TBLA, the audition day... EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!

The day before the auditions, I promised my self that I would get at least 10 hours of sleep... Reason being, I wanted to be all fresh and dandy for the cameras (LOL!)... Seriously, I just wanted to be at my peak and my head screwed on right for the interviews... However, this didn't happen and I found my self fiddling with my stuff up until 1 AM... Well at least, I got a few hours of sleep...

My alarm started ringing at 5:45 AM and the excited bugger that I am immediately jumped up from bed and into the bathroom for my morning ritual and shower... I was out the house by 6:15 and on the way to my mom's house to pick up my baon... Upon my arrival, Mom was all dressed up and announced that she was going with me to the auditions... After a quick breakfast, we were on our way to MOA...

The drive was quick and hassle free as it was early in the morning... Upon reaching MOA, we asked for directions until we found our destination... We hurriedly parked and got to the waiting area for the auditions...

There was about 20-25 people already there when I lined up and started filling up the form they gave me... Soon after I arrived, I saw a familiar face from FB and confirmed by logging in to check her photograph... As soon as I god my confirmation, I leaned over and asked her if she was indeed Chie Guerrero... The initial reaction was absolutely positive and we stuck like bread and butter from there on... It was as if we have been friends for some time...

While waiting, I tried to crack a few jokes to keep the atmosphere lively and keep the nervousness at bay... A few more minutes passed and the director introduced himself and told us that he is expecting a lot from us by the looks of things... For one thing, he's not like your ordinary director... He was very sociable and lively that sorta picked up the morale of the people waiting...

By the time they gathered everybody up, people were already getting anxious to start the day... Questions raised were more on what exercises do we need to do and so on... While lined up, we were given the heads up that the hosts, Dave and Kristy are on their way to see us... True enough, they came and the people cheered them on... They gave us an inspirational talk and wished everybody goodluck...

We were then asked to go back to our chairs as they prepared for the start of the audition... We were guided into Fitness First and boy, was the place huge! There were a few people already doing their exercise routines and was looking at the group auditioning for the show like, "man o man, do they need this"...

On our way in, we were led into a large room which seemed like an aerobics classroom... Upon reaching the entrance to the room, first thing I notice is the buffet table on the other side of the room... And upon scanning the rest of the room, I saw the weighing scales and the doctors on standby... It was the medical examination... It was funny how the first part of the auditions was setup the way it was because, at the very moment I got the chance, I blurted out that the medical wasn't a medical but, a torture test to see who will run over to the buffet table... I was relieved when the people who heard me laughed at my joke...

Anyway, we went on and took our medical examination... They weighed us and took our height and the machines printed out a detailed report of our fat% and BMI readings... Then we sat by the doctors who interviewed us and asked about our medical history... After a quick BP check, we were given the blessing by the doctors to proceed...

We were then treated to the buffet table for some pasta, salad, and sandwiches... While eating, a small camera crew was going around and interviewing people at random... After I finished my meal, I was called on by the lady with the camera crew for a quick question and answer session in front of the camera... As much as I would like to tell you what the questions were, I think it would be wiser not to... We don't want to ruin the element of surprise do we? After answering a few questions and giving the statement to the camera that the next Biggest Loser is going to be a Filipino, I went back to the line and waited for my turn to enter the first room...

Before getting into the 1st stage of the audition/interview, we were sharing our feelings and excitement with the people around us... It sorta helped us keep our heads up in spite the excitement that was building up as we went through the audition proper... It was almost my turn as the FF staff installed the lapel mic on me and had me stand near the door as I awaited my turn... I swear, I was sweating like crazy and my heart was pumping... Anxious and excited at the same time... All I could mumble to my self is to stay calm and just be myself...

Then the moment of truth... As the door opened and I was instructed to enter, first thing that met my eyes was the glare of the camera lights shining bright... It took a few seconds before I saw what was in the room... Man o man was I in shock as I gazed upon Dave and Kristy smiling in front of the stage where we were told to stand... As I stepped up to the stage, I could feel my knees shaking in anticipation to what was about to happen... I have to admit, being infront of the hosts and the cameras pointing at me, I felt so nervous, I thought I was going to choke at the first question... As the questions flew by and I replied as best I could to every one of them, I felt breathless and the adrenalin was rushing like a train on steroids... After the questions, Kristy then directed me to do an exercise routine for them... Thank God I made it through without passing out! We then said our goodbye's and both hosts wished me goodluck... On my way out, I could feel my knees shaking from both the exercise and the hair raising experience I just went through... I was absolutely starstruck... This was my first time to go something like this and I'm pretty sure everybody will agree with me that it is different from watching it on TV and being in the spotlight yourself... Nevertheless, Dave and Kristy made me feel like I had lost all the excess weight already... They really made me more motivated and special...

The feeling was still so intense as I sat my self down in preparation for the second interview... My muscles were shaking and my head was in disarray after the first interview... And here I was, about to go through another room for the second round... As I waited my turn, the guy before me had a little chat and exchanged thoughts on the interview... He then showed me something that blew me off my shorts... He got a TBLA tattoo on his thigh!!! It was so awesome, it awed everybody who saw it... As soon as I get it transferred over I will be posting it...

Then came the last of the interviews... Inside, I was greeted by three men who I believe were FF executives... They had me sit down on a chair and started asking me questions... The atmosphere was a little more relaxed but, it was still hair raising... They also told me about the Lose Big program that they were promoting and how I could be a part of it... These guys were so nice and very accommodating to say the least... I had a blast being interviewed by them as well... As I shook their hands and left the room, I let out a sigh of relief and a feeling of enlightenment... I am so thankful to have gone through the whole audition and I felt like I have made a difference already...

It has been a few days already and I still feel amazed for what I have gone through... I can still sense the moment of excitement that I spent with Dave, Kristy and the FF executives... What made it a lot more special was the other people who auditioned with me... The friends I made and the stories that was shared gave it so much more meaning... I absolutely had fun and whether I make it or not, I will treasure the experience like no other as it is the beginning of a new chapter of my life... And I have TBLA and the people of FF to thank for the privilege of being a part of the journey to a healthier life...

I would like to apologize once again to the followers of my blog who are expecting more details about the interviews... I just don't want to spoil it for you... All I can say is, especially to those who are about to embark on the same experience that we just went through, it is better this way so you can feel the full gravity of the experience... Just remember to be yourself, have faith and have fun...

NEXT: The TBLA audition aftermath...