Meeting with the Big Man

I wrote this article fews months ago, and today I got the nerve to publish this on my blog.Direk Lauren is really my super crush of all time that's why when I knew that I'll be interviewing him for the launching of PBB Teen edition I was quite hesitant because I'm afraid that I cannot handle myself the way a media practitioner should project herself to her interviewee . Weird me.

During the interview I really can't stare at him , I have to pretend that I'm writing something, even though I'm just doodling in my notes. Com'on he really is cute.

Below is the article I wrote for our newspaper. Here goes nothing....

He directed the hit TV soap Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay which topbills Lorna Tolentino , John Estrada and Jean Garcia, identified in his box office romance movie All My Life starred by Kristine Hermosa and Aga Muhlach and Now That I Have You of Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz. But Director Laurenti Dyogi is best known in the hit Reality TV show Pinoy Big Brother.

The PBB concept ,is to put 13 complete strangers in one house for one hundred days. The show will not present real emotions of real people but also make them famous. Big Winner Nene Tamayo, didn’t only get the fame she wanted, she was also part in TV Patrol segment. Currently PBB airs its Celebrity Edition and this summer Teen Edition will replace it.

Lauren admitted that the edition for the teens will be hard, knowing that he will not be around because of a movie project. “ Mawawala ako sa Teen Edition, my only contribution to this one is to supervise them and do the audition nationwide”, Dyogi shares .

According to Lauren, as of this time , though they haven’t talk about the activities to be done by the teen housemates that will last for 6 weeks, he assures PBB is there to guard their safety knowing that they are still minors.

He added,” Iba ang furnishing sa bahay dito sa teen edition but the major renovation will be on the second season which will start on August, we will be leasing a lot near the PBB House para mas malapad yung lugar for their physical challenges.”

More than 5,000 teenagers have auditioned at the NCCC Mall, hoping to be part of the number 1 reality show. “ Wala kaming quota dito sa Davao, but we hope that may makuha kahit isang representative dito” Lauren says.

Direk Lauren shares more about Pinoy Big Brother:

Is there any criteria in choosing your housemates?

Direk Lauren: It’s more on gut-feel , sa dami na rin ng mga auditions that I handle, may experience na rin ako sa pagpili. Walang criteria, pero kailangan iba-iba and ugali nila.

What will be the format of the Teen Edition?

Direk Lauren: It’s basically a summer camp for them, there will be activities for their self-improvement.

Is it true that this Teen Edition will replace the SCQ(Star Circle Quest) teen Search ?

Direk Lauren: Wala namang ganung idea, I think may SCQ kids this year, but there will be no SCQ Teens this summer.

What can you say about allegations that your show is scripted?

Direk Lauren: It’s their perception ,mahirap kasing makipag-argue sa perception . Yung nangyari kay Rustom, sinabi nila scripted din daw yung butterfly, paano mo naman madi-direct and butterly, na dumapo sa hita?. It was a magical moment for us.

About Rustom’s revelation , is it scripted?

Direk Lauren: It may be scripted for Rustom, because matagal na niyang plano ito, we just assume that time, he wanted to open up.

What’s the difference between the First Season and the Celebrity Edition?

Direck Lauren: Dito kasi sa Celebrity Edition, yung mga housemates dahil mga artista, mas-guarded sila because they have more to loose.

Are you the voice of Big Brother?

Direk Lauren: If I’m the voice, knowing that I’m here doing the audition for the Teen Edition

who’s inside right now talking to the housemates ?I got tired of denying it.

Will you reveal, who Big Brother is?

Direk Lauren: No because that will be part of the mystery at dito lang sa bansa natin, nabuhay ang cahracter ni Big Brother, sa ibang bansa, pwedeng kahit sino si Big Brother pwedeng babae and boses.

Do you have any projects this year aside PBB?

Direk Lauren: I have a Sharon-Aga movie, this will be shot from May –June, kaya mawawala ako sa Teen Edition.

Which do you like best working in movie or in TV like PBB?

Direk Lauren: Iba ang fulfillment ng Big Brother, iba din and fulfillment ng narrative story telling.

Does Big Brother still sleep?

Direk Lauren: Oo naman.Mga 3AM, natutulog na siya.

After this interview I had the chance to see him once again, another interview for the launching of Pinoy Dream Academy. Hahahay. God is good!