Chapter 19
"And it's... done!" Richardson, the Tech club member we asked for help, pressed the export button and the video began processing. Lumingon ito sa akin at itinaas ang palad, nanghihingi ng high five. Ganoon rin ang ginawa niya kay Ate Trisha na ngayon ay tumitili na dahil makikita na namin ang final cut.
We simultaneously clashed our palms with his as I looked at the laptop again. Damn, we're finally done editing!
The past two weeks have been projected to editing. Most of the production team went back to attend classes while Ate Trisha and I focused on this. As tiring as it can be for me, for Richardson, and for Ate Trisha, it doesn't matter. Ngayon, we're three days early before the deadline for passing the entry.
Mabilis akong nag-tipa ng isang mensahe para sa isang tao.
To: Zibon
It's exporting!
Hindi ako nakatanggap ng reply. Sa halip, isang tawag ang nag-pop up sa phone ko. I excused myself to go out to take the call. Bago pa ako lumabas ng SBM ay pinindot ko na ang answer button.
"Hello..." It was a prolonged yet happy tone when he greeted me.
Pinihit ko ang pinto at lumabas. Umangat ang mga mata ko sa second floor ng senior high school building. I can see him leaning on the railing with one hand and holding on to his crutch with the other.
"It's almost done," I said, eyes straight to him. "My first ever film."
Hindi ko man maklaro mula sa layo ko pero alam kong ngumiti ito dahil narinig kong maliit itong napabuga ng hininga sa ilong, animo'y isang mahinang tawa. "I'm happy for you," natutuwa niyang sambit. "I can't wait to watch it." Sa direksyon ko siya nakaharap.
Maraming mga nagsisi-labasang mga estudyante mula sa kani-kanilang mga classroom dahil recess time na. Nagkakalat na rin ang ilang mga estudyante sa hallway ng bawat floor ng senior high school building.
"You all can watch it on my birthday," untag ko dito dahil iyon rin 'yong araw ng film festival.
"Wala ba akong special pass? Can't I watch it early? Hindi ba pwede ang main lead voucher ko?" he childishly asked. Nalukot ang mukha ko sa narinig na tono at napatawa ng mahina. What is he playing?
"No. Sabay-sabay kayong manonood lahat," pag-tukoy ko sa mga tao sa paaralan.
"But I want to watch it with you."
My heart thumped. Here's this little organ again, in a rampage. Mabubuo na sana ang ngiti sa labi ko nang may narinig akong boses ng babae at nakitang may tumabi sa kanya. Hindi na natuloy.
"Libre kita, Bonifacio!"
Bonifacio? May tumatawag sa kanya ng ganyan?
BINABASA MO ANG
Written On A Canvas
General FictionThe aspiration to become a filmmaker began for Isaiah Lavidar when his parents took him on a film-set tour for his eighth birthday. The moment he saw the camera crew, production staff, lighting and sound technicians, and most importantly, the direct...
