"Rolling! In 3, 2, 1!"
I slowly angled my face to the camera and showed off my sweetest smile while staring directly at the lens. This is a video teaser so I did few poses before wrapping it up.
"Great! No more takes, this is already perfect!" the director of the shoot praised me.
Today is the shoot for Lakambini Co. Kahit sobrang busy ay sinigurado kong makakapunta ako. I cannot miss this for the world. Malaki ang utang na loob ko sa kanila, they helped me grow more.
A staff assisted me to the dressing room. I smiled at her and we chatted for a bit, they are all nice and welcoming.
"Goodness! Nasaan na ba siya? Walang VIP dito, matuto siyang sumunod!" I heard the director ranted before we went inside the corridors. May model na naman siguro na late.
Huminto kami sa tapat ng pinto kung saan nakalagay ang mga gamit ko. Sakto naman na bumukas ang katapat at lumabas ang isang babae. The woman I knew too well and my nightmare personified.
Her face suddenly distorted in disgust and her eyes rolled. "Oh, I wasn't informed that pigs are invited her," she even crossed her arms in front of her chest.
I slowly turned to her, and decided to face her instead of changing my clothes, not backing down from her bitchy attitude.
When I first had my collab, we met in the studio. Hindi ko inaasahan iyon. She then mocked me and shamed me for being voluptuous, calling me names like pig, fat-ass, and many more. That was a hard blow to take for me, along with the fact that she instilled negative thoughts deep within me.
Kahit naman gaano ako ka-desidido bumangon, nasa proseso pa lang ako ng mga panahon na iyon. I am very much vulnerable. Natatandaan ko pa na sinabi niyang walang magmamahal sa akin dahil sa itsura ko, na kahit si Xean, hindi ako natagalan.
I went home weeping hard and even locked myself for days. Kung hindi pa ko pinagalitan noong dalawang baliw kong kaibigan ay hindi ako aayos.
Pilit kong kinalma ang sarili ko. "The feeling is mutual, I wasn't informed that a hypocrite bitch is coming, if I had known..." I trailed off before giving her and innocent look and a sweet smile.
Irritation immediately crossed her face. Pikon! I then glared at her bravely, showing her that I'm not the same girl back then who would just keep up with her insults. She should have known better.
"You thought you're better know huh? May I remind you, hindi mo pa rin ako malalampasan kahit sa buhay ni Xean. Shame on you for showing up here and accepting the project, looking like that!"
I laughed mockingly.
"Oh Jianne darling, calm down, ang puso mo! There's no competition here, why are you so agitated," I tapped her shoulder lightly.
She glared at me with anger burning in her eyes. Magsisimula ng away tapos siya naman ang magagalit. I find her petty, really.
"Besides, why should I be ashamed, I think it should be you," I pointed at her while eyeing her from head to toe. "In the first place, aren't you aware of this project's sole objective? Have you even researched first before accepting this shoot? I think you missed the essence of this whole thing here."
"W-what? Stop blabbering non sense!" she stepped a bit forward. I noticed her shaking from too much anger. Masyado naman yata siyang gigil, gusto ko na sana huminto dahil baka atakihin. Kawawa naman, baka maiyak.
"This is to empower women, darling, just so you know. And also...how do you think will the coordinators react? Knowing that one of their well taken cared of model is shaming another co model for her body and physical appearance. Simple advice, try doing some research, who knows... you might be the one to also put yourself in danger."
I turned to the door and twisted the knob. " I accepted myself long time ago, and still loving me for being my own. No amount of insults can shake me anymore from where I stand. You may be their ideal woman, but you lack self love. Stop dragging people down and be a real Lakambini as what you claim."
Tuluyan na akong pumasok sa dressing room na hindi siya nililingon.
All I know is I did I great job out there. The insecure girl full of doubts was long gone. This is me, the improved and stronger Valora Chloe.
" Velez, Valora Chloe N." some of the crowd clapped. I made my way to the line of the universities prominent people. I shook hand with all of them and curtly nodded before accepting my awards and diploma. Who would have thought that this day would finally come.
The program lasted for more than an hour before it finally ended. I took pictures with some of my schoolmates and org mates. Everyone is happy and also a little sad to end this chapter for another one to open. Sabi nga nila, ito na ang totoong buhay.
I saw Mom walking with Dad. This is one of the few time I saw them dressed elegantly, aside from attending important business meetings of course.
"Congratulations my baby, you did very well." she greeted before kissing my cheeks. Naaalala ko noong sabihin ko na may latin honors ako, sobrang saya ni Mommy na gusto na niya ako patayuan ng bakeshop ko. Of course, I declined, I am a woman of my own words and principles.
Naramdaman ko na hinalikan ako sa noo nin Daddy. I was trapped in his arms in an instant.
"We're really proud of you and your brothers, Valora. They will come later to the dinner with their wives. Vance told me he'll bring Viernn later. They can't miss your big day, sayang lang... wala si Archer." he patted my back.
I froze when I heard his name. When I decided to tell them the news...a bad one, it was already months after the break up. I didn't expect them to grieve with me, but maybe that's natural, they treated him as their own. They were broken hearted as I am.
"Dad!" Mom objected, slightly pinching Dad's arm. She smiled at me awkwardly bago nagyayang umuwi. I declined to come home with them, I'll just see them later, I have something to do.
"Take care Mom and Dad, see you later!" I kissed them before heading to the parking lot. I brought my car and some spare clothes. It's already dusk when I went out of the hall. Sandali akong natulala sa sasakyaan.
I bowed my head to the steering wheel, resting a bit from everything. After a few seconds, I turned the stereo on and played some OPM classics. Rivermaya's 214 replaced the silence. I hummed while removing my toga and changing into a lavander comfortable hoody and pastel pink walking shorts. Tinted naman ang windows so no worries.
Hindi nagtagal ay bumiyahe na rin ako. I am not tired yet, I just sat for the whole 3 hours earlier. The graduation rites was just for my college, the other colleges are scheduled some other time. It made me a bit sad that I didn't even witness him receive his diploma and so is he.
To lighten my mood, I sang along with the music. I grabbed some snacks since I heard my stomach grumbling already. Natatanaw ko na ang magandang view sa gilid ng daan. Binuksan ko ang mga bintana para makalanghap ng sariwang hangin.
Today may be the last time that I will fulfill the entry in the album, I know that my plate would be so full from expanding my business. I already talked to my parents about how I want to live independently, without their support financially. Break O' Clock has been earning more than enough for my everyday living. But my goal doesn't end there, I want to strive harder.
Inihinto ko ang kotse sa gilid kung saan malawak ang espasyo. Nilatag ko ang mat na dala at nilabas ang biniling beers at junkies mula sa convenience store kanina. After fixing everything, I settled myself and sat comfortably.
Lights are lighting up one by one. This is a good sight to watch. Tahimik kong tinititigan ang mga ilaw sa baba nang nakaramdam ako ng presensya sa aking tabi.
I saw a man standing beside me in my peripheral vision, I tried to act like I didn't see him. Nakitang nagsesenti ako dito tapos tatabi, sapaw siya ha!
