Alice after three and a half years
"Anong oras na?" Tanong ko kay Benj habang nakanganga sa tapat ng vanity mirror at naglalagay ng blue contact lenses.
"Fifteen minutes to eight, bilisan mo na 'te." Sagot nito habang nakaupo sa sahig ng workroom ko dito sa bahay. Kakauwi lang namin dito ni Kuya sa Pilipinas magdadalawang taon nang nakakaraan.
We had a three bedroom with two bath condo unit, one bedroom converted as a workroom para sa side hustle ko bilang princess performer sa children's parties at malls. Yes, te. Ako ang nakikita mong gumagala sa mall at kumakanta sa stage kapag may promo ang diaper na ginagamit ng baby mo. Bawat klaseng wigs ng fairytale princesses ay sealed sa transparent containers at nakalagay sa isang cabinet, ganoon din ang gowns. May professional make-up box na nandito sa tapat ng vanity desk ko na tatangayin ko mamaya pag-alis namin. Nagsimula ako kay sleeping beauty (I know, ironic.) sa isang birthday party sa UK at pinagpatuloy ko na ito dito sa Pilipinas.
I also do musicals, but that job alone can't feed me so I needed the side hustle. It's not that napipilitan ako bilang princess performer; I actually enjoyed it as much as being a theatre actress, but I wish my job was enough to cover the bills.
Nagmadali na ako sa pagsusuot ng gown ni Elsa na galing sa movie na Frozen at tinawag ang kasama. "Benj, pasara ang zipper ng corset ko?"
"Girl, diet? Narinig mo na? Diet?"
"Mamaya mo na ako bastusin, male-late na tayo."
Limang beses pa akong tumalon para lang maisara ang corset bago nagmadaling bumaba sa parking area at sumakay sa kotse. Ako na ang magmamaneho at si Benj sa passenger seat. "Kung bakit naman kasi traffic sa Edsa."
"Akala ko ba sasabay si Elaine sa'tin?"
"Late nagising." Tapos noon, nagsimula na akong magmaneho. May gig kami ngayong umaga, birthday party, and we were hired as Prince and Princesses; Benj as Kristoff, Elaine as Anna and me as Elsa.
Working as a princess performer took a lot of time, effort, and patience. Practising animated reactions like the arches of eyebrows, the wide-eyed look and hand gestures, as well as the higher tone of voices when speaking. Kailangan ko talaga ma-perfect lahat ito dahil kids notice the simple things. Even eye color, mostly ng disney princess blue ang kulay ng mata and I bought contact lenses for that. I have to contour my face to fit the 'american standard' with that vibrant and animated look. Malas lang kapag summer dahil naka-gown ako tapos tirik na tirik ang araw kaya kailangan hindi humulas ang make up ko. Advantage pa na mukha talaga akong bata kaysa sa edad kong 21.
I also cut my hair above shoulder length dahil sa wigs. It took a lot of time to fit into the wig cap kapag mahaba ang buhok. So cutting my hair short saved me thirty minutes which I devoted to sleep. The hours of makeup, wearing wigs, fitting into gowns were worth it whenever I see those kids' eyes.
"Wait! May tumatawag." Hininaan ni Benj ang speaker at sinagot ko na ang tawag gamit ang airpods. "Love?"
"Good morning, Love."
"Si Love ba 'yan? Hi love!"
Narinig kong tumawa naman si Brix sa kabilang linya. "Kumain ka na?"
"Magda-drive thru kami ni Benj. Ikaw?"
"Kakain pa lang. Mamaya may working lunch ako then dadaanan ko si Drew sa office niya tapos diretso na kami sa Meralco theatre."
"Okay. Ingat kayo ha?"
"Ikaw rin. I'll see you later. I love you."
"I love you too."
"I love you three!" biglang sabat ni Benj malapit sa'kin. Narinig kong muling tumawa si Brix bago maputol ang linya.
