Our Sanctuary

Part 1: Celebrity

"Zyrea look over here!"
"Zyrea here!"
"Beautiful, smile!"

As I got down from my car, all the cameras focused on me. I smiled as the flash of each camera clicked to take a picture of me.

I walked my way on the red carpet that led me inside the venue. I was invited to an opening of a movie festival here in our place where one of my movies are included on the film showing.

Hi, I am Zyrea Laviana, a famous actress and model.

When I was young, mom already got me into a modeling company. She told me kasi na sayang daw ang itsura ko kung hindi madi-discover. Kahit na ayaw ko noon sa modeling, I did everything just to make my mother proud. Pangarap kong maging pediatrician pero inuna ko ang kapakanan ng mommy ko kaya I set aside my own passion. My mother raised me alone, iniwan na kami ng dad ko bata pa lamang ako due to a heart disease. Simula noon, sinabi ko sa sarili ko na I'll do everything just to make my mom happy. Kaya kahit napilitan ako, I continued modeling at hindi rin nag tagal ay I got into acting also.

After the event, I went on my house to rest. Maya-maya pa ay tumawag na sa akin ang manager ko just to tell me that I have a hectic schedule tomorrow so I need to sleep early. Well, I don't have a choice kasi pagod na rin naman ako so after taking a shower, I already threw myself on my bed.

I woke up and got ready for a heavy day. Alam kong madami akong aasikasuhin ngayon especially sa movie na gagawin namin.

I actually decided na ito na ang magiging last project ko sa film industry. I had enough of this acting shit. Mayroon pa naman akong modeling career and I saved up enough money to go to med school. Pangarap kong maging pediatrician kaso inuna ko ang career ko as an actress and a model.

I never liked acting especially sa company na pinagta-trabahuhan ko. They always invalidate their staffs and artists. They do discrimination and never treated anyone fairly.

When I got into the studio, everyone is waiting for me and I got shocked because my manager told me that the movie that we're about to make has been revised.

"Pero akala ko that's final na. What happened?" kunot-noo kong tanong sa kanila.

"Well, may mga nabago si direc sa flow ng kwento. It'll be much better para sa movie."

"Anong nabago?"

"You will be given a lot of matured scenes, Zy."

I was stunned. "B-But, alam niyong hindi ako comfortable sa mga ganyang scenarios, right? I don't want people to watch me as a bad influence. Madaming tao ang hindi sang-ayon sa mga ganyan 'diba? At isa pa, makakasira yan sa image ko. "

"Sorry Zy, but this is final na raw e."

"No! I won't do this." I turned around, and was about to leave the studio when mom walked in.

"Oh anak, where are you going?"

"I won't do this project, mom. This is insane, dignidad ko ang nakasalalay dito."

"H-Huh? But it'll be a hit for the people, anak."

I can't believe my mom would say that. She cares about other people, pero paano ako?

"Mom... Naririnig mo ba sarili mo? Really?"

She held my hand and looked at me in the eye. "Zy look, once na ma-release itong project na to, you'll receive a lot of money. There will be more opportunities for you."

Umiling ako, "Money? Seryoso? Para lang sa pera?" I laughed sarcastically, "There's no way I'll accept this project. I don't care kung mawalan ako ng pera and opportunities. I won't sacrifice my dignity for this."

And then I left the studio and went into a garden.