, and found her at the door that we passed by. I introduced myself, and then she led me inside one of the dressing rooms. "Just wait for the make-up artist na lang." Huwat? Make-up artist? Hearing this, I held on to the door that she was about to close and told her that I wasn't really in the debate; I was just there to say my own take. She just said that it was the same thing and I was still to sit there and wait. Oh well.

There was this other girl with me in the dressing room, and she was scribbling away on a piece of paper. I guessed that she was one of the people in the debate. Cathy appeared again after a while and told us to transfer in the next dressing room. The girl and I were left alone again and got to talk. She introduced herself as Nicole and I had to introduce myself with my real name because that was how Cathy and Nana knew me. Then she told me the real discussion topic, which was "Diskarte o Diploma." Of course, I chose the diploma side, and I really happen to be on that side because I was representing a college magazine, hahaha. She, on the other hand, was on the diskarte side.

After a while, Tado and this other girl joined our dressing room, and Nicole's friend Angelica as well. Soon the room was also occupied by Alma Concepcion (with makeup artist in tow), her brother and another friend, Boom Boom of the Jaboom twins, and RJ from those Royal Tru Orange TVCs. Later, one of the PAs took Nicole and Tado to the other room because they were on the same side, and another PA briefed us on the flow of the debate. When he left, the rest of us started talking about what our real take on our side was. I was actually surprised that I was talking with them. Normally I would never open my mouth to even give my own opinion. But why on earth am I there when I was actually just going to be part of the audience? Oh well.

When it was almost time to start the show (which was being taped live), we all left the dressing room for the studio. I was told that I could sit anywhere, so I sat in the front behind Jaja, who would talk to members of the audience of each side. Angelica sat with RJ, Alma and Boom Boom, while Nicole was with Smokey Manoloto, Tado and Ketchup (who actually switched name tags with Smokey, hahaha).

Hahaha, to tell you the truth, I've never watched the show before, so I was actually amused. I wanted to duck away from the camera's view, but if I did, it would be so obvious, specially because the only vacant place I found to sit on was behind Jaja. Nyak. And speaking of which, she kept forgetting to introduce me as the Chalk correspondent, even though it was written on the manila paper and the PA repeatedly reminded her. But it was OK. The guy on the diskarte side that I got paired with was also from my school, hahaha! And somewhere in the middle of what I was saying during my turn, the audience had already started applauding that I thought I was being drowned by the sound. Then I realized that I was still holding the mic, hahahahaha.

I didn't know that the time could fly by so fast. The show was only for an hour, but I didn't realize it until they announced that the final words were about to be said. I was actually having fun listening to the debate. The only annoying thing was that the two guys next to me were making these snide comments that they were becoming annoying, and kept insisting that they were really siding with the opposing side. Oh well.

After the show, I left the studio and went to the Ilacads. Hung out with Tita Sherbs and Jillie in the master bedroom, just watching TV and talking. Aw, I missed chilling out at their place. And talking with them. Hahaha, Jill, loka talaga kayo mag-greet. Anyway, hope to see y'all on Tuesday night at Dish!

Getting sleepy. I have lots to do starting in the morning. G'night, world.