Wong Fu Productions in Manila - Mellow 94.7's The Wake Up Show fan account

March 1, 2012

I had heard from the previous night that Wong Fu Productions would be on Mellow’s 94.7 The Wake Up Show at 8am. It’s located in Paragon Plaza along EDSA, Mandaluyong. I headed toward Paragon Plaza with the radio on Mellow, but it looked like they weren’t there yet. I got to the radio station and true enough DJ Vince and DJ Tracy said on air that they got lost. Their cab apparently brought them to Harrison Plaza instead. Wes and Phil probably got stuck in traffic. I just waited at the reception area, totally nervous because I knew they would probably come in at any moment. I couldn’t concentrate even as I was trying to distract myself! I was the only fan at the radio station as well even though I tweeted already about them coming.

At around 9:00 AM, I saw Phil and Wes come in. I opened the door for them and said hi but they probably couldn’t tell if I was a fan or not. Phil said hi and Wes waved at me. The staff from Mellow who I talked to earlier and told him I was waiting for Wong Fu also came out and asked me “sila ba? [is it them (you’re waiting for)?]” and I said yes. I asked if I could go follow them in the booth and he said yes and even told me to sit down and I could take a picture with them. Phil and Wes were accompanied by two other staffs from the production company, Ms. Pauline Phoon [who was also with David Choi when he came to Manila] and Ms. Wenona Lok. They were seated on the couch 2 feet away from me and I couldn’t believe what was happening! Phil didn’t have his hair styled so it kinda looked big and he was also wearing a jacket. Wes also brought with him his camera.

I was tweeting like crazy to my sister and I didn’t know if I should talk to them or not! My hands and feet were cold and I couldn’t believe they were right in front of me! DJ Vince was talking to them, asking them about their work, how long are they staying and even offered to go out with them that night after the show. Phil and Wes were also asking about their radio show and Mellow, the type of music played in the Philippines etc. They also asked where they could go around if they had the time.

The two were a on their iPhones most of the time when they weren’t talking so I couldn’t bother them. I was able to snag a few candid photos but I was against the light and only had my iPod touch. When @wongfupro tweeted [which was actually Phil] I had replied that I was the fan in the booth and that I was shy to talk to them. It was really silly! But I was really nervous and didn’t know what to do! I don’t know if they were able to read it though :P DJ Vince said that the interview was only going to be short since they were just sneaking them in on their show. Wes also took a video of DJ Vince and DJ Tracy’s intro for Wong Fu. At around 9:40 they had started the interview. Ms. Wenona was also taking video and since there were some shots where I was directly across the camera, I held up my “Manila Loves Wong Fu” sign and smiled even if I wasn’t sure I’d be on cam :))

After the interview, DJ Vince and DJ Tracy took some pictures with them. He also gave them some When In Manila shirts and his card. I was so surprised when he handed me his card as well and I said “Oh no! I’m just a fan!” and he goes “oh! Well that’s okay you can contact me too…do you want a picture with them?” I was so shocked and squealing inside! “Um sure!” Then Wes and Phil came over to me and Wes asked for my name. HE ASKED FOR MY NAME OMGGGGG. He also noticed the sign I was holding up and asked me if I made that and I said yes. I was about to bring out my iPod Touch since I didn’t have a camera but DJ Vince was already holding up his camera and asked us to take position. Wes was at my right and Phil on my left. After the first picture, DJ Vince said “Wow you sure are fast! We only announced they would be here last night” I said that I was on twitter last night and told myself “I have to meet Wong Fu!” LOL! He took another shot this time with the other side of my sign.

When it was over I heard Wes comment on my Totoro bag and say “I like you bag” I just smiled and showed it to him. BUT OMG THAT MADE ME SO HAPPY >O<. Then I turned to Phil and talked to him. I told him about how my sister went to their Wong Fu Live event in LA last December and asked them to sign a Merry Christmas sign for me. As I was telling them this I as scrolling though my pictures trying to look for the picture of Wes holding up the sign. I was really nervous and trying not to waste time! I showed Wes the picture and he said he thinks he remembers that. “So that’s you *points at the word Hazel*” “yeah that’s me :D” I also continued with “but since she asked you guys to sign that, she wasn’t able to get Wes’ signature on her poster.” Wes said, “oh well I could always sign her new one.” “but she’s in LA” LOL hahaha! I think he mentioned something like they’ll just find her or something. I just told them I wanted to say thanks for that and that the sign is with me now. I also asked Phil if they’ve eaten breakfast yet and he said they haven’t and they’ll probably grab something nearby. I told Phil I’ll be at the show later as well. I was trying to make conversation I guess :)) They also kept thanking me and even Ms. Wenona thanked me personally. But actually I should be the one thankful! They did so much for me already and it was really nice meeting them!

Wes holding up the Merry Christmas sign my sister made for me. this was the picture I showed them.

They were saying goodbye to the DJs and saying thanks. I let them exit the room first, and then I thanked DJ Vince as well on my way out. I followed them out all the way to the elevator. They used like a service elevator different from the one I rode from the lobby. I waved goodbye to them and they said goodbye as well.

I was seriously on cloud 9 that day! Even before the show that night. The fact that I was able to talk to them and show my support really felt good. And I am super thankful to DJ Vince for taking our picture which also allowed me to talk to Wong Fu. Super thanks to DJ Tracy and Mellow 94.7 as well. Of course thanks to soulmannalive for bringing Wong Fu Productions here! WF4L!

Pictures:

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Hip-Hop Wakes Up

Whether you’ve listent to Tupac Shakur’s heartfelt classic, “Dear Mama,” or recounted the instances Jay-Z has been extolled in any Kanye West interview,  it is inarguable that hip-hop heavy-weights give their mentors and communities of origin unparalleled praise and suport. However, despite the awareness that urban chart-toppers are bringing to each other, hip-hop radio personality, King Tech, believes it might be better if some of the spotlight were allocated elsewhere in the hip-hop ecosystem.

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Actor, producer, emcee, and hip-hop contributor Reggie “Saafir” Gibson, has recently experienced severe health issues that have left him unable to walk. After getting wind of Saafir’s health, and his even more crippling medical expenditures, the Wake Up Show hosts decided to create the The Will to Walk campaign. Through this campaign, King Tech explains that he hopes to alleviate some of the financial burden it will take to have Saafir back on his feet again. 

Despite the beauty of this mission, getting this cause successfully funded is going to take an effort from hip-hop listeners and influencers around the web. To contribute to the cause, click the link below and join the The Wake Up Show in support of Saafir. 

To read more on this story, head over to AllHipHop.com to read their interview with King Tech.

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