Just like Charo Santos-Concio, Angelique Lazo, Ces Drilon, Korina Sanchez et al, Nikki Valdez laments the demolition of the iconic ABS-CBN transmitter tower along St. Esguerra in Quezon City.
The taking apart of the tower is part of the plans of Ayala Land to construct a new edifice right in the property site it had bought from the Lopezes.
The towering transmitter, soon to be demolished, has been evoking memories, sweet or sour, among ABS-CBN stars, executives, creatives, news people, production staff and their ilk.
Many Kapamilya members, past and present, were at the site to commemorate the significance of the tower in their lives and careers.
Nikki, for one, reminisced her experiences especially when she was just starting in the field.
Here's Valdez's recollection of her emotional connection to the tower and how it shaped not only her professional career but her personal life.
Nikki was a resident of San Pedro City when she dreamed of belonging to a Kapamilya stable of talents.
At the time, she had no car yet.
She just took a BBL Transit or South City Transport or N. De La Rosa bus going to the big city and back to Pacita in San Pedro.
We are reprinting Nikki's thoughts on her struggles just to build a name for herself.
"ONE LAST TIME.
"While trying to find this photo (the picture on this page), I was surprised to see that this was taken exactly 5 years ago (well, almost, kasi date of this photo is July 10, 2020).
"ITO YUNG ILAN SA MGA DI KO MAKAKALIMUTAN (THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE MEMORIES I WILL TREASURE):
"Dito mismo sa entrance na ito kami ng Mommy ko binababa ng (Right at this entrance where my Mom and I were dropped off by the) taxi driver.
"Sa 2nd floor lobby ako tinigil ni Mr. M para pakantahin. Diko alam audition ko na pala yun and after, pinapirma niya ako agad ng kontrata (It was in the 2nd floor lobby that Mr. M held me to sing. I didn't know it was already an audition. After that, he immediately signed me up).
"Sa Dolphy Theater naman unang pinresent ang Star Circle Batch 4 sa production (It was here when the Star Circle Batch 4 was presented to the production).
"Pag late ako natapos sa taping, either sa dressing room 1 or 2 kami matutulog ni Mommy tapos sa shower area sa may lumang cashier ako maliligo para sa susunod na taping day ko nanaman. Wala kasi kaming car para mag uwian na biyahe (Whenever I finished late taping, my mother and I would sleep in either dressing rooms. I took a shower in the bathroom near the old cashier's office for my next taping that day. We didn't have a car to get us to San Pedro, Laguna where I lived).
"Pag break time, tambay kami sa canteen noon and I remember looking forward to free yema pag magbabayad ka na ng order mo (During breaktime, we hang around the canteen and looked forward to a free yema when we were about to pay our orders).
"Too many memories to mention and relationships made that will forever be part of me.
"Today, I bid goodbye to this landmark that is a symbol of dreams that turned into reality and a witness to so many battles fought, but this part of ABS-CBN is MY HOME and will FOREVER be."
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