POV ng VLOGGER / PHOTOGRAPHER (Giselle)

 

We are here in Rizal Park, and we've been going circles na for almost an hour looking for that perfect model for our new concept. It's so tiring, but for the sake of my vlogging career nga, I have to get this through. Peru mauubusan na ako ng energy, courage, hope and all and we still couldn't find the right one, well in this case, the right pair. I have my team naman to help me, Yuki and Inagi, my friends slash classmates. They are both my camera man, so if you see me approaching or talking to someone here, expect those two to be somewhere near me with their camera on, filming me.

Okay, back to the main problem. We are stuck finding our 2nd model.

Marami naman dyan mga pretty, marami na kaming nakausap, natanungan, it's normal for us to get a lot of different responses, like some will be polite in declining, meron din mga snabera, meron din mahiyain, some will not even talk to me, some will just flee as if escaping from me like I'm some sort of dangerous armed man. Okay lang naman, I'm used to it.

Peru marami din naman yung willing and interested to do shoot with us. Hindi naman kasi dapat ganito kahirap, we've been doing this quiet a lot na nga ei, nag punta na kami sa instamuros, sa Manila bay, sa SM seaside, and so on. 2nd time na namin dito sa Rizal park, and so far this concept is the hardest one to pull off.

So yun nga, like what I said marami naman ang willing at first, but then after discussing or asking them if okay lang sila sa theme ng concept, dun na nagka-katalo, they will all back-out, crashing my hope in an instant. Oh, except sa isang girl na parang di ko sure kung na gets niya yung agenda namin kasi panay sagot lang ng "Sige" and didn't even bother asking us anything like a normal person would do.

This is the hardest concept so far, so hard that I am losing the courage to continue, I could tell Yuki and Inaga are exhausted too and they might start complaining na anytime soon, so for the sake of everyone, I'm thinking of just changing the concept nalang or cancelling it kasi parang impossible na.

 

And I am about to tell my team about giving up when a stranger passed us by, like literal na sa gitna talaga namin, I can't really blame her kasi nasa path pala kami nag pahinga.

At first it was her height that makes us turn our head to have a second look at her, kasi hell, she's freaking tall! Matangkad ako peru mas matangkad si girl.

She has her back on us naglalakad papalayo as I observe her back figure intently, she has nice figure, nice long hair, ang haba ng legs niya ah, sobrang proportion ng katawan. Hell, this one I need to see her face!

Nag-katinginan kami ng team ko as if we all have the same thoughts and without even saying anything we started to follow the girl, kasi ito na yun! siya na ang susi to get out this misery! Chasss

"Hi ate!" I greeted the girl more lively than I intended to.

Nung narinig ako, she look over her shoulder and slowly turns to me when she realizes na siya yung kinakausap ko.

And oh my god this girl, hindi lang height ang meron, sobrang pretty pa! Ang liit ng face, grabe lang ang jaw line, makinis at maputi ang balat, walang ka pore-pores, walang pimple, sobrang kinis lang talaga ng face!

Physical built naman, she's so y din! She's wearing a thrifted baggy jeans and a tight white crop top t-shirt na may small print sa above chest area. Simple get up peru ang lakas ng dating, artistahin! Model siguro to.

Nginitian ko ng malapad. "Omg ang ganda mo, model ka ba? What's your name?"

"Huh? Ah hindi e" Gulat nyang balik sakin peru ako mas nagulat! Akala to talaga model to. "I'm Jimin, why?"

The way she talks, I could tell mayamanin to.

I am about to start my panunuyo script when I notice na she started to take glances sa paligid namin, as if trying to observe kung under threat by siya? Then I notice she stilled her eyes sa isang side so I turn around to check what it is ba na tinititigan niya and then I spotted Inagi not too far, filming us, nahuli nya yung isa sa camera namin.

I chuckle, ang observant ha. "Ah, he's with me, we're also doing a video vlog kasi po" There it goes, brows lifting up suspiciously, I then started to get it rollin "Bali anu kasi ate, let me introduce myself first" I cleared my troat. "I'm Giselle, you can call me G. I'm a photographer and a vlogger, and I'm currently searching for our model to do our next vlog photoshoot"

Did I even make sense to her?

She looks lost?

Help her.

I mean, I'll help her.

"Bali po each vlog has it's own unique concept, so for our new concept... Nag hahanap kami ng dalawang strangers na will be willing to be partnered to do a couple photoshoot" I emphasized the word couple, I smile at her at the end of my explaination na may pa hand eme gesture pa - kind of habit of mind.

She still looks lost, I still ask "So... I'm wondering if you are in for it? Are you okay to be our model for today?"

"Ha? Ahh Ehh... anu kasi" she suddenly laugh out of nowhere after nya mautal, oh my god she also has nice smile pa ha. Perfect set of teeth, she's just so pretty! Sobrang perfect talaga netong girl na to!

I encourage her to continue by conveying her through my eyes. "I don't know what to say, I mean, wala pa kasi akong experience"

Hearing that, it's like a go signal for me. "It's okay! Anu ka ba, hindi naman kami nag hahanap ng professional nuh, walang thrill pag ganern" I wave her off jokingly, she smiles. "Tsaka you're so pretty kaya! Mas nagulat pa nga ako when you said na di ka model!"

"Awe thanks peru hindi talaga" Natatawa at nahihiya nyang sagot.

"So? Want to give it a shot"

As if the bubble just burst in her mind, she finally realizes what i'm after. this time, she really did think for it, and I keep my silence to give her the time. She will turn side to side, then will look at me before looking away laughing in embarrasment? Nakakaloka, sa ganda nyang yan mahiyain?

Then she looks at me and starts nodding "Okay po"

"Yes! Oh em gee many thanks!"

Here comes phase 2, mostly dito talaga umaayaw na e.

Nahalata niya siguro na biglang kabig yung excitement ko, kasi wala pa akong sinasabi she already has her brows up as if wondering kung bakit biglang nag-bago yung mood ko.

I'm simply nervous to mess this up. but okay, here it goes. "Anu kasi.. Here's the thing, the concept is not really what you think it will be" I watch her carefully, trying to observe her reaction as what I'm about to confess to her. "This photoshoot, it's not a straight couple photoshoot" tinignan ko to sa mata and ask slowly. "Are you open ba sa GL? you know... girl to girl... So basically, you'll be partnered by a girl din"

"I'm Bi naman po" Sabi ko na...

Wait what?

"What? OMG really? That's great! So you'll do it?"

"Sure" Am I dreaming ba? wow, that's so easy!

I was super excited kaya I just keep throwing all the neccessary questions to start na this fun activity.

"Are you single ba? Wala naman mag-seselos? Jowa meron?"

Mahinhin nyang tawa "Wala naman po, walang mag-seselos, no jowa" she says with a little shake of her head. Good to know! But...it made me frown though.

"How come wala kang jowa?"

She laughs and shrugs. "Hindi ko din alam"

"You're not in a hurry? Wala ka naman lakad?"

"I'm good, pauwi na sana but yeah not in a hurry naman"

Everything this girl says makes me so happy! Like ang dali naman nito kausap? How could she be that good looking at the same time ang bait bait pa kausap? She's very down to earth despite having a face like that, kanina yung mga natanungan namin meron talaga akala ubod ng ganda e, makaiwas o maka reject akala kawalan talaga, yung iba nag tataray pa eh mas maganda pa nga ako sa mga dun duh!

I'm just so glad that no one agreed! Kung meron e hindi namin mahahanap this pretty girl Jimin.

 

 

 

 

"So, sino po pala yung partner ko?"

We're on our way sa isang malapit na bench kung saan ilalapag namin ang mga things namin, Yuki and Inaga are both walking side by side while Jimin and I are following them behind when Jimin ask casually, sino daw partner niya which reminds me na meron na pala kaming nahanap peru I suddenly feel like not going for it, sorry for the other girl, but Jimin is very precious I can't have her partnered with someone na di ko nakikita ang chemistry or kung If I'll keep it real, hindi ko siya e papartner sa taong hindi nya ka standard.

I reasoned out. "Anu kasi beh, Ikaw yung first model namin, kaya maghahanap pa kami ng partner mo"

"Oh, okay?"

"Are you okay with it? Upo ka lang muna dito then we'll get back to you ASAP"

"Huh? Diba meron na tayong nahanap-" I emmediately cover Yuki's mouth using my hand, shutting her up in an instant.

I smile at Jimin when she looks at us both probably wondering what's happening.

"Sige. Dito lang ako" Glad she didn't dwell on it, I let go of Yuki and she looks confused.

Gaga kasi neto can't read the room.

Nag-paalam na muna kami kay Jimin at di pa nga kami nakalayo, here comes Yuki bombarding me with questions and Inagi on my other side laughing his off.

"Kita mo gaanu ka tangkad yun? sa tingin mo babagay? Anu luluhod si Jimin?" I said in the most sarcastic way. "And Girl~" I look at Yuki, then keeps tapping my chin using the back of my hand. "Remind ko lang gaanu ka pretty yun"

"Grabe ka naman sa isa" Yuki playfully smack me and I heard Inagi laughing harder.

"I'm with G, kelangan natin ng mas babagay" Inagi sided me, I wink at him playfully.

"See? Even Inagi agrees"

"Ang sasama niyo kasi"

"Walang mang-yayare kung idadaan sa pasang awa yung isa, okay?"

Call me whatever you want but I need this concept to be perfect, I have Jimin as my model now and I don't want to mess it up, I have to look for her partner na mag cocompliment sa kanya, maganda naman yung naunang girl peru hindi lang kasi sapat yung maganda naman ang hinahanap na, nag level up tayo to the max all because of Jimin, ang hinahanap ko na e yung maganda talaga, period. Yuki in the end, agree din naman na mag hanap nalang, nagulat lang daw siya sa sinabi ko kay Jimin na parang wala lang yung unang girl, na parang disregarded lang. Kaya ito, binalikan niya yung unang girl para kausapin.

Sabi ko na magiging mahirap, nakabalik na kanina pa si Yuki saamin, nakailang daan na kami kay Jimin, naka ilang inom na ako ng mineral water, naka ilang hugot na ako ng candies ko sa pocket, wala pa din akong makita, wala pa din kaming makita. And I'm getting frustrated at nahihiya na para kay Jimin, she's very patience and never once complained.

Meron naman sakin tinuturo sila Yuki at Inagi, peru ewan ko ba, ang arte ko ata kasi they're just not it, like hindi kasi talaga bet, maganda naman peru alam mo yun, yung still not satisfied or somewaht convinced.

Kaya ito, nag-mukmuktol na yung dalawa, we've been going circles for more than an hour na and still found no one in sight. In fairness tong Rizal plaza na to ang famous talaga ha, an daming natambay specially around this time, it's 4:30 na kasi lulubog na yung araw nag-sisilitawan na ang mga tao. Peru despite sa dami ng tao, walang miski isa na lumitaw para sakin.

Malapit na kami sa dulo ng plaza, I think this is our 2nd time na na we checked this area, trying to see for new faces. Meron naman, marami actually, peru wala pa din yung hinahanap ko.

Ito na talaga last, this concept will be cancelled or will be changed nalang to a different concept, I don't know, like solo Jimin nalang then title "FINDING STRANGER TO DO A SOLO PHOTOSHOOT" BORING, I know. I have like three videos with something like that na. Peru I know naman na it will still give us views kasi I know Jimin will hakot audience with that face of hers. Still, I still don't want to give up on this.

But I think we need to stop na, we've been going round and round and still wala pa din kaming makita, nakakahiya na talaga kay Jimin, so I decided na bumalik nalang kami to tell her the sad news.

We are on our way pabalik to Jimin, nasa may Rizal statue kasi siya banda while kami nasa may fountain pa, when I heard Inagi talk and nudge me at the side. "Gags, nakikita niyo ba nakikita ko?" wala na talaga akong hope peru I still track Inagi's vision, he's looking at a group of people, all of them sitting on the grass forming a circle, mukha silang mga students na naka civilian and just hanging out.

Malayo sila so it's impossible for me to make up all their faces. But despite of that, I already knew who's Inagi talking about, or to be precise, who is he looking at.

That one girl with a guitar.

Ang layo pa namin peru she already has that glow. I just knew I have to see her face up close.

We tried to make our way towards the gang, tinahak namin ang damuhan kung saan sila naka pwesto.

As I get nearer, I could her them singing, I couldn't help but to comment, some out of tune, some don't know the lyrics, they're laughing every now and then, all of that while the girl keep stramming the guitar for them.

As I get closer, I keep my focus to the girl with a guitar.

as her face got clearer each step I'll take, the more my lips lifting up.

I'm like in a dark tunnel na suddenly I could see a glimpse of light at the end.

Because her face? it did not disappoint.

Jusko ang ganda lang din! Outfit check: she's wearing a yellow-green collared knitted top, partnered with a black straight jeans na maraming pockets, and a white converse shoes, ang casual lang din tignan peru ang artistahin din!

I have to say it now, ngayon palang, itatak niyo sa bato, ang bagay nila!

All eyes on me, hindi ako aware na titig na titig talaga pala ako kay ateng at nilapitan ko talaga ito ng husto. I'm not even aware na I squatted beside her just to examine her face.

"Hi! What's your name?"

"Err? Yes po?" She's confused. Sorry for being weird. "I'm Winter"

"Hi Winter!"

I stood up and greeted everyone first before focusing on my subject.

She followed me suit, tumayo na din ito nung nahalata niyang may dalawa pa akong nakabuntot sa likod ko.

"Hi, sorry for interrupting you guys but the moment we saw her" I pointed my finger to the girl next to me "We just know we have to ask"

"Oy, hi ate Giselle, Im your fan po."

"Ako din po!"

I got surprise na may nakakakilala pala sakin dito, they told me na they are subscribed sa youtube channel ko and they're always waiting for a new concent. Inagi and Yuki quickly roll their camera over to my two supporters to give them a free shoutout.

And when they ask if I'm making another content, that's my queue to continue.

"Exactly why I'm here!" I smile to everyone. "I'm here to ask your friend Winter if she can be my next model!"

"Ako?" She points to herself, wide eyes looking back at me.

I then introduces myself again, letting the pretty girl know that I'm a vlogger and photographer and that we're looking for our 2nd model for our new concept.

"So yes, to answer your question kanina, Yes, ikaw. We're here to ask if you can be our model for today?"

Nagulat na naman siya at natawa, hindi na nakapag-salita. Ang cute!

Natawa ang mga friends niya sa inakto niya, they started making that teasing noises.

"Bakit ako ate, hindi po ako maganda" Her face is reddening in embarrassment.

""Yiieee pa humble" Ayan na naman yung teasing, I couldn't stop smiling as well.

"See? Even your friends disagree. Kaya anu? You're up for it?"

Her friends are very supportive, although tinutukso nila ito ng kung anu-anu, telling their friend na pumayag na and followed suit with so many tukso, like para daw ma discover na siya ng mundo, para may artista na daw silang classmates, para makaraos na sa kahirapan, para daw ma-inlove pa lalo si anu, anung si anu? Ay taken?

"Ay taken ka ba?" I need to know, hindi to papayag pag may jowa to, sayang lang oras namin dito.

"Huh, hindi po" Ay very good. "Peru may nanliligaw?" dagdag niya.

Natawa ako, well kaming lahat sa sagot niya. Ang cute naman neto! Ang caring sa manliligaw niya ha.

"Okay lang yan, di pa naman kayo!" I still pursue, they all laugh "So, game?"

"Uhmm.. Peru hindi ko po alam mag pose?" Oh my god, it's like I'm talking to Jimin all over again.

"Hindi naman ako nag hahanap ng proffessional or someone na may experience na. You're gonna be fine, don't worry too much"

She is still hesitant, with the way she looks at me and the way she keeps tapping the pad of her fingers at the head of the guitar, nakatayo kasi yung guitar niya at naka sandal sa legs niya.

I patiently waited and so as her gang.

"My talent fee daw ba ate" Sabi nung isang lalaki breaking the long silence, agad naman ito nakatanggap ng set of laughter. Poor Winter, pinag-kakaisahan siya ng mga friends niya.

"I'll pay if needed, don't worry about it" I confidently said and I don't even need to look at Yuki and Inagi to tell na they're giving me an odd look, yung anung-pinagsasabi-mo-look. To be honest, bago palang kami dito sa career na to, wala pa kaming fund for talent fee or some sort of pay, meron naman peru it's so small lang naman kaya I don't even consider it to be any kind of pay, I don't even know what to call it, a thank-you-pay perhaps? Hindi pa naman kasi ganun kalaki kita namin sa vlogging namin to pay the models, what we do is to make sure that they get the shout-out they deserve or exposed their names and social media accounts if they want us to, we'll give them exposure and all those things na di involve ang money para maka-bawi sa effort nila.

Peru this time, I'll make exception, if that means getting Winter agree I'll do whatever it takes or cost to be my model, call me desperate but I won't let this opportunity go only because I can't afford paying her.

"Wag ka po maniwala sa mga yan" She threatened to punch the guy, handed the guitar to the person next to her and initiated us to go somewhere, that without even saying goodbye to her friends. Winter told me that she's okay naman to participate, she shares that she already had some experience in modelling but her classmates didn't need to know that, tukso lang aabutin niya.

Yuki and Inagi followed us behind and kinausap din nila ito, telling Winter that she'll do just fine. While me, I'm trying to construct words in my head on how to tell Winter about the concept of this photoshoot. I can't afford her running away after hearing that she'll be partnered with a girl. I'm hoping hindi to straight, peru sabi niya pa kanina, may nanliligaw daw? Concerned pa nga eh, so finger crossed nalang talaga.

Malapit na kami kung nasaan si Jimin, and I really have to tell her before pa kami makarating.

Here comes the elephant in the room. I stop walking and the three followed suit. Then I felt Winter's eyes on me.

I sighed. "Here's the thing, you may still back out after hearing what I'm about to say" I see my team at the sides drawing out the camera. "This concept we're currently in, this is not just your regular couple photoshoot" I was careful with my words. "This is an LGBT couple theme photoshoot which means that you will be partnered with a girl" I see Winter starting to react, mouth slightly open, eyes widening. I dare to continue. "Are you okay with that?"

She casts her eyes down, thinking, looks at me again, then looks to the side, biting her lips. She sighs, Oh no.. it's not a good sign.

"Uhm.. I'm not against po ah, peru kasi... Straight po kasi ako"

"Oh" I couldn't hide my disappointment, I feel sorry sa lahat. "You think you can't do it ba?"

"I'm just thinking na I'm not fit for it, na hindi po ako yung right model for that kind of concept"

"You think so?"

She nods "Sorry, I don't think magiging effective po kasi since straight po ako"

Somehow, her answer doesn't really sounds like she's rejecting it though.

"It's fine!" I have to fight for this. "I mean, okay lang yun! Kung yun lang concern mo, we can still try naman and then if hindi mo talaga kaya we'll let you go"

With a doubt in her face, she asks "Will that work?"

"Of course!" her tone of voice, it gives me hope "So you still in?"

please say yes say yes say yes say yes 

"Sige, try natin"

I can finally breathe, goodness gracious.

The best day so far!