In the words of the immortal Red Leader in Star Wars Episode IV: "This is it, boys." Ladies and gentlemen, this is it.
Its not that last hug, last cheer, last time the school hymn is played. No, its not the diploma. It is this instant, these two hours in eternity when the world conspires to make everything perfect. The magic, the romance and the inexorable finality are all packed into one harmless little word.
Gradpic.
This is picture day of the College of Arts and Letters. True, there are the more traditional portraits: The toga shot, the shot with the UP sablay, and the casual shot. But according to Regina Marcos, graduation committee head, the creative shot is the most awaited part of the graduation picture experience. "This is where the students really get to live out their fantasies," she says. According to Voyeur Visage, the studio that won the bid, most students choose to go for pricier packages that include the creative shot.
The generous staff of Voyeur Visage let me have a peek into the files of creative shots from different colleges. "Wag yan, corny yan," receptionist Cathy Severino commented as they select the most outrageous pictures and skip over the more typical model-type profiles. There are many students in various states of undress: A young girl wears nothing from head to waist, while glowing with expectant motherhood. There is a gentleman who is in a necktie (and only a necktie) and another boy in underwear tight enough to reflect his personality.
I know of several who went so far as to rent costumes, others who had dress rehearsals the night before. Yella Bautista of BA Speech put it succinctly: "The creative shot is one of three things: A picture of who you are, a picture of who you want to be, or a picture of who you are most definitely not."
Probably why my dalagang Pinay look got roughly the same reactions from everyone: Raised eyebrows from the polite, wild laughter from friends.
Mitos the Virgin occupied the third table in the long row of makeup artists. I wouldve thought standing for hours painting face after nameless face would strain even the best of humors, but Mitos carried it all off with the panache of a professional. Having once had the dubious honor of being the first girl to use red blush to conceal eyebags, I cant claim expertise when it comes to makeup. But I do know when Ive got a good thing going and Mitos golden touch was magic.
It was a situation we abruptly realized only when my head dropped back and rammed him on the stomach. His response was instantaneous.
"Ay grabe, nakatulog!"
Girls in tube tops sit in another row, waiting for their turn under the lights. The tube tops are a must, because bare shoulders are a perquisite for the various costume changes. A long length of chiffon is wrapped around each girls shoulders in various styles: Asymmetrical, off-shoulder, halter, you name it. The illusion is flawless the knots are hidden, the color is flattering and the camera hits just below the collarbone.
On racks, chairs and tables are leather jackets and trench coats, long gowns and butterfly wings, along with every other possible accessory for creative shots. Theres a cowboy hat and an eagle headdress, straw boaters, berets, and feather boas. Editor-in-chief Mark Abalos paces beside the cameraman and directs poses, while volunteers ensure the efficiency of the assembly line.
Take a number, wait a while, get to makeup, smile for the formal. Make that mad dash for the bathroom to dress for the creative. Pose, grin, smirk, seduce. For that split second, be whoever you want to be.
Were here. We made it.