My ‘Twist of Fate’

MANILA, Philippines – Dreams do come true. Growing up in a family of wrestling fanatics, it has always been my dream to watch WWE live and meet my favorite wrestling superstars in person. Never have I imagined how the stars will align to make this a reality. And how soon! The 1-2-3 Kid, Bret “the Hitman" Hart, “The Heart-Break Kid" Shawn Michaels — these are just a few I admired during my childhood. Then come the Hardy Boys, CM Punk, DX, Batista and John Cena, who are today’s favorites. Perhaps, the “Law of Attraction" really works. The more you think of something, the more likely it will happen. The “WWE Smackdown and ECW Live in Manila" Tour was the realization of my dreams. When the project fell into our laps, I was so overwhelmed and excited! And despite all the pressure, stress and anxiety the project brought us, I was consistently enthusiastic working on it — from the idea itself to the promotions (posters, file videos, plugs) up to the very day of the event. I never enjoyed working for something before compared to the one I felt in this project. Add up the overwhelming excitement that the event itself generated on me. July 09, 2009 – the day before the event and the day when the Superstars were scheduled to arrive in the country. If over-excitement could kill then I would be dead by now. Just like a kid, I put on my best dress, made sure I look good before going to work. Off I went to the airport, the first thing in the morning is to catch the arrival of Ricky “The Dragon" Steamboat. Upon Steamboat’s arrival, we proceeded to EDSA Shangri-la Hotel afterwards for a press conference. Evening came and I felt more agitated. 12 midnight was the scheduled arrival of the rest of the WWE superstars who would be in the show the next day at the Araneta Coliseum. Due to some concerns, we waited at the hotel instead of the airport as originally planned. My heart beat faster than ever especially when I saw the two coasters carrying the wrestlers arrive. Then there they went, one after the other, passing by in front of my very eyes. I couldn’t believe that I was just inches away from them — WWE stars that I only watch on TV. WWE Divas Maria, Michelle McCool and Melina with her rumored boyfriend and co-wrestler John Morrison, one by one, passed in front of me. I said hi, saying their names after every hi’s; each of them smiling in return. Then finally, my favorites came in— Chris Jericho, CM Punk and the one I’ve been waiting the most to see — Jeff Hardy. This occasion seemed to be too good to be true that I couldn’t actually believe it really happened. I never thought even in my wildest dreams that I, a WWE diehard fan, would be given this kind of opportunity. Araneta Coliseum, July 10, 2009 – the day of the event. This made my experience more difficult to believe. I could actually watch what is happening right in front of my eyes, actual wrestling matches that I only used to watch on TV. When each of the superstars made their entrance, each of the scheduled fight started and ended, and each of the winners climbed at each side of the ring raising both hands amid cheers and applause, happiness would be an understatement to describe the way I felt. No exact word or set of words could actually fit in to define the burst of emotions I had inside me. Indeed, the whole experience was a Fantasy that became Reality! A surprise I never expected to happen this soon. Yet, it convinced me that dreams do come true, that no star is that far to reach. And I will continue dreaming and believing. As Cinderella once sang, “No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing… The dream that you wish will come true!" Because in life, every “Twist of Fate," may give you a “Batista Bomb" with a “Sweet Chin Music!" – GMANews.TV