Ever watched a noontime variety show that has a segment that features a 15 minute soap/telenovela? Well here in my side of the world, we have such. Last year it even became a Twitter phenomenon. It garnered the most number of tweets when the 15-minute segment was given a three-hour block time by the local channel that airs the noontime variety show. How many tweets? Believe it or not, more than 40 million at the time the noontime show was running.
It’s a phenomenon really. When the segment started July of last year, lunchbreak for most workers got extended from its usual one-hour break to two and a half hours. Why? Well, mostly because this segment was able to attract a following. Tricycle ( a public utility vehicle consisting of a motorcycle and an attached side car like the one used by the Germans during the war years) drivers would hesitate, even turn away passengers so that they could watch the segment undisturbed. This was true for jeepney drivers and even for my office mates too. Coming from my 30-minute lunch break, I found myself all alone in our workstation, wondering if I missed a meeting of some sort. Indeed I did as I found out the next day. I joined a group for lunch, adjusting my break with theirs (we can’t leave our office empty, at least one is left behind to man the fort). Anyway, that’s when I discovered that not only drivers, housewives, pre-school kids and senior citizens as well as salespeople of appliances specifically TVs, include people working in restaurants and malls where TV sets are tuned in to this particular TV channel airing this noontime show – are actually, seriously glued to the TV watching the segment.
The following, or should I say the fans of the actors in this segment are not only local; it’s worldwide. And the lead characters in this segment were given the opportunity last December to land parts in a movie which has been shown, is being shown and will be shown in different parts of the world. Really, phenomenal, if you ask me.
What’s unique about it is how effectively media is used. The noontime variety show can be viewed via live steaming so you can watch the show anywhere in the world at a particular time. If you missed it, then there’s always Facebook or YouTube. Thanks to the cellphone, the IPad, the laptop or the PC. Also, the lead actress is a dub smash sensation who’s very creative and witty; you’ll have a hearty laugh just watching her. This segment does not even have a script so the actors just play it by ear which makes it all the more entertaining. Further, one actor who is a male but plays the part of a female, a grandmother to be exact, constantly reminds about values which is good for the young viewers.
Why the title? Oh yes, I almost forgot. The lovers met each other via a split screen on TV. Until after three months did they finally get to be seen together on screen. They didn’t even talk. It was just dub smashing on the part of the female lead, while the lead actor was the only one speaking.
Since it’s just a segment with no script but obviously a micro-mini soap opera, a lot of viewers got inspired to write a love song for the characters, yours truly included. The noontime variety show even started an original songwriting contest for this, to which yours truly joined but never got to be included among the selected finalists. Oh well.
Anyway, the nicest outcome of this segment was that the groups of fans have become organized; the proceeds generated in that three-hour show have been used to build libraries for marginalized public schools. Priceless, really. I suppose if the lead actors in this segment would run for office, it’s no contest. They’ll win. By the way, of note would be the number of ads that these two actors have so far since their segment started. Way to go, Kalyeserye! – that’s the title of the segment ( rough transliteration, Street Series).
Here’s my entry that did not get selected:
Split Screen Love Story:
Minsan sumama Kay lola (I was with my Nana one day)
alalay sa pagbigay ng saya (To help her make others feel gay)
sa TV napatingin ang Bae ang napansin (I chanced upon the TV, wow, this guy’s groovy)
At nahulog ang asking feelings. ( Then I knew, I had feelings for you)
Kakaiba ang love story natin. (Our love story’s unique)
Nagkakilala sa split screen (On a TV split screen we meet)
Nag dub smash ng awitin. (love songs I dubsmashed)
Maihatid lang ang damdamin. (To express my feelings at last)
At sabay ng pabebeng kaway. (with a cutesie wave I flash)
Nayamot na nga si lola ( Nana is irritated)
Di daw ayon sa paningin niya. (For her our way’s liberated)
Sa tamang paraan dapat ika’y manligaw. (There’s a proper way to court me)
At personal tayong magkita. (Let’s meet personally)
Sinunod mga payo in lola (Nana’s request we followed)
Tamang panahon naaabot na. (the right time for love behold)
Sa mga araw na lumipas (As time passed that we got
Na live nagkasama. To be together)
Tayo na ba talaga. (Are we meant for each other)
Basta pinky swear na muna. ( this time just pinky swear
Sa tabi ko laging andyan ka. On my side, you’ll be there
Masabi sa yo Aldub kita. And I’ll say Aldub you
Sagot mo’y mainenanahal ka. And you’ll say Me, love you too)
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