La Puerto #1: Along with the Sun

Kabanata 28

Kabanata 28
Owner

MANILA Philippines - Aditya Solenn Lozano also known as Adi Ramirez made history as the First Filipino model to walk in the Adore Me Fashion Show.

Lingerie brand Adore Me hosted its New York Fashion Week in December. The show is broadcast in more than 190 countries with models from 20 countries and the Filipina model was chosen to represent her region.

The former child actress is unequivocally making history by bringing more diversity to the runway. Filipinos also stated that it wouldn't be hard to cast her to be Victoria's Secret Angels. As she breaks down barriers for Southeast Asian models, it also stepping stone for more Filipina models to walk on the international runaway.

While Solenn was living her dream of announcing the good news, several commenters spoke out and gave backlash to the model. Nevertheless, she's thankful for the support and she isn't letting the judgment get her down.

"Regardless of who you are, people will always have an opinion of you," she said, just hours before the Adore Me Fashion Show started. "Just live your life and do what your heart desires. They don't know what you've been through to get those dreams... just keep on going!" a model said who is fighting for representation for all of us.

I smiled when I read one of the best articles so far about the show. I closed my phone immediately when I heard Vi's voice calling and screaming my name.

"Babe! I'm so happy for you!" Naiiyak na sambit ni Vi habang may dala-dala bouquet of white flowers para saakin.

Tapos na ang fashion show pero usap-usapan pa rin daw ito sa Pilipinas. Sabog na sabog ang notification ko sa lahat ng social media na hindi ko nakita ang message ni Vi sa pagpunta niya sa New York para saakin.

"Thank you Vi! And i'm really sorry!" Niyakap ko ang kaibigan habang siya at patalon talon pa dahil sa sobrang saya. Sinundo ko na lang siya sa airport.

"I know that you're busy! Isa pa, vacation ko na rin kaya dito talaga ang punta ko! Alam mo naman kailangan ko mahalin ang New York para sa'yo!"

Natawa ako sa sinabi niya at napailing. Kapag may bakasyon si Vi ay palagi siyang pumupunta sa New York para bisitahin ako.

Doon lang ako nagkakaroon ng panahon na maglaboy sa New York. Hindi na kasi namin magawa 'yon ni Riva dahil bukod sa hectic ang schedule palagi, pinag papahinga na lang namin.

"You should rest, Vi. I'll just need to meet some journalist for the interview." Malaki pa rin ang ngiti nya bago ako yinakap ng mahigpit.

"I'm so proud of you! Really! Surely, tito is prouder than anyone else!"

Hindi ako mabilis maiyak pero hindi ko mapigilan maluha sa sinabi ng kaibigan. I'm sure he did.

I met some journalists that flew to New York just to have an exclusive interview for me. Everyone was really curious about my life now that some information and question was kinda out of hand.

"According to our source, you were a good friend of the actor Keanu Bartolome?" Usisa ng journalist sa isang largest broadsheet newspaper in the Philippines.

Isa siya sa mga inanyayahan ko mag interview sakin dahil mas pakiramdam ko ay professional at credible.

"Yes, Keanu was my friend back then." Tumango ako at ngumiti sakaniya.

Keanu and I are okay. Hindi na ganon nag-uusap pero kahit papano ay nag-uusap kapag may pagkakataon.

"Hmm, really? But he said from his recent interview that you are his ideal girl. What can you say about that?" Usisa niya at tila ba may gustong hulihin saakin.