You’re probably really tired of this outfit and these shots of my set with Rachel Alcantara. BUT, I have absolutely zero drive to shoot new ones right now. Although, I do have an interesting story to share. Let me make it up to you with that!

So, yesterday, Elite Model Management called me for a photo shoot. Apparently, they only chose 5 girls from their Cebu Go-see, and I’m one of them! I arrive at the studio, thinking I’d find girls like me, only to be surrounded a few seconds later with 3 extremely tall (and I mean EXTREMELY TALL) and skinny girls. They take one good look at me and dismiss the fact that I could be there for the same reason as they. Not a surprise, I don’t look so modelesque. haha

I go in the studio and much to my delight, I see a familiar face, Chai chai! Chai is also extremely tall and skinny, and is also a model. But somehow, I’m comforted by the fact that I know her, and I suddenly, I don’t feel so out of place anymore.

Chai arrived first, so she was asked to be the first one on the set. Looking at her made me feel like crap, because she was doing all these model-y things that I knew nothing about. I tried to brush off the insecurity I felt and chatted up Sharon, Elite’s brand manager, instead. Soon after, Xander Angeles, Creative Director and esteemed photographer, joined in the conversation. Thank God they were nice people. After a mini interview about my past and future career, Sharon and Xander asked me to submit my resume! They wanted to hire me for a Marketing position! Talk about hitting two birds with one stone.

When it was finally my turn on the set, I realized what a total newb I was. I felt totally awkward doing the things they asked me to do! Neck forward, tilted head, bent shoulders, parted lips, arched back, angled body, neck on shoulders… I kept thinking “holy crap, they’re trying to make me look anorexic!” and “I bet they regret picking me, now!” It was sooo hard to keep a straight face, when all I wanted to do was burst out laughing.

But much to my surprise, Xander came to the set and asked me if I had plans of moving back to Manila. I said no, but that I could make plans. I asked him jokingly, “Why? you wanna hire me?” and he answered “I want to sell you! To commercials!” At that point, I was totally confused. I look nothing like these freakishly proportioned tall girl wonders, and yet, he took such interest in me. (Maybe the market’s looking for exotic/awkward beauty? haha) After my turn, Xander told me that this other photographer wanted a shoot with me! (and again, I think to myself “okay, they really are looking for awkward people.”)

I left the shoot with 5 calling cards, email promises, and a whole lot of confusion, which up to now, I still don’t really understand.

P.S.

See me being awkward below:

rachel caught me mid-sentence while she shot this!

mmmm i look hungry!