14 July 2011

the day i met kobe bryant.





i never would've thought in my wildest dreams that i would get to meet THE kobe bryant. but I DID. dreams do come true!!!!

a few weeks ago i got a call from the all-around awesome mae dichupa of nike philippines, asking me if i could host a big event for them, with a really big star coming in. i didn't know big meant as big as kobe.

growing up, i watched sports with my brother. in football, i loved ronaldo. (the original ronaldo, not cristiano, haha!) in golf, i loved tiger woods. and in basketball, i loved michael jordan (who doesn't?!) and kobe bryant. i even etched kobe's name in my dresser back in high school. his name still there.





take every advantage. that was the title of kobe's manila tour. i intended to take every advantage and i did.

studying my script, there were all these words about inspiration, going for your dreams, but the line that i couldn't get over was a line that read:

bianca: hi kobe!


hi. kobe. hi kobe! how does one even say that casually without sounding like too much of a fan?! how do you even put those two words together, in front of kobe bryant in the flesh?!

the result? these priceless expressions on my face..



photo by rem zamora.


photo by sandro paredes.


you know how in the movies, when the two lead stars share a moment, they do it in slow motion? at this exact moment i discovered, slow motion happens in real life. it does! hahahahaha! the hug was probably only a second, but in my head, it felt like five seconds! i'm not kidding! how surreal right??!!

my super cool sports genius of a co-host for the event boom gonzalez and i actually met kobe right before the program in his dressing room. it was a quick meeting to brief everyone, and for everyone's information, photos nor autographs were not allowed. staff, crew, anyone, not allowed. security was tight, and rightfully so.

since photos weren't allowed, i must thank all the wonderful twitter friends and official photographers who were at the araneta coliseum that day for all the photos i have from this epic day. from the bottom of my heart, thank you!!!!



photo by senth.


after the interview with kobe and just as the uaap all-stars vs smart gilas pilipinas exhibition game began, we got the chance to sit beside kobe for a bit. sit. beside. kobe. sit beside kobe!!!! gaaah. i was sooo nervous! i didn't know if i was allowed to talk to him, or if i can play it cool and chat him up a bit, i didn't know! until he taps my knee and goes, "so you're on twitter, huh?" waaaah! kobe bryant talked to me! out of the script or program, he talked to me! God is sooo good! hahaha!



photo by denise mallabo.


we talked a bit about twitter, and i told him how it was big here in the philippines and that countless fans are hoping he'd sign up. he also was asking a few questions about the collegiate and professional players on the court. i could not believe it. in my head i felt.. wow, tao lang din si kobe bryant! i can't believe it. i still cannot believe it!

when kobe says manila is one of his favorite cities in the world, its easy to dismiss that as something he says in every city he visits. but this guy is different. he really means it. he really loves manila.

we were told that out of all the cities he's visited, this is the only time he actually insisted to play in the exhibition game. i swear to you, it was not on the script, it was not planned, he was just supposed to join the coaches to assess the ten minute match, then show a few skills. but after the game, maybe it was the love the big dome was showing him, or maybe he really just loves the philippines, kobe stands up, puts on a jersey, and puts on a show.

the energy in araneta coliseum that day WAS INSANE. all for kobe, and all because of kobe.



photo by sheehan ehren reyes.


thank you kobe bryant!!!!
thank you nike philippines!!!!
I LOVE NIKE!!!!

59 comments:

carlo said...

kainggit naman!!!! nice post :)

Anonymous said...

priceless :)

Carla said...

Bianca. This is just precious!!!

and your face sa hugging picture is: EPIC.

Anonymous said...

Finally, I've been waiting for your new blog and here it is! I'm not a fan of Kobe but I really like how he plays basketball. He's really a good player, I mean he's THE BEST :)

Marla said...

Gawd! You're so LUCKY!! Congrats Bianca! 'twas PRICELESS!!

Anonymous said...

Finally, i've been waiting for your new blog and here it is! Hmm I'm really not a big fan of Kobe but I can say that he is a good player, I mean THE BEST player. And oh, before I forgot, your photos with him, PRICELESS!! your smiles said it all :)

killrfillr said...

Astig. Looking forward to NBA vs Gilas this July 23-24.

chappy said...

i must admit i was of those people who got "kilig" on seeing photos of you and kobe. Later on the kilig became "inggit". I wanted to be that girl standing beside him...hahaha Glad one of your dreams came true, I have yet to see him. My dream is just to be able to watch him play at Staples, but if I ever get to experience what you had, that would be totally awesome! :)

mich said...

I soo love to see you very happy coz i can see myself in you : ). You've done a very great job in staying compose though obviously nervous and kilig. Good job bianca! I bet he likes you around because you're smart, petite and pretty : ))

Anonymous said...

Dreams do come true ms bianca from omee

bratty21 said...

wow!!! bianca.... your very lucky... kita talaga sa mukha mo na super HAPPY ka!!!

viebeen said...

am so overly bonggang envious right now..i love this!i super love it!:D

Glenn Encinares said...

parang Boyfriend mo lang si Kobe Bryant teh!

NIHRA said...

ramdam na ramdam ko ang kilig! so cute!!

it was indeed: EPIC! :)

katedadz said...

I LOVE THE LAST PHOTO. parang kayo. hahaha. kidding. but that's my favorite.

LUCKY SUPERGIRL!!!!!!!!!!! :))))

Anonymous said...

go girl! love your blog.

Anonymous said...

oh my gossshhhhh! goosebumpsssss!!!

melancholeah said...

that is so surreal! wow!

Emk Ramos said...

YOU ALREADY! :) ang palad mo ms Bianca :)

Anonymous said...

I don't really do this.. have to hit the gym in a few.. but I couldn't help but comment. unbeleeebabol!!! just reading your post made me blush... no.. I'm starting to get hives, fever.. I couldn't contain myself. That being said, you and kobe took my blues away. haaayyy, sana makaexperience rin ako ng ganyan, hehe :D
GODSPEED Bianca.
Thanks for going on my behalf(nanaginip ng gising).
Sorry for the craziness <3

Nica said...

Oh my gosh! Ikaw na talaga Biancs! Ikaw na! :) You're so lucky! ♥ Nakatabi mo pa siya! :D

Anonymous said...

wow nman.. kakainggit nmn eh.. parang bagay kayo.. hehe.. :)

Unknown said...

wow, Bianca the popular tv host/personality was star struck! well, it's not hard to believe...congrats for hosting the event Bianca...way to go!!!!

bluestella said...

I've been a Kobe fan since I knew about NBA. However I barely don't have a chance to see and meet him personally like you do Bianca!

Jen said...

wow!!!!!!! ikaw na! im so inggit! but this is so much priceless tlga. and worth bloggable! Well, now u know how it felt like to be with someone whom u really admires... U know that feeling when u are so much a fan, and u got to meet him in person? well! lucky you! Sana mameet din kita in person?! pls?! I would be the happiest! And wouldnt u be glad to make a happy soul like me too?! hehehe...pls?! pls?1 Pls?! I hope...God is good..well one day. visit my blog too. (lifeteasers.blogspot.com) =)

Anonymous said...

i've been waiting for you to post about this and here it is..congrats! nakaka-inggit ka girl! priceless talaga..i'm gonna go etch his name somewhere para makita ko naman si kobe in person..haha

imprettyblessed said...

You are a supergirl!! :) Definitely unforgettable experience :)

bmyangelval said...

that is so awesome!

Vera said...

Those are really nice photos of you and Kobe. You and Kobe. hehe :)

Fay Antoinette said...

Born and Raised in LA, I bleed the purple and gold. Kobe is our proud and joy, and seeing him never gets old =) You're very lucky Bianca!! xoxo

thewannabewriter said...

wow!!!!!!!!!!bianca u look so cool together with kobe!girl u rock it!I love kobe and i envy u for that!go kobe!!!

Sarrah said...

i feel every word u said, bianca. nakakakilabot sa inggit and i envy you meeting him coz i'm a huge fan as well. wow!

Anonymous said...

this is just so awesome!

ejdv said...

m happy for you!nice photos...Kobe is really cool!

Dreb said...

Nice experience. Wish he could visit other parts of Philippines so that people could get chance to see him :(

ivy monteloyola said...

thanks bianca. . . you just made me feel like i was there too. . . i'm not a kobe nor lakers fan but as a basketball aficionado, i cannot deny the fact that he plays so good. . . yes!, you're right. . . kobe was so sincere in telling that manila was one among his favorite cities. . . we all felt that. . .

igoohit said...

ang galing:))) fabulous moment miss B=) congrats!!!!

Marya said...

i ENVY you =P

Anonymous said...

You are so lucky! You deserve it. :)

mymy said...

nice one ate bianca..!!kakainggit..:)
thanks for sharing your experienced with us..priceless..u make me smile..
i love kobe bryant more because of this..:)

raiza said...

how cute♥...baka mag-selos c kuya jc♥♥♥:)

raiza said...

how nice...♥♥♥ muntikan ng ng-selos si kuya jc..whehe..♥♥♥:)

KS said...

i was there. im not really a fan of any sports but after i saw you, gaah! worth it :) btw, how do you protect you photos?

Anonymous said...

so lucky ms. bianca :)

Geleen Faye said...

i love your facial expression! i mean i dont know what would I have done if I were you! :)

Sam said...

Sweet! I always look forward to your next stories. You are an awesome host! By the way do you mind answering a few questions when you get a chance. http://www.jobshadow.com/add-your-interview/ Just talk a little bit about your job as a host and celebrity. It will be anonymous when we put it on the site. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

you are one lucky girl! :)

Unknown said...

san minsan ako din ma-meet ko si KOBE..hahaha ^_^

Anonymous said...

ur so lucky... congrats, nice blog... i love kobe too....

rizza tan panican said...

i super duper love your blogs.. :D

patsuyLB said...

after reading your blog ms. Bianca, i just can't help but to laugh, natatawa aq n kinikilig, ayeeee! na naiinggit xmpre,hahaha..Kobe is my ultimate great basketball player followed by LBJ =)

ang kyut nong 4th picture nu, prng couple lng, =)

rhods said...

Hi Super Biancs, if you're going to watch JC and the team for the NBA-PBA all star weekend. Please update your blog with the pics(demanding,but just want to feel the slow motion again hehe). Thanks!

dred said...

i'm not a big basketball fan and i don't know a lot of players but i sure know kobe bryant. who wouldn't right? so i'm so kilig too while reading your whole experience. parang nameet ko na rin c kobe. hahaha

i'm happy for you ms. bianca. i'm always here on your blog lurking but this time i can't help but comment.

just wow! just mindblowingly wow! :)

http://dredreveries.blogspot.com

Oche said...

Hi.. ate bianc's you're so blessed. I am dying to meet kobe but still chances are not meant for me this time. hehehe anyway, god bless and kiss kobe for me.. :)

niKOBE28 said...

super inggit ako sayo kasi im a die hard kobe bryant/laker fan kya sabi ko sa sarili ko super lucky mo pra maksama mo si kobe kaht na sa sandaling oras lng :) great job bianca kahit na, na speechless ka kay kobe :)

Jodel Tanael said...

I super love you're photo with Kobe, you looked SUPER DUPER HAPPY!
You're the Happiest Person on Earth at that time. hehehe

Trish said...

OMG!!! I felt your excitement, gratefulness and kilig of a Kobe fan while reading this post! I envy you. :( Kobe is my greatest crush on NBA since I started watching it during my childhood days.

I super love all your candid shots with him! :) Especially the one with your arm raised! :) Fan girl mode! It's like, "yes, I made it! He hugged me" Heheheh. Congrats Bianca! :">

i am certified said...

nakangiti ako the whole time I am reading this post.. Epic day for you! I'm so inggittttt I love Kobe too! :)

gelai said...

so cooooool! :)) ayos to.haha!now i believe that one day makikita din kita!haha!at makakapagpapicture din ako wit' you..yieee :) sana kasama din c ate tin(toni) ^^, ..waaahh gusto ko na talaga magkapicture with both of you. :) <3 like you said "DREAMS DO COME TRUE" :)))