My first horror story came in 2 parts. Then I had to take a break due to my Mother’s passing. Now we continue with our never ending adventures behind the lens. These are true to life stories that happen during my shoots and I just want to share this with you to give you guys out there a better picture of what really goes on behind the images I produce.

Not everything is glamorous and peachy.

This shoot again involves a young celebrity.

Most celebrities have their own special requests,

especially when it comes to Make-up and Hair.

This shoot was no different, or so I thought.

Like everyone in the industry, we dream of that special break where we can finally play with the big guys and be part of the exclusive A-listers. So, like everyone else who started from the bottom, like I did, we invest in upcoming celebrities hoping that if they hit it big, they would drag us along with them.

This story involves an upcoming make-up artist. He started doing odd make-up jobs in the circuit. He didn’t charge as much. He was competent, still wet behind the ears, but has potential. Many celebrities he did, admired his work and dedication. And most upcoming celebrities, promised that if they do land a big project, they would promise to pass on the blessing by hiring him and his crew as part of their request.

When I was young, I did get so many of these promises but only a few celebrities follow thru on their promise. So when an opportunity arises and we do get picked for a special project, people normally react in 2 different ways. One may react by saying I will do my best and show them that I have what it takes. The other will react by asking for an impossible price, and since the celebrity picked them, the client has no choice. On top of that, let’s be a diva to project how important one is.

And I am sure you guessed it by now. The budding make-up artist, (no pun intended) did the later. Like a fly on top of a Carabao, he marches in more diva than the celebrity and marks his territory. He doesn’t talk to anyone, client or agency, and simply says, “I will do what the celeb wants me to do, so talk to her first..”

Ok, the client and the agency talked to me and gave their directions. I then walked to the make-up artist and his crew to give them instructions. Look, I have been in so many pissing contests in my life, so it is safe to say, he cannot give me attitude. He smiles and calls me Tito, and says ok. (I hate it when someone calls me Tito, and we are not related)

We let them do their thing, which lasted 2 hours of hair and make-up, then the young female celebrity got up and changed for the shoot. While the celebrity was changing, the make-up artist went up to the client and declared that his services has a shelf life. Huh?

Yes. He said that his make-up is only usable within 3 months. and usage of the image beyond 3 months, means the client would have to pay again. Wait. What? I have never heard this before. His contract is shorter than the celebrity whose usage is 12 months…

The client went ballistic. The agency was in a pickle. And I had to step in to manage the situation.

The make-up artist was getting snooty and mataray. I pulled him aside and politely told him this was never done in any of my shoots. He replied by saying that they should have cleared it first and that, the celebrity will not shoot without him. Upon hearing this, the client confronted the celebrity and his P.A. to clear matters.

The celebrity quickly washed her hands off this responsibility and was apologetic. She even asked for a replacement for the make-up artist so as not to rock the boat. The make-up artist was in shocked. The client in turn fired him in front of everybody and walked away.

This time, crying and begging on his knees, the make-up artist apologized and said,

” Sir, pasensya na po. Kala ko ho makakalusot ako sa demands ko.” (Are you serious?)

Too late, the client called another make-up artist and replied,

“Gusto mo ng pasensya? Eto 50 pesos, pumunta ka sa tindahan sa kanto,

baka mayroon duon.”

and that was the end of his career.