By Rogelio Constantino Medina
I received a text message one early Saturday morning from a female neighbor (who is a relative of Malou Choa-Fagar, executive producer of Eat Bulaga!) that there was a shooting with Gabby Concepcion and Sunshine Dizon just in front of my house (used as a location for ABS-CBN’s Wansapanataym and All of Me).
Being a community leader on the street where actress Alma Moreno used to live and actress Rita Avila used to visit her aunt), I hurriedly went out to find out.
I saw to it that all vehicles are parked on one side to avoid traffic congestion. I also made sure cleanliness was maintained. The shooting of Ika-6 na Utos lasted till late at night. As I went inside Juanito’s Bistro Fairview, owned by Edmon Bautista of Thai in the Box restaurant, I saw Gabby Concepion, Sunshine Dizon, Jacob Briz (who plays Austin, son of Gabby and Sunshine), Ryza Cenon, Mike Tan, Rich Asuncion and Arianne Bautista having lunch that later led to an argument between Cenon and Dizon.
I saw several teenage “extras” (GMA’7’s prefers to call them “talents”) patiently waiting for their turn to be called in. Few of them played cards to while away their time. I was happy to witness that the food for the “talents”, the crew and production staff were the same. They were all well fed and attended to.
In the corner, I saw former sexy actress Allona Amor, who plays Pam as the manager of Man Catering Service. After some years of being away from show business, she is now back.
Later in the night, I saw Marco Alcaraz, who plays pilot Capt. Chandler Vasquez (friend of Capt. Jerome Fuentabella, played by Gabby). He was very kind to us and granted our request for picture taking.
I took note how director Laurice Guillen, a senior actress, handled the taping with passion, discipline and admiration for her chosen craft, plus her motherly care for the cast, the crew and production, and the extras.
But what caught my attention that night was before the camera rolled, a bubuyog (bee) came from nowhere, and Sunshine Dizon yelled out to our astonishment. She has phobia on flying insects.
When the shoot ended at midnight every one looked satisfied though tired.