Open your eyes at the count of three

Close your eyes. Think of happy thoughts. Slowly open your eyes at the count of three.

Those were simple instructions of ace lensman Jun de Leon to me when he was taking my photograph in his studio at the Fort. (Please note that, ehem, the photograph I’m talking about here is the one I’m using now for my column pic.)

As I followed Jun’s verbal direction, I found out that what he just said were also simple instructions in life.

You close your eyes when you want to see more, when you want to feel more. The sudden darkness is calming, it relaxes your nerves. It transports you to a realm that only you can discover, a domain all your own. An empowerment in your own jurisdiction is taking place because, as you close your eyes, you are thinking of happy thoughts. And happy thoughts are antidotes to the rigors of everyday life. When you slowly open your eyes, you gingerly enjoy the moment of bliss. You hit realities head-on, but with a fresh perspective.

How can a simple and impromptu shoot draw so much emotion in me? It must be the weather — it was raining that day. Ahh, it must be Jun de Leon and his capacity to put me at ease thereby making it a breeze for me to throw back at him the many joys and happiness I have inside.

* * *

It all began one rainy day — the whole of Manila was awash in rain — when People Asia asked me to interview Lucy Torres-Gomez for the cover of its August issue. (Yes, it’s in your favorite bookstore or newsstand now.) While waiting for Lucy to come out of the dressing room, I cajoled Jun if I could be the standee for Lucy. You know, a standee, someone who poses for the test shots before the actual shoot with the model begins. I got more than what I wished for as Jun gave me the biggest surprise of the day: he would take my picture after the shoot with Lucy.

“Finish first your interview with Lucy, then I’ll shoot you,” he told me. I did not hide my excitement. (It is my nature to get excited and be excitable.) The Jun de Leon would take my photo, no appointment needed on my part. For the first time! It was one pure and simple joy for me, enough to ward off the seeping melancholy brought by the inclement weather.

* * *

I almost titled this article “Virgin no more!” because of my excitement to be photographed by Jun for the first time. Add to this the fact that it was also the first time Allure beauty columnist Chechel Joson was doing my no-makeup makeup look. Chechel is also a name to reckon with when it comes to makeup. And there was Tatum Ancheta, People Asia art director, to style me before Jun clicked away. It was a casting coup of the best people in the field. As for me, I was just seated on the chair that Lucy just vacated — basking in the reflected glory that the halogens used on her were also the lights being used on me — feeling very lucky and happy as Jun clicked away.

I have never stopped smiling since.

(For your new beginnings, please e-mail me at bumbaki@yahoo.com or my.new.beginnings@gmail.com. Have a blessed Sunday.)