Pag Mulat

VI. The Caroline

Different faces, facial expressions, vibe, aura, and feeling. A picture paints a thousand words, what more when it's a painting itself that was crafted little by little by the hands of their own artists. I walk slowly as I appreciate every master piece that comes my way.

I took pictures of each and every art as I walk, nang may makabangga ako.

"Hoy, malapit na mag awarding, kanina pa kita hinahanap." Biglang sulpot naman ni Maco.

"Epal ka naman eh, for a moment pakiramdam ko art enthusiast na ko, alam mo yun? Panira ka." Sabe ko dito.

We were in the exhibit of the portrait making contest. I am with Kenzie and Maco. Inaantay lang namin si Ice na sinundo ni Kenzie kung san man, dahil hindi pa rin namin nakikita yung drawing niya sakin. All of the entries are by charcoal pencils, so everything is in black and white.

Nakita na namin ni Maco si Kenzie, nakangiti ito sakin at excited na kumaway. Kasunod nito si Ice.

"Ice!" Masayang tawag ko dito, I ran to him at ginulo gulo nito ang buhok ko, hinampas ko tuloy yung kamay niya. Tapos may kasunod si Ice sa likod niya, and it is.. "Kristan." I said with a little less enthusiasm. I gave him a little smile, tinignan lang ako nito.

"Nakita niyo na ba lahat ng portrait?" Tanong ni Ice. Umiling kami lahat, pwera kay Kristan na sa iba lang nakatingin. "Bat di tayo dun sa no. 20?" Tapos ay isinuot niya sakin yung I.D. ng mga contestant.

Sinundan namin lahat si Ice sa master piece niya. I was awed when I saw it, I believed in his talent but I didn't expect him to be this good. He made it for 3 days, isama mo na ako dahil lagi kaming nasa park at dahil expertise ko naman ang matulala kay Kristan, I think I did good sa pag pose.

"Master." Nasabi lang ni Maco, and he did a slow clap.

I looked at Kristan, he is not taking his eyes off the portrait where my innocent looking face lays. In the portrait, I was kind of looking away as if I was in deep thoughts, I also have a faint smile on my face. Nililipad din ng konti yung buhok sa mukha ko. There were falling leaves in the background. It was beautiful. Anybody can definitely recognize the portrait as me.

"What do you think?" Inakbayan ni Ice si Kristan.

"I didn't know you were good at this." Sagot ni Kristan tapos ay binatukan niya si Ice. Natawa lang si ito.

"It's beautiful kuya." Sabi ni Kenzie.

"Thanks, Kenzie. It's because of Caroline." Sabe ni Ice.

"Of course! You look good, Line." Hinug ako nito. Ngumiti ako dito, then I looked at Kristan. Nakatingin ito sakin.

"Good luck." Sabe nito, tapos ay umalis na.

"Uy, Kristan. San ka punta?" Pahabol ni Ice. Kristan only lifted his hand and waved saying good bye.

Contestants for this year's Art Dept.'s portrait making contest, I invite all of you to gather here in front. We'll be announcing and awarding the winners. Thank you.

Hinatak ako ni Kenzie sa harap ng exhibit kung san malapit yung stage. The emcee awarded and announced the other winners. May best in theme, at kung ano ano pa.

The 3rd placer for the best portrait of the year.. The entry of Marie Jimenez, entitled Precious! Congratulations, Marie. Please come here in front.

Tapos ay bitbit sa stage nung mga nag organize ng event yung gawa nung Marie. At bitbit nung Marie yung cash prize niyang 5k.

"Whew. Sana hindi ka pa matawag Line. Di ako makahinga dito sa kaba." Sabe ni Maco. "Shh!" Sabe ni Kenzie.

And for the 2nd placer for the portrait of the year.. The entry of..

Caroline Elise Villana, which was made by Isaiah Carino, entitled Falling. Come up here guys! Congratulations!

"Line! Tayo yun." Ice nudged me at halos kaladkarin niya na ako paakyat dahil di ako makapaniwala. Omg. We won. I didn't expect this.

You've drawn a pretty lady right here Isaiah. Congratulations! The emcee referred to the portrait.

"Thank you." I said as she handed me the 8,000 worth of cheque.

Bumaba na kami sa stage. Nagtatatalon si Kenzie at si Maco naman ay kunwaring naluluha.

"You make me so proud senpai." Sabe ni Maco, tapos ay nakipag apir kay Ice. "Congrats Line!" Tinaas nito ang kamay kong hawak ang cheke. I laughed at him.

"Thank you for this, Ice." I faced him. He just winked at me.

And for the most awaited award. The one who won the 1st place, the best portrait of this year's Art Department's Portrait Making Contest, is the entry entitled..

Caroline. Congratulations Kristan Arckel Miramonte! You may come up on stage.

Stunned was an understatement. I slowly turned my head to look up the stage. Kristan wasn't there and the emcee has been repeatedly calling his name. But up the stage, I can clearly see a portrait of my face. Unlike the first one, I have a genuine smile this time, it looked like I was called by someone I like tapos lumingon ako. Ganun yung pwesto ko sa picture. My big eyes are looking happy and some strands of my wavy brown hair are flewn by the wind. The details were very clear and vivid. The picture was..

"Breath-taking." Sambit ni Kenzie, nagkatinginan kami. Maco was just as confused as I am. I looked at Ice and he looked shocked.

"Tignan mo nga naman tong si Kristan." Napapailing lang at natatawang sabi niya after some time. Bigla ay inakbayan ako nito at si Kenzie. "Hanapin natin siya." Sabi ni Ice.

"Hoy sama!" Sigaw ni Maco.

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