Chapter 12: From the Frying Pan
Somehow, I need to stare at Veronique to find an assurance that all's well, at least for now. So, she led me to the spacious elevator, never mind seeing those pictures and statues of famous people I passed by but not seeing anyone familiar, at least in the Philippine cinemas or TVs.
Honestly, I do not know any well-known talents of PBN. I do remember a soap opera that lasts for many years back in the United States that was beamed on satellite by MHTBN that starred a rather cute looking girl that was persecuted by her bad stepmother, its English title was "Into the Core of my Being" or something like that.
While in the elevator, Veronique told the operator to press 8 and off we go.
"You look so beautiful today, Miss Veronique," I said.
"Late ka na nga, nakuha mo pa mambola (you're late yet you still have time to flatter someone)"
"I meant it, and to unstress myself by talking?"
"Stress reliever na pala ako ngayon ha? (So, I am now a stress reliever for you?)"
"Never mind what I said, sorry if it didn't mean to you what I intended to mean it." Where is this conversation going?
"Quiet ka muna kasi, just give your demure smile. You look cuter that way," then looked at me with those eyes that seemed surprised as well to say that.
Then I smiled in a manner of I think demurely and made a short laugh. She's managed to remove my stress with that.
The elevator door opened and she directed me to a rather long hallway and into a room somewhere at the center I suppose of a building. I hurried into the room but she led me to a powder room.
"You have a minute to compose yourself then I'll lead you to Sir Mutuc and Medica as well as the directors of the Olivia del Cielo. Game?"
"Game!" and closes the door behind her.
Suddenly alone in the powder room, I looked around and still felt everything's a dream. I saw some cologne, and tried to look suave with their large mirror. Feeling comfortable already, the door swung open and she again led me to the conference room and said before pushing me into the door, "just don't say anything stupid."
I wasn't that ready to enter a room full of photographers, news media and when Veronique swung the door open, several blasts of photographer flashes blinded me a bit so I pulled my dark glasses and put it on my eyes, and a series of people then pulled me as I passed by the back of chairs of several people. I kept my smile and composure even if my heart is racing. The place is uncomfortably cold even if its full of people. The long table has a back-drop that features several faces of possibly the stars of the new series which says Olivia del Cielo. To my surprise, mine is billed third from the two leading talents, one is Amarga Riva (as Olivia del Cielo), Estevan Rio (as Mel Salado), and me, Jayvee Regidor (as Guido Recto).
Since I still feel stupidly amazed as well, I decided to sit somewhere at the 6th chair (10 chairs in all), which is the only one available anyway and the photo-flashes kept coming. I looked around and Estevan greeted me with "Welcome to PBN!" and another lady star named, Gemma Dolores also greeted me with "welcome to PBN!" She also gave me the usual warm Filipino smile.
Meanwhile, a thin Indian-looking man with circular spectacles in a formal suit was talking already when I sat, saying something like 'primetime show that will take over your nighttime viewing experience' and started mentioning names. When I was called, the claps and vocal praises felt that much that it was weird already. Yet I rode along, reminding me of Veronique saying, 'don't say something stupid.'
Then the question and answer started after a short speech from Madam Medica (I supposed she's the fat chinese-mestiza lady sitting beside Mr. Mutuc). Of couse, it didn't take long when someone threw me a question from the media, "How does it feel that you rejected an earlier offer from MHTBN?"
Then Madam Medica said, "before Jayvee Regidor became an Instagram sensation, we're the first to talk to him on phone, so that question stands to be corrected, Mr. Regidor?"
I took the microphone and Madam Gemma, slapped my thigh and pointed to the lapel, which I didn't notice was placed on my collar. And I did not miss a beat by placing the mic back and with a smile, I said, "Hi. I suppose you know me already but its true, PBN contacted me on telephone call, and I am glad I accepted their offer."
Then another, possibly an LGBT reporter said something like, "Can we see the real thing? I mean, that very hairy and big chest of yours we've seen in your Instagram account?"
I looked first at Mr. Mutuc and Madam Medica, and they nodded. So when I stood up, the entire audience erupted with so much noise that I decided to imagine I am in the gym. I removed by coat and unbuttoned my shirt and revealed my hairy chest, and the crowd erupted with glee. To make everything sensational, a reporter said, "can we touch it?"
Madam Gemma then stood and said, "I'll do that for you," and ran her hand on my hairy chest while the crowd went wild and so I looked backed at the executives, who were smiling with approval until I saw Veronique from afar, signaling to close my buttons. Which I strangely did.
The press conference ended later in which most of the questions were fielded in Tagalog, and mostly directed to the two major talents and the director, who I discovered to be a young 25-year-old bachelor Emir Mayo.
During those times, Gemma was talking to me and basically interviewing me, even praising me for staying cool when asked with uncomfortable questions that are typical to Filipino media. She also asked if I am married, which I said, "do I look like married to you?" and she said, I look almost like a daddy, athletic and brawny for my age.
Only then did Sir Mutuc, Madam Medica and Director Emir took time to interview me, after all the people are gone and only the cast and the executives were left.
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