Assembly line

I have reached the climax of my educational career. For 17 years, I’ve stressed, sweated and strained for this one moment. Farewell, oh gallons of black-with-sugar coffee, begone are the hours trying to challenge God’s will (in the beginning of time, God created man, woman, and the occasional mathematical idiot).

In the words of the immortal Red Leader in Star Wars Episode IV: "This is it, boys." Ladies and gentlemen, this is it.

It’s not that last hug, last cheer, last time the school hymn is played. No, it’s 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.

* * *

A casual bystander standing outside CAL room 202 would have been astounded by the procession of people passing through its doors. Creatures of myth and legend flit past: Fairies, butterflies, princesses, mermaids, and the occasional witch with long purple hair. Then there is the rougher sort: A belly-baring boxer, a girl dressed in a prom dress banging away at a guitar, and a rapper studded and hung with silver bling-blings. Down the hall, in true UP fashion, there are a dozen activists in red shouting for Gloria’s resignation.

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.

* * *

His hair is burgundy, his smile dazzling and his name unforgettable: "Mitos," he said. Mitos the Virgin.

Mitos the Virgin occupied the third table in the long row of makeup artists. I would’ve 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 can’t claim expertise when it comes to makeup. But I do know when I’ve 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!"

* * *

Opening the doors of the converted studio is almost like stepping into an alternate universe. One whole wall is lined with makeup tables: Each equipped with a makeup artist, individual lighting, and a jumble of makeup.

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 girl’s 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. There’s 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.

* * *

This is it. When the count begins and the lights flash, so does the last four years. The lectures, the anxiety, the friendships, the agony of wondering if it is all worth it. But whether we make it to graduation, whether that thesis gets done, we have this bright moment on top of the world.

We’re here. We made it.

* * *

E-mail the writer at pat.evangelista@gmail.com.