Showbiz fans like ourselves cherish the moment when we meet our favorite stars. Hobnobbing with the people of Tinseltown makes us all giddy. What's the perfect meet-and-greet scenario? What do I tell him/ her? Do I get starstruck?
Things don't always go according to plan though. Fate sometimes has a knack of making things a bit more interesting, catching us off guard at the final moment. The unexpected occurs, making that moment truly memorable, whether we like it or not. Take some stories of the PEP staff, for example. What could have been a simple meet-and-greet story turned into amusing experiences worth sharing.
One day, my editor assigned me to cover PEP's win-a-date promo with Katrina Halili. My job was to interview Katrina and her date. It may sound easy to some people, but for me, it was like jumping off a 34-story building. You see, it was my first-ever interview with a celebrity, so I prayed that I would look confident and pretend not to be a huge fan of hers.
Anyway, the moment arrived when I had to interview Katrina and her date. The one with Allan Mendoza, Katrina's date, would go smoothly, I thought. "Astig! Madali lang pala ‘to. Hehe!"
When my turn came to interview Katrina, I suddenly went numb. She was staring directly into my eyes, as if attempting to hypnotize me! I found myself stuttering and pointing my recorder towards somebody else. Good thing, no one noticed my blunder. I was able to recover immediately and carried on with the mission like a good soldier.
Now that's only one story out of many more.
Getting lost with Gabby Eigenmann
Nerissa Almo, Editorial Assistant
During the YES! Anniversary and PEP Launch party, I was a bit nervous because I had never seen an event so star-studded. I was tasked to usher in the celebrities that night. Then, the most embarrassing moment came, with Gabby Eigenmann. After telling me his table number, I looked for it as fast as I could. The table numbers were not arranged chronologically so I had a hard time. He seemed to have noticed that I was kinda clueless. He said, "Alam mo ba talaga kung saan yung table na yun? Ang gulo kasi di ba?" I just smiled at him and pretended to know what I was doing.
A photographer's boo-boo
Victor Abenes, Web Designer
I am not a photographer by profession. But since I love taking pictures, PEP would sometimes send me to presscons.
My most unforgettable experience with a celebrity is a bit embarrassing.
Sabi ko, "Yeng [Constantino] and Bea [Saw], pwede bang mag-pose kayo para makuhaan ko kayo ng picture?" The two gamely obliged.
Inisip ko parang Hollywood BFF (Best Friends for Life) ang dalawa. A la Paris Hilton-Nicole Ritchie. Ang gandang tignan!
When I clicked my camera, ayaw mag-flash. I tried again, ayaw ulit.
I had to muster my courage before admitting to the ladies, "Sorry, for some reason, ayaw mag-flash." I felt my face going red with embarrassment. I said to myself I wasted their time. But they said, "Okay lang." Hay, buti na lang.
