Today’s Guest Post is from our old friend, Jim Cunningham. Jim is an expat living in Talakag, Bukidnon, and has been a friend of LiP for many years already. Thanks for your contribution, Jim.
Before leaving the North East of England to travel to the Philippines to take up permanent residence at the end of November last year 2008, our daughter Mariel had just returned from the Cook Islands in the South Pacific after taking part in Shipwrecked a reality TV show for Chanel 4 in the UK.
Mariel had informed us the previous July that she had been chosen from around 70,000 applicants to take part in the program and would be travelling to the location of the program in the Cook Islands at the beginning of August and staying there for around 12 weeks. You can imagine how we felt as she had not kept us in the loop regarding her new career in TV since she was still attending Stirling University taking a degree in Philosophy. Mariel has always been a frustrated actress from her days in the preschool drama class as well as primary school plays and pantomimes etc.
She even auditioned for a part in a Harry Potter movie without success some years ago, I might add.
So while Marilou and I were finalizing our plans to move to the Philippines the youngest member of the family was off to the other side of the world.
During the time she was in the Cook Island she was incommunicado so we did not have a clue what was going on apart from updates from Chanel 4 production staff back in London from time to time to inform us that she was well and enjoying herself.
Mariel returned to the UK two weeks before we left to travel to the Philippines and during her debrief over diner one evening she assured us she had been a good girl and only clever editing left the viewers imagination to run riot from time to time. She also informed us that the show would be screened on Chanel 4 from the beginning of February 2009 but since she was sworn to secrecy by signing a confidentiality agreement she could not tell us details about how the show ended so once again we were left in the dark.
Enter Mindanao Bob who after listening to our problem of not being able to watch the show from Talakag, Bukidnon where we live he said he would see what he could do to help. With Bob’s superior knowledge of internet communications and up to date software programs he was soon back with a solution to our problem. Bob was able to download the show from the UK episode by episode and burn them to a disc and send then weekly to us from Davao by LBC what a star.
When Marilou and I received the first two episodes from Bob it was close the door time and ignore everyone till we had finished the show with not a dry eye in the house. True to his word Bob has sent all the episodes by LBC on a regular basis and we have due to Mariels antics at times been glad that we are in Talakag and not back in the UK, but like she said before it’s all due to clever editing. (We hope).
The show is over now and Mariel had a whale of a time and is still doing modeling and PA’s as a result of her appearance in the show, but I don’t think she will end up in Hollywood.
The moral of this story is, beware all of you with children especially girls as it must be the influence of the pinoy blood that they wish to aspire to appearing on the big screen hahaha!
Once again Bob a big thank you for making Marilou and me extremely happy parents.
That Bob always comes thru doesn't he ! and wow what a beauty Mariel is Jim ! its not so much a wonder why she was selected. it makes me want to see the program too ! congrats to you and Marilou on your daughters rising stardom 🙂
Hi Tommy – She certainly is a beauty, isn't she! Jim and Marilou should be very proud!
Hi Jim
Although I don't watch this sort of programme, I might be tempted now 🙂
Mariel is indeed a real beauty, obviously a British / Filipino produces the best results 🙂
I have to agree about the Pinoy blood making girls aspire to be performers. I know my daughter just loves to show off her dancing and acting skills.
You must be very proud of Mariel…
Hi Tommy- As you say Bob always comes thru. We really appreciated his help in allowing us to follow Mariels antics on the show.
Marilou and I don't know what her next venture will be.
Thanks for the interest.
Regards.
Jim.
Hello Barry – Glad you appreciated the British well Scots blood in Mariel hehehe!Joking aside just you give your own daughter all the encouragement with her dancing and acting and who knows maybe one day we will see her on the stage.Hope you enjoy the programme.
Kind regards.
Jim.
"You must be proud some very parents" Jim an Marilou ..good parents make swell kids .good to hear that your daughter had a good time …Phil n Jess.
That is SO Bob.
Hi JB – Just being helpful…
Jim – I am happy to have been able to help you in watching the show. It was really my pleasure! Please give my best to Mariel.
Hi Jim – That Pinay blood doesn't limit the gals to big screen aspirtations. When conditions are right (nearly every day), Asawa-ko tends to OA (over-act)! 😆
🙂 Drama Anthology Queen? Lagot ka Paul. You'll sleep outside the kulambo!
Jim, Wow she is very very beautiful! I just googled her and found forums about the show and an interview of her. Looks like you have a big star in-the-making! Congratulations!
Hi Phil n Jess R- I just don't want to tell her in case it goes to her head. Joking aside she is a pretty switched on young woman.
Regards.
Jim.
Hi JB- You are correct about Bob but it will cost me one hell of a meal when we next meet up.but worth it.
Regards.
Jim.
Hi Bob- I sure will when I see her next week.
Regards.
Jim.
Hi Paul- I agree but we love them just the same if not even more.And its better than Tampo.
Regards.
Jim.
Hi Jim – Not at all, my friend. That was my "Welcome to the Philippines" gift to you and Marilou! There is nothing due, your account is all clear! 😉
Hi Michelle- When she graduates from University at the end of June we will surely be proud of her. As for the other career well thats a bonus.Thankyou for your kind comments.
Regards.
Jim.
Hi Jim,
You must be really proud parents to have a beautiful and talented daughter… My daughter’s dream is to be part of Hollywood fame; she’s already taking photography and arts, fashion at 17… I don’t agree what she’s taking now; but I love my daughter so I just have to support her all the way…
I wish Mariel the very best….
Congrats!
Hi Ann- Its true sometimes we don't agree with their ideas and asperations, as it can be a tough old world.But your only young once so giving them support is a must one never knows what the future may bring.
Regards.
Jim.
Jim: Congratulations on raising a wonderful daughter… She is certainly beautiful, and by finishing university, smart too. You must have had to keep the shotgun handy during her high school years just to keep the boys at bay!
Hi JohnM – Hold on, John… You haven't seen the TV show! I think I saw Jim back in the bushes on the desert island with shotgun in hand! 😯
HELLO
THE UK A WASHED WITH THESE SO CALLED REALITY TV SHOWS FROM BIG BROTHER TO COACH TRIP (TOTAL TRASH) AND SHIPWRECKED ON CHANNEL 4 IS NO DIFFERENT.
For many Filipinos (me included) she is one of those "may K" or who have the right (stats) to bare. Although it is definitely good that she isn't wasting the opportunity to finish college.
Hi John- I guess with children its all about trust. She is a good girl at heart and she also knows about my shotgun hahaha!
Best wishes.
Jim
Hi Dave-I agree with you.
Regards.
Jim.
Kuya Jim,
Your daughter is so pretty. I hope she can make to Hollywood. There are already half-pinoy who are making waves in Hollywood right now. Like Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Scherzinger, Apl.de.Ap of BlackEyedPeas, Vanessa Hudgens and many others.
Does she knows how to speak Tagalog or Bisaya?
Hi Jim – I feel that Mariel could easily get work as an actress or model here in the Philippines.
Hi Bob- When I see her later today I will suggest to her your thoughts and ask her to engage you as her manager in the Phil's but only 10%.
All the best.
Jim.
Hi Jim – Don't worry, we can still negotiate! 😉
BTW, though, I was quite serious when I said that I think she can get some work in acting/modeling here!
Hi Folks – As a little update Mariel did graduate from Stirling University and after milking the Shipwrecked show for about a year by moving to London she enjoyed her year of fame. In September 2009 she headed for Sydney Australia to take advantage of the student visa programme there.
During her time in Sydney she has made several commercial advertising videos whilst working in the marketing and product promotions industry and taking drama classes part time.
She has now settled down to life in Australia and is working as a Senior Account Manager at McCorkell & Associates one of the larger Sydney marketing companies.
Having visited Mariel earlier this year with my wife Marilou we can honestly say she is enjoying Sydney life and looking forwards to one day obtaining her permanent residency visa.
Whatever happens in the future she is still the little girl who grew up and became a lovely woman and will never be anything other than our special daughter.
Regards.
Jim.