Nick-tastic dreams do come true
MANILA, Philippines - If dreams were mxulti-colored, then Mica Magsanoc’s dreams would mostly be in vivid orange and green. This bubbly 10-year-old girl dreamt big — to be able to witness this year’s Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards live in Los Angeles, USA — and she got it!
“I am definitely familiar with the Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards. I’ve watched KCAs since 2008,” Mica gushes, still overwhelmed by the experience. After all, she didn’t merely watch the show live at the Galen Center at USC in Los Angeles; she was at the famous Orange Carpet covering the star-studded event!
It all started when Mica and sisters Monica and Maysa saw the “Nick Reporter Hunt” promo flashed onscreen. The contest rules were simple: a Nickster should do a 60-seconder catchy video of himself/herself and explain why he/she should be chosen. They found out that the deadline for submission of videos was on that very same day. However, nothing could get Mica off her dream. And because her interests include dancing, writing songs and stories, making the winning video (inspired by her favorite Nickelodeon show iCarly) was a breeze.
“I wasn’t afraid to show my wacky personality and did crazy, hilarious stuff like dance Thriller and act out the You Belong With Me music video of Taylor Swift,” she recalls. “The concept showed the five reasons why I should be the winner in a funny way that was meant to make people laugh.”
Mica was ecstatic to learn that she won. With much excitement, she and her mother Gina flew to the USA with $1,000 in pocket money from Nickelodeon and was billeted at The Standard Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles as part of her prize.
On the first day, Mica got to tour Nickelodeon Animation Studios and meet creators and producers of hit shows SpongeBob SquarePants, Fanboy & Chum Chum and Penguins of Madagascar. After a day of touring and interviewing, Mica attended the welcome party at the studio grounds where she got to play games, have an animator draw her chosen picture, and enjoy all the characters that came out.
Then, Mica went around Los Angeles to see some sights. She also got to go to Galen Theater, the show’s venue, where the awards show will happen the next day. She saw behind-the-scenes and the preparations being done for the event On the third day was the awards show and Mica found herself right at the 2011 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards’ Orange Carpet, with her camera, her autograph book, and extra clothes (“Just in case I get slimed!”). She was accompanied by her mom, and representatives from Nickelodeon including Ana Pulido, country manager of Nickelodeon Philippines.
“We launched the Nick Reporter Hunt about three months ago to give Pinoy Nicksters a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see their favorite Hollywood stars and be part of the biggest awards show for kids in the planet! Mica’s entry was Nick-ified, nifty, smart and snappy, so we chose her,” Pulido says.
Mica saw Hollywood stars who sashayed down the Orange carpet, high-five them, and even talked to some of her favorite celebrities. “From where I was sitting, I was able to see stars like Victoria Justice and the rest of the Victorious cast, the boys from Big Time Rush, Selena Gomez, Debby Ryan, Jeanette McCurdy, Nathan Kress, Rico Rodriguez, Snoop Dogg, Train, Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler and many more!” Mica gushed. She also saw Russel Brand getting slimed unexpectedly by the kids sitting in the front row and witnessed the live performances by Big Time Rush, The Black Eyed Peas, and Willow Smith. Mica was amused about the arm farting competition between Kevin James, Kaley Cuoco, and winner Josh Duhamel!. “It was altogether gross, cool and crazy!” she said.
When the day was done, klieg lights were off, the show was over and the fun and frenzy had died down, Mica realized all the lessons learned.
“It just goes to show that if one has enough determination, passion and perseverance, one can achieve anything.” Mica hopes that her journey inspires every Nickster to go for their goal, no matter how difficult it might seem. “Never give up and always follow your dreams! You’ll never know where they’ll take you,” she says.
“Thank you so much, Nickelodeon. Thank you for giving me an amazing opportunity to live out my dream!” Mica adds.
