8th September 2006
The day I received the news that I won a trip for two to Los Angeles to watch the Contender Finale, was over the top! The shock has been able to shut down my nervous system for a few minutes before I finally accepted the truth that I am going to live one of my American dreams (well, other than being one of Hollywood celebrities myself). Just when we thought those online contest or game were so hard to win, it actually snapped back at me and holler that I AM really a WINNER! So, from then on, I started preparing the things that needed to be taken care of therefore my trip will be smooth sailing.
I had chosen my sister to accompany me for the trip, the visa application was an ease and other chores/prep that follow were equally helpful such as those Internet surfing for information. There are lots of Contender materials carefully gathered to be taken with us and get those signed (if we were lucky) or whatever that can be our very own memorabilia. At this point, our heart was already in Staples Center although it was still (about) two weeks away.
24th September 2006
The day has come when we are going to board that plane to THE Los Angeles. 16 hours flying and the heavenly feeling have overtaken our numbness of staying in one giant piece of machine floating on air. For a claustrophobic like me, the contentment of going to USA had been able to make me forget about that very fear.
The Hotel was marvelous, very posh Victorian feelings. We definitely loved the beds, and the TV with lots of channels, made us forget about the jet lag we were supposed to have by then. We got even more excited every time we switched the channel to ESPN because we would be part of that LIVE! Couldn’t wait for Tuesday!
25th September 2006
Preparation day was tiring and enjoyable at the same time. After checking out the event location and made a few phone calls for confirmation, we visited LA tourists’ spots, such as the Universal Studios and Hollywood Walk of Fame. We also found ourselves time to cruise those Hollywood & Highland stores to find amazing outfits so that we could watch The Contender in style.
26th September 2006
The day is finally here. After two trains boarded to reach Pico where the Staples Center was located, we got down and stood by the traffic for a while, pinched ourselves and gulped at the fact that my own dream was becoming a reality. I kept saying, “Here we are!” to my sister. We walked and approached the building with the excitement that had been building up like crazy it could outgrow the tallest tree in the world. Finally, at the front door, we asked a few people the where about of the Will Call counter where we were supposed to get our tickets. And with the tickets in our hands, we entered the arena with a beaming smile glued to our faces throughout the entire evening.
We bought a few items at The Contender counter including the event book hoping that we could get all of The Contenders’ autographs. Just as we were about to step into our section, we bumped into Gary Baletto! Few moments of photograph sessions and autograph signing later, we finally found ourselves in our seat, 20 meters away from the ring!
There we were, just like one of those audiences we always watched on the television when we were watching the Contender every week. Although it would have been more exhilarating if we were 5 meters closer to the ring, the view was just as breathtaking from where we were. We didn’t get to have another close encounter with the rest of the Contenders as we hoped (there were just too many people!) but to get to watch all the excitement in front of our very own eyes, LIVE (!) was a priceless experience no currency could buy, well, except for AXN-ASIA who had sponsored us and for that I forever am thankful.
The fight was unbelievably worth a watch! From the under card fights of Vinroy vs Wright, Torres vs Curiel and Acevedo vs unknown to Bronze placing fight between Cornelius K9 Bundrage and Noberto “El-Gallitto” Bravo (both are my favorites) to the main event: THE FINALE! The purpose of the whole night altogether, the most awaited fight of the night, Steve “Two Pound” Forbes vs Grady “Bad Boy” Brewer! Mr. Steve Forbes didn’t realize my prediction though but Grady did an awesome job and he very well deserved the $500K! Good for him! I can’t find any other words that could describe how we felt that night in that very arena, but to sum up the fight? It knocked me off of my feet.
“The After Party”
It was late after the final fight was over, we were supposed to rush back to the Pico train station to catch the train back to our hotel, but we decided to check out the party we were invited to at The Palm Restaurant. With all hopes as wished from the very beginning of how the trip was planned, that was to meet and greet all the contenders and have all that autographs we wanted. After two hours and a glass of Coca Cola/Coke, there were still no Contenders in sight. Instead we had a nice chat with two of other Mark Burnett Reality TV shows – Rock Star: Supernova! -Ryan Star and Toby Rand with a glimpse of Lukas Rossi on the side (the winner). Good enough we thought and we finally decided to call it a night.
And, while we were walking away from The Palm Restaurant, we bumped into two among most awaited people of our evening: the living legend himself, Mr. Sugar Ray Leonard and The Contender 1 winner, Mr. Sergio Mora. I’d actually stopped them for a photo op, Mr. Sugar Ray with my sister (I was so jealous!) then the darn bodyguard
snagged him away. Then a few feet away, there was Sergio Mora
so I jumped on the chance to have a photo taken with him. After the two very exciting encounters, our disappointment waiting for hours in the restaurant slowly diminished and we walked home satisfied (well, almost satisfied on my part). Still hoped we bumped into others, but, no any lucky chance there. Bummer!
Nevertheless, the trip was an amazing episode of my life I will cherish until I die, and to share it with my sister is priceless. Wish I could take my whole family with me, but hey, it was sponsored and I couldn’t really ask for more. If I ever had the chance of getting money falling down from the sky, I would definitely be back in LA in a blink!
For that experience and all I am forever thankful to the AXN-Asia team who have made my dream come true. To others, I’d like to suggest for you guys to keep on watching that television and actually benefit something from it, I surely did!
Cheerios.
