Happy Birthday, Harry Potter!

I would like to thank my sponsor, Mr. L, for this shirt. :)

Anybody who is a fan of the Harry Potter series knows what today means, Harry Potter’s (and JK Rowling’s) birthday! Today is also the release of the eighth book in the series, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Being a fan myself, it is pretty sad that I wasn’t able to get one this very day. It’s okay though, because I went to a fundraiser that is Harry Potter-themed. It was so cool!

Due to the gentle prodding of my friend, and probably the sole reader of this blog, GemYoo, I had to suppress my lazy-Sunday-mode and strut to the venue, and boy was I glad!

If you're like me who lives under a rock, here's a short description of the Booklat Fundraiser from their Facebook page.

BOOKLAT: A Fundraiser for the Young Focus Center Library.

Under JCI Ortigas' flagship project PLEASE (Project Library Education and Skills Enhancement), we believe in the powerful role of books in a child’s education. It is a program that focuses on the improvement and renovation of public school libraries helping create an environment more conducive to learning and development. Moreover, we further commit our time and resources to our beneficiary schools by conducting seminars and tutorials in those libraries.

Young Focus, is a non-government organization that works towards making education accessible to the young people living on and around Smokey Mountain. You can learn more about them at: http://www.youngfocus.org/

The Young Focus team wants to create more inviting place to encourage the children to read, as well as update their book selection. More than it being a fundraiser, we also aim to advocate literacy awareness among the youth. Through reading, we learn about people, places and events outside our own experiences. We are exposed to different ideas and beliefs; that broaden our knowledge about the world.

Gate pa lang, artsy na haha!

Slytherin at heart

I especially like that the event is about giving opportunities to learn and sharing the love of reading to children. What an awesome advocacy! It was also a great platform for artists to showcase their artworks. There were a lot of trinkets here and there but it was Gemyoo who took all the photos hehe.

Let me show you what I got though: a couple of Harry Potter House Notes. I got 'em at a discounted rate too. :)

I love this gurl!

Sigh, what a happily nerdy Sunday! Happy Birthday again, Harry and JK!

Thanks for the photos Gemyoo

Freelancers' Financial Feat

Since I resigned from my regular job last year, I have been asked by friends or by people I know how I am "holding up" as a freelancer. I used to work as an AE/Producer/Scriptwriter at a formidable company but I chose to resign because I wanted to learn more about, and be closer to, my great love - films. Because there can only be so much films in a year, I also accept projects such as scriptwriting, producing, and managing for anything video - Audio Visual Productions (AVPs), Corporate Videos, Web Videos, etc. Recently, I also tried out being a Stage Manager for a couple of events (it was fun!).

Thing is, I know some people who are also considering to quit their jobs but are scared of not having that financial safety net aka regular pay. Meron namang iba who have no idea what is it exactly that I do for a living make comments such as "Sarap ng buhay mo ah!" or "Buti ka pa, parelaks-relaks na lang!"

So let me write some "myth-busters" type of post about the financial state of freelancers. Perhaps this could help those who are considering to quit their regular jobs because in reality, it's not for everyone.


1. Freelancers work for peanuts, or better yet, for free.

While some clients would like to pay peanuts, no self-respecting freelancer would accept a non-paying project. Yes, I do give "special rates" to, um, special clients but I charge what I think my work is worth.

For projects where I am admittedly a newb, the experience and the learning I get out of them are enough (plus of course allowance for meals, transportation and communication). When you're a freelancer you have to be flexible but at the same time you have to consider that every hour, every day, every schedule matters and that you should be getting something for every effort that you put in; if not monetary then knowledge go a long way.

There are some who apply for apprenticeship from seasoned Directors of Photography (DOPs), Directors, Writers, etc. to gain insight and hone their skills more. This is also wise just make sure you are not selling yourself short.


2. Freelancers have a more relaxed lifestyle.

If you are not sure when you are getting your next paycheck, do you think you will be relaxed? I don’t think so. Yes, I have more time now for myself and for the people I love but if I ever become relaxed, I might as well be a bum.

It takes a lot of self-discipline to get things done especially for projects that can be worked on at home like scriptwriting, scheduling, and stuff like coordinating because all it takes is one turn and oh hey! There’s the bed! It is a matter of planning your time and strictly following your schedule.

Although there are certain perks like traveling for work, it's not just all liwaliw and gala. Work is work. No matter where you are, you still have to deliver.

Plus, you always have to up the quality of your work or else no one else is going to hire you in the future! If you ever get relaxed someone else is going to bag your dream project and eventually, you will be wiped out of the race.

So yeah, the myth that freelancers are “parelaks-relaks”? Busted.


3. Freelancers are loaded. So this is, like, the opposite of item number one, you say? Actually no. Let me explain.

Some people (minsan clients) think that we, freelancers, charge A LOT. I used to think this way too, when I was an AE. Now that I am a freelancer, I sometimes do not know how much to charge. The key is to be in the loop of things; find out what is the standard rate for the kind of work that you do, know your expertise, know where you fall short. That way, you neither overcharge nor undercharge.

While seasoned freelancers ARE loaded, the reason cannot only be attributed to them being freelancers. There are a lot of reasons for them being loaded; they are experts, popular, and exceptional in their fields. Doesn’t it hold true for in-house professionals too? Those who work hard to get to the top are rewarded, freelance or in-house alike, you just have to find what works best for you.

There, I hope this helps. Maybe next time I can write about what helped me make a decision to be a freelancer.

Book / Movie Review: Me Before You

Because I read a lot, I tend to wind up reading books waaaay before they are made into blockbuster movies and, more often than not, the film adaptations disappoint me. Me Before You, however, is a different story.

To be honest, it wasn't the kind of book that I was excited to get to every chance I get but more of just something I'd get back to every "down time" I had, as in while waiting for someone at a meeting place, while at the bank waiting for my turn, before bed while waiting to fall asleep. Ganun lang. I think it started slow and there wasn't anything new about the plot; chatty poor girl and an obnoxious rich quadriplegic bound to fall in love in the end. It wasn't until the second half of the book when it started to become interesting for me.

The movie, however, was wow! It wasn't what I had expected. In my opinion, it was better than the book. There weren't unnecessary chit-chats, corny three-seconds-longer-than-necessary-eyeballing-moments, and cringe-worthy scenes. I prepared for them but there were none of that!

Eto pa, I already knew what would happen but I still cried my eyes out! Like all-out bawled and I didn't even do that for the book! While I was reading it I teared up a bit, okay, pero sa movie may hikbi levels and all my friends can attest to the fact that I RARELY CRY in movies so that's saying something. Ganda pa ng soundtrack. Sigh.

Anyway, I don't know if it's still in theaters kasi medyo late itong post ko but rarely do love story movies affect me so I just think it's noteworthy.

Sharing with you some notable scenes care of Google.

About My Dimple

Dimple was my first boyfriend. And my last. Sure, I dated (flirted with) different kinds of guys when I was younger – there were some who turned out to be gay (yes, plural po), one who was on a rebound, and another one who ditched me after realizing that he would NEVER get into my pants (Ha! Too bad for him, my mama raised me well). There were Mr. Maybes, Mr. Pwede Na, Mr. Trophy, etc. until looking for Mr. Boyfriend became exhausting and so I stopped.

Taken on our first out-of-town trip as a couple to attend his cousin's wedding.

After that, I spent a massive amount of time with my family and friends instead. We went to places, ate out, went for coffee-runs in the middle of the night, watched movies on a whim. I also discovered me-time! I did stuff I love to do. I read a lot of books, watched films alone, wrote stuff – some lame some not-so lame. I even used to dine out alone and people watch. I guess I developed a good relationship with myself so to speak.

Of course, it wasn't all fun and happiness. I also discovered parts about myself that I didn’t exactly like at first. I had this whole journey of dark and crazy self-discovery and self-acceptance that I’d rather not put in writing.

Just about the time when I was okay with my life, when I was ready to stick it out with what I had, I met Dimple. I met him on the beach, on a Good Friday. After a day, he added me on Facebook and after a week he asked if he could visit me at home. I was taken aback. I never met a guy so straightforward! Nasanay yata ako sa mga lalake who were all about psych games and winning. Dimple was clear right from the start that he liked me and that he wanted to get to know me better. No games. However, because I had all this batshit crazy issues, our relationship progressed veeeeeerry slowly and very messily that I thought it would never work out. He proved me wrong.

Taken with my crappy old Blackberry.
This is probably our favorite picture together. IDK why lol!

There were times that I felt he already wanted to give up on me and nagmaganda pa rin ako nang malala! All I told him was “sige, I can’t blame you.” I even urged him to date other girls, pushed him away, and would disappear from him for weeks on end. (Feeling maganda talaga ako diba? Kairita!) I can't imagine now how difficult it must have been for him; to not know where he stood with me, to be so uncertain with what to hope for. But he stuck with me. After a month of officially dating he asked me to marry him. I laughed as a response and thought, “how cute”. After six months, he asked me again. We were under a tree, the moon and the stars. More than being romantic, what got me was how he made it clear that he saw his future with me. I never had to doubt.

This was days before our wedding.
We were still handing out invites and running last-minute errands.

Of course when we became boyfriend and girlfriend ayan na yung mga times that we would get frustrated with each other. Moments when I hated him so much I could barely contain it but it’s amazing how I still knew (know) I love him despite everything and I know he is the same with me. During times when I don’t understand him most, when I’m hurt, when I’m in pain, I think back to how he held on to me. How he quietly stood aside while I fixed myself up. How he willingly waited until I could be with him, even if he didn’t understand why the hell not. (Cue: Aaawww...)

Now, I am beyond grateful that I have everyday to show him how much I appreciate everything he did for me and how I love everything about him. That everyday I can make it up to him if I screw up. That everyday I will have him no matter what.

My Dimple. Mine. Forever.

Slowly but surely

Photo by ze awesome Gelo Concepcion

At the start of this year, I found myself traveling to the Mountain Province with three other marvelous individuals for an incredible project. 

We hopped on a bus and traveled for about eight hours to Tabuk, Kalinga then got on a four-hour van ride to Tinglayan. We got off the van mid-afternoon and the view was incredible! The fresh air and the panoramic view of the mountains made me feel energized. When I was told we had to walk for an hour, it didn't taunt me one bit. I love walking and with a view like that, I could not complain! 

It turned out, we had to hike on narrow pathways carved from the side of mountains, cross a couple of bridges (with NO HANDRAILS) over cliffs, and trekked on walkways along steep rice terraces. You see, I just injured my knee a few months before the trip due to a bicycle accident and it never really fully healed so I was nervous terrified the whole time. I even regretted not having been able to call (wala nang signal when we got to Tinglayan) my loved ones to say, um, goodbye just in case. Hahaha ang morbid!

Look at that pathway! It goes steeply down then curves to the left
as in matisod ka lang derecho ka na sa after life, if there is one.
That's my awesome friend Ice on the photo.

As a result, I took my time in that journey. I wanted to secure my footing, be sure of every step because I dreaded to think of the alternative. I was surrounded by such breathtaking beauty but at the same time I knew that a little miscalculation could lead to perilous results. 

That's Direk Don who got tired of waiting for me lelz.
Konting usog pa niya to his right oblivion na but look at that view behind him!
Sorry my camera doesn't do the mountains justice.

This was when I finally caught up with the others. I demanded a group photo
kasi sabi ko baka last ko na hahaha!
L-R Direk Don, our incredible guide Kuya Ibut, Prod Coordinator Ice, me, and client Gelo

Thinking back, I treaded that road pretty much the same way as I do my life, my career, and even in falling in love. Slowly but surely. I was never a fast-learner when I was in school, never the fastest runner, never the first one to finish. I took my time in pursuing my dreams, in falling in love, in learning, and in making major decisions.

It may be a competition for others but for me it never is. For me, everyone has their own journey. I will get to my destination my own way and with a different story to tell. Perhaps yours is about how fast you finish. For others it may be how they are always the best. Mine is about how much I enjoy the view, how much I sometimes feel I could not go on but nevertheless put one foot before the other. I might take my time and that's okay, we each have our own story to tell and eventually, we all get to where we deserve to be. Surely.

The view right outside our transient home.
Photo by Gelo Concepcion

The view right outside our transient home.
Photo by Gelo Concepcion

Gag Show: Mr. L Edition Part 1

My husband is a joker. He may not look it but he is and even when I'm really mad, he can still crack me up. Here are a few of his funny antics:


Scene: Early evening. There's a slight shower that could turn into rain any moment. We just got off the jeep.

Me: (Galit) Bakit dito tayo bumaba? Eh diba mas malapit dun sa kabilang gate?
Dimple:  Bakit ka  ba nagagalit kaagad?
Me: Eh kasi nakita mo na nga'ng umaambon, dito pa tayo bumaba kung saan mas malayo sa bahay!
Dimple: Magwi-withdraw kasi ako.
Me: (Even more angry now) Magwi-withdraw ka pala bakit di ka na lang nag-withdraw sa Cubao? Hindi mo man lang iniisip ang convenience ko?
Dimple: Hindi totoo yan!
Me: Ano'ng hindi totoo??!!
Dimple: Ganito. Habang nagwi-withdraw ako, dito ka muna sa 7-Eleven. Kung hindi ko pa naman iniisip ang CONVENIENCE mo n'yan eh nasa convenience store ka na, ewan ko na lang!

Nagpigil ako ng tawa mga beh pero di ko kinaya.

***

Scene: Bedroom. Morning. We were both preparing to go out. Me to a meeting with a client. He saw me putting my MacAir in my bag together with an external keyboard and mouse - you see it just recently got broken.

Dimple: Dadalhin mo yung external keyboard and mouse sa meeting?
Me: Oo, wala naman akong choice otherwise hindi ko magagamit ang laptop.
Dimple: Kawawa naman ang asawa ko, sira na 'yung laptop.
Me: (Paawa) Oo nga eh, nakakahiya sa mga clients ko minsan.
Dimple: Gusto mo ng...
Me: (Looks up to him hopefully)
Dimple: ...madaming keyboard?

Ay waw.

***


Scene: At my old apartment. We were watching TV and he kept on changing the channel.

Me: Huwag ka ngang lipat nang lipat! Ang sakit sa ulo!
Dimple: Patalastas pa naman eh!
Me: Doon na lang sa pinapanood natin!
Dimple: Teka lang, ibabalik ko din.
Me: Ibalik mo na! Huwag ka nang maghanap ng iba!
Dimple: (Looking at me) Hindi naman na talaga ako maghahanap ng iba eh. Ikaw na.

Ayiii ewan ko sa'yo!!!

How I spent my 31st birthday

This year, I found myself not looking forward to my birthday the way I used to; no special plans, no waiting for midnight, no wishlist. Perhaps it was because of the major changes that happened in my life recently that my birthday had to take a backseat. This does not mean, however, that I am not grateful for having reached 31, after all it is the last number included in the calendar heh-heh.

My birthday was celebrated just the way I wanted it: no fuss, simple, with delicious albeit unhealthy food, and spent for the first time with my husband (dati kasi jowa pa lang kami haha!). He called me while he was at work and asked what I wanted for dinner and I said PIZZAAAAAA!!!So when he came home from work, we bought food from the nearby mall, ate until I could hardly breathe, then capped it up by snuggling in the couch to watch a couple of movies. Bliss.

Isn't he cute? He had my cake decorated with "Mrs. L" :)

PIZZZAAAA! Although we didn't get much
because we were afraid we won't stop eating if we get some more.

Chicken joy that deliciously smelled
just the way I remember it when I was a kid.

Groufieeee!! Haha!

My family in Samar also celebrated my birthday even when we're away from each other. They've been doing that since I moved here to Manila. Heart heart. Earlier that day, I got phone calls from them, greetings online, and also a video call from my sister and my nieces in the US! Happiness!

Cute nephew and nieces (grandchildren, technically) in Samar. :D

Apologies for the low-res photo :P

I also just have to share this, I was talking to Dimple while waiting for our take-out and I didn't know why he was smiling weirdly, yun pala nagpi-picture and then he posted this on Facebook! Kainis! Hahaha!!

He said: Happy Birthday sa asawa kong patay na patay sa kin.
Ibang level din ano? Hahaha!

Anyway, there! In less than an hour it will be my sister-in-law's birthday naman! :) July babies rock!!

31st

Wow! I'm 31. My life went through a lot of changes in the past year; I quit my regular job, I became a part of a film production(!), I left my apartment, I got married(!!!).

It's sometimes overwhelming to know that there will be more changes in the coming years, months, days. When you're young it feels like you own time but once you're old enough, you realize that time owns you.

Anyway, what's a birthday without cake? 

Here are some photos I found online of cakes decorated with stuff that I love! They all look so cool and yummy!

Because I'm that kind of dork
who thinks books are cool!

Ugh!! Forever!!

Because who doesn't love Hedwig?

A bloody one!! Yum!!

So saucy of me to want a cake like this but WTH!!

Sakura!!!

Ah to ride a bike again!

Happy Birthday to me!! 

Book Recommendations: First

So one of the favorite things I absolutely loooove to do is read. I like rainy days because they give me an excuse to just curl up with a good book. No matter how busy, it makes me feel relaxed to be able to sneak in some time to read.

Here are three recommendations based on the books that first came to mind as I was writing this post (that's sort of the plan). Don't worry, no spoilers here.

photo from the web

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. It falls under Young Adult (YA) category which I'm sort of a newbie reader at. It's about being comfortable in your own skin and embracing your eccentricities, and of those you love. That your crazy can be what would make people love you, and that it really doesn't matter whether they do or not. I really liked it! I recommended it to my eleven-year old niece and would also recommend it to thirty-somethings for a good read.

Kind of reminds me of Phoebe Buffay of FRIENDS.

photo from the web

All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. Although also a YA book, this one dwells on heavier and more grownup problems. Don't be fooled by the title, that promising "plurk" and the colorful cover, this book is about that dark place in your mind that makes you different from other people. It reminds readers that if you know you need help, or you know someone who does, ASK for it. Now. Don't ever delay. It talks about a whole different kind of crazy than Stargirl. It's a dark and insightful book.

photo from the web

The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins. I love people-watching and I think trains are romantic. The people-watching in this book, however, is taken to another level by the character. I like how this book revolves around the character (ano'ng title beh? hahah); how it takes you to her head with all her tumultuous thoughts and self-harming decisions. You can't help but hate her and root for her at the same time.

There, will post three books that first-came-to-mind-while-writing-a-book-recommendations-post again soon! Enjoy!

Grow Old With You

photo from the web

Today marks my being a couple with Dimple for 3 years and 8 months. Although we're no longer boyfriend-and-girlfriend, the eighth of every month will always be special to me.

I hope Dimple and I both get a lot of time in this world so we could love each other for a loooong time. I also hope we can still be as playful then as we are now, just like this lolo and lola in this Korean documentary film, My Love Don't Cross That River. Get your hankies ready. Hashtag relationship goals, my friends.

I wonder where I can buy a copy.

Eme eme

Para sa mga hindi well-rounded sa Gayspeak, “eme-eme” came from the word “emote” na sabi sa Merriam Webster (oh diba, may reliable source?):

            Emote: To express emotion in a very dramatic or obvious way

Sa madaling salita, pagiging OA. So emote-emote pina-iksi naging eme-eme. Now, like its predecessors “chuva, churut, keme”, eme-eme is used differently depending on the conversation. Gayspeak is fluid and progressive like that. Pak.

Anyway, yesterday was not a very good day for me. Malalang eme-eme ang naramdaman ko; I didn’t want to get out of bed, I didn’t want to eat, I didn’t want to read, write, or even do something as lazy as watch TV. I just flitted in and out of consciousness basically the whole day.

I could not pinpoint the exact reason. Perhaps because it was my nephew’s 5^th birthday and I wasn’t there to celebrate with him (he lives in Samar with my sister and my mother). Maybe I was tired from the previous day kasi I was out on meetings from morning until late night. Or was it because the weather was so conducive to sleep-all-day eme-eme. Pero ang sad ko kahapon talaga.

When ze husband came home, I was doing half of the week’s laundy. Half lang kasi nga wala ako sa mood haha! I knew he could tell that I wasn’t in my best mood. I got annoyed at him for the smallest reasons and kept trying to pick a fight; lahat ng sinasabi nya kinokontra ko, lahat ng reaction n’ya to anything kina-counter ko hahaha! As in ang lala. Siyempre hanggang bago matulog sinubukan ko pa ding mang-away pero sabi niya lang bakit ang drama-drama ko daw hahaha! Kainis.

Buti na lang, hindi siya patola. That’s one of the many things I appreciate about him. When he knows something is up, kung hindi naman major, he doesn’t dwell on them. He goes around like nothing’s the matter, like everything is fine until everything calms down...I mean until I calm down. He trusts that I’m a matured woman who will right herself soon. I realized that there was no point to my eme-eme and, also, that I am indeed a very lucky woman to have a husband who doesn’t dignify my ka-eme-han sa life. Thank you, universe.

Megan Fox on Ellen

Photo grabbed from ellentube

Megan Fox was on Ellen some time ago and I just saw it online. She talked about turning 30. She said, when she was young she thought 30 was ancient! But now that she’s not going to be in her twenties anymore in a few months' time she realized that nothing much has changed. This is Megan Fox that we are talking about, ladies and gents. MEGAN FREAKING FOX!

Cut to me: an overweight, freelancer, dream-chasing 30 year-old (turning 31 in a few days btw), who, like Megan Fox, used to think that 30 is ancient! I used to think that by the time I am 30, I will have it all figured out but my-oh-my! Now that I am here I don’t have it all figured out! In fact I am far from figuring it all out. I am this close to panicking (holding out my index finger and my thumb just an inch apart)! For one, I don’t look anywhere near like Megan Fox, I gained about 15 lbs. since I was 25 years old and I’m still chasing my dreams. Yep, until now!

Oh well, maybe when I’m 40 I’ll have it all smoothed out.

Pamilya Ordinaryo: An Extraordinary Experience

Almost a year ago, I resigned from my regular job as an AE/Producer so that I could pursue my love for films. No, not just watching films but also being a part of the production team. Eventually, I would like to write but for the meantime I want to just be in that world; see what it is like on the other side of the screen, discover how it all works, and mainly learn.

Lucky for me, I am friends with Line Producer (and now actress) extraordinaire Nay Sarah Pagcaliwagan-Brakensiek who worked on films such as Ang Huling Cha-cha ni Anita and English Only, Please to name a few. She is one of the people I know who has the biggest heart! She let me tag along to meetings and projects when she wasn't really getting anything from it. Thank you, Nay! Segue lang, I even visited Nay Sarah on the set of On The Wings Of Love and saw JaDine! Grabe sobrang lapit ni James Reid pero nahiya akong magpa-picture kaya wala akong evidence hahaha! 

Anyway, she introduced me to Award-winning Director, Eduardo Roy Jr.  (Direk Edong). I remember the first day I met with him. We were at his artfully-decorated condo and he gave me a copy of a two-page excerpt from the script, it was what we were going to use for the audition, and I got engrossed in reading it. First paragraph pa lang, ang ganda ng pagkasulat! I read scripts online for a hobby (at malakas kaming mang-daot ng mga kaibigan ko in terms of kwento and scripts, sorry na mga feelingera lang haha!) and I can say that his writing is incredibly tasteful. IDOL!!

L-R Direk Edong, Nanay Sarah, and me
This was taken on the first day of Cinemalaya auditions at CCP.
Look at my smile!! Kilig na kilig lang?

Bespoke script. I lost my copy in one of our locations, though huhu!

From that day on, it felt like everything progressed slowly and rapidly at the same time. Slowly because it was unfamiliar territory for me and most of the time I had no idea what to do. On the other hand, it was like everything was falling into place rapidly. Trying to find the main talents was already a challenge in itself; we went to Tondo, we went to CCP, we also held multiple auditions at Direk's condo and it was just ironic that the day Direk found her, I was on a shoot out-of-town so I wasn't there to witness her audition.

I met our stars, Hasmine Killip and Ronwaldo Martin, on the day of the test-shoot and it was overwhelming! Seeing them under the lights, in front of the camera and wearing the wardrobe for the shoot I felt like crying! No joke haha! Lalo na nung I witnessed the workshop and heard them speaking in the characters' voices, grabe ganun pala ang feeling, nakaka-overwhelm! I even teared-up huhu ang galing nila.

Hasmine and Ronwaldo in one of the intense scenes

Ms. Maria Isabel Lopez with our very own Hasmine and Ron

The day before our first-day of shoot, I was in Direk's condo finishing up some stuff, he asked me if it was the first movie I was going to be working for and I said yes. I remember him telling me "Ay hindi ito pang-first-timer" and true enough hindi nga. Mehn, I won't pretend, it was probably the most difficult project I've ever done. We shot for eight days (scheduled a day apart) and on the first three days, I go home and cry. Stress! I mixed up information, my brain would not cooperate with me, I would forget things, in short, I messed up. Ang dami kong mali, ay day! Akala ko nga masisesante na ako eh buti mabait si Nanay Sarah! Hahaha!

On the fourth day of shoot, I felt like I was finally getting the hang of it and the talents, staff, and crew already bonded by that time so the work became much easier and even started being fun. I've also learned quickly (dahil kailangan) not to take things personally. Bawal ang balat-sibuyas! I also just have to say that the Pamilya Ordinaryo team was very professional and efficient. They were also forgiving because they knew it was my first film, otherwise I wouldn't have survived a day!

Make-up and Wardrobe

Direk Edong at work

Too soon, it was our last day of shoot and I felt relieved and nostalgic at the same time. That experience is definitely one of the highlights of my life.

Taken on the last day of shoot with (almost) the whole team

Just last week I saw the teaser trailer and I cried again huhu! I am immensely proud to be part of this film. I know this one is for the books, I've seen a lot of films to be able to say that. Many times during the production I said that it would be my first and last film kasi ang hirap hahaha but of course I didn't mean it. The energy, the feels, the natural high were just incredible and addictive.

Gusto ko yung silang lahat happy and fresh tapos ako ngarag at haggard hahaha!

One of my clients told me before that to be in this industry, you have to be an adrenaline-junkie, and perhaps that's what I am, I'm scared of heights and crazy rides pero eto pala, mas nakakalula, mas masakit but I love every bit of it. WALANG EME.

Being a part of such an awesome team creating quality film just solidified how I have always felt about the film industry, hopeful and proud. I can't wait to see the film on the big screen! Creating Pamilya Ordinaryo with the team-extraordinaire was indeed an extraordinary experience. Please don't miss it! For now, see teaser trailer below.

Photos by: Michael Lacambra