Wait a minute kapeng mainit.

I seem to have made this impression

that I am always angry with my posts,

especially when it comes to these Horror Stories or Blind Items.

I am not angry.

Those who know me well

can attest that when I am angry, I keep silent.

When I talk a lot… I am just venting …

Or just being hyper…

O, malinaw ha.

So, here are 2 stories.

Hope you enjoy.

PART 1:    THE BOY WHO CAN’T CRY WOLF

Last week I had the privilege of being invited to an event that was targeting Vloggers and Bloggers. I felt so out of place because the room felt like a Kindergarden schoolyard. All the participants could have been my sons and daughters, or nephews or nieces. Which got me confused because eventually, after a few minutes, some of these kids started addressing me as ‘Tito’, even if we were not related.

They were a nice bunch, the Vloggers that I met that day.

I imagined them before as conceited, feeling privileged and acting like celebrities. But this was not the case. I did enjoy conversing and telling them my war stories and blind items which some of them actually follow.

One Vlogger in particular stayed with me longer and wanted to ask for my advice. He said he admired my work so much and was very inquisitive on how I deal with clients. That was hard question to answer. I honestly told the guy that in a perfect world, our job should be simple. We take the photo or video according to the direction or what the client wants. That’s what we are paid to do. Nothing more. But in the Philippines, it’s not that simple. We are intense social creatures. We get our jobs when we socialize. In fact, most deals and contracts are closed over a meal or wine on hand. It’s part of the equation, and it’s the reality we just have to live with.

The Vlogger now keeps quiet and says,

“What if you don’t believe in the product?”

“You are not paid to like the product,

you are paid to shoot and make it beautiful…” I replied.

“Ah but that’s a photographer’s point of view. As a Vlogger, it’s a different situation. We get invited to press events and other promotional gimmicks. Even if it’s by invitation, they say we don’t have an obligation to Vlog the product, just review it if you can. Which most of us do, mind you, some of the other Vloggers get paid a certain honorarium, while the others just get ex-deals. However, how do you deal with a situation where you need to say you like it, but you don’t?”

This was tricky.

“Did you receive any honorarium for this review?” I inquired.

“Yup.”

‘Then according to the Philippines Unspoken Law of Nakakahiya; you have to give a good review. You basically got paid to do so. If you did not receive any token,

then by all means, be truthful.”

“But how do we earn if we don’t lie…?”

“That my friend is life. We compromise because we need to eat,

pay the bills and shop.”

“I am new at this,” the Vlogger continues. “Are you telling me that some, if not most Vloggers and Bloggers, lie to earn a living?”

“I didn’t say lie, I said compromise.”

“But people believe what they say as the truth…” he was getting agitated.

“Whose truth are we talking about? Besides, did you become a Vlogger because you just wanted it or did you expect to earn from it?”

“What did you review that’s making you guilty?” I asked.

“I can’t tell you. It’s food. “ He answered.

“Ok, you didn’t. Bagets, in the Philippines, nobody gives a bad review once honorariums and tokens are given.

Pinoys don’t react well to negative criticisms.” I said.

And here then lies the dilemma; the young kid is torned between telling the truth and earning a living. I know he wants to tell the truth about how bad the food is but he got a free meal and an honorarium to go with it. Basically, you got paid.

What would you do? Can you guess the food item?

*(The Vlogger gave an outstanding review eventually but is apologetic for lying. Money changes moral paradigms.)

PART 2:      THE STORY THE LOST BLOGGER

This next story is a cute one.

One day in a quiet part of a prestigious mall, a prideful ugly woman walks in a salon and announces that she was sent by this big company to try the services in this famous salon. Note that she is a Blogger, which means a little older than your Vlogger.

(By the way, I just love how we changed the name ‘beauty parlor’ to ‘salon’

and in the process making it sound chic; but in essence, it still a parlor and place to pick up gossip. Imagine all those bored rich housewives in front of the mirror waiting for something to unfold like this one in particular.)

So, back to the story.

The loud woman, who wasn’t at all that beautiful, was irritated that the receptionist greeted her in a baffled manner. The receptionist politely gets her name to check the appointment book. The Blogger reacts even more irritated.

“Hindi mo ako kilala? I’m Ms. So & So. I am a famous Blogger. I am a very busy woman. Can you please hurry up?” Ms. Blogger demanded. (kung famous ka, eh di dapat kilala ka ng lahat.. di ba?)

Confused and afraid that it might escalate to something, the receptionist calls her boss, who also owns the salon, to clear things up. The boss hurriedly checks to see if the was a mistake done by not putting her in the calendar. No matter how much they searched, she was not in today’s appointment.

“I am so sorry that we cannot accommodate you today. The salon is really booked solid and all the stylists have clients now. Maybe we can re-schedule you for another day.” The boss said politely.

“What??? I go thru traffic and you tell me that my name is not there? This is very bad service.”

“Well, if you come back in 2 hours, we just might be able to attend to you. You can shop for a while.” the boss replied.

“Never mind. I will never come here ever again. And I will make sure you have bad reviews all over social media. Is this how you treat a major client?”

“Mam, first time ninyo pa lang dito, hindi pa kayo major client.” The boss smiled.

The Blogger storms out not realizing that, the salon’s clientele, who were majority society matrons and yours truly, witnessed this whole scene.

Cut to 3 days after. The same Blogger returns very polite and respectful. She comes in with a smile and announces to the receptionist that she has an appointment sponsored by a Brand. The receptionist checks and smiles back, then leads her to an isolated area where she will be attended to.

The owner comes out to greet her and explains the treatment and the whole conversation went on as if the incident 3 days ago never happened. The owner stands up and is about to say goodbye but instead couldn’t hold back his thoughts,

“By the way, I know you were 3 days early for this appointment. You were very impolite to the staff and myself. Be careful next time, you’ll never know kung papano gaganti sa yon ang tao. For all you know, baka kalbo ka na when you leave here. Have a good day.” (Ay afraid)