Meet & Greet with Richard Yap a.k.a Papa Chen/Sir Chief (Part 2)

I still need a couple of hours sleep after a really tiring day at Brent International School yesterday but I am excited to finish my blog on Papa Chen today.  Its taking me awhile to get this done since our wi-fi connection has been having technical difficulties the whole morning.

Okay, as I said there were 15 winners of the backstage pass to meet with Richard Yap (Papa Chen/Sir Chief).  To those who are clueless as to who he is, he first starred in the romantic comedy "My Binondo Girl" which aired in 2011 playing the role of Chen Sy (Papa Chen), the lead character's (Kim Chiu) father.  Now he plays the role of a wealthy widower Richard "Sir Chief" Lim in daytime drama series entitled "Be Careful with my Heart" with Ms. Jodie Sta. Maria which aired in July 2012.  I had grown to love Richard Yap from Binondo Girl and somehow continue to enjoy watching him this time as Sir Chief.  I personally like the idea of having fresh new talents to watch even if they are already in their 40's rather than having the same actors and actresses over and over again.  That said, let's go as to how our meet and greet fared.

When we got to the Mall Administration office, I presented the printout of their official announcement with my name on it and ID.  After that we went to the lounge where 2 other winners were already waiting.  One winner was a mom like me accompanied by her son, the other winner was a young lady waiting for her mom.  Papa Chen and company arrived shortly after 2pm which was good because it means we have more time before the event. It did not take long before we were instructed to go to the conference room in sets of 4.  Ethan and I were the very first ones to meet Papa Chen.  The meeting was light, Mr. Yap was cool and very quiet (much like being in the principal's office).  Well, if Papa Chen is the principal to that effect, being in the principal's office is not so bad.

Our photo with Papa Chen/Sir Chief
courtesy of SM Center Las Piñas

Papa Chen signing our autograph book
(personal photo)

Autograph signed by Papa Chen/Sir Chief
(personal photo)

Ethan's solo with Papa Chen.

Meeting Papa Chen as I said was light and comfortable.  Even the kids were very much comfortable around him as he was not overwhelming.  He approaches people at a smooth pace and would just respond to their request.  I liked very much that he preferred to stand up to have his picture with us rather than be seated.  Ethan and I both liked that he was approachable, simple and just himself.

Our meet and greet spanned to about a minute I think.  Hahah!  I felt I was zapped into a time warp that I lost track of time.  Still in a trance, Ethan and I stepped out of the mall administration office, happy with our very wholesome experience with Papa Chen and ushered ourselves to the event venue.  Yup!  The meet and greet was not enough, we had to attend the event still and give support to Papa Chen especially now that we know a little more of how he is in person.

AT THE EVENT

Though the reserved seats were not filled up, the venue was packed with people.  People, young and old crowded around the venue waiting for Papa Chen to arrive.  Ethan and I seated ourselves on the 4th row that was already assigned to us with smiles on our faces.  

Fans waiting for Papa Chen.  

Fans crowding at the right side of the stage to get a
closer glimpse of Papa Chen

It took awhile before the event started.  SM Center Las Piñas was having a hard time ushering in their celebrity to the stage because of the thick crowd blocking the way.  Most of the fans were mommies and their kids, and grandmas too!

photo courtesy of SM Center Las Piñas

Avid fan with her poster
(personal photo)

It took awhile for me to realize that at the side of the stage was the wife of Mr. Richard Yap (Ms. Melody Yap) and their daughter.  Ms. Melody Yap by the way appeared in "My Binondo Girl" too as the doctor bearing bad news of Papa Chen's health. Celebrities fondly call Mrs. Yap - Mama Chen.

Mr. Richard Yap's wife (Ms. Melody Yap) and daughter
at the side of the stage in full support of Papa Chen. 

Finally when Papa Chen was successfully ushered into the venue, the crowd cheered, the music started...the show was on!

Papa Chen blowing a kiss to his fans!

Sir Chief/Papa Chen rendered the fans 2 songs.  The music was too loud and overpowered his voice, but we did not care.  The other fans however clamored that the music be tuned down a little as they wanted to hear his voice more.

I love this angle of Sir Chief

To top the event, a chance for the fans who availed of the event pass to get a photo with him.  One of the first who went up the stage was a good friend of ours Shawcute of My Cute and Lovable Space. She had the chance to hug and kiss Papa Chen on the cheek!  

Ethan and I still went up to the stage after a few minutes but this time as part of another group.  As I said, most of the fans were moms and their kids.  This picture is a sample of that.

All's well that ends well.  The event was a success no matter how many problems the organizers may have encountered. Kudos to SM Center Las Piñas for this wonderful Meet and Greet with Papa Chen/Sir Chief.  And, thank you to Mr. Richard Yap (Papa Chen/Sir Chief) for gracing the event.  We shall continue watching "Be Careful with my Heart" and hope that you will have more projects.

Meet & Greet with Richard Yap a.k.a Papa Chen/Sir Chief (Part 1)

Going to a Meet and Greet can be very exciting and stressful at the same time.  This meet and greet with Richard Yap a.k.a Papa Chen/Sir Chief is our very first celebrity meet and greet.  Being a newbie to this whole thing, it probably took us just a minute flat to get a picture, have an autograph signed, and whiff in the reality that we were in fact in the presence of someone we watch on TV everyday. 

SM Center Las Piñas had 15 winners for the backstage pass to meet Sir Chief, and I was one of the lucky few who got picked!  My son Ethan was also very much elated to receive news of my win and would want to meet him too, good thing one (1) companion is allowed to join the winner. 

Anyway, we opted to show up at SM Center Las Piñas an hour before our call time.  I made some necessary purchases at Watsons and after that  Ethan needed refueling with spaghetti and yumburger at Jollibee.  Immediately after that, we lined up to secure stubs for the event.  Php1600 proof of purchase on the day itself is needed to get into the venue and for a chance to have a photo with him too.  After that, to the Mall Administration Office for the actual meet and greet.  Yahoo!

***

I need to cut this post short as I need to prep for a busy day tomorrow, we are going to the Brent IS/Powerade Soccer Festival.  I will try to finish part 2 tomorrow, luckily SM's photos will also be available by then.  

52 foot Sperm Whale Found Dead in Zamboanga

I pulled this photo off Facebook after it was shared to us by a friend from Zamboanga.  It is a picture of a dead sperm whale measuring 52 feet long at Zamboanga port.  According to recent news, the said whale was found dead off Sacol Island and may have been dead for several days already.  According to city veterinarian Dr. Mario Ariola, the whale was also found to be pregnant with its calf visible from its genital slit.  Cause of death is still unknown but is suspected to be due to illness.

FACT:
Sperm whales are toothed whales that live in pods.  Its brain weighs about 9 kgs, the largest in any animal.  It  produces ambergris, a dark waxy substance produced in the lower intestine that may help protect the whale from the stings of the giant squid, its major food.

The fictional character Moby Dick is a sperm whale.

Reference:  www.philstar.com
www.enchantedlearning.com

Meet and Greet Sir Chief

photo borrowed from SM Center Las Piñas fb page

Are you a fan of "Be Careful with my Heart" on ABS-CBN?  Well, if you are, I am sure you have fallen in love with the lead actor Richard Yap or "Sir Chief."  I still call him Papa Chen, a name which stuck to him like "tikoy" from My Binondo Girl.  I'm comfortable calling him Papa Chen, but Sir Chief is starting to take over.  Anyway, if you are within the Las Piñas area, you can see Papa Chen/Sir Chief up close and personal at the SM Center Las Piñas on September 29(Sat) at 3pm.  All you need to do is present a single or accumulated receipt worth Php1600 purchased on September 29,2012.

Rurouni Kenshin on Oct 17???

Borrowed from SM facebook page

I thought Samurai X or Rurouni Kenshin has been totally slashed from being shown at SM moviehouse.  Well, SM remains hopeful they can still work it out with the Japanese producers plus the bidding to be able to deliver the film to its anxious anime fans tentatively on October 17. Oh wow, I hope this is true!  I am so excited to watch this film!

Korean Film Festival: "Family Time"

photo borrowed from www.koreanculture.ph

We had our taste of the Japanese Film Showings in July 2012, now its time for some Korean!!!

The Korean Film Festival: "Family Time" will be held at SM Megamall Cinema 9 from September 18-23,  SM Baguio Cinema 2 September 26-30 and SM Cebu Cinema 3 October 3-7.

The Best of Anime 2012 and The 33rd Manila International Book Fair

Two events I would love to go to tomorrow!!!  Unfortunately, I am sick :(

I have been under the weather for days now.  Head pounding and hurting real bad, stuffy nose, temperature raised, whole body aching.  I already paid the doctor a visit yesterday and was prescribed antibiotics, paracetamol, pain reliever and a nasal decongestant.  Today I feel better but the headache is still persisting.  

I would love to go to check out these 2 events but how could I?!  (sigh)

Anyway, my sister who's a cosplayer will be going to "The Best of Anime" and would likely be checking out the International Bookfair too.  She has her costume all prepared for the cosplay, and I am excited how things will turn out. We were at SMX for these events last year and we all had a great time.  If I can't make it to these events this year, I'll see if I can just share some of my sister's pics later on.  Well, that is if little sister will share `em valuable pics with me. 

Metro (Gaisano) Alabang Town Center

While loitering Alabang Town Center with the family one weekend, we were delighted to see that Metro Gaisano has already opened.  Having lived in Davao City for a year, our family frequented the Gaisano Mall or the G-Mall there.  I think this is a great move for ATC management to usher in more customers.  Well for our family alone, this is an added reason to go to ATC for our shopping needs.

Mochi Creme at SM Southmall

My son and I love mochi ice cream.  Mochi ice cream is a Japanese dessert or confection made out of tikoy (sticky rice dough) and has ice cream filling. It may be a little expensive at Php 60 a piece, but it is a delightful treat when you're out at the mall having a good time.  It takes a few minutes for it to thaw or soften to make it easier to bite into, but Ethan and I have fun nibbling through the mochi (even drooling over it which I know is totally disgusting).  Its that messy kinda' fun we get when eating mochi ice cream.

We've grown to love the blue vanilla flavor, it just leaves this blue stain on whites which may be a little hard to remove.  I heard green tea and black sesame is good.  I might try them next time.

Sandro Reyes, Our Boy Wonder of Football

Sandro Reyes while being interviewed at the Alabang Country Club days before his departure to Spain.

Have you heard of Sandro Reyes?  Yes, he's the 9 year old boy who made it to FC Barcelona Team Escola.  This boy is so amazing when you see him move in the field.  I'll say he is our boy wonder of football having ignited that spark of hope for Philippine Football.  We will certainly watch and pray for this boy as he rises to football stardom.

My son Ethan (right) with Sandro Reyes (left).  We just had to grab this photo op before he becomes famous.

Del Monte Clubhouse's Rib-Eye Steak

I totally envy hubby for having been able to bite into this delicious and juicy looking medium rare Rib-Eye Steak at the Del Monte Clubhouse, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.