Last Shot at Love

CHAPTER SIX

MAKI LOPEZ

I was scrolling down google about Mj. Madalas kasing nagbabasa lang ako ng balita tungkol sa kanya kapag wala kami time masyado ni Alex para magkwentuhan. I clicked the link to her interview with Ellen Degeneres when she was hailed as the queen of fashion and portrait photography by Time Magazine. I decided to watch it since wala namang bagong balita about her at hindi ko pa rin naman ito nakikita.

"Welcome to the Ellen Show, Mj Ross!" Ellen kissed her cheek.

"Thank you for having me here, Ellen." She smiled at Ellen as she was asked to take a sit.

"People of the United States of America, I am very much honored to sit right beside Time Magazine's Queen of Fashion and Portrait Photography." Proud na saad ni Ellen. Isang malakas na palakpakan at standing ovation naman ang ginawa ng audience.

"So, at the age of 25, how did you do it?" Manghang tanong nito kay Mj.

"Well, I was kind of shock at first. I mean, I did not see it coming. I am honored and at the same time pressured because of the weight of the title given to me." Sagot naman nito.

"Well, I personally think that your shots are incredible. I mean, I didn't know that a monotoned picture could speak so much color and emotion. So, how do you feel?"

"I don't want it to get in my head. I mean I still work the same. It's kinda awkward --- awkward in a good way ---- to be recognized like this. I mean, we photographers, do not really get too much recognition before. So yeah." Mj said smiling.

The interview was 20 minutes long and there's this part na pati personal na buhay nito ay naungkat.

"So, how long are you based here in LA?" Tanong ni Ellen.

"4 years. I studied for a year then I started my career 3 years ago." Tipid na sagot nito.

"But you used to lived in the Philippines, right?"

"Yes, I grew up there. But I haven't been there for quite some time now."  She said on a sad note.

"Mind if I ask why?"

"My parents died in a car crash 7 years ago. I was devastated and broken. I really didn't knew what to do. My friends told me to use my love for photography to forget. They also said that I should look for my dad's family here. So when I had to opportunity to fly here to pursue my dream and get to know my father's roots, I grabbed it." Sagot naman nito.

"And of course, all gentlemen and even ladies wants to know this, are you dating someone now? All-smile si Ellen when she was asking this.

"No. But I have to say that my heart is already taken."

Doon natapos ang interview. I don't know what to feel. Am I too late now?