Wednesday 31 October 2012

Another Chapter Begins

Our show has finally ended last Saturday, Oct 27, 2012. The Grand FInals was a success for it has not only packed 3/4 of the Araneta Coliseum but it has also trended worldwide on twitter and it has made the papers the next morning... and the next few mornings. Haha! Well, let's not go into details of what was written on the papers because majority are negative. That, I don't want to comment about.

But the last three months was a nice experience for me. It has made me and a few others smart in the reality show business. I have gained a lot of friends from crew to the staff to everyone. It has made me humble for I didn't show my sungay in this side of the world. I was the kind boy, happy, and as if I didn't carry a cross along the way. I was Mr. Nice Guy and suprisingly, I felt like I can be good if I want to. Lol! But hey, like what I said, gaining friends was the most important part of the experience. I have my team reality, my team relax (Marionne, Jaise, Karl and Macke), a crush who doesn't like me (haha) and I gained a bestfriend in my Buddy Chris L. It was a fun fun 3.5 months.

And today, another begins. I will just put everything together and then start again. I am a bit afraid and excited for this will be another chapter in my life where I can become a little bit better than I used to. But I'm sure of one thing, everyone whom I met along the journey will always be treasured (drama?).

Thank you to my network for giving me the chance to become better. I have enjoyed every bit of it and I am sure I will enjoy the future. Cheers to everyone in the Artista Academy! We did well!

Michael Foz
8:38PM / Oct 31, 2012

Monday 8 October 2012

Cyber Loko

I'm back! LOL

It has been over a month since I last posted a blog. Wow! Ang tagal na pala. I really don't know what happened pero I think I was just too busy with work I forgot to share my thoughts with you. So what's the latest fuzz? Hmm...

The much talked about Cyber Crime Bill. So what's this bill all about? Well for a normal citizen it says "You-cant-fuckin-tweet-about-me-anymore". Well for me that's what it says. Then comes the libel issue etc. But that's something legal people need to explain. Hehe! I might post something wrong. Or oops! Can I post a blog about this? I might be sued for this post. LOL!

But whatever it is, the internet wouldn't be as exciting as it is today if this bill becomes a law. I just hope it won't.


Michael Foz
Oct 8, 2012 / 10:52PM

Monday 20 August 2012

How Shit Works

Did you ever feel stupid and sad at the same time? If you ask me, yes it's this day at this hour right at this very minute.

I think and breathe showbiz. I like showbiz but I (sometimes) don't like the dirty tactics behind someone's stardom. Why can't we just work fair and clean? Why do we have to step on other people just to get to our goals?! I have questions, I have the answers but I don't like to accept and understand.

I remember quitting something coz I really didn't like the idea of "how it works" and now I am back to something my brain doesn't understand and my principles can't swallow. Now I really feel stupid. I feel like a jerk fighting for someone else's dream but whose fate was predetermined. It's hard. It's fuckin stupid. I think I have to replace someone in that movie Moron 5 right now. Or should I audition for the Part 2?! Damn! Magna Cum Laude and here you are being stupid in its most literal and hurtful sense.

I'm the saddest coz my contestant was booted out of Artista Academy. He had low grades daw. That's like freakin bullshit! I believe in that kid and so are 90% of the staff. He should've stayed longer in the competition for three reasons, he is driven and he has the talent aside from the given that he's good looking. As they say, only one wins. In his case, he had it but it was taken away from him. That's the shittest part of it.

I know the business of showbiz, I know its fuckin dirty but I didn't know it could hurt this bad for someone you care about. Whose dreams were taken away from him. Someone who was worth the stardom, someone who was worth it all.

Teka puputulin ko na dito, I might say something I might regret in the future. Oh hell no I won't fuckin regret anything I've said. It's my page and it's freedom of speech. Hoho LOL!!

I guess I have to RE welcome myself in this world. Hahaha! Welcome Mike, it's been three years accept how the business works. Oh shoot wait, I grew up in a Catholic school, I believe in my God and I have a rosary wherever I go... Now you get it, I won't lose who I am for what you're asking me. Me over anything else! That you have to ACCEPT.

Michael Foz
August 20, 2012 / 7:50PM 

Wednesday 1 August 2012

Behind the Camera

Is there a formula on being an artista? My answer would be Oh freakin' YES!! But I won't go into details. I'm sure majority knows the formula. Or don't they?

Artista Academy 9PM from Mon-Fri sa TV5 

Last Monday, July 30 at 9PM on TV5 was the pilot of our show Artista Academy. It was a roller coaster of emotions. Excitement, fear and high hopes were felt by everyone. Well, piloting a show ain't new to me for I have been with a lot of shows in ABS-CBN. I like to believe all were number one except for HYY. Haha! But seriously it was a different experience for it is my first show with TV5. I was nervous. Very nervous.

The show aired and it was the best feeling. All our hard work have been seen nationwide. That may be the greatest reward you'll ever get when you're in this industry.

I remember my EP asking me why I decided to be part of the show. I said, I am excited for the show and I am excited to work in a different environment. It was "sugal" for me. Some people might say, nandyan ka na sa ABS bakit ka pa lumipat? That irritates me. Yes, you're with the best but are you happy? So here is Artista Academy, I grabbed the opportunity and so far so good.

This I can say is the best show I have done so far. My dedication is so great I want to win with my contestant. It's his competition but because I believe in him, it has become mine too. The best part maybe, is I am helping someone's dream come true. That for me is another reward for every hard work I give to this show. I can say the same with the other producers. I remember direk saying "respetuhin nyo ang kanilang mga pangarap" and that is instilled on my mind that when I get behind the camera I play my role as his producer and make sure I can be the best that I can be for that kid. Ugh! This is giving me emo shit again. Naf!!

So there, behind the camera you have creatives and production people. Creatives think of concepts and the Production... produces everything. Simple concept but so hard to implement. In our case, we produce materials needed for the show. It is a fun job but tiring. It is fulfilling. It is something not all people can do. Behind every scene in a television show is a production staff working for your entertainment. We believe we are warriors of happiness. We are responsible for your  your emotions. We talk to you by means of television. We strengthen your hopes. We play with your imaginations. We push change. We become one with you. At the end of the day, after every closing billboard is a happy staff. Tears and sweat were shed but gold was given in return.

Behind the camera we say... Lights, Camera, Action!

Michael Foz
Aug 2, 2012 / 2:08AM

Sunday 8 July 2012

I look like Rainier Castillo (?!)

"Uy si Rainier!" This line doesn't sound new to me anymore. I have heard this for like a million times now.

Question?! Do you still remember Rainier Castillo? For most of you my age of course the answer would be yes. But for some especially those who doesn't watch GMA7, he is one of the finalist in the very first Starstruck (a reality talent search) along side Jennylyn Mercado and Mark Herras. So what's with this guy?! Fortunately and unfortunately, they say I look like him. I have a long list of anecdotes and I still remember each one of them.

The very first time I was called "Rainier" was way back college. I was studying at FEU-Manila and this girl calls me, "Rainier! Rainier!" I didn't look at her and then she approaches me and says "You know Foz, you look like Rainier Castillo!" Initial reaction was "Ah talaga?!" Then in no time, my classmates started calling me Rainier.

I cut my hair for the reason that I don't like to be called Rainier again. But oh no! Even my high school teachers and friends started telling me that I really look like him. So when someone tells me I look like him I answer 'Ikaw na po ang pang-1000 na nagsabi sakin nyan." Simple as that. Pero minsan naman sasabihin palang nilang "alam mo may kamukha ka...." then I say "Rainier Castillo".

Eto gusto ko, one time on my way home there was this family in the jeep who really felt I was the real Rainier. It started when the kid makes bulong to her mom na "mama kamukha nya si Rainier" (I assume). Then when I saw them staring at me and says "Oo nga siya nga si Rainier!" I just smiled and acted like I was the real Rainier. Yumuko ako then nagfumeeling artista. Tinakpan ko kunwari yung mukha ko, brought out a book and started to read. Hanggang sa bumaba ako sa jeep they were staring at me and the kid even said "bye kuya Rainier!" Pero  come to think of it, he won't ride a jeep. Haha!

Another was at Proj 8 (where Rainier actually lives). This kid approaches me and says, "Kuya Rainier penge naman ng barya." I said "wala". Then the kid says, nandito ka lang kahapon ah, san yung sasakyan mo?!" And luckily this other kid goes to side of the other kid and says, "Hindi siya si Rainier! Pero kamukhang kamukha nya!". Oh yeah! Beat that! Hahaha!

And oh! when I entered TV5, where Rainier has his shows, some cameramen calls me "Rainier!" so pang-ilan na sila? Maybe 3000?! And when I was at the Araneta, talent managers / viewers of the Artista academy auditions were calling me "Rainier" like it was really me. 

And this is what brought me to writing this, a while ago at the church sa "Peace be with you" part. People where staring at me and the guy and the girl behind me whispers "Uy si Rainier Castillo!" Gagawin ko sana ulit na umarteng parang siya para masaya pero I thought what if sabihan ako ng" Ay di naman pala feelingero si Kuya!" That would really be embarassing!

So I have to hear more of these Rainier comments. This Rainier comparison has compliments and some insults to me but whatever it is, I take it as something I should funny that it really makes my day when I hear people say that. And oh, I would like to meet him one day and tell him about those experiences.

Monday 18 June 2012

Love Letter to God


 Dear God,

Hi! Talking to you ain't new to me coz I talk to you every day and every night. Tonight, I decided to write you a love letter for the first time. I hope it reaches.


I was a bad kid.

As a child I was selfish and rude. I didn't like people telling me to do things I didn't like to do. I hate it when they make me feel bad about my faults and my failures. I hated when they laugh at me or when they're rude to me. I hate it when I didn't get things I wanted to have. I hate it when things don't go my way. I've gotten the feeling that people are too judgmental and inconsiderate. I have a lot of things to hate about my environment. I was living in a bad world. I struggled as a kid. I was not the son anyone would want to have.

But amidst all these I have struggled to become different. I turned out to be a good young man. I was not the loving kid, but I am learning to love other people as I grow up. I was not the best, but I struggle to be better. I was rude, but now I care. I have so much to hate, but now I realized I have so much to love about and so many people to love. My faith kept me intact.


I believe I have a lot of things to be proud about. On top of my list is that I am your child. I listen to your words and I get to talk to you in my prayers and in my lone times. Secondly, because you gave me good parents and a happy family. They didn't lose hope and didn't doubt that that bad little kid would grow up to be good one day. Thirdly, you gave me good people as friends, even if I am not perfect for them, they stay and remain good to me. Fourthly, because you gave me values in life that until now strengthens me when I am weak. And lastly, because I have enough for myself, my family and the people who need me.

God, when I doubted you tested me even more. You told me to just wait a little more. When I was about to quit, you gave me a spark of hope. When I felt I was alone, I have you beside me. And when I doubted myself, you were the first to tell me to go on and believe. You were my wings when I got tired of flying. You were my hands when I didn't have the urge to write and to help. You were my feet when I didn't feel like running. You were the best of me when I was the worst of me.


It's been 23 years now and the most important gift ever given to me by anyone is the gift of life guided by you. And that alone I say THANK YOU.


And like love letters I end this letter with I LOVE YOU.


Michael Foz
June 18, 2012 10:10PM


Wednesday 13 June 2012

Changes and Chances

I think I found happiness.

My big day was June 11, 2012. In my lost of drive to fight this battle called life, God lit my light again. It was not a tough decision at all, it was something I asked for. In my long three months of waiting for a nice job and exploring the world, I found my place


Yes dear all, I am now a Kapatid or from TV5. How did I get in? I have a good friend and a good track record. Hehe! I say it wasn't tough because I was with ABS-CBN for three years and during the months that I didn't have a show, nagisip-isip ako kung san ba ako nabibilang sa mundo. But I really prayed hard for something nice to happen to me. I tried a lot, I went corporate but It wasn't what my heart is telling me to do. So asked God if He could make something for me and in the right time, He gave what I've asked Him for.

I had a difficulty telling my friends coz they are all Kapamilyas. It was also difficult especially in twitter and facebook. In twitter majority of my 2000+ followers are fans of ABS-CBN artists. I was afraid of tweeting directly that I am now from TV5, I just tweeted the logo of Artista Academy, my show. I guess they'll understand what message I am conveying. And with facebook, I just posted this:

In my honest opinion ABSCBN is the best in the industry. The best bec 80% of television is Entertainment. News belongs to GMA7. TV5 is a poor third but when great minds from ABS and GMA work w/ TV5, then the game is on! It takes people to create a good network, not d other way around. Stop questioning me why I transferred, kelangan ko lang magtrabaho. :)


I am serious about that post. I am a Kapamilya since I was a kid. I watch majority of their shows. And worked for them for 3 years. But I came to the point where I felt I was not appreciated. Not only me, majority feels the same. I was just different because I had the choice. It was now or never. And I wasn't afraid to say I quit. I am tough because I know I am able. And so I left. But I left with no bitterness because that company made me a better and intelligent media practitioner. I was just not happy about being there anymore. And I hope people who mind understands.


So cheers to courage! Cheers to changes and chances!


Michael Foz
June 13, 2012 11:40 PM