The senator and me

A couple of years ago, I was labeled as the "fresh meat from the States" or the "new girl in town." I was still modeling at that time. I went to VTRs, go-see’s and many other auditions. I’ve already done a couple of commercials and a couple of ramp shows.

Then I met my friend, Raquel Bautista, a photographer. She volunteered to take some photos of me to put in her portfolio. She usually submits her work to magazines, such as FHM.

When she showed her photos to Eric Ramos (former editor of FHM), he noticed my pictures. He told Raquel to get in touch with me and ask me if I wanted to audition for this film outfit. Of course I said yes.

The following week, Eric took me to have a meeting with Maverick Films people. It went well and they told me to just wait for their call.

A couple of weeks after that, they called me and asked me to go to a final meeting with then mayor Jinggoy Estrada. I was so clueless at the time as to who these people were. It was more like a thing for me to do just to kill time.

Eric went with me to Veterans Memorial Medical Center to meet with Maverick Films people. I was a bit scared because of all the security. I really had no idea who I was about to meet.

When I got inside, I couldn’t believe that I was having a meeting with former President Joseph Estrada.Yes, THE Erap!

It didn’t come to my mind that Mayor Jinggoy was his son. The situation was very awkward for me.

But after a few lines thrown at each other, I learned to warm up to them.

They’re actually very nice people to converse with. I can still remember how Erap was telling me I looked like his daughter Jerica and that was one of the reasons why they had chosen me to be the lead star of their project.

I was so happy when they told me we’d be pushing through with the movie. Direk Tikoy Aguiluz was also there and it was so funny to find these "big" guys around me brainstorming for a screen name! I felt so important, he,he, he.

They came up with a few, but everybody agreed to Juliana Palermo, mainly because July is my real name and they liked the sound of Palermo.

We then started shooting www. xxx.com. I was so surprised to see Mayor Jinggoy visiting us on the set. Honestly, that was the first time I learned he was actually the producer!

That was so embarrassing. Of course, I kept that thought to myself. I acted as if I already knew. Mayor stayed there for a few minutes and made sure everybody was doing fine.

It was actually so nice of him to find time for us. A couple of months after that was my birthday. I usually don’t celebrate my birthday but Mayor Jinggoy threw a party for me!

I was shocked! He was so nice to do that for me. Some told me he did that mainly because he knew that I didn’t have any relatives here and he wanted me to be happy for my birthday. They got me a cake and loads of good food. Press people were also invited. It was so memorable.

Then Erap’s birthday followed. We went to Veterans Memorial Medical Center for the second time. I was so glad to have met FPJ and many other famous actors. It was cool.

When my launching movie came out, I slowly lost contact with them. The next thing I knew, Maverick Films closed down. It all happened so fast.

The weird thing was that, all this time, I never really knew of Mayor Jinggoy’s background. I never even knew that he was detained at the hospital.

I know, I know... it’s weird, but, honestly, I never really was into watching TV back then.

Last Thursday, my manager told me we will attend Sen. Jinggoy’s birthday party. Senator?

Oh my God, I couldn’t believe how clueless I was. This man was the one who chose me to do their film, who visited to make sure everything was ok in our shoot, and even the one who threw me a birthday party! I couldn’t believe he’s already a senator!

He probably has no idea I’ll be coming over, but anyhow I went to thank him for being so nice to me and trusting me with their film. If it wasn’t for that film, there wouldn’t be a Juliana Palermo of www.xxx.com.

I thought all day about what I can give him for his birthday and I couldn’t think of a single thing.

What can you possibly give a man who has everything? Well, I’d like to take this chance to thank him through this article for giving me the break to be in showbiz.

Fast forward to midnight. I just got home from the party. It was so good to see them again, Sen. Jinggoy and his very pretty wife, Precy who I met when I was just starting in showbiz.

The party was about 95 percent showbiz people. I saw a lot of "big" and famous actors and actresses there. Some I knew personally, and some I’ve only known through seeing them on screen.

As I watched some of them greet each other, I noticed quite a few who didn’t bother saying hi to each other nor could they look at each other eye to eye. It was amazing to just look at them and so easily see the gap between these people.

In other words... nag-deadmahan sila! As in! Hmm... I’m sure you’re all wondering which stars I’m talking about huh?! Well, I’d really love to tell you.

Unfortunately, I’m really trying to keep my column "chismis free" as much as I can. I would very much like to respect the "silence" of those who choose to keep their problems within themselves and away from the limelight.

Believe me, it really sucks to be part of chismis. Belated happy birthday, Sen. Jinggoy! More power!!

(You can e-mail me at [email protected].).