Drawn by Dawn

Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Nasa office kami ngayon ni Ma'am Racho. It's been two weeks since the commercial filming, ngayon na rin daw ipapalabas sa telebisyon ang advertisement. Hinihintay lang namin magkaroon ng short break ang news forecast na currently airing para sa mga commercials.

"Ayan na!" Nilakasan ni Ma'am Racho ang volume. Nag-start ang film sa sinabi ng emcee na competition, at ang maraming mga nagpipinta. It was swift, the angles were on-point, and everything looked perfect. A scene flashed where everyone was busy painting. Then I saw my face when the winner was finally annouced! Tapos yong date din namin ni Art ay nailagay sa huling parte.

Namumula ako habang pinapanood ang mga pangyayari sa date. It was really sweet! Hindi ako parang robot gumalaw doon, siguro dahil nakalimutan ko talaga na kailangang um-acting... I was just acting like I normally would. Basta, may chemistry kami! In fairness, akala mo totoo lahat!

Mula sa glass window kung saan sinusubuhan ko si Art ng fries, nag-zoom out ang camera hangga't sa buong Jollibee building ang naipakita, and the video faded away.

Nakangiti si Ma'am Racho sa amin ni Art, halatang masaya sa outcome. Pinatay na rin niya ang TV at humarap sa akin. "Sure ka ba, Dawn? Ayaw mo simulan ang acting career?" Tanong niya sa akin.

Umiling naman ako, "it's not for me... Sa painting po ako naka-focus." I was being honest, actually, the past two weeks, I've been making paintings. I post them on my social media, and I was happy because a lot of people showed interest and wanted to buy. There were also a few who inquired to hire me for a commission.

I was really happy because being with Art has made me shine bright. Nakilala ako dahil naging nobya niya ako, pero hindi pa rin maikakaila talaga na may sarili rin akong kakayahan kaya nananatili pa rin ang pagtingin sa akin ng madla. Basta, he gave me opportunities and I will forever be grateful.

Nagulat din ako noong matanggap ko ang paycheck ko just from that commercial. Umabot ng six digits! Parang isang taong pag-iipon ko na iyon at pagtitipid sa sarili. This industry is really something. But my heart was elsewhere, I wanted to paint... I wanted to earn through my true passion. Iba pa rin talaga ang happiness kapag gusto mo ang ginagawa mo.

Nag-ring ang phone ko at nakita ko ang personal chat nina Carl at Earl sa akin.

Carlospein Singson: Nag-Manila lang naging artista na!

May picture pa siyang sinend ng commercial kung saan naroon ako with Art! Umiling na lang ako at nag-reply.

Me: di mo kaya 🐵

Sumunod naman si Earl.

Earl Dwayne Alcantara: Naol famous >//< pa-autograph po tita

Me: who you?

Natawa na lang ako sa dalawa at nakisakay ako sa trip nila. Wala naman akong sinasabi sa kanila, pero mukhang napanood nila sa TV or sa internet.

We were about to excuse ourselves when Ma'am Racho received a call. Hinintay na lang namin ni Art na matapos siya sa kausap.

"Um, yes? Oh... Yes, they're here." She said while talking to someone over the phone, "brand ambassador?" Kumunot ang noo niya, "hmm, both of them? I see... I'll get back to you later." Binaba niya ang tawag at tumingin sa amin ni Art habang nakangiti.

"They want to make it official, maganda ang rating ng commercial... Viral din agad sa Facebook." She showed me Jollibee's post, iyon ang actual commercial film namin, it was just posted an hour ago but the engagement is already high. Marami pa ang comments, she scrolled through it. And it's mostly positive.

John Mike: Bagay. May chemistry!

Francine Reyes: Ang ganda ng babae at ang gawa niya. <3

Clarisse Mae: Nice. 👍🏻