How would you react if a friend stabs you in the back?

What would you do if that friend is a famous actress?

Who would have guessed that despite the years together, in the business,

thru thick and thin, she would betray me?

It’s been awhile since a horror story manifested in my midst. Buti naman kasi kung every week mayroon, eh di ang malas ko naman. The last three months have been good and quiet. But I knew that wouldn’t last forever.

So, here it goes.

A client calls me up. This client is not new to the business and she knows I can produce a shoot campaign for her fast. We met one afternoon and she said she needed an endorser and a photo shoot that will launch her product. She doesn’t know any celebrity so she asked my help to find one that will suit the image of her brand.

I go back to the studio and put together a team of people that will deliver the client’s needs. First thing I thought of was an actress whom I have been friends with for a very long time. She is beautiful and is easy to work with. I got an approval from my client and then I called her and her manager about the project.

They both loved the idea and said yes. Next I gathered the Glam Team that will suit her. That too was approved. The last step was getting a Stylist/Art Director who would put in new ideas and bring new blood to my work. I have heard of this guy and his work. And so far all his work seems very good. I haven’t worked with him yet so I asked the client if that’s ok. The client surprisingly knows this guy because he was a friend of a friend.. that being said, they took care of contacting the Stylist/Art Director to lessen my load.

After 3 days the client called back saying that the Stylist/ Art Director was on board and the whole team, including the celebrity endorser, were all excited about the project and were ready to meet finally on Friday. Sad part I couldn’t make it that day because I had a shoot. So, I said, just meet without me because everything was prepared already by me. The pegs, the mood board, everything was on a PDF.

That Friday past and I didn’t hear a word from my client. I presumed it was a weekend so maybe they didn’t want to talk about work.

Monday came and my phone rang. It was my client.

“Hello, Raymund. Are you busy? Can we talk?” It was the client.

“Hey! Kala ko di ka na tatawag. I was about to text you.

How was the meeting last Friday? All good?” I asked.

“I don’t know how to tell you this but since you’re a friend

and have been very good to me, I think you deserve to

know this… (I hate this part)

While we were meeting, the Stylist/Art Director was very excited.

He was so excited that he felt that we needed a younger Photographer.

He said that you can’t do the pegs in the campaign.

You’re too old daw.” ( I wanted to say P.I.)

“What?! Does he know that I was the one who put him in the campaign in the first place? I did those pegs he was referring to.” Unbelievable.

“I couldn’t say that anymore cause it kind of snowballed from there. The surprising part was celebrity, who was supposed to be your friend, agreed that she wanted a new photographer too. Di ba you were the one who called her? That felt awkward for me” She finishes.

“And still you didn’t tell her? She’s supposed to be a friend,

I brought her in this project.” I was really surprised.

“I know, I know. Please don’t get mad at me.” The client continued.

“I am not mad at you. I just feel betrayed by all this. My ideas, my suggestions on who would be in this project and I turned out to be the one who got ELBOWED out?”

(I had to pause because I might say something I might regret in the future)

“Ok. I don’t need to work with this group of people, especially the celebrity whom I thought was a good friend. And the nerve of the Stylist/Art Director to actually suggest someone else not knowing I orchestrated this whole thing..

I can’t have you do my concept. I’m sorry. I do hope you understand.”

“I perfectly understand. Rest assure that any similarities that comes out in the campaign, you will be compensated. But what about your friend? How will you deal with her?” “I just realized that she was never a friend to begin with. It was only I who considered that idea. As for the Stylist/Art Director, tell him everything and quote me please. Ang kapal niya. Don’t worry, I don’t get angry, I get even. By the way, please tell that actress that from now on, she is banned from my studio.”