When We Happened

Chapter 14: Instagram Game

Chapter 14

Instagram Game

It's Monday and I have to go to work so fucking early.

I left Yap's condo at 5 AM and went straight to the set of my new campaign photoshoot. Mabuti na lang at dinala ko na 'yung gamit ko at may pagkain sa set. At tubig! I feel like I'm still hungover from the party we went to two nights ago.

Good luck na lang sa hair and make-up artists na mag-aayos sa akin for today's shoot.

Good luck talaga. I look like I went through it.

I look like fucking hell.

"Hey."

Napatalon ako sa gulat nang biglang may tumabi sa akin at kumaup. Nang tignan ko sino ito ay bahagya akong napaatras sa gulat.

"Uhh... Hi," bati ko kay Jeric.

"This is kinda awkward," natatawang sabi nito matapos mag lapag ng takeout coffee cup at bagel sa harapan ko. From Starbucks. Shit.

"You bet," natatawa kong sagot sa kanya. "Thanks for these."

Aba, masama ang tumanggi sa grasya, diba?

"Asher, I just want to apologize about what happened at the Andersen go-see," panimula ni Jeric. "You didn't deserve that, nobody ever deserves that kind of treatment."

I shrugged at him. "Hindi mo kailangan mag-sorry sa akin, hindi naman ikaw 'yung namahiya sa akin doon."

I heard him sigh. "Yeah, but I could've done better."

"You could've, yes. But you're just the face of their brand, you don't own it." I took a bite into my bagel. Wow, this is good.

"True."

Wala naman nang kaso sa akin si Jeric. He was just there as a talent. Hindi naman niya pagmamay-ari ang Andersen. Hindi rin naman siya naging rude sa akin. But he was right, he could've done better too. Or not. Whatever.

Tapos na 'yun. Ayoko na problemahin.

I looked back at him and put him out of his misery. "So what do you think will happen in this shoot? Any tips for the newbie?" I asked, accepting his olive branch.

If I want to last and thrive in this industry, it wouldn't hurt to have friends that know their shit.

***

My second go-see with Jeric was a lot more fun. I also learned a lot from him. Oo, marami na akong natutunan under the TMA's modeling and fashion industry crash course. Pero iba pa rin talaga kapag sa mismong bihasang modelo ka natututo.

He's very kind and patient. Professional, too.

I never caught any pervert vibes from him. He's very respectful and polite.

He's nice.

I really learned a lot by simply watching him move and project in front of the camera. He even gave me tips! Nag-practice din kami sa harap ng mirrors and even on my front camera. Yes, meron kaming sandamakmak na selfies together sa phone ko!

May favorite tip pa nga ako from Jeric. Sobrang simple lang kasi pero 'yun yung naging pinaka-effective para sa akin.

Think of the very thing that you crave at the moment. Let the hunger show in your eyes.

So I did that. Kahit na beachwear and mino-model namin, I was thinking about a quarter-pounder burger. For some reason, they liked the results! Nagtawanan kaming lahat noong sinabi kong gutom lang talaga ang inspiration ko at gusto ko na matapos agad ang shoot namin para makakain ng burger.