Back in 1990, Feyma and I got married in General Santos City. Back in those days, they didn’t get too many foreigners traveling in that part of Southern Mindanao, although it’s a little more traveled now. We were married at Saint Peter & Paul Parish in Lagao, General Santos.
When we first went to the Parish to arrange for our wedding, we met with the Church Manager (I guess that’s what you’d call the guy), Mr. Espejo. Mr. Espejo was a nice man, although very strict, and he gave me quite a grilling before allowing us to have a wedding at the Church. After we started making preparations for the wedding, Mr. Espejo told Feyma that he has a side business of doing “Video coverage” of weddings. In other words, you could hire him to videotape your service. Back in those days, camcorders and such were still not too widely owned, so it was a good side business for Mr. Espejo. He had an inside track for anybody getting married at the Church, they were potential customers for his side business! Nice way to make some extra money.
Well, we agreed to hire him. I don’t recall what the cost was for the service, but it was not cheap. Especially in those days, I was just in my 20’s, and was not a wealthy man! But, we figured that it was a once in a lifetime event, and it would be nice to have it on tape so that we could show friends and family, etc. Especially with the fact that my family was not able to be in the Philippines for my wedding, it was a nice thing to be able to show them the video.
The morning after the wedding, we had made plans to go see Mr. Espejo and pick up the videotape, as it was to be ready for us that afternoon. We woke up and not too long later, one of Feyma’s sisters (Sally) came to see us at the hotel. We talked for a while, had some coffee and such, and after a while Sally said – “Oh, I saw you on TV this morning.” “What?” we said. She went on to tell us that our wedding had been playing one of the local TV channels! There was no Cable TV in GenSan at the time, only two broadcast channels (ABS-CBN and GMA). Well, we turned on the TV, and sure enough, they were playing our wedding video! I don’t recall which station it was, but Mr. Espejo had made a little more money by selling a copy of our wedding video to one of the local TV stations! Back in those days, it was not common for a foreigner to get married in General Santos City, so I guess this was to be considered “news” for lack of a better word. They actually looped the video and played it over and over again through the day!
As Feyma and I went around town that day, people all over town would point at us and whisper, some would even come up to us and tell us that they had seen us on TV. Oh my… it was kind of embarrassing!
I did learn a lesson, though… make sure that you tell people you hire exactly what to do for you! And, what not to do!
So, as the title says… back in 1990 I had my first TV show! 🙂
Bob that is really a funny story. How does it feel to be a celebrity? Thank-you for sharing!
Hi Bob yes this tv show is no good it is very bad.
Because it's privet your life no show for all people.
regards
Hi Bob – It was an interesting experience, no doubt!
Hi zois – Yes, I agree. I would have preferred if it remained private!
😀 I was about to greet you with a big congratulations without reading the article first. I like your bloggebrity post. You well deserve it. This one, the TV show is funny. I thought at first you got into a TV show recently and has been ask an in-depth about Davao or Mindanao in the perspective of a Foriegner. Since, the Mindanao need more publishing articles and story so others would considered the place likable by non-Mindanaowenos. Anyways, since you have the taste of TV show and bloggerity. I say "Congratulation".
Hi Mahdy – I tricked you! 😉 I have actually appeared on a number of TV shows over the years answering questions about Mindanao and such, as you suggested.
You see, Bob, you had your TV break in 1990 ? I told you—you could be elected for office!
On another note, can Mr. Espejo or the local network be sued for doing it without permission from the owner ? It seems not the proper way to do such kind of business !
Hi Jul – That happened so long ago that any kind of suit wouldn't be able to happen, I think. If it happened today, maybe he could be sued, I'm not sure. Probably there might be something in the contract that would spell out what he could do with the video. I'm not the type that would sue for something like that , though. It might not make me happy, but I probably wouldn't take it that far. As we look back over the years, this event was just something small that we kind of laugh about now. 🙂
Bob and Jul, Also back then, there were so few foriegners that it is such a big big big novelty thing (notice 3 bigs):cool: . I don't think they even think about legality of such thing back then. Law suit were probably unthinkable at that time. A barangay problem settlement is probably whats handy not that courts and such are not readily accesible. Just not popular and people are just not used to it:oops:.
Hi Mahdy – Yep, even today most people try to settle disputes through the Barangay Captain! I like the way it works, more friendly than going to court!