The Coño Boy 1 & 2: Love What You Will

Chapter Thirty-Six: What You Will or How You Will

Winnie pero tunay na si Wilfredo: Ang tahimik mo yata, Sean?

Winnie asks me while putting on my eyeshadow. Like I said previously, I haven't the slightest idea how to put on make-up.

Me: Nerves, I guess.

I give out a nervous smile as I say that. I haven't heard from Joaquin since we texted last this morning. It's adding to this odd mix of anticipation, excitement, and nervousness that I'm feeling as the show opens in less than two hours.

Winnie pero tunay na si Wilfredo: Juskoday, don't mind the nerves, di yan nakaka-powerful!

I really can't find the words to say anything else.

*Yeah... Powerful — saan pa po ba ako magsisindi ng candles at magsusunog ng Chinese joss paper incense para maging powerful ang performance ko?*

Just look at the girl seated across me putting on her own make-up. She's got everything including yung portable mirror na may bulbs sa frame. Yung brush set niya kahit si Winnie napansin din. There's a single pink rose beside her na may ribbon and note. I have a feeling who gave that to her, for sure.

Winnie pero tunay na si Wilfredo: Sean, mag throw lines ka mamaya habang waiting ka sa scene mo ha!

Me: Sige.

Winnie pero tunay na si Wilfredo: Arjay, bakla! Kaya mo na help si Sean mamaya mag-run lines?

Arjay, the Wardrobe Assistant: Kerri yan, Mama! Isa lang naman ang costume change ni Nerissa for Act One. Sana mag assist ako sa Front-of-House ako pero gow tayo sa run-lines para kay Sean.

Me: Talaga!?! Thanks ha.

Winnie pero tunay na si Wilfredo: Magtigil ka dyan, Lloyd, bakla! Sisimoy ka lang sa mga hombz sa labas! Hindi ka kailangan ng Front-of-House! Ikaw naman, Sean, Huwag ka kasi mahiyang humingi ng tulong ano! Sabi nga sa High School Musical, "We're all in this together! Once we know that we are, we're all stars!"

Nerissa: Pero someone should monitor the scenes; he shouldn't miss his cues just because he's still running his lines backstage.

Nerissa interrupts Winnie a.k.a. Wilfredo while singing that song from that teen movie.

Winnie pero tunay na si Wilfredo: Siyempre naman, ateng! Don't worry ako bahala kay Sean.

Nerissa: Sean, don't let them baby you. You have to be on your feet when the show's running. We have 16 performances confirmed for three weeks and don't let their helpfulness be your crutch to be able to perform.

Winnie pero tunay na si Wilfredo: Ateng, talo mo pa si Sir Ricky niyan eh. Dagdag nerbbbyyyooossss factor tayo dyan.

Me: That's okay, she's right naman.

Jerome, plays Duke Orsino: Let's all just do what we can to help him. Hindi biro yung ginawa niya these past weeks.

*Thanks, Kuya Jerome. Any more pa sila magpalitan ng salita magiging tense na talaga ang atmosphere here.*

I'm generally thankful because halos everybody sa cast and crew naging very considerate at helpful talaga. And no matter how many times you flip over Nerissa's words just now, tama rin siya. There's a reason why she's good at what I've seen her do so far.

There's a knock on the dressing room door. Lloyd opens the door.

Lloyd, the Production Assistant: Ay! Bongga! May visitor!

I would never, in a million years would have guessed who the door reveals.

Artie: Is Sean here? Oh there — Uh, Hi Nerissa! Sean...