Fabulous Shoot

Yesterday was the photo shoot. I made sure that I ate breakfast so as not to feel weak during the shoot.
We always have Spanish sardines in the fridge in case we are suya na of our food.

My appointment at Indigo Salon was at 1 pm. I was there at 1:05 pm.
I had every reason to doubt that I would look prettier when I emerged later from this salon. I have never looked better after a make-up session, kahit saan mang parlor. Walang biro, lalo akong pumapangit. But I have no choice, I cannot just do my make-up according to my daughter, dapat daw professional because my photo would appear in a book.

Fantasy look, ganito kaya ipagaya ko?    One time the photographer asked if I wanted some fantasy shots.  He showed me some photos showing young women with painting on their bodies,  multi-colored make-ups, etc.   Ang tanda-tanda ko na, hindi bagay sa akin yun.

Okay, let’s do it.  (Sabay dasal).

Make-up artist——–  “mam, saan kayo nagpapa-make-up”.

Me———————- “Wala”.

Make-up artist——–  “Wala?  As in wala?  Sinong nag-me-make-up sa inyo?”

Me———————  “Ako lang”.

Make-up artist——   “Sabi nyo madalas kayo sa magazine..”

Me——————-   “Hindi ko sinabi yan.  Wala akong sinabing ganyan”.

Make-up artist—–   “Di ba sabi nyo lagi kayong nalalagay sa magazine?”

Me——————    “Wala kong sinabing ganyan.  Ang tanong mo kung sino ang nag-me-make-up sa akin,   ang sagot ko wala.  Huwag kang mag-imbento.

Make-up artist—–  “Hindi nyo ba sinabi,  kala ko sabi nyo”.

(Kunsumisyon,  naman ito,  My God,  hindi ako pwedeng mainis ngayon kasi papangit ako sa pictures!!!!  Whatdapahhhh!!!!)

I psyched myself not to look in the mirror while the work was in progress.  So I would not be disappointed.  But I couldn’t control it, syempre, gusto ko ma-check kung ano na ba ang hitsura ko.   Eh ano pa, di ang sagwa.   At some point, I wanted to run.

I had manicure and pedicure na rin kasi the photographer might focus my hands eh mukhang galing sa paglalaba.

Nice ba?  Parang same lang.

See, I look freshly embalmed.   I felt like crying.  Naawa talaga ako sa sarili ko.  I lost my self confidence.  My face looked like Edward Scissorhands.   Kala ko ba pretty ako?  Ang pangit ko pala talaga.   I looked different,  uglier than when I first walked in.   Pang twilight zone.  Ang sabi ko pang photo shoot pero bakit naging kamukha ko si nasirang Bella Flores?    Buhay pa ako, mukha na akong inembalsamo.

I left the parlor at 3:45 pm. Teary-eyed ano pa!

How come others would look glamorous and fabulous after a make-up session,  bakit ako lalong sumasagwa ang mukha ko?

Bakeeettt oh my buhay bakkkeeeeeeeeeeeeet?

I went home, repaired my make-up to make me look like me.  Not twilight zone,  the 5th saga.

I wore the Tiffany blue gown.  It’s  simple but elegant.  Thank you Amir Sali for choosing a soft material and making it  comfortable also,  parang feeling naka-daster lang ako.

Kahit anong “hold your breath and stomach in”, ayaw na talaga mag-in.

I was hungry. I didn’t eat lunch pala. I ate a packet of Skyflakes to stave-off my hunger. I couldn’t eat a full meal, lalong hindi na kakasya ang gown ko.

When I arrived,  our employees were surprised to see me looking so “pretty” kuno.

Staff———- “Mam, ang ganda nyo”.

Staff———- “Boss, ang pretty nyo”.

Me———– “Thank you,  araw-araw  akong pretty”.

Pinuri na, nagmayabang pa ano.

When Rupert Jacinto and his wife saw me… “You look very nice”.   Thank you again.

All shots were full body.  I was surprised that they didn’t take a close-up photo.  Why kaya?

Baka napangitan din sa make-up ko.

With my daughter acting as my stylist and personal assistant,  fabulous shoot went smoothly and done in one hour and 45 minutes.   It was unexpectedly fast, easy and fun.  I didn’t get tired at all.

My daughter’s presence made all the difference.   Thank you anak.

Haay, thank you, I can now breathe and wear my tsinelas.

I cannot show you the photos ’til after the book launch.   And I have no intention to show you.

I saw the photos Oyen took during the shoot,  ang pangit ko.  Mukha akong si bruhilda.