Kirsten's POV:
Grabe, nakakatulala yung boses ni Mei-Mei. Nganga ako! At si Prince may talent din pala ah?
Para talagang may something sa dalawang 'to. Hmmmm. Kung makakanta, kala mo lalanggamin. Eh di sige! Sila na sweet. Tsk.tsk!
Pagkatapos nilang kumanta ni Prince, bigla na lang nawala si Ellie. Hindi ko siya makita.
Ano ba yan? Kung kailan yung highlight na ng Ms. PRINCETON U yung sunod eh! Haist! Well may pakinabang naman si Prince kahit papaano. Infairness tumahimik ang crowd nung kumanta silang dalawa.
Kaso kawawa naman yung assistant n'ya, si Ellie. Sa kanya ipinagawa lahat.
"And for the next event, the long gown competition. And we will choose our Top five. And after that, we will hear the beautiful answers of these beautiful ladies with the question & answer portion."Galing ni Monica mag-host no? Friend ko yan nung high school kaya napilit ko sya.
Ito na!
"Uh, miss Kirsten, get ready na po. Magpalit na po kayo at i-reretouch ko na po kayo." Paalala ng make up artist ko.
"Sure! Uh, Ate, pagkatapos mo akong i-retouch pakitawagan naman po si Meimei. Bigla na lang pong nawala eh."
"Sige po."
Haist! Nasan ka na ba kasi Meimei? Kabado na ba ako? Ewan ko lakas ng kabog eh.
Bwisit! Bakit ba kasi napapayag ako dito? Wala. Naawa lang ako kay Ellie. Hehe. Pero gusto ko din naman. Para maiba naman. Bored na ako sa pagiging 'Nerdy' type eh...
Ito na.
Tinawag na kami nila Felix at Monica sa stage para rumampa sa Long Gown Competetion.
"Okay so let us all again welcome our beautiful ladies for tonight as they walk with their fabulous gowns" sabi ni Monica
Rumampa na kami sa stage. Grabe! Bakit parang kinakabahan ako?
"Wow amazing ladies, right Felix?"
"Indeed, Monica" -sagot ni Felix.
Okay Kirsten ignore ignore ignore. Ah! Wag ka kasing kabahan. Malapit na matapos oh. Kaunting tumbling na lang.
Crossfingers
Habang lumilibot kaming candidates sa bawat sulok ng stage, may napasin akong mga matang nakatitig sa 'kin.
HELLO!!! Rumarampa kaya kayo. Ano ba Kirsten? Sira na ba ulo mo? Kausap mo na sarili mo eh. Tssss. Pero iba talaga yung feeling eh.
Tuloy lang kami sa pagrampa nang biglang...
"Ayyyyy!" Ang lakas ng tili. "Hudas ni kabayong bastos!!!" Nagtawanan ang mga tao. Napatingin ako sa sumigaw. Si LJ lang pala. Natalisod siya.
Oh, poor LJ. Tsss.
Pero mala-Miriam Quiambao lang ang pagtayo ng peg ah!
Ngumiti pa ito sabay kaway. Infairness sa bakla, marunong magdala!
Itinuloy na namin ang pagrampa. Pumwesto na kaming sampung kalahok. Mula sa sampu pipili sila ng lima. Ito na ang moment of truth!
Naiilang pa rin ako. Para talagang may mga matang di umaalis sa pagtitig sa 'kin. Di ba kayo din naman? Nararamdaman n'yo kung may nakatitig sa inyo o wala? Iba talaga eh. Gusto kong hanapin yung matang yun kaso kinakabahan na kasi ako. Distraction lang yun. Saka baka mamaya, mukhang tsonggo lang.
Okay back to pageant. Layo ng naabot ng imagination ko ah. Whew!
"Okay Monica will you do the honor to read and announce who will be our top five?" Binigay ni Felix kay Monica ang envelope.
"Thanks Felix. Oh, ano girls? Kabado na ba kayo?"
"Huwag ng madaming da-da. Spill it out guys! Kabado na kami!"
Natawa lahat sa sinabi ni LJ. Atat talaga itong baklang 'to! Hanga na ako kung mapasama siya sa top five.
"Ok. Relax ka lang, LJ." Buti mabait itong si Monica.
"Ok our first finalist for the top five is.........(drumroll) Ms. Angela Mae Santos from the Engineering Department" at nagpalakpakan ang mga tao. Lalo na ang mga kadepartment nito.
Lahat kami tahimik. Lahat kinakabahan.
"Our next is none other than.....(drumroll).... Ms. Margaux Nakamura from the Tourism Department."
Taray ng lola! Taas kilay ah. Yabang talaga nito. Porke't nakapasok na. Lumapit ito kay Angela sa unahan.
"Our third finalist is ow....(drumroll).... Laura Jane Herera!"
"Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!!! I can't believe this!!!! Oh ano kayo ngayon girls! Babuh na!"
Nagtawanan na lang kami. Well, I'm happy for him or her. Haha. First time may pumasok na ganito ah.
"Our fourth finalist will be....(drumroll)..... Natalie Fernandez from AB & Criminology department." Sigawan ulit ang crowd.
Pero nalungkot ako. Isang slot na lang. May pag asa pa kaya ako makapasok? Oh well, be sports Kirsten. Bago tawagin ang last contestant para sa top five, napatingin ako sa crowd. Natagpuan ko yung mga matang kanina pang feeling ko eh lalamunin ako sa pagkakatitig.
"And our last finalist is....(drumroll)......"
OMG! Hindi maari! Bakit andito siya? Lalo akong kinabahan at naguluhan. Hindi ko tuloy napakinggan yung sinabi ng emcee.
"Kirsten! Ikaw yung last na tinawag." Tapik sa 'kin ni Antonnette, isa sa mga kalahok.
Whew! s**t! Bakit ngayon pa? Parusa ba ito? Well, nandito na rin lang, tapusin ko na ito.
Ignore ignore ignore na lang muna Kirsten. Focus!
Pinapili muna si Angela sa mga nakatiklop na papel sa kamay ni Monica.
"Okay let us call on Miss Angela Mae Santos. Here is your question. For you what was the best book you have read so far and how did it inspire you?" Mabilis kinuha ni Angela yung mic.
"Well for me the best book that I have read so far is Everyday by David Levithan. His book inspires me to be aware of others' feelings. To focus on their thoughts and be responsible for my own actions. That's all, thank you." Ngumiti ito. Nagsisigawan ang mga ka-department nito. Whew! Piece of cake.
"Very well said, miss Angela. Okay. May we call on our next contestant, miss Margaux Nakamura."
Pumili na ito ng isa sa mga envelop.
"So here is your question. If you were given a chance to turn back time, when would it be? And why?"
Natigilan si Margaux, parang nagulat ito. May tatlong minuto yata itong nakatulala. Natahimik sabay naging malungkot ang kanyang mukha.
Pero kinuha niya rin yung mic kay Monica.
"That's a stupid question for me (long pause).... But if I were given a chance to turn back time, to my childhood days, I'd probably want to turn back the time when he was still with me. Laughing and giggling around. Doing stupid things together. Making fun of each other. Messing around. We'll play until we get tired and exhausted. We'll lay on the couch. Eat some ice cream, make some mess. Fly a kite and read some bedtime stories. If and only if then, I will not waste any time that has been left for us. And I will assure to pay more attention to be with him on whatever days we could spend. But it's too late. We can't go back anymore." Yun lang at binalik na nito ang mic. Pansin kong parang naiiyak siya. Pero siguro may dahilan naman.
"Okay. I think that's a reasonable answer." Sabi ni Monica lahat. Kasi kami, na-speechless sa sagot ni Margaux. Si Margaux na spoiled brat biglang mag-eemo? Tssss.
"Okay. Let's move on to our next candidate. Miss LJ? Please come forward."
Lumapit na si LJ kay Monica at kumuha ng envelop.
"So here's your question beautiful lady. What is your point of view on being a part of the LGBT community?"
Biglang kuha naman nito ng mic kay Felix at kumindat pa dito. Tumawa lang si Felix.
"Well, as you all know that I am part of it. For me, being one is not that important. I must say that the real you is the most important and treasurable thing. And that people will accept you for who you are. We all are in the same nation. We must be equal. That's all that matters. And I, thank you!" Palakpakan ang mga tao sa sagot nito. Kinakabahan na ako gagaling nila eh.
Nasaan na ba kasi si Ellie?
"Our next contestant is miss Natalie."
Lumapit na ito at kumuha ng envelop. Emerghed! Next na ako!!!
"Miss Natalie, here's your question. In life, what was the hardest goal you wanted to achieve?"
Ngumiti muna ito bago sumagot.
"Well, ever since... having a true and faithful friend was the hardest goal I ever wanted to achieve. Because as of now I really don't have one. Someone who will not stab you behind your back and not plastic. He or she can be my opposite. And what's more important is that she is true to herself and honest to me as well. No secrets. Nowadays, you cannot trust anyone as long as they are a true friend." Nagpalakpakan ulit mga tao.
Swerte ko pala at nakilala ko si Ellie. Ito na! Ako na!
Fingers crossed
"And now. Last but not the least, our next candidate, Miss Kirsten Chiu."
Nag palakpakan sila. Thank you naman sa pagsuporta mga fans! Hehehe Feeling maraming fans eh. Pang alis kaba lang.
Ito na ang moment of truth.
"So, we only have one envelope left. So, that means this is going to be your lucky question."
Ngumiti na lang ako kay Monica.
"So, Kirsten. Well, I guess all of us have experienced this. What is your definition of love?"
Nagulat ako. LOVE? According to that, it is a four letter word. Ano pa nga ba?
Napatingin ako sa crowd st nakita ko siya. Syete bakit ngayon pa?! Lalo tuloy akong kinabahan.
Kinuha ko na yung mic kay Monica.
"Love for me is never boring! It does not take any action that will cause you pain. It will always make you happy. Sometimes, it can also make you feel sad. It shivers inside-out. It takes two to tango. It caramelize the sugar you feel. Love is.... the happiest moment in everyone's life that anyone can feel. That's all thank you!" Nakatitig ako sa kanya habang sinasabi ko iyon. Ewan! Bakit kailangan nakatingin pa ako sa kanya? Move on na nga ako diba!
And.....
What's this?!
Nagblu-blur yung mata ko. Hindi ako dapat umiyak. Pinigilan kong tumulo yun. Kaso, tumulo na eh.
Anyare? Bakit natahimik ang lahat? Pero bigla din silang nagpalakpakan.
"Whoa. Miss Kirsten, ang lalim nun ah." Sabi ni Felix.
Ngumiti lang ako sa kanya. Napatingin ako sa crowd. Wala na siya dun.
Oh well, pakialam ko ba?
Bumalik na ako sa puwesto ko. Pinabalik muna kami nila Monica at Felix sa backstage dahil may sasayaw daw. Ang Fly Four. Sus! Ang mga asungot. Tssss.
Pagkatapos, bumalik na ulit kami sa stage. I-aanounce na ang mananalo. Syempre, kabado kaming lima. Whew! This is it!!!
Kinuha na ni Monica yung envelope sa isang estudyante.
"Okay, for our fourth runner up is..... (drum roll) Ms. Margaux Nakamura."
Nagapalakpakan ang mga tao.
What's with the face? Masama pa loob nya? At least nga may award pa. Eh ako? Mukha ngang hindi kasama sa inyo.
"Next....... Our 3rd runner up is.....(drum roll)"
dug dug
dug dug
"Ms. LJ Herera...."
Huh?!
Seryoso?!
Hahaha! Siya na!
Kinuha n'ya ang mic kay Felix.
"OH MY GAWD!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH! I would like to thank my fans and all.... I love you." Grabe! Matindi na talaga ang tama ng baklang 'to! Hahahahahaha
Inisnatch naman uli ni Felix yung mic.
"Okaaaaayyy... that's good."-Felix
Natawa na lang si Monica at napailing.
"Our 2nd runner up is......(Drum roll)" She continued.
"Ms. Angela Mae Santos." pag anunsyo naman ni Felix.
Napalakpakan uli.
Hala!!! Ano?!
"Congratulations to our top three. Now, may we call on the last two ladies?"-Felix
"Ladies, please step forward."-Monica
Lumakad na kami.
Oh my!!! Thank you Lord, I've come this far!
"The name we'll be calling is the next Ms. PRINCETON U......"-Felix
Long silence......
"And Our Ms.PRINCETON U 2014 is......"
Dug dug
Dug dug
"And our Ms. PRINCETON U 2014 is....
Sino kaya?
~***~
Ellie's POV:
Ito ang posisyon namin ngayon
Ako -lolo Greg - Frog Prince
Hays!
Pagkatapos kasi naming kumanta, bumaba na kami ng stage. Nagmadali pa akong bumaba. Nagkataon namang nakita ko si lolo Greg kaya sa kanya ako tumabi. Si Frog Prince naman, kasunod ko lang pala kaya dun siya sa kabilang side ni lolo Greg umupo..
"Ang galing nyo pala kumanta. Lalo ka na Prince. I didn't even know you can sing."-si Lolo Greg.
"Tss. Kasalanan kasi ng isa d'yan." ANO?! So, ako pa ang may kasalanan? Eh kung upakan kaya kita dyan? Naku!!! Kung wala lang dito si Lolo, kanina ko pa yung nagawa.
"Eh, kasi naman, yung isa d'yan pawala-wala." SHOOT! Ba't ko nasabi yun? Eh? Bahala ka d'yan Prince. Kasalanan mo naman talaga eh.
"Pawala-wala? What do you mean Ellie?" PAKTAY! Si lolo Greg, nabadmood nanaman.
"Uh, eh, ano po kasi Lolo." Napatingin ako kay Prince.
"Before we announce the winner, may we call on Chairman Gregory Montereal for his message. Sir?" tinawag ni Monica si lolo Greg.
Tumayo si Lolo Greg at pumunta sa stage.
"Thank you Monica, Felix....
Ladies and Getlemen,
I would like to thank everyone who participated for this event. Princeton University has gone through it's eighteen years and will be staying strong thanks to our faculty, teachers and all the students here.
To all these pretty ladies here on stage. You really are the most beautiful ladies in this school. Very beautiful and intelligent ladies. Even if only one will be the next Ms. PRINCETON U, all of you are champions for me, for all of us. So, thank you, for joining this big event." Ngumiti naman si Lolo Greg sa kanila.
Ang bait talaga ni lolo.
"Umboy, you know what? You don't know when to shut up that stupid mouth of yours." Napatingin naman ako sa kanya.
Ayan nanaman ang Mr.Yabang. Frog Prince talaga kahit kailan!
"I would also like to thank our event organizers." Patuloy ni lolo.
"Grabeeee! Nakakahiya naman sa nagsimula." Bleh!
"Whatever, Umboy. I'm going home." Ano ka ngayon? Lugi ka! Hahaha. Natalo ka sa'kin ngayon. Bleh! Tumayo na sya. Paalis na sana siya nang...
"My Grandson, Mr. Prince Montereal and his assistant, Ms. Ellie Rush Alonso."
Napatayo ako. Ano ba yan? Kailangan ba talaga may ganun?
Humarap naman si Frog Prince.
"Come here Prince and Ellie." Napatingin ako sa kanya. Lumakad na lang siya papuntang stage. Ako naman, hindi maka-kibo.
"Ms. Ellie?" muling tawag sa akin ni lolo Greg.
Napatingin naman ako sa stage at nagmadaling pumunta dun. Nakakahiya naman.
"I didn't know these two can sing. I just heard their voices awhile ago. Thanks to these two, the event went well. And I am looking forward 'til the event ends. Hope you enjoy the event as well. That's all and thank you." Sabay-sabay kaming bumaba.
Nakakahiya talaga.
"You two did a great job."-Lolo Greg
"Thanks, lo."- Si Frog Prince
"I hope your relationship with each other has improved now. Ayaw kong makitang nag-aaway na naman kayo na parang mga bata. You're college students now. You should act more mature. Understand?" Tumango naman kami parehas.
"Thank you, Chairman, for the wonderful speech."-Monica
"And to crown our new Ms. PRINCETON U, here is Ichiko Lavina Alonso. Let us clap our hands for our Ms. PRINCETON U 2013 as we witness her final walk." Nag palakpakan naman mga tao.
Biglang tumunog yung kanta at lumabas naman si ate Ichiko.
"Tonight marks the end of my wonderful journey as Ms. Princeton U. A fate brought my dream to life when I started this journey.
I have been more confident as I look back from the time I was just starting out. I made the opportunity to give you my best and I didn't fail you.
To my dear friends, my family and my mentors, Thank you guys for supporting me. And to God, For giving me strength and blessing. Without you, I wouldn't have made this far.
From this pageant, I have learned many things.
Beauty is not only on the inside but also outside. My Journey might end as Ms. Princeton U but this is not the end of my journey in real life. I will use it as an inspiration. This was just a step that I have to go through.
To all the candidates, You have made progress to reaching your dreams. Never give up and always be storng. Stay being yourself coz that's what made you so unique.
And now, as I give this crown to the next Ms. Princeton U, I will stay being the inspiration of the youth and the ladies who join this event in the future.
To all of you, thank you." Kumaway na si Ate Ichiko
"Okay, and now..... the moment we're all been waiting for. Drum roll please."-Felix
"And the Ms. Princeton U 2014 is...." Intensifying yung pag tunog ng drumroll. " Ms.Kirsten Chiu!"
Wah! Saya! Department namin nanalo.... SI ATE TIN!!!!
Pumunta naman sa harapan si ate Tin at kinoronahan ni ate Ichiko.
Saya pala ng pageant noh? Nakakaalis ng pagod. Yep! Nakakapagod kaya mag-organize ng ganitong kalaking event. Whew! Sunog pawis! Este kilay.
~***~
Kinabukasan....
Grabe si ate Tin. Kaladkarin lang?
Una, dinala nya ako sa booth ng puro damit at accessories. Ang gaganda naman kasi ng mga damit at accessories dun. May nagustuhan din ako. Yung teddy bear na phone accessory. Ang cute eh. Tiningnan ko yung price. Mahal! 436 pesos para lang sa accessory na 'to?
"Gusto mo ba yan, meimei?" nabitawan ko yung phone accessory na yun.
"Huh? Ah, hindi ate tin. Nagtitingin lang ako."
"No, I think you like it. I'll buy it for you." Kinuha nya yung nahulog ko na phone accessory at binayaran dun sa tindera.
"Here." Binigay niya yun sa'kin. Bait mo talaga Ate Tin.
Pagkaalis namin ng booth. May dumaang masamang hangin-este palaka pala.
"Meimei, may dadaang masamang hangin. Baka masanghap mo, bagyuhin tayo. Leggo?" hinila n'ya na naman ako nang biglang...
"So, you're here Umboy?" Lumingon ako sa pinanggagalingan ng boses.
Adkskhsjhdhsgh!!! Si Frog Prince nanaman! Kainis!
Kasama niya si Ian. Wait... kilala nya si Ian?
"Hi, Ellie." Bati ni Ian sa'kin. Nakasmile pa siya sa pagbati.
Samantalang yung isang asungot naman nakasmirk. Yung kasama lagi ni Ian at ni Frog Prince. Pagsamahin mo sila ng Prinsipe ng kayabangan. Laban ka? No way, sasabog kayo. Hays!
"Hi." Nginitian ko sya.
"Hey, ikaw yung clumsy girl nung isang araw, di ba? Hi, I'm Yujin Fortua, Nice to meet you." Wa ako paki sayo. Hmph! YABANG!
"Uh, nice to meet you din." Binati ko na lang din.
" Sige, guys. Alis na kami. Manunuod pa kami ng soccer game eh." sarkastikong pamamaalam ni ate Tin.
"Oh, too bad. I wanna treat Ellie for lunch. Maybe next time. See yah."
"Hindi ka mag-lalaro?" tanong ni ate Tin kay Ian na may halong pagtataka.
"Nope. May sprain na yung paa ko. May papalit sa'kin, para makabawi naman department natin." sagot naman ni Ian.
"Huh? Sino?" Nagkibit-balikat lang si Ian bago sumagot.
"Don't know. Si coach ang pumili eh. Kakalipat lang daw nung tao. Anyways, we'll go ahead."
" Ge, alis na din kami. Baka bagyuhin kami dahil sa isang tao d'yan." pagkasabi ni ate Tin nun, hinila nya ako papuntang soccer field.
Kaladkarin nga yata ako. Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako.
Ayan. Nanood na kami. Boring naman ang game eh. Waley si fafa Ian. Ano ba yan?! Nahawa na ako kay LJ.
"Uh, Meimei? After ng first game, we're getting out of here."
Huh?! Bakit naman biglaan? Parang kani-kanina lang nagmamadali syang pumunta dito tapos bigla na lang aalis? Anong bang nangyayari?
"Uh, ate Tin-"
Hoooooonk!!!!!
"End of first game." Pumunta na ang mga players sa coach nila except sa isang player. MY GHAWD! AMPOGEEEE! Nakatingin ba sya sa sa'min? Ba't nya naman kami tititigan? Mukha namang hindi nya kami kilala. Tapos mukhang baguhan pa siya. Siya yata ang pumalit kay Ian eh.
Napatayo naman si ate Tin.
"Meimei, let's go. Mag-iistart na ata yung Flag racing."
Napatango na lang ako.
Pero sa totoo lang, pagod na ako. Napipilitan lang akong sumama kasi, Wala palang sumali sa department namin. Walang kapartner si ate Tin, kaya ayun. Kaninang umaga ko lang nalaman.
~***~
Sa loob ng Gym....
Bakit sila nandito? At saka, KALA KO BA MAY SPRAIN SI IAN?!
"Hayop ka, Ian."
"O, What did I do now?"
"Why is he here?!"
"I dunno. Basta sabi ni coach, siya na muna papalit sa'kin. Teka. Are you joining the game?"
"Oo." Sumabat na ako. Nakakatakot si ate Tin. Parang galit na galit. Mala tigre na ang datingan eh.
"Ah, good."biglang pag singit nung Yujin yata yung name?
Inilapit nya mukha niya sa mukha ko.
"It would be nice to team up with you, miss Ellie." Ngumiti pa siya.
"Stop it, Yujin. Baka mapahamak ka lang d'yan sa Umboy na yan. She's a walking disaster."
FROG PRINCE talaga kahit kailan! Kitang kita sa ugali pa lang, hay!
"Really?"-Yujin
"Tss. Takot ka lang matalo." bulong ko.
"What did you say, Umboy?!"
"*Eheem* Welcome to our participants for this game."
Yung Emcee na naman. Actually, si Felix lang.
"We'll be starting the game in few minutes. Participants get ready. Medyo matatagalan tayo because we'll be waiting for the other participants of this game. Meron din kasi silang sinalihan na ibang game."
Ibang game? Teka, bawal yun ah.
Oh shoot! Nahihilo na naman ako. Kahapon pa 'to ah. Bakit kaya?
"Aray." Bulong ko sa sarili ko. Napasapo ako sa ulo ko.
"O, meimei? Are you okay?" Nginitian ko lang sya.
"Okay lang ako, ate Tin."
"I think you need to rest. Mukhang pagod ka na."
"Hindi, ate. Okay lang."
"Okay, if you say so."
Nag-antay din kami ng ilang minuto bago kami nakapagstart.
Dumating yung tres marias. Alam n'yo ba kung sino yung mga yun? Si Margaux, Celestine at LJ. Kasali din si ate Ichiko.
Si Kuyang Pogeee!!!
Teka, kala ko kasali siya sa soccer game?
"s**t!" Bulong ni....ate Tin?! OH MY GHAWD! Ngayon ko lang siya napakinggang magsalita ng ganito.
Nakakatakot talaga.
"Okay! Before we start, Natalie will give you the rules."
Tumayo si Natalie. Kaya pala katabi n'ya si Felix
"Okay. Hello, guys. First of all, number one rule natin, boys and girls ang partners. Mag do-drawlots tayo. Kailangan mayroong mabuong teamwork. Next rule is... hindi nyo lang basta dadalhin ang flags at ireraise. I made a twist in this game."
Nabulungan ang mga tao.
"It'll be like, treasure hunting. Para makuha ang inyong mga flags, you'll have to get the clues first and do the dares. Okay? May map na ibibigay sa inyo si Felix. Markahan n'yo ang mga nadaanan nyo na. There is a first clue kasama ng map. Okay? Let's start the game."
Pumili na ng mga pangalan sina Natalie at Felix sa isang fishbowl na hawak nila. Bago nila in-announce kung sinu-sino ang magiging magkakapartner.
"The partners will be..... Yujin and Margaux..... Alex and Jonelle..... Rhean and Paolo...Celestine and LJ....Antonette and Marvin....Ellie and Ian...Ichiko and Prince...Kirsten and Amber..."
Napatingin ako kay ate Tin at napansin kong natulala siya. Anong meron?