COME BACK TO ME, SLAVEN | #Wattys2019

Chapter 11 - We just lost our only winner

"W-Why?" tanong ng lalaking Korean. "You are so lucky to be given this chance to work with Slaven. Aren't you happy or at least proud about this?"

"I could've been. But I didn't worked for this. I cannot take something I didn't even rightfully earned. It would be unfair for those who worked hard to make the video and join the contest, if I will get the prize for something I didn't vie for. Just give it to someone who deserves the prize. I'm really sorry."

"We could, if it was that easy. Slaven practically gave us a hard time. He rejected every video we have, pending for his approval. We almost lose hope when your video came. He liked your video. For what is in your video that he liked, we couldn't quite figure out. But surely, he didn't find that in any other videos he had checked. It was only your video Miss Ella that has pass Slaven's standards."

Mukhang binobola pa ata siya ng isa'ng ito. Ano naman'g meron sa kanta niya? She just sang the song as she understands it. Mali-mali pa ang lyrics niya.

"Baka iniisip mo'ng binobola ka lang namin Ella. But from a Filipina who cares for a fellow Filipina, I'd vouch my life, sampu ng mga kuko ko sa paa, it's the truth. If you only knew what we've been through to find the perfect video. But everytime we pass a video for Slaven's final approval, he rejected them all. We were about to close the contest and just pick someone else to do the single with Slaven.

Then I discovered your video through our official Youtube channel. Ang sabi ko pa nga ' Ito na, Filipina ito. Sigurado'ng ito na nga.'

I always believed in our fellow countrymen's talent, especially in singing. We wouldn't win international singing contests if we don't have the talent and the 'heart' to sing. I was so proud when everybody in the team agreed with me that you really are the one we were looking for. Much to our surprise and happiness, Slaven finds interest in you the way he didn't have with the others.

Hindi kami magpapakahirap ng ganito sa paghahanap sa'yo at pagpunta dito sa Pilipinas personally if we are unsure of you. Madaling makahanap ng maganda at talented na singer sa Korea mismo kung gugustuhin ng production. But we can't. simply because you are the only one Slaven approved of." Mukha naman'g sinsero ang kababayan niya sa sinasabi nito. Pero kahit paniwalaan niya ito, ano naman'g mapapala niya?

"Think about the cash, of course, plus the chance to relax and have some time for yourself, experience Korea, everything free. This is also a once in a lifetime chance for you to be discovered. With your talent, and the exposure this will give you, who knows? Someone will be interested in grooming you to be a 'star'. Don't you want to be famous?" 'Koreans, they don't understand some people's principle.' She silently muttered.

"No. Not really." She admitted. "I'm contented with what I have right now. Being simply Ella. I'm contented singing in the showers. It was a mistake in the first place that someone had the guts to enter that video in the contest." Pagpapatama niya kay Angeline. "I can't sing in front of a large crowd, unfamiliar crowds, to be exact. I used to sing for my alma mater during school programs but that's about that. I didn't even dream of pursuing a career in singing, so, it's really a...." She tried finding the right word to describe it. "a shock to me that I'm choosen to be a part of this." She continued. They were silent for a moment.

"Have you seen your video Ella?" bigla'y tanong ni Mr. Dong.