Performing reportorial duties in hospitals on New Year’s Eve was one of my most memorable assignments during my stint as a graveyard TV Police Reporter for RPN9 several years ago. I did that for 6 consecutive years. No New Year parties for me then. (feeling serbisyong totoo ako!) Covering victims of firecrackers was not new to me. I treated it like the usual nightly police stories I would encounter. (imagine kung ngayon ko gawin yan with my blue hair!) I even remember one incident that my driver/cameraman and I were on our way to a hospital when people in the streets started to put out their bombastic firecrackers for the New year Countdown. We had to park our service vehicle at the sidewalk for our own safety. (hintayin matapos bonggang putukan bago ulit umandar!) We welcomed the new year inside the car. (how romantic, muntik ko pang maging jowa si kuya cameraman!)
When I left the news industry and decided to be an FM band radio jock, I thought I could celebrate new year’s eve with my family that year. But no! My boss assigned me to be on air for the radio station’s New Year Countdown! (walang ligtas si bakla!) Imagine, I was alone in the radio booth, welcoming the new year. (yung makabasag ear drum yung pagsigaw ko on air ng 3, 2, 1, Happy new year!)
Good thing, after that year, our boss decided to just ask us to record special shows for New year’s eve. (lusot na si ako!) That was the time when I promised myself that I will no longer work on New year’s eve. (may pagpromise talaga!) I am usually out of the country during the Christmas Holidays, but for the New year celebrations, I am in Manila to welcome it with a bang. (sowwsyal!)
I would even say no to invitations to host New year’s eve events. (ang taray!) But there was this event that Noel Ferrer (my talent manager that time) wanted me to host with his other talent, actress Iza Calzado.(leveling ako dyan!) It was a big New Year Countdown. I already begged off and joked that I would only do it if the price was right. (nagmamaganda ha!) When I learned about the talent fee, it was indeed the “price is right” level! I swallowed my pride and did the show. (so mukhang peral lang ako minsan!) The funny thing about it was, after hosting, we received checks with insufficient funds! ( tumalbog na parang bola!) Well, we got paid, days later. (or else ibash ko sila!)
Welcoming the new year will always be special. WE may have experienced challenges in 2020, but 2021 brings hope. We just have to believe in the power of love and light and the universe will give us a better life. (with matching fireworks display pa!)
(MR.FU hosts on 91.5 Win Radio, 8pm-12mn, Mondays to Fridays. 7pm to 11pm, Saturdays. Twitter/IG: @mrfu_mayganon. FB: Mr. Fu the Star DJ. Youtube/Patreon: WTFu. Spotify: In Love FU ako)