Lowkey

12

"Hi Ms. Asteria, I'm Ezekiel Mendoza, the Director of Talent Resources. It's nice meeting you." Kabalik ko kung san kami naka-upo ay saktong dumating si Mr. Mendoza. I shook his hand and got inside the elevator.

We went inside the meeting room and started to talk about the contract.

"To be honest, we're really worried if you would meet us. As our company is not that known within the music industry." I leaned back against the chair and drank the juice they provided us.

"If you want, can, and allow us, we can broaden your field." Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya dahil hindi ko naisip na mag acting but I can say that it's feasible.

"Asteria can act. She also auditioned in different films but some unfortunate events happened." Sabi ni Ate Thea. "Wow. Then you really have the potential Ms. Asteria." He clapped and slid the contract in front of us. He gestured to us to read the papers so I did.

"Uunahan na kita, here in Sirius we don't really meddle with the private lives of our artists, we do not care if you have a boyfriend but we hope that if you can, make it private and lowkey." Napansin niya siguro nastuck ako sa first page at ang laman lang naman ng page na ito ay about sa private life ng artist nila.

Tumango-tango ako sa sinabi niya at lumipat sa second page.

"Our contract is just basically saying that we would do our best to represent you. We would handle all of your issues and all. Also, if you want you can keep your manager with you." Ngumiti ako sa sinabi niya at tiningnan si Ate Thea.

"We also you and your interests first before anything else." Sa mga sinasabi niya ay unti unti na nagiging klaro ang pag-iisip ko.

Lumaki ang mata ko sa nabasa ko sa ilalim ng papel, 40,000$ ang base salary ko. Napalunok ako sa kaba at sa tuwa.

"I think the salary is too high?" Tanong ko kay Ezekiel. Medyo nanginginig ako sa nababasa ko.

"I think Ms. Asteria you're selling yourself and your influence short. Masasabi natin na you still don't have a strong base here in the Philippines pero nakakatakot ang impluwensiya mo sa America. Natatakot kami na pakawalan ka pa HHAHAHAHAHA." With what I experienced in Damvi ay medyo bumaba ang self-confidence ko sa sarili ko pero dahil sa sinabi niya ay tumaas ulit ito.

"That's just your base salary. All of the royalties and commission you would get with your music, ang magiging hatian natin ay 80-20. The 80% is yours at sa amin ang 20%. You don't have to give us your samples because that's yours. However, syempre kailangan munang dumaan sa amin at sa ibang departamento ang mga kantang irerelease mo." Sa mga sinasabi niya ay gusto ko nalang kunin ang ballpen at pirmahan na agad ang kontrata na ito.

Naka-abot ako sa pang-apat na pahina at wala akong nakitang mali pero ang mga nakita ko ay mga nakakagulantang na mga benefits ko.

"We hope you know how we treasure you and how we badly want you to sign with us." Nginitian ko siya at tiningnan si Ate Thea. "It's your choice, Asteria. Kung san ka ay dun din ako." Ate Thea assured me.