Prologue
"Good morning Miss Ianna, I am Marielle the coordinator of the modeling department here in Arcega University. Nice to finally meet you in person." Bati sa kanya ng babaeng nakatayo sa harapan niya at naglalahad ng kamay.
She removed her shades and accepted her hand. Inilibot niya ang tingin sa paligid. Not bad. She said to herself. Infairness to this school, may kanya-kanyang building ang bawat department. Even this short term course modeling has it's own building. Tama nga ang sabi ng kanyang manager this school is really one of the top universities here in the country. Designs pa lang ng mga building at itsura pa lang ng buong campus pang-prestigous na ang dating.
"Thank you for accepting our invitation, this is really a great honor to our department."
She just smiled, sa totoo lang ay nagdadalawang isip siyang paunlakan ang imbetasyon ng university na ito na maging guest instructor sa mga modeling students, she is a supermodel that means she is a very very busy person. She barely had time to relax, she travel from one country to another just to have a photoshoot and this guest instructor thing, hindi niya makitaan ng importansya dahil sa totoo lang ano bang malay niya sa mga gantong bagay hindi ba? Nang sabihin ito ng kanyang manager ay nagtaas lang siya ng kilay.
"Your welcome. Anyway, let's proceed to our real agenda here dear. Let's get going." Tumayo na siya sa pagkakaupo sa isa sa mga sofa ng lobby ng building. Agad namang tumayo ang nagpakilalang Marielle na tila nagulat sa sinabi niya. Well, what can she do? She is the type of person that goes straight to the point. Why would you prolong the inevitable, right? If it's meant to be said then go, say it. There's no point in prolonging things.
"Yes ofcourse ma'am. Let's proceed this way." Iginiya siya nito sa elevator.
"How many students will I meet today? Hindi na kasi ako nainform ng manager ko, she's a bit busy." She shrugged.
"About one hundred students ma'am. You are meeting all of our modeling students. We would like everyone to learn things about modeling from you." Paliwanag nito.
Napatango siya. "Now I'm flattered."
She joked to lighten up the mood. Mukhang nahiya na ito ng masample-lan ng katarayan niya.
Binuksan nito ang pintuan at bumungad sa kanya ang samut-saring mukha ng mga estudyante. Mukhang isang malaking dance studio ang hall dahil kahit saang panig ay may salamin. Agad namang nagsiayos ng upo ang mga estudyante na naka-squat sa sahig ng makita sila.
"Ang ganda niya talaga, kaya idol na idol ko siya eh. She is freakin' gorgeous!"
"I'm gonna die. She is a goddess!"
"Oo nga, nakakatibo lang!"
Rinig niyang bulungan ng mga estudyante. She nearly flipped her hair. Well, iba na talaga ang maganda.
Marielle gave her a go signal to start.
"I am Ianna Nieva, I know you already heard about me, yung hindi pa sige makakalayas ka na. Dali pagkakataon mo na itong makapag-skip ng class." Everyone chuckled. "Walang gustong umalis? Ikaw din baka mabore ka. Okay let's start then." Inilapag niya ang kanyang bag sa upuan sa kanyang tabi before facing everyone. "Ianna Nieva, hindi ba yung model yun na mataray. That's what people often say isn't it? Kapag nabanggit ang pangalan ko kasunod na niyan ang mataray kulang na lang maging Ianna Mataray Nieva ang pangalan ko." The crowd chuckled again. "But the hell I care. Bakit ako ma-o-offend doon eh totoo naman na mataray ako, 'diba? That's the basic rule in modeling, accept your flaws use it as your strength and work it. You can not stand confidently infront of the camera and everyone if you're holding back some insecurities in you because of your flaws. Don't let insecurity beat you up, live with your flaws. Don't worry hindi po nakamamatay yan!" Napatawa ulit ang mga estudyante maging ang mga instructor na naroon din.
Bentang-benta talaga ang mga joke mo Ianna. Pwede ka na sa fiesta! She joked to herself.
"Now back to business. Looking at you I can already tell kung sino iyong may mga potential sa runway at editorial modeling. Pero hindi porket meron ka ng potential sa isa, you'll stop there. No. Keep on seeking something that will enhance your skills kapag pang~runway ka, do not stop there. Dare to do something more. That's why you are here, this institution is molding you to become a word class supermodel." Everybody clapped after she said her last words.
Akalain mo nga namang may potential ka pala sa ganito Ianna.
"Now, I want you to ask your concerns. Tungkol lang sa modeling ha? Kukulangin ang oras natin kapag ididiscuss ko sa inyo ang mga techniques and basics of modeling world. We'll only discuss things that concerns your modeling skills. C'mon guys." She took her seat ang waited for their questions.
"Paano po ba magiging fierce kapag naglalakad sa runway? I mean iyong mapapansin ka talaga ng crowd at mai-impress mo ang clients?"
"Good question what's your name?" Aniyang sinisilip ang nametag ng dalagang nagtanong. "Irine. Fierce is the most important emotion you need to acquire when you are a model. Kasi kailangan yan para maging high fashion ang isang editorial o runway show man. Now for you to look fierce, isa lang ang iisipin mo. Think about murder. Isipin mo iyung taong gustong-gusto mong patayin. Tignan natin kung hindi ka maging fierce. Come here hija." Tawag niya sa dalaga na agad namang lumapit. She stand and let the student face the mirror at their back. "Look at your face in the mirror. Now, think about murder." Agad namang sumunod ang dalaga, ayos naman ang giniwa nito kaya hindi narin siya nahirapan pa dahil kung hindi makakatikim ito ng katarayan mula sa kanya. "Very well, kapag sa runway naman wag kang masyadong magalaw sa paglalakad pero wag din naman masyadong stiff na para kang tuod na tinubuan lang ng paa. Just like this." She showed them her walk when she's modeling for her clients in Paris.
"Ang galing galing niya talaga."
"No wonder she is rank number 1 in modeling here in Asia."
Napapangisi na lang siya sa mga naririnig. Iba na talaga ang maganda. Pinaupo na niya ang estudyante saka bumaling ulit sa lahat. "Always remember that fierceness begins with your eyes the rest of your face is just a mere detail. Laging nakasalalay yan sa mata. People should see the fire in your eyes. That you really want and love what you're doing."
Nagpatuloy ang kanilang discussion, naaliw rin siyang sumagot sa mga tanong ng mga estudyante. Hanggang sa matapos na ang oras dahil lunch break na.
"I guess time's up." She heard the students groan in protest. "Now everyone. Always remember this, if you didn't work your ass off you wouldn't make it to the modeling world. I tell you, modeling world isn't just about glamour and fancy things and etcetera. It's not about your body or your face, it's hardwork that will bring you on top. Take it from me, I've been modeling since I was sixteen. Yes, I experienced rejections too, there will always be one. Believe me. We can't avoid that one but if you're determined enough you will not let rejections kill your dream. Lastly, never be afraid of doing something different. Dare to be something more. And who knows, in the near future we will be modeling together. Doing runways and print ads for Gucci, Chanel, Prada, H&M, Forever21, etcetera. We never know, so work your butts of and nail it. " She said as her final words.
Halos ayaw paawat ang mga estudyante nang tuluyan ng matapos ang oras nila. She can say that they are all eager to learn. Hindi rin nawala ang picture taking dahil hindi daw araw-araw ay nakakakita sila ng isang sikat na model.
"Thank you talaga Miss Ianna I can say that you really inspired them, even us." Tukoy nito sa mga kasamahang instructor. "Madami po kayong natulungang bata." Saad ni Marielle na sinabayan siya sa elevator.
"Don't mention it." Nakangiting saad niya. Nag-enjoy din naman siya ang she isn't expecting that one.
"Is someone fetching you?"
"I parked my car at your main office, may nag-assist lang sa akin papunta sa building niyo. I didn't know na may kanya-kanyang building pala per department." Iling niya.
"I'll acompany you there then." She offered.
Natigilan siya ng may mamataang gwapo na makakasalubong nila. He look so serious and intimidating. Bagay dito ang suot nitong eyeglasses mukha itong kagalang-galang na tao. She think he's about 6 foot tall or maybe lampas pa nga. Nakapamulsa ito and damn! He looks so edible! Napatawa siya sa kanyang naisip.
Ayan ka nanaman Ianna. May gwapo alert lang. Nako!
"Good afternoon sir." Rinig niyang bati ni Marielle sa kanyang tabi. Hindi niya namalayang nasa tapat na pala sila ng gwapong lalaki.
"Good afternoon."
Damn! His voice is fucking sexy! Siya iyong tipo ng lalaking kapag inaya ka sa kama wala ng patumpiktumpik pa, go agad.
Manahimik ka Ianna! Napakahalay mo nanaman!
"By the way sir, this is Ianna Nieva. Siya po iyong naimbitahang guest speaker ng modeling department. Miss Ianna this is Sir Blake Arcega the owner and President of this school."
Inilahad niya ang kanyang kamay na tinanggap naman nito at binitawan din agad. Akala niya ay instructor lang ito sa school pero ito pala ang may-ari at president, impressive!
Sayang naman! Hindi ko tuloy nafeel kung may sparks ba o wala!
Landi! Saad naman ng isang bahagi ng isip niya.
Ni hindi man lang ito nagpakita ng interes, mukang hindi apektado sa ganda niya. Tsk!
"I'll go ahead." Nagtagpo ang tingin nila she smiled iyong anggulong maganda talaga siya pero tumango lang ito at agad umalis. Napaismid siya.
"Snob ba talaga yung presidente niyo?" Wala sa sariling tanong niya.
"Seryoso lang po talaga siya pero mabait po 'yon. Ang gwapo no?" Kinikilig ring saad ni Marielle.
Napatango siya at napangiti ng maalala ang kagwapuhan nito.
"Kaya lang may girlfriend na mukhang mahal na mahal niya kasi mag-a-apat na taon na sila eh." Malungkot na balita ni Marielle.
Agad napalitan ng simangot ang ngiti niya.
Ano ba naman yan!