This way to the beach
For one thing, the real reason I went to Misibis Bay was finally revealed: we went there for the filming of the second season of the Amazing Race Australia. The Philippines was the first stop for this season, so all the teams made it to the country.
They did the clichéd balut eating contest in Quiapo, headed to Legazpi for some fiesta fun time, followed by a grueling rafting challenge. We on the otherhand, gawked and had pictures taken at the pit stop mat.
Looking back, it seems as if that was a precursor of things to come. Shortly after coming back to Manila, I received an e-mail from Matt Harding (rather, his mailing list), the guy behind the Where the Hell is Matt videos, saying that he’s coming over to the Philippines. Not one to pass up an opportunity, I braced myself and wiggled in front of the camera. In the rain. While standing in the mud.
Watch out for us on 1:50!
Friends were surprised to find out that I danced (or at least tried to) for a video that’s now viewed over 2 million times. I couldn’t believe it either, but I realize that being a part of a viral video isn’t something to be ashamed about. Unless of course, it’s viral for all the wrong reasons.
Then come February and this invitation to be a part of a travel-reality show. As you know, I dove in without really knowing a thing, which, in hindsight, really is how great adventures start. Planning the trips was fun — we were relishing the fact that we hold control over the trips that the cast were taking. Little did we know that the real adventure happens when the trip has ended.
Now, after four months, we have something that sums up all the work and sleepless nights we endured. And it’s just the beginning.
]]>Traveling never gets old. At least for me. My decision to stay put in Manila instead of following the location independent nomads helped me keep the excitement for travel. That’s not to say I’m not itching to pack up and leave. I do want to experience living away from home, either in a province somewhere in the Philippines or overseas. I was all set with THE PLAN, when PHL360° happened.
PHL360° is this little project that has now blossomed into a huge project that I still have problems wrapping my head around. I was initially asked to be a part of the cast, but my aversion to video cameras got me a spot in the production team. Working behind the scenes is no less exciting than prancing before the lens. This is an experience that is completely new to me, and most of the time I have no idea what I’m doing. I love it.
It was just like when I was starting to travel and travel blogging. I’m learning as I go, meeting new people that inspire and challenge me. It’s exciting, this new venture. After six years, it’s getting hard to get excited about things.
Change is inevitable. Interests wane, directions change. Not to say that I’m leaving Just Wandering. I’ll still be here, pushing to meet my once a week posting quota. Since I won’t be traveling much in the next couple of months, I would hopefully have time to finally blog everything I haven’t. But I do hope you’d join me, the cast and the crew of PHL360°. It’s going to be one hell of a show.
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