Are you looking for a fun-special thing to do with a visiting "balikbayan" in town?
What about a trip to a live television show?
I was racking my mind on where to bring my brother and her wife for their Manila vacation. I turned to the ever dependable google and found myself checking out the ABS-CBN website.
I learned that you can actually book studio tours with actual show participation with minimal fees.
Walk-in is free but you would have to come early to ensure you are accommodated (not guaranteed).
Price depends on the type of tour (as of writing):
Tour Only is P150 per person
Standard Tour (with guaranteed seating at It's Showtime) is P185 per person
Premium Tour (with ASAP) is P225 per person
Due to the shows popularity, reserving tour slot at least two months in advance is recommended.
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Sharing here our funny-crazy ABS-CBN Studio Tour experience.
Studio Tour starts early. We were asked to be at the Studio Tours office at 830am, otherwise we may forfeit our slot.
Touring the Studio Compound
Is this set familiar?
It feels surreal to be walking on the "Minute to Win It" stage.
The tour includes a visit to DZMM Radio booths.
As you can see, my mom is a fan of Mr. Ted Failon.
Hubby standing next to Dolphy Theatre marker. We were not able to enter. We were told there is an ongoing Philharmonic Orchestra rehearsals.
We were given a 30 minutes break to recharge and was called back at about 1030-11pm for the It's Showtime briefing.
My Dad's one minute of fame, starts here (My Dad is the one in red).
Waiting for our queues.
"Dancing in Tandem: Nagmahal, Nasaktan, Nagsayaw"
My daddy was obviously enjoying.
Serenaded by the "I Love OPM" winner Yohan Hwang.
I just became a fan :P
A wonderful upbeat number by Nyoy Volante, Eric Santos and Billy Crawford.
"Tawag ng Tanghalan - Resbak"
It's Showtime is a wonderful show.
It felt like we were watching a Stand Up Comedy Show ~ we can't seem to stop laughing (#NgalayPanga).
Next time we are definitely visiting "ASAP".
Please check out video clips from our It's Showtime experience here (See if you can spot us).
For Reservation Inquiries:
ABS-CBN Studio Tours
GF ELJ Communications Center, Eugenio Lopez Jr. Drive corner Mother Ignacia Street, Quezon City
02-415-2272 loc 3622 and 3624
What a nice experience! I would love to watch It's Showtime rin in person and not just on television. Also ASAP especially when they still used to have ASAP Sessionistas. I've written it in my bucketlist some 4 or 5 yrs ago. And now, nabuhay yung kagustuhan ko na makapanood ulit live in ABS-CBN Studios. Hopefully, soon! :D
ReplyDeleteWe also wanted to see ASAP, but my brother's schedule will not allow a weekend studio tour.
DeleteThanks for the information. I know someone used to line up really early just to watch showtime. I'll tell her about this.
ReplyDeleteThose who line up are REAL show fans... I can't see myself lining up that early. I overheard one walk-in say they arrived at the ABS-CBN gate at 3am.
DeleteOh my goodness, may plan to go there is around 6am, so 3am there are many people lined up for the show... now thinking to buy tickets with guarantee seats
DeleteBook your seats on linr. Its cheap and more convenient.
DeleteI should've done this when my sister came here, though I don't think she would enjoy hehehe! I wanted to watch ASAP live though :)
ReplyDeleteOh believe your sister will like it. My brother's wife is a foreigner and can't understand 90% of what is going on and she still seemed to have fun (infact I think she enjoyed it more than I did).
DeleteI remember when I workshoped in Star Magic way back 2012 and one of the perks is to watch live shows like Showtime. The most memorable moments are the off camera scenes esp. whenever Anne Curtis sing on the top of her lungs. I didn't know that there's a premium tour back then though. Thank you for reminding me my good times with Abs-Cbn
ReplyDeletemhownai.blogspot.com
We missed Anne Curtis singing ~ I am sure that would be crazier fun :P
DeleteMommy it looks like your mom and dad enjoy watching naman sa Showtime,i didnt know na meron pa lang fee na babayadan,pero nakakatuwa naman makita mo na din yung mga idols/artista in person.
ReplyDeleteVisitors may enter free via walk-in, but there is no guarantee, plus you would have to come really early.
DeleteCool! I wanted to watch Showtime live for years na. I can see your dad is enjoying. :) Rates are good too. Will definitely try this one of these days.
ReplyDeleteMy parents watch this show daily. so they really did enjoy this one more than we did.
DeleteSo that's how it goes. I did wonder at one time how people get into these kinds of live shows. Not that I am planning to go into one - I am not just into big crowds, I guess. :)
ReplyDeleteYou would be surprised to know that the entire studio only fits 150+ pax. It is not huge at all though it seems a lot, lot bigger on screen.
DeleteLooks like you had fun! Grabe 2 months in advance ang reservation pero Im sure sulit ito sa magandang experience after watching Its Showtime :)
ReplyDeleteYes 2 months :P that's better waiting time than ASAP. Kasi my aunt wanted to watch sana, but when her son called to inquire fully booked na daw until June (and he called in Feb).
DeleteI've never been to any live show before, but this seems to be a very fun experience!
ReplyDeleteOh it is fun. I am not a huge fan, but I totally enjoyed the experience.
DeleteThanks for the info mommy! I want to experience this as well!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome.
DeleteOh cool I'm going to bring my Lola! She would love to watch haha! Thanks for the info
ReplyDeleteIf you are bring your lola, please ask of you can skip the studio tour and just go straight to the show. The studio walk could be a bit of a burden to senior citizens
DeleteOMG THIS IS SO FUN!!!!! I wish I had time and the energy to do this! It would be a dream!!!
ReplyDeleteYes we had so much fun, especially watching ourselves on TV after. It was a cool experience.
DeleteWow. Haha I didn't we could go on tour and that it had fees. The fees are reaasonable. I'd love to do this one time in the future. :)
ReplyDeleteYou can tour for a fee or just go there as a walk in for free. But walk ins are not guaranteed seats.
DeleteNever experience to be in a studio and to watch tv shows, is it a good experience your dad looks have fun watching
ReplyDeleteThe only time I have visited a variety show was when I was only 5 years old I think (sa Eat Bulaga pa). Thanks for this, now we can schedule a trip.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that it'll take that long to reserve seats for a local TV show. Judging on your photos, 2 months of reservation paid off. Glad you guys had fun!
ReplyDeleteI need to be sure, we get the date we wanted since my brother will only be here for a week and we had other plans.
DeleteThat looks like fun! Visiting a TV show is something we haven't done before but definitely something we'd love to try.
ReplyDeletePwede na pala magbook online. When my brother was working in ABS-CBN, he would give us passes to watch Wowowee before.
ReplyDeleteEmployees of ABS-CBN still has privilege of getting seats for their families and guests.
DeleteIhihi. Must really be a nice experience. When my cousin went in the Philippines for a vacation, I saw her on Showtime as well. And she was enjoying. I also find myself laughing as I watch Showtime e. Kakaaliw .
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, actually the best part of the experience is getting to see ourselves on TV.
DeleteLoos like you really had fun at It's Showtime. I'm sure many balikbayans would love to experience what it's like to watch it at the studio.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a fun activity! Balikbayans really visiting shows like these, I guess because of TFC. :)
ReplyDeleteTFC subscribers can get in for free, they just need to call their TFC office abroad to reserve ~I recommend they call early though (about 3 months or more) to reserve to be sure they get the date they want.
DeleteWhat's the difference between Standard Tour and Premium Tour?
ReplyDeleteThe Standard Tour includes Its Showtime studio entry, while the Premium Tour includes ASAP.
Deleteah ganun pala yun, may reservation? And may tour? I've often wondered how people get to watch these variety shows and manage to get good seats.
ReplyDeleteMaliit lang yung studio sis. We were just under 200 inside. Mukhang Malaki lang tingnan on screen (camera tricks).
DeleteWatching TV show live is very different than on TV. The experience is much better since you are there as part of the show. Glad you enjoyed it while I try to get ourselves accommodated on the longest running noontime show Eat Bulaga. Watched it several times but can't seem to get enough of it. (Macy)
ReplyDeleteVisiting Showtime is really a huge hit especially with balikbayans. They sure get a great laugh from all the funny antics of the show's hosts. I have never been there but there was a time when I and my little one are huge fans and would watch the show every single day. Hopefully, we get to visit their studio one of these days too!
ReplyDeleteMasaya mag studio tour! We did that once when I am still in college. Oh I missed those days!
ReplyDeleteYes, it was a fun experience. I enjoyed it a lot especially my parents laughing and having fun themselves. But it was also tiring as the seats were uncomfortable and you need to control going to the bathroom while the on air sign is on.
Deletepuwede bang makabook in advance kahit hindi TFC subscriber?
ReplyDeleteAdvance booking is actually the way to go to ensure you get your preferred date.
Delete