Nag-roll call pa muna si Ms. Elisse ang founder ng Elisse and Company na siyang unang nagtayo ng kompanya nila. This started a sole proprietor kind of company, until she dreamed big to make it a bigger enterprise.
“You know, guys, before I have stood right here in your front as a successful person, who founded Elisse and Company elite organization of make up artist, my life was like a cinderella. That time, I thought life is a bit unfair, I thought, the world is only kind for the rich people and cruel for the poor. But you know, as I grew up, I started to realize that life isn’t the way I was thinking. Because, the world will never be kind to you if you will not learn to survive and go along in its challenges. Oh, my gosh, I shouldn’t be so dramatic. This is supposed to be an introductory speech, but it turned out to be something inspirational. Haha! Kidding aside, I want to welcome everyone from rich and poor universities around the world I want to give you a free work shop and tutorial and a chance for the very first younger make-up artist to join Elisse and Company. So, do your best, okay? Thank you!”
Napanganga na lang si Karina sa mahabang speech ni Ms. Elisse. Bukod sa katotohanan na napakaganda nito sa itim at bagsak niyang evening gown, at hindi maipagkakailang napakaganda nitong make-up, syempre, given na iyon as a make up artist. Pero, aside from her gorgeous physical appearance is her very inspirational message. Tulad nga ng sinabi niya ay nauwi sa inspirational ang message niya na dapat sana introduction.
Perro kung hindi naman dahil do’n, hindi na-realize ni Karina na hindi pala sapat na kasali lang siya dito, she realized that she needs to win. That she needs to be the very first youngest make-up artist na magiging new member ng Elisse and Company.
“Kaya mo ‘to, Karina. Susungkitin natin ang title na ‘yon,” buhay na buhay na wika niya sa kanyang sarili.
“Are you saying something, Karina?” tanong ni Shu-Ching sa kanya. Napansin kasi nitong biglang nagsalita ang dalaga. Na-bothered siya bigla.
Mabilis na nilingon siya ni Karina. “Oh, it is nothing, Shu-Ching. Nothing at all.”
Magkatabi silang tatlo ngayon. Kapwa nakaharap sa kanilang lamesa. At ang challenge sa kanila ay sila mismo ang magmi-make-up sa kani-kanilang mga sarili. Medyo mahirap nga naman ito dahil sila ang model, sila pa rin ang make-up artist, but Elisse want it to be done this way. She wants to challenge all the students of the different universities who participated all over the world.
Maya-maya pa ay may narinig na silang announcement.
“The workshop will start now. You will be coached by a make-up artist from Elisse and Company. One coach per university who will teach you all the essentials that you need in the cosmetology industry.”
They all nodded and listened carefully to the speaker as it announced a very important announcement.
Maya-maya pa ay may lumapit na nga talaga na make-up artist sa kanila mula sa Elisse and Company. There are only fifteen participants, at ibig sabihin lang no’n, fifteen make-up artists din mula sa Elisse and Company ang naghanda para sa araw na ito to coach one university. At mukhang bading pa itong natapat kila Karina.
“Hello, guys! I am Kevin, your work shop master today. So, I see that you are already prepared since your vanity is already set even before you came.”
“Yes, Sir!”
“Okay, that’s great. So we will start from very first important principle of make-up. . .”
Habang discussion pa lang ay attentive na attentive si Karina. Buhay na buhay siya samantalang ang dalawang Taiwanese niyang kasama ay medyo nahirapan na mag-catch up dahil mabilis magsalita si Kevin, fluent kasi ito sa english kahit na Belgian siya. Halatang umiikot sa buong mundo gamit ang English as the universal language, just to do make-ups. Mabuti na lang, si Karina ay matalino. Mabilis niyang natututunan ang mga bagay-bagay at kahit na hindi nakapag-college, magaling siyang mag-english.
After two hours na puro si Kevin lang ang nagsasalita, the bell rang which means oras na for a 30-minute break. Kailangan nila iyon dahil baka mangawit na ang mga students kakaupo sa loob ng dalawang oras at mabagot. At baka mamaos na rin ang bawat make-up artist na nagtuturo sa kanila. After their 30-minute break ay babalik na rin naman sila for the tutorial session kasama ang kanilang coach na si Kevin. Mamayang hapon ang actual nilang contest kapag natapos na ang seminar at work shop.
“I almost lost my brain awhile ago while listening to coach Kevin, gosh!” ani Shu-Ching.
“Me too, Ching. If only you know! I can not grasp everything that fast. I was loaded with informations I can not process. How about you, Karina? You seem to have no problem at all,” tanong ni Su-Wei.
Ngumiti lang si Karina. “Hmm, I have no problem with they way Kevin discussed earlier. It’s just some of the words are a bit deep.”
“Yes! I have also noticed that, that’s why I wasn’t able to catch up easily.” Si Su-Wei ang nagsalita.
“Don’t worry guys. I’m sure that Kevin willl guide us along the way. I’m sure he will be open for questions later.”
The snacks were served at their lounge area. Hayahay pa ang buhay nila ngayon at mamaya pa ang tunay na gyera kapag contest na kaya lubos-lubusin na nila ang break ngayon. Para silang mga reyna na nakaupo sa loungue area nila.
“Grabe, ang sarap lang sumandal dito. This is very relaxing,” nakangiti niyang wika habang nakasandal sa kanyang seat.
Mabilis lang ang 30 minutes kaya hindi sila puwedeng kukupad-kupad. Kailangan nilang bilisan ang pagkain nila para makabalik sa oras.
Maya-maya pa ay dumating si Ms. Bumrit. Bawal kasi ang mga advisers during the work shop kaya ngayon lang siya eeksena.
“Girls, is everything going good?” she asked.
They all nodded. Okay naman talaga sa totoo lang. Iyon lang naman ang concern ng dalawa na hindi sila masyadong maka-catch up sa discussion ni Kevin, pero all in all, okay naman at may natutunan naman sila lalo na si Karina. Iba pala talaga ang epekto kung gutom ka sa pag-abot ng mga pangarap mo. Kakaibang motivation ang nagagawa nito sa iyo.
“That is good, and if you have questions, please don’t hesitate to ask your coach Kevin, okay? He is one of the best. I think you are not aware of that.”
“Really, Ms. Bumrit?”na-a-amaze na tanong ni Su-Wei.
“Yes! He just ranked number three in the over all best make-up artist out of all the artists of Elisse and Co.”
“Wow! That was amazing! Though, he looks lowkey, he has something to boast!” sagot naman ni Karina.
Tumango-tango si Ms. Bumrit. “I trust in you, girls, and I trust Kevin. So, just do you very best okay? And when I say best, it is not your hundred percent, rather you one hundred two percent best.”
Mas lalong na-inspire si Karina. Nakakalakas talaga ng fighting spirit kapag hindi ka dina-down ng isang tao. Nakakalakas ng loob. Na para bang laban lang ng laban, at hindi puwedeng umatras.
“Thank you for motivating us, Ms. Bumrit!”
“Okay, I will go now. We aren’t allowed to stay here. There is a different lounge prepared for us to, I got to go. Again, good luck girls, fighting!” masigla nitong sabi.
Nang matapos kumain ay nakarinig muli sila ng announcement mula sa speaker na pinapabalik na sila sa vanity area nila. Syempre, after the seminar, work shop na ang kasunod. Ito na iyon. Pero kahit mamaya pa ang contest proper, hindi maiwasang kabahan ni Karina. Ewan niya ba, kapag nauupo siya siya vanity area nila ay kinakabahan siya.
“So, how was your 30-minute break, guys?” tanong ni Kevin.
Napaka-punctual nito. Buti na lang at nakabalik agad sila bago pa man maubos ang thirty minutes. Ang professional talaga nito.
“It’s okay, Sir. We enjoyed that short while.” Si Karina ang sumagot.
Sa kanila kasing tatlo, si Karina lang ang medyo may lakas ng loob na magsalita, unlike the two Taiwanese classmates of her.
“That is great to hear. So, at this moment, I will be teaching you how to do make-ups, our way. What I mean is, the Elisse and Company’s way. I know you are all excited. So we will start now.”
Napahawak agad si Karina sa make-up brush niya. Ayan na nga at mas lalo pa siyang kinabahan. Para siyang hinahabol ng sampung kabayo sa bilis ng tibok ng puso niya.
“The first thing that you need to do is to apply a moisturizer to nourish your skin. I know that you are aware of that since it is the basic, and even here in Elisse and Co, we are still practicing the basics, but we tend to deviate at times. So, hands on your moisturizer and gently apply it on your face.” Utos ni Kevin.
Agad nila itong sinunod. Hindi na sila nagpa-bebe pa dahil kahit mabait itong si Kevin, mamaya ayy mabulyawan pa sila kapag kukupag-kupag.
After applying the moisturizer, alam na nila kung ano ang I-a-apply na susuod. The primer--The prime rhelps keep your make-up on especially during a hectic and warm day. Applying a proper primer should make your face even all over your face. A primer helps make-up nto not disappear.
“Wow, good. You did the second one without being told. I commend you for that.” Nakangiti pa si Kevin nang sabihin niya iyon.
Pagkatapos nilang maglagay ng primer, ang sunod na na ilalagay sa mukha nila ay foundation. Ingat na ingat si Karina na hindi siya magmukhang multo, she wants to put on a make up evenly on her face without exaggerating her looks. Busy na rin ang dalawang kaklase niya, ni hindi na nga sila magkibuan dahil focus na focus silang tatlo, lalo pa at mamaya, hindi na sila magka-team mates. Instead, magkalaban na sila.