By Abner Galino
Ernesto Paras Jr., a Filipino-American physical therapist, of Mississippi, rolls the giant wheel for the jackpot during his chance at “The Price is Right.”
A 39-year-old Filipino from Mississippi turned into an instant celebrity after appearing in a popular TV game show “The Price is Right” and winning about $8,600 worth of giveaways from the show.
Ernesto Paras Jr., a physical therapist, has been in the local newspapers, local TV and radio stations in Greenville, Mississippi.
“I am enjoying all the attention, I know this is going to fade away soon,” Paras jested during the phone interview.
But his delight, Paras said, isn’t all about the unexpected popularity but as well as to the chance to promote the Philippines.
“Doon mismo sa show, dalawang beses kong binanggit ang Philippines. I am really proud talaga to let everyone know that a Filipino made it to the show,” Paras recalled.
It was Paras fifth try to get into the game show.
The episode that included Paras was taped on July 20, 2016 and was aired on October 4, 2016.
Fortunately, Paras was chosen to be part of the nine persons who would compete on that day.
“It wasn’t easy. Kasi even if you’re holding a priority ticket, it doesn’t mean na maglalaro ka na. You have to fight for a slot to play. You have impress the interviewer while lined up,” Paras recalled.
According to him, after getting a slot to play, he had to keep his energy up to make sure that he would be called up the stage to play.
Paras was the last of the nine contestants to be called up the stage.
Ernesto Paras Jr., a Filipino-American physical therapist, of Mississippi, rolls the giant wheel for the jackpot during his chance at “The Price is Right.”
“But I was really confident when I walked up the stage. Kasi nag-review talaga ako,” Paras said.
Interestingly, Paras did not actually hear “Come on down,” the show’s popular catchphrase, when his name was called. Only the studio audience heard show host Drew Carey yelled that catchphrase.
“Actually, hindi mo rin maririnig ‘yung pangalan mo. You’ll see your name from an idiot board,” Paras disclosed.
Paras had one chance to bid and got it right. Unfortunately, he didn’t get lucky when he spun the show’s large wheel and failed to qualify for the “Showcase Showdown,” the final segment of the game show.
“Pero OK lang. That was a once-in-lifetime experience. I am happy already,” Paras concluded.
Paras Jr. won a Zuo Mod cave coffee table with four matching stools, a billiards table, a Razer laptop and an Epson Wireless inkjet printer.
Paras has been a longtime fan of the show even when it was still being hosted by Bob Barker who retired in 2007. It turned out, Paras had also appeared in some TV game shows in the Philippines before he left the country 11 years ago.
In 2001, Paras twice appeared at “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” and won a combined prize of P70,000. He won another P75,000 playing the Philippine version of “Wheel of Fortune.” He was at the “Game Ka Na Ba?” and successfully made it to the “face-off” portion. He won P10,000.
He competed for the “The Weakest Link” and also managed to get to the “face-off” portion of the said game show. He didn’t win any money though.
The Price is Right is one of the longest-running American TV game shows. It revolves around contestants competing to “name” the accurate pricing of merchandise to win cash and prizes. The program premiered on September 4, 1972 on CBS. Bob Barker was its host from the show’s1972 debut until his retirement in June 2007.