Swabeng Thoughts: FHM Autograph Signing of Marian Rivera

Finally! After around 15 months of being away from autograph signings, I was able to attend an FHM Autograph Signing once again. Since I got married, my presence in FHM's monthly event dwindled as my priorities have changed. Family and work are few of the reasons why I have to skip these events. Although I'm still updated on  whose who, its sad that I missed attending them already just like I missed some of my friends who attend this event on a monthly basis. 

As a birthday gift to myself, Last Sunday, I made sure I have time to attend so I could catch up with my friends and meet Marian Rivera in person. By the time I got to Robonson's Galeria at 1:30pm, I was stunned on how long the line was. The signing starts at 6:00pm but I already saw probably more than a hundred people waiting.  I joined the line at around 3:00pm after having lunch but the crowd tripled by that time and my friends were already there.

I never imagined this queue would be this very long. XD

I mean, I've attended autograph signings which we had to fall in a long line but this one really broke records (The previous signing last December 2010 was the longest that I've attended). And by 6:30pm, the autograph signing has begun.


While the event has started, I scouted the stage and we were surprised to see around 10 bouncers ensuring the event would be in order. I mean the queue was pretty much chaotic already as there are some people who try to budge-in the line and only one (staff from FHM) was making sure that the line is in order. For me, 10 bouncers is already an over-kill for this kind of event as they block most of the fans eye view of Marian. I suggest keeping the number of bouncers to a minimum inside the stage and send a few outside. We found out that 5 of them were actually send to protect Marian during the signing but still, its way too much that fans can't seem to interact with her no thanks to their (bouncers) intimidating presence.


Another thing that made the event so crowded is the fact that most people who attend are NOT FHM fans but rather more of Marian's fans. An FHM Autograph Signing is for mature audiences 18 years old and above yet I saw several kids falling in line as well. Not only that, I noticed some old women holding a copy of FHM but obviously not a reader of FHM. I guess people would really find ways just to meet and greet Marian Rivera in person. If its good for FHM (in terms of sales), I'd live with that. XD

This would probably be the best I could do (for now)

With how the stage was lighted, its a little bit hard on how you come-up with a decent picture. I mean I can use flash if I wanted to but I decided not to as my camera itself was pretty heavy (or because its been a long time since I've attended an autograph signing I forgot my settings already XD). I did only a few clicks as the event was really fast-paced to make sure all attendees would be able to see her in person.


Again, with close to a thousand (The most since December 2010) who attended the event, it would be difficult to build rapport with Marian. I remember that the only word she said during the event was "Thank You". I was hoping to have a few chit-chats with her but that didn't happened. I think each one of us spent only close to 30 seconds just to have the magazine signed and have a photo-op with her. That's the price to pay for attending an autograph signing with close to a thousand people. But for me, it didn't matter.

After close to 5 years...Finally XD

After our magazine got signed and had our photo-ops with her, we gather up and went somewhere to unwind and catch-up. For me, its the bond between friends that makes us attend an event like these (plus the fact were a group of photographers as well). By the way, sorry for the crappy shots as I guess I need to go out and attend events again. XD


Should I attend next month's autograph signing? Keep your fingers crossed. XD

FHM Autograph Signing August 2010: Priscilla Meireles

This event was a bit challenging on my part since the signing itself started from 7pm-8pm and I won't be able to leave the office until 7pm. BUT, I did something I haven't done in a long time. Go to the event then go back to the office to log-out. XD

But this requires planning and some luck as there might be some issues that I have to attend to while I'm away. Well luck was on my side and I was able to sneak-out for a couple of hours to attend this event. Together with my friend Alex, We went to Robinson's Galeria to attend the said event. Good thing we were able to get there before the event started.

Then we were able to meet Priscilla in person. Actually, this would be the second time I would meet her since the first time was during UNO's Real Hot 100 party back then in 2008. I still remember how tall and pretty she was back then. Now, she is still the same as she wasback in 2008, only taken by John Estrada. Thank God she posed for FHM first before deciding to settle down for good. I was also able to have my picture taken with her as well as have my magazine signed as well. After the event, I immediately went back to the office to log-off before going home.

I'll try to post some pictures soon. XD

FHM Autograph Signing July 2010: Sam Pinto

After office hours, I immediately pack my stuff and head to Robinson's Galeria to attend the FHM Autograph Signing of Sam Pinto. From there, I was able to meet with some of my friends to have our FHMs signed by no other than Sam Pinto. Since FHM's 100 Sexiest Victory Party is just around the corner, I guess an autograph signing is appropriate especially to those who won't be able to make it.

As an introduction, Samuelle Lynne Acosta Pinto came from a well-off family. Her parents separated when she was young. Her father re-married and has two children with his current wife. Sam and her sister lives with their mother, whose profession is a lawyer.Her older sister is Theresa Rae Pinto. She is also the niece of Vince Pinto, a commercial model in the late 1990s, who represented and place 2nd runner up in the 1997 Manhunt International, the highest Filipino placing by far in the competition.

Sam studied as a fashion design student in De La Salle - College of St. Benilde. Though already at her third year, she stopped schooling to pursue her dream of becoming an actress.

Well enough of that introduction, As I meet her face to face, I was really stunned not only by her height and beauty, but with her captivating smile as well. And I was able to have my picture taken with her and also I was able to take some quick shots of her smile. Indeed, Sam is the Ultimate Girlfriend Material for most bachelors out there.

Here are some of my takes during the autograph signing (Posted: September 4, 2010). XD

Sam with a bottle. XD

Sam holding a pen. XD

Sam with yours truly. XD

Finally, all alone with Sam. XD

FHM Autograph Signing March 2010: Bangs Garcia minus Iwa Moto

Ms. Valerie "Bangs" Garcia

Yesterday, my mind was all-set to attend the autograph signing of FHM's Iwa and Bangs though it was a month late (no thanks to conflicting schedules). Even if our magazine was already sined by Bangs (Iwa should have also signed it no thanks to the bouncers) during the FHM X party, we still attended the event to have our copy also signed by Iwa.

Hours before the event, my friend told me that Iwa wont be able to make it due to sprain. It was even posted in her Facebook account. That made us even more sad but still, we have to attend to catch-up with our friends. I logged-off at 6:02pm to catch the bus going to Robinsons Galeria. It was still rush hour then thats why I got there at around 7:00pm.

The event has already started

As I hurriedly went to the movieworld, I noticed there was no line at sight at the KFC area. For a moment I was thinking that the autograph signing was already finished and people left off. To my surprise, the place was not that filled with people. Its like just a regular autograph signing. I was like, why. We know that both Bangs and Iwa are few of the hottest in the TV screens today that even if one of them is not available, the other would be able to make sure that the crowd was there. I didn't mind at all because I don't have to wait and fall in line just to get a glimpse of Bangs. My camera will be put into a test whether or not the problem in its auto-focus will be fixed. After my turn to have my magazine signed by Bangs and have my photo taken with her, the pictures were quite OK. No signs of oof (out of focus) pictures taken though I still need to practice more on how to position myself to get a good angle.

 Gamely posing for photographers.

What I noticed is that even if the line was too short, the bouncers were still strict up to a point that probably Bangs herself. Also, they (bouncers) dictate on what page could Bangs sign on the magazine. On my case, the bouncer said its only the front cover but I made sure to have the page where she would sign be open. And come on, who needs bouncers if the people who will fall in line to have their FHM's signed are disciplined enough to act in front of other people. I have nothing against them but its better if they stay in clubs where they could be really helpful.

 Happy Fan! XD

After the event, I spend more time with my friends over dinner, exchanging funny stories with what happened with whom before heading home. Even if I am tired the whole day, I went to bed that night smiling knowing that another event has been conquered. XD

Nth Encounter with Cristine Reyes

Yes, this would be the 4th time that we would be meeting Cristine Resyes in person as FHM hosted another autograph signing for her since she was the covergirl for September. It has been 2 years and a month since the last time she graced the cover of FHM and even had 2 autograph signing sessions (I have attended only the first one).

Going there from SM Megamall didn't take us that long being a Sunday. Together with my Fiancee and some of my good friends, we arrived there at around 5:30-5:45pm and we were quite surprised that the line is already long (tailend at KFC). We see some of our good friends already lined-up and ready for the signing. Usually, we used to be always first in line or within the first 10-20 people in front but it did't much matter if we have to wait for a while before our turn. 

While waiting, there were two promo girls giving out samples of Cobra Energy Drink and took some to quench our thirst (Their booth is located near the stage). And we spotted Ryza Cenon adn EB Babe Saida while were in line. Then Sam YG (aka Shivaker) began hosting the event signaling the start of the much awaited autograph signing.

As the autograph signing started, we tried to take some pictures of her while waiting for our turn. And it almost took us an hour before we were able to set foot on their stage. But before that, we were informed by the FHM staff that Cristine will be sign the cover ONLY. Most of us (as well as the autograph signing veterans) were surprised about that policy. Will they bring that old rule back? I hope not because if they do, a lot of people will vent out. Moving forward, I was able to a have a small talk with her and tell her how long we've waited for her to cover again for FHM. I wanted to ask her if it was a special request that she would only sign the cover but I'd rather not ask. I thank her for signing my FHM (another priceless FHM added to my collection), and more importantly, have our picture taken. I looked a bit small in the picture since Cristine was wearing high heels that time. XD

After most of us were done with the signing, we tried to take photos of her once more for a few times before we left the stage. We even saw EIC Allan Madrilejos himself and thank him for getting Cristine to cover once more. Some of us even asked why Robin Padilla did not have an autograph signing. We parted ways after dinner with a smile on our face waiting for the next FHM Autograph Signing. ^_^