"Hi everyone. Thank you for coming."
I started. I gave everyone a smile, a genuine one.
"I personally asked for this presscon to happen, because I wanted to explain."
I paused. Look for someone. Then, continue.
"You can also ask. I wanted to clear things up."
May mga bulong-bulungan sa paligid.
"Ang paglala-lay low po, it's my free will.Kusa ko po yon. My own decision."
Media men and press people nodded. I don't know if it is an act f agreement or what.
"My mom, my dad and my whole family, sanay kameng lahat sa showbiz. Ito yung mundong ginagalawan namen. But, there are some points na gusto ko pala, private lang. Something like, akin lang. Walang ibang may alam."
I am searching for someone.
She's not here yet. Maybe she ain't ready.
I scan everyone in the room. Their eyes are on me.
"Being a public figure, I owe them explanation. I mean, the fans. But, being the Elmo Magalona that I know, hindi ko pala kaya."
"To the fans."
I paused and a smile formed into my lips.
"I'm so grateful to have you guys. Sobra. I may not know everyone personally, pero sobra yung pasasalamat ko. With your endearing love, undying support and selfless heart, lahat yun appreciated ko."
Toto naman. Utang ko sakanila lahat ng 'to.
"I am doing this, for the fans. Not just for myself, pero mas para sakanila." I sighed.
"Yes, I said no to some projects. Siguro nagtataka kayo kung bakit. It's not my manager's decision, but mine."
Ito na yun.
"I have a low self-esteem. Di ba sabi ko nga dati, negative thinker ako. Yung mga inoffer kase saken, feeling ko hindi ko kaya. Tapos, wala pa siya. Hindi ko siya makakasama, so parang naisip ko, mangangapa ako nito. Hindi ako magiging komportable kung hindi siya yung kapreha ko. Natatakot akong madisappoint yung mga tao."
Yung mga mukha nila, halatang nagtatanong.
"And siyempre, I also check on my schedule. Medyo hindi talaga compatible." I chuckled.
"Sa mga fans, sorry, dahil never ko kayong naipagtanggol."
"I don't know if I have to, kase, I don't see anything na maling ginawa niyo. Your support is valuable."
Someone raises her hand.
"Hi Elmo. Can I ask a question?"
"Sure, Ma'am. Yes po."
I heaved a deep sigh. Sana kaya ko sagutin ang tanong niya.
"Anong masasabi mo dun sa mga nagsasabing laos ka na daw?"
Napangiti ako sa tanong.
"I don't know how to react for in the first place, I don't consider myself na sikat."
The girl nodded.
"To be honest po, since I was a kid, gusto ko lang talagang magperform. Pero pag pinapalakpakan na ako, nahihiya ako."
Another hand was raised.
"Elmo, simula pagkabata mo, Magalona ka na, nasa dugo mo na ang pag-aartista, bakit parang hindi ka pa rin sanay?"
