My Experience As A Coliseum Announcer

Watching sports program—most especially basketball—is considered as one of the pasttimes of everybody here in the Philippines. Being a basketball aficionado, you are penchant to each team's standing, statistics, drafts, new roster of players, etc.Even kids under 9 years can enumerate players within their bet teams including coach, assistant coaches.


Presenting this kind of coverage to the public looks like very easy. Philippine Basketball Association can be the best example of this quality sports program. It has become the culture of some Filipinos to watch this spectacular program. Behind this coverage is a pool of hardworking staffs who work enthusiastically to deliver the quality program to the Philippine viewers.From the committee that includes statistician, referees, barker etc. to the Board, they work hard to make it more meaningful and interesting each and every game they undertake.

The Author and Coach Yeng Guiao

Way back in 2005, I was given a chance to be a proud stadium and coliseum announcer of the Philipppine Basketball Association. It started when I was applying for a job in call centers in Makati City. Actually, it was a blessing in disguise when I went into a wrong building—not knowing that the building that I came across was the headquarters of the corporate and sports affairs of ABC Channel 5 (former name of TV5). When I approached someone there to apply for any job vacancy available therein, he then asked me that PBA had been looking for a barker. Sensing that this offer might be the wrong job I expect, I immediately clarified to him the job description of "barker."To my surprise, it is the coliseum announcer or stadium announcer that I have been dreaming of ever since. I contacted the person in-charge for the job and he immediately responded and requested me to drop by the Philippine Sports Complex (ULTRA) in Pasig City for the simulation. Luckily, I passed the said simulation. The person in-charge told me that many applicants applied for the said job but they were declined because of dialectal accent, adding that only a handful of applicants passed this tough job.Given such a rare opportunity, I considered it as a privilege. Subsequently, I was scheduled to observe and even test my pitch in Araneta Coliseum together with another applicant. During the game, we seated at the back of the committee to observe the game, the play, and to be familiarized with the players. I have learned that even if there is a statistician within the committee, the barker still tallies

Committee Table At The House Of Representatives

individual fouls and team fouls for the sole purpose of announcing it. Because of the fast-paced proceeding, you cannot disturb the statistician or request personal fouls and team fouls tally. Pressure from the coaching staffs await you, when you are at the center of the committee. You have to be visibly sharp in the hand gestures from the referees every after foul or violation. If not, then this job is not suited for you and leave it to your dreams only. You can easily replace other staff from the committee but not the barker.

As a tyro stadium announcer then, i could not cheat imperfections considering the hullabaloo from the crowd and the coaching staffs especially during crucial situation. I admit that I committed gaffe just like other barker or stadium announcer. Even PBA commentators agreed to this type of blunder during crucial moments. The most exciting moment as a PBA barker is the introduction and announcement of the teams and their first five when the crowd cheers wildly as if you were an instant celebrity in the coliseum. Everytime I announced for a violation etc., the crowd cheerfully responded either in positive or negative way. For me, moonlighting to this kind of vocation is one of the best jobs ever to earn moola and experience in the Philippines.

Miriam College Pep Squad