When I Fall

Chapter 6

“Kumpleto na ba ang lahat? We’ll start the meeting in a few,” sabi ni Miss Cath, assistant ni Ma’am Valerie.

“Yes, ma’am,” we all said in unison.

After lunch, dumiretso agad kami sa conference room para sa meeting. Pag-uusapan na ata namin ‘yong tungkol sa big event ng company na sinasabi ni Hershey kanina.

Nakahilera kaming lahat ngayon sa isang long table habang may available seat sa gitna malapit sa pintuan, which is upuan ni ma’am Valerie, at sa kabilang dulo naman ang screen projector para sa presentations.

“What would I buy kaya later?” maarteng sabi ni Bettany habang nagi-scroll siya sa cellphone niya. Kung bakit ba naman kasi katabi ko pa ‘tong babae na ‘to. Ang ganda-ganda nga napaka-arte naman.

“Guys, settle down, pababa na si Ma’am Valerie,” anunsyo ni Miss Cath na nagpatahimik sa lahat.

Pagkalipas ng limang minuto ay dumating na si Ma’am Valerie na may dala-dalang mga papel.

“Good afternoon, everyone,” bati niya sa lahat at naupo sa pwestong nakalaan para sa kanya.

“Good afternoon, ma’am,” bati namin pabalik sa kanya.

“Let’s start,” she said at sinimulan na ang meeting habang may nakalagay na presentation sa harapan. “As we all know, Esteem magazine releases different issues every month. And as of January, the projects are almost done so we’ll gonna start for February’s issue.”

Habang nagpapaliwanag ay nagbibigay naman ng kanya-kanyang kopya ng details si Miss Cath.

“For the change, I’ll assign different people for each tasks,” and she started calling names and assigning task for each employee. “Director Mark and PD Mina will be assigned for the stage background, place, and music. Marco’s team you’ll be assigned for the auditions and model’s picking.”

“Noted, ma’am,” sagot naman ng mga team leader. Under fashion department kasi nahahati pa kasi sa iba’t ibang teams or group, like work team, they are assigned for the manual work like preparing stage, the music, the venue and etc.

Model HR team naman, sila ang naka-assign sa mga gustong mag-audition as a model and picking of models na lalabas for fashion events. And the designer team, kung saan part kami ni Bettany, sila naman ang naka-assign sa accessories, makeups and additional changes sa mga damit.

P’wede rin kaming mag-sketch ng mga damit and if ever na pasok siya sa taste ni Ma’am Valerie and CEO Montes may chance na ma-feature ang design mo sa Esteem magazine. And that will be a great help for the newbie like me and also for the credentials.

“Angel’s team, your task is to arranged and prepare the model’s clothes, accessories and makeups. And for the new comers, Cheska and Bettany you will explore all the teams under fashion and observe first. Also, I’ll pick someone kung sino ang isasama ko sa mga meetings and checking ko,” natigil sa pagsasalita si ma’am Valerie ng magtaas ng kamay si Bettany. “Yes, Miss Marquesa?”

“Ma’am, you’ll choose me right? Since I’m a lot better than Cheska,” maarteng tanong ni Bettany. Sana all malakas loob manlait ng harap-harapan.

“A lot better? Who says?” tanong sa kanya pabalik ni Ma’am Valerie.

“Boom!” bulong ko sa isip ko habang nagpipigil ng tawa. Masyado naman kasi assuming ate, pahiya tuloy.

“Anyways, for the two of you, ang pinaka-task niyo is making an article about the fashion department, that’s why you’ll observe each team. And it’s up to you, kung paanong approach ang gagawin niyo. Understood?”

“Yes, Ma’am,” sagot naming ni Bettany.

“Before I proceed to the main discussion, does anyone have a question?” tanong ni Ma’am Valerie bago nagpatuloy. “None? Okay, let’s proceed.”

Pumunta naman sa harapan si Miss Cath dahil siya ang naka-assign na mag-present ng meeting agenda ngayon. Agad kong nilabas ang maliit na notebook ko para makapag-notes sa mga importanteng details.

Mas sanay kasi ako na sinusulat o nilalagay sa notes ‘yong mga importanteng details na sinasabi since hindi naman lahat ng naririnig ko ay natatandaan ko. Kapag may notes kasi nagiging reminder ko na siya ng mga dapat kong gawin.

“God afternoon, guys. For the February’s magazine issue of Esteem, we’ll be doing the Valentine’s collection. So for the models, we already have fixed three woman and three man who’s already part of the agency and need to look for another five sets of couples with the total of eight woman and eight man,” bumaling naman siya kay Sir Marco na team leader ng Model HR team. “You can announce the audition tomorrow and start on Friday.”

“Will do,” sagot naman ni sir Marco.

“The designer of the clothes is Miss Agatha Rea, I’m sure everyone’s familiar with her,” at nag-flash naman sa screen and picture at kaunting background ng designer.

Miss Agatha Rea is one of the icon of Philippine fashion. She was selected to be the chief designer of 2010 Miss Universe Beauty Pageant. And she became the ambassador of famous brands, such as, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Zara, and etc.

“And as of the theme for the February’s issue, we’ll settle with Valentine’s theme and couple’s matching clothes and accessories. Do you have any questions?”

“When will we start the photo shooting for the magazine and the fashion event?” tanong ni Director Mark.

“Probably, by the end of January. After the photo shooting, aayusin pa nila ‘yong publication details and others para ma-release on time ang magazine. And for the event, tentative pa and date pero possible first or second week on February,” tumango-tango si Director Mark at hindi na nagtanong pa. “That’s all for today,” pagtatapos ni Miss Cath sa presentation.

“By the way, the two of you,” sabi ni Ma’am Valerie sabay turo sa amin ni Bettany. “The reason bakit article ang gagawin niyo is that, napag-usapan nang management na we will release an article magazine covering the fashion department on the last week of February.”

Wow! I didn’t expect na big task pa pala ang mapupunta sa amin ni Bettany.

“At ang magiging author ng magazine ay isa sa inyo or p’wedeng dalawa kayo, depende sa performance niyo ‘yan. And if you’re aiming for a great evaluation, I must say na do your job properly guys. Aware naman kayo na nagkakaroon ng best employee award every year, and it’s your chance for that.”

“Yes, Ma’am!” we all said in unison.

“End of the meeting. Have a nice day, everyone,” paalam ni Ma’’am Valerie at nauna na siyang lumabas ng conference room habang kami naman ay naiwan para i-analize ‘yong mga sinabi niya kanina.

Actually, hindi pa siya totally nags-sink in sa akin, na-stuck ata ako sa part na p’wede ako ang maging author ng magazine na cover ang department naming.

Kapag nangyari man ang bagay na ‘yon. OMG! Grabe! Magiging loyal forever talaga ako sa company na ‘to kahit walang forever.

Joke, humuhugot pa, eh.

“Anyway, let’s do our best Cheska! Fighting!” I said in myself.