Happy 1st Anniversay, French Kiss in Paris! Let's celebrate this moment with Cosette and Cashel!
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Special-Special Chapter
-Life before Paris-
Cosette's POV
April 2020
"Everyone who auditioned for the lead role ay tatawagan na lang ulit for another process of screening," anunsyo ng producer ng teleserye na pinag-audition-an ko. "But don't worry sa mga hindi mag-mo-move on sa screening as the female lead since we've got more roles to offer to you. Nandiyan pa ang ibang extra roles we could offer to you and still be part of the project. Now, staff will call and inform you about the result. Thank you and I hope I'll see every one of you back again."
Isang mapaklang ngiti ang lumabas sa mukha ko. I'm trying to be grateful for the opportunity pero kung hindi idadaan sa pangmalakasan gaya ng ibang nakasabay ko sa audition ay hindi ko rin makukuha iyong lead role. Kapag may kapit, mas malaki ang chance na makuha ito lalo na kapag may mga manager na.
Wala naman akong manager. I don't think someone will have an interest on me. Palagi lang din namang extra ang roles ko. Para bang one time big time lang ang nakukuha ko and then after that, wala na.
There's this certain movie na naging part ako at isang malaking bagay siya sa akin since best friend ako ng bida, but I've only got a few parts. Less than ten scenes lang din ata ang ibinigay sa akin so I have to make it more memorable. I acted out like I'm the lead na nasapawan ko na ang bida sa movie. That made a huge impact and for some time, nag-trending siya sa social media which I think after two weeks, nawala na rin na parang bula.
Mas na-focus pa rin kasi ang mga viewers sa bidang couple so I was set aside kasi best friend lang naman ang role ko at hindi bigatin. But some producers, directors, celebrities recognizes me from that act. Wala namang special treatment na nangyari. They would want me to audition for some role in their TV or movie projects and later on, I wouldn't be getting it kasi mas may umangat sa akin.
Ang nagiging ending, I would be getting an extra role na isa o dalawang scene lang. And that's not enough to pay for all the bills I'm paying.
Ilang years na akong sumusubok sa showbiz. I really started out as an extra kaya walang problema sa hirap ng mga pinagdaraanan ko pero sa nagdaang mga panahon, hindi naman masamang mangarap. May mga artista ngang biglang sikat. Nakilala agad sila at iyon ang gusto kong mangyari.
Alam ko namang walang easy way to get to the top, but I've been trying my best. Nag-audition na ako sa ilang sikat na reality television sa bansa pero hanggang second screening lang ang inaabot ko. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero ang tumatak sa akin ay ang sinabi ng isang head of production na ang bland daw ng personality ko at kapag isinalang ako sa reality show, magiging palamuti lang ako ro'n.
Para bang sinabi sa akin na wala akong pakinabang ang that hurts me. Kaya ayokong makita ang production head na 'yon ulit. Iniiwasan ko talaga siya.
Mabuti na lang, kahit papaano, I get posting requests on my profile. Though I'm grateful for all the brands na pumapasok sa akin... it's just that, it wasn't enough to pay the bills.
I have a degree in education and thought of going back to it and leave this hilarious dream of mine na maging sikat na artista. Siguro, kung iyon nga ang gagawin ko, maybe that would be a good thing for me. That I should move on and let this all go.
"Cosette!" may tumawag ng pangalan ko, nilingon ko naman ito at nakita ko si Kylie na papalapit sa akin. Hindi ako bitter sa kanya, I've known her for so long, nakakuha na siya ng lead role no'n. "Uuwi ka na? Gusto mo sumama sa akin?"
Napataas ako ng kilay sa tanong niya. "Ah? Saan naman? You know, wala akong budget if we're going to some expensive place. Nagtitipid ako."
"Ano ka ba! I'll treat you. Sagot kita rito," pang-uuto pa nito sa akin. "And you'll that lead role. For sure! Feeling ko deserve mo ngang malagay as lead sa project na ito, e. You've got this jolly and sophisticated attitude kaya bagay na bagay sa 'yo."
Napasinghal ako sa sinabi niya saka umiling. "No. Iyong tingin pa lang nila sa akin during the screening process mukhang hindi na kaagad ako papasa. Lead role pa kaya? No, thanks!"
"Either way, 'wag mo na akong tanggihan! Janina and Lauren would join us. Masaya 'to! I think some of the boys from this comedy show will be joining us as well."
Muli akong umiling sa kanya. "As much as I want to, but I have to decline your offer muna, Kylie. Maybe next time sasama ako. I'm just saving up today. Wala pa rin akong postings for two weeks so medyo nahihirapan akong kumuha ng clients din."
"Oh... okay... but maybe I can help you with that. Tanong ko iyong ibang nakausap kong brands if naghahanap pa sila tapos ire-refer kita. Would that be good on you?"
Tumango ako sa kanya. "Yes, I think that's a good thing. Thank you so much..."
Niyakap naman ako ni Kylie. Saglit lang din naman ay dumating na sina Janina at Lauren saka sila sabay-sabay na umalis. Umalis na rin ako ng studio. Bago ako sumakay, may nadaan akong burger shop na buy one take one kaya bumili muna ako at nagpalipas ng oras.
"Namumukhaan kita," sabi ng tindera na pabalik-balik ang tingin sa akin. Kumusot naman ang mukha ko. "Oo nga... para kang artista. Artista ba?" diretsyong tanong nito sa akin.
I don't even know if I will consider myself as an artist kung extra roles lang din naman ang nakukuha ko.
I shook my head. "Hindi po. Baka may namumukhaan lang po kayo."
Hindi siya nagbigay ng komento pero malalim pa rin ang pag-iisip niya habang niluluto niya ang burger patty. I tried not to make myself known. Hindi ko ipagmamayabang kung anong ginagawa ko at kung sinong mga nakasasama ko sa trabaho ko.
I have a license in teaching, I should be doing that instead of acting in front of the camera. Ano nga bang gusto ko sa buhay ko? Feeling artista. Drama-drama. I would never get far into this career. Patapon lang talaga ako sa showbiz industry.
Nang iabot sa akin ng order kong buy one take one at softdrink ay may sumagi naman sa isip ko.
"Ate, medyo weird itong itatanong ko sa 'yo, pero sa tingin mo, halimbawa lang na artista ako, ha? Kapag hindi ko nakuha iyong lead role o kung ano mang role sa project na pinag-audition-an ko, should I still pursue it or ipagpatuloy ko na lang ang pagiging teacher ko?"
Ibinaba ni ate ang spatula na hawak ito at napahawak sa baywang. "Halimbawa lang ba?"
"Opo, halimbawa lang." Tango ko pa.
"Kung hindi ka maging successful sa pagiging artista, siguro hindi iyon ang para sa 'yo. Bitawan mo na kung hindi nakatutulong sa 'yo. Ang sabi mo, isa kang teacher, kung mas magagawa mo nang maayos ang trabahong iyon, e 'di, mag-teacher ka! Sa tingin ko, mas magiging magaling kang teacher kaysa sa pagiging artista. Hindi nga kita kilala kung artista ka, e."
Hindi ko alam kung ma-hu-hurt ako sa huling sinabi niya o matatawa ako. But that made me laughed. Natawa rin si ateng tindera at nag-sorry pa kung artista nga ba talaga ako o hindi.
Pero pagkauwi ko, mas natawa ako dahil ano nga bang susundin? Si ate na walang ideya kung anong ginagawa sa showbiz? She's giving me advice like she knows it all, but she has a point. Nakatatawa lang that I have to end up on this situation where I have to choose what profession I should give up or not.
Both have pros and cons, but in this country, mas luluwag ang buhay ko kapag naging artista ako. Let's be real, educators in the country wasn't able to get the salary they deserved. Alam kong dapat nasa puso ang pagiging guro. Even before I thought I could be a teacher, noong bata pa lang ako, my mother would put me into various auditions kaya nandito talaga ang puso ko.
But if it's not making me happy anymore, maybe I should put my heart somewhere else.
A week had passed and there's still no call from the producers. Maybe they are still deliberating on whom to give the roles. While waiting, I was just at home, reaching out to brands if I could endorse them. Some easily rejected me, and some have a good heart to consider me.
While I was waiting for a call from the producer, one came up, but it's not from what I'm expecting to but from Kylie. Sinagot ko naman agad iyong tawag niya kasi akala ko it was the producer.
"Cosette! Are you going tonight? What are you wearing? We'll fetch you up later."
"Ha? Teka, wait! Ano 'tong sinasabi mo?"
"What, Cosette? Wala ka bang idea?"
"Idea? Saan?" Kunot-noo kong tanong.
"I'm confused," she uttered. "Wala ka bang na-receive na invitation?"
"Invitation?"
"Yes. From the producer. We were invited sa isang dinner party. I've heard kasi na may mga invited guests from around the world. Isa na ata ro'n si Cashel Corprew. He's a French model if you have heard of him, 'no?"
"Hindi. Hindi ko kilala 'yon. Saka producer? Tinawagan ka na ng producer?" tanong ko pa.
"Oh my gosh!" she said, shocked. "You haven't got a call from them, have you?"
Kinakabahan naman ako sa mga pinagsasabi nito kasi wala akong na-receive na tawag from any producers. "Hindi, Kylie..."
"Gosh, Cosette! I've got a call from the producer just a few days ako at pinababalik ako for the lead role screening! Akala ko tinawagan ka rin nila since you're suit for the role as well! So, kahit isang tawag sa kahit na anong role?"
"Wala, Kylie. Wala akong na-receive."
"Grabe," she scoffed. "If hindi ka natawagan, ibigsabihin wala ka ring invitation? Those who are invited will be going to the dinner party tonight. Maybe call the producer, Cosette. Baka nakalimutan lang nila."
"Do you think I should try it?"
"Yes, go for it! Tapos balitaan mo ako para ma-settle natin iyong party later, alright?"
"Sige, sige. Thank you... I'll update you once I've heard from him."
Nang ibinaba ko ang tawag. Nanginginig pa ang kamay ko na dinial ang number ng producer. At first, gusto ko na kaagad i-end ang call at nang sagutin nito ay agad kong tinanong kung ano nang update sa audition and what he said broke my entire soul.
"You really had a good audition, Miss Calafiore, unfortunately, you won't be moving on to the next steps of screening. You can audition for our future projects. God bless you." And then he hangs up.
I texted Kylie that I got no role for the project and so she didn't reply to me anymore. Sa pagkatataong iyon, I thought I should give it up pero ito ang gusto kong gawin
After that party, Kylie texted me that French model invited them to go with him sa Paris pero dahil ongoing na ang project, they couldn't. Hindi ko alam kung bakit niya pa pinapaalam ito sa akin. She was just making me feel jealous because at the end of it all, siya pa rin ang nakakuha ng lead role.
But I continued auditioning for every project and some gave me a good opportunity, but some completely rejected me. I was doing that for four months not until September when everything is falling apart. They're kicking me out of the shared condo because I couldn't pay for my half anymore so I left. I stayed in my parent's house which they said teaching could be the best option for me. And then I saw an agency to work abroad and that's to be an English educator in France.
I have to study French for a few weeks until I flew to France. The offer is great and thought with what I'll be getting there would be enough, but upon arriving there, minalas-malas pa nga.
I'm in Paris... but I felt like this world isn't for me. But whatever might happen, this is a new journey for me. Maybe they were right, acting isn't my best suit so leaving it back in the Philippines was a good decision. Maybe or maybe not. At least I did something that can help me.
Cashel's POV
April 2020
I love my job... but they say, this is the weakest and dumb job after all. I wouldn't argue with them, I knew some people who are dumb enough, but I'm different. Being a model helps me a lot to build my confidence and support myself and my family.
All that I can do now is because of myself. It's what I do to have a better life.
"Bon travail, Cashel! Tu fais du bien et du bien à chaque fois!" the production manager said. (Good job, Cashel! You're doing good and good every time!)
"Je sais, non? Je suis bon à tout!" I jokingly said but could be true. (I know right? I'm good at everything!)
She laughed. "Tu es drôle, mais tu as raison. C'est agréable de travailler à nouveau avec vous et j'espère que nous pourrons travailler à nouveau à l'avenir!" She patted my shoulder. (You're funny, but you're right. It's nice to work with you again and hopefully, we could work again in the future!)
I nodded as I agree with her. "Oui ! J'ai déjà hâte." (Yes! I'm already looking forward to it.)
I quickly changed my clothes to the dressing room. It doesn't take me too long as there are people around who are reaching out to help me which I'm very grateful for. As soon as I left the building, some people are waiting for me outside. Some are paparazzi and some are my fans who wished to have a picture with me, but I have swayed away from them as my driver opened the door for me and left the premises as soon as possible.
"Où allons-nous, monsieur?" he asked, looking at me from the rearview mirror, waiting for an answer. (Where are we going, sir?)
"Arrêtons-nous dans un magasin de glaces et nous retournerons à l'appartement," I told him. (Let's just stop by some ice cream shop and we'll go back to the apartment.)
"Tout de suite, monsieur," he said, nodding his head. (Right up, sir.)
He just drove were the usual ice cream shop we stopped by. When we reached the place, I bought Adie's favorite flavor—well, I'm actually confused about whatever she likes. Today would be strawberry, tomorrow would be chocolate, and then the next day would be the bland vanilla. But the ice cream shop has a new flavor which is a cookie dough flavor. Adie hasn't tried this before, but she loves cookies so I bet she'll love this ice cream flavor as well.
As soon as I got what I needed, we headed straight back to my apartment. I didn't waste my time and got into the penthouse where I found Adie weirdly dancing a chore from a youtube video on the TV.
"What are you doing, Adie?" I asked, laughing.
She giggled and continued what she was doing, but when I showed her the ice cream, she immediately stopped what she was doing and hurriedly grabbed the tub of ice cream from me.
"Okay, okay. Calmez-vous, Aide," I said. (Okay, okay. Calm down, Adie.)
But I guess she couldn't stop as she opened the lid and was mesmerized upon seeing what's on it.
"Cookie!" she shouted.
"No, that's not a cookie, but cookie dough. But it tastes like a cookie so I'm sure you're going to like it." Adie just straight lick the top of it and laughed it off. "So, do you like it?" She nodded furiously. I could see it on her that she really likes it that's why Salve came into our direction giving us some sturdy spoons to eat the ice cream.
"I like this," she said.
"Oh, I felt like that came from the heart," I said. "I can see that you totally love it." She nodded at me. "And I just want to say to you, Adie. Remember that I was in Las Vegas, in America a week ago?"
She nodded, minding herself on the ice cream.
"Well, I'll be going to the Philippines next week. I have a modeling project there so you'll be with Salve again for the whole week next week, is that alright?"
She nodded. "Oui. As long as I have cookie ice cream, I'm good!"
I chuckled, patting her head. "Yes, yes! That won't be a problem. Cookie ice cream it is."
Some people think that Adie's my child from another model, but it's just a funny question whenever I was asked. She's my sister and the age difference between us is our parent's fault. I thought I would be an only child until six years ago when she was born and I'm not hating it. In fact, I love that I have a little sister. She's staying with me here in Paris because that's what my parents want.
I told them that Adie should stay back in Beaujolais and study there and maybe at the right age, she could live with me in Paris, but I couldn't argue with them. So, Salve came in to save my life and I really appreciate her help.
I'm always traveling for work so it's hard to left Adie alone, but she doesn't mind. Maybe she's still too innocent for the world I know. But I trust Salve, my parents will keep in touch with her while I'm gone.
And when I arrived in the Philippines, it's totally different from France. It's humid and the heat is just exhausting. My mother is Filipina so that made me a half-Filipino, but I still don't look like one. My father's genes were too strong that rejected my mother's genes. I spoke a little of the language, but not really well, so I think that's still made me a Filipino in blood.
I'm only in the Philippines for a week and I'm staying in Makati and it's not weird enough since there's a lot of foreigners in the area as well. Most of my gigs are happening in the area as well so it won't be a bother for me to just walk around.
As an international model, I've met a lot of people, more often in the parties, like the one I attended, there's a group of girls whom I can't recall their names, but said that someone named Cosette should be with them, but wasn't able to make it because she was rejected to get a part on the project. That's what they said and that's the only thing I remembered about them talking since that was kind of a weird topic to talk about.
Some people are fascinated that I'm half-Filipino and that I should do a project in the Philippines like a TV show or a movie. That's an opportunity, but I know they've got a lot of incredible actors and actresses in their industry, so why would they offer an international model to be part of it when they could offer it to their own people?
Weird. But I think that's how their business work so I can't do anything about it.
I was also invited to walk to a fashion show by a small fashion entrepreneur. I didn't ask to be paid there, I just wanted to experience how it all works here and I must say, I'm glad that I'm in France and got the best thing in the world, because from what I've heard... some don't even get the same treatment and that's just a sad fact, but after all, that's just business and no one can't argue with it.
Life as an international model is great. I get all the good things in life, well, sometimes. I was once offered when I was starting to have a nude photoshoot as they thought it would boost my modeling career and that's how everybody started. I was about to reach the point, but knowing that I could do better than that, I rejected that offer even if it was a dream and here I am, I still made it.
Maybe in life, we don't always get the good things as we thought of it. It takes time and while we're waiting, do something that can make a change so when the time comes you were about to take a leap of faith, you are ready to step into a new world because you've worked hard for it. You made it to the top because of what you do so it's not always good at the start, but it can always be better when the time comes.
It took me time, I never realized that I would be traveling the world, but I did. And maybe that girl they were talking about who was rejected for a role, maybe she's up for bigger things in life and who knows what could happen in the future.
But my life is in Paris... and it's where I belong... does my love as well? Yeah, maybe, we'll see.
-end of special-special chapter-