My Encounter With An Artista (Celebrity)

I'm in the middle of writing two blogs right now (my mind usually wanders while typing and I end up writing yet another blog), but I have to write this down while it's still fresh in my mind.hehe.

It was past four in the afternoon when Hamza, Raja and I got to Quezon City from Las Piñas where we spent the night there at my in-laws place. We had decided to make a quick stop at Crossings Department Store to buy some groceries and pay the phone bill at a nearby Bayad Center.

Hamza and Raja went up to the third floor to pass the time while I paid for our bill. He bought Raja another Matchbox/Hotwheels toy car because the little boy was promised by his father that he'd get a matchbox from him. I went out the building to the Bayad Center to pay the bill and went back in to do a 'mini-grocery' as we call it just to replenish some stuff we need for the kitchen (bread and what-have-yous). It was nearing Iftar and I was in a rush.

While waiting in line to pay for my purchases, I saw an actress. It wasn't really much of a big deal because I oft see celebrities at the coffee places in Crossings who hang out or to do grocery shopping. But this particular artista was different because I often ogle at her stuff online. Please do not get me wrong here, I am not a voyeur and I am most definitely not a lesbian, no offense, my dear sisters. I am talking about her online shop on Multiply, Stellar01. Ok, I'm getting ahead of my story. Backtrack.

So there I was, waiting in line when I see her, Chynna Ortaleza, owner of the online shop http://stellar01.multiply.com which I frequent to check on the latest updates whenever I go online (which is everyday.hehe!). She was with her mom, I think, and they were talking. I was on the other line, silently wishing that the line would go a little faster as we needed to go home to prepare the food for Iftar. I caught her eye and smiled, she smiled back at me. And I lifted the pendant necklace I was wearing to show her I bought one of her babies. That must've made her happy, because she showed her mom I was wearing it and I said, "I was the one who bought four", referring to the necklaces I bought from her. I actually bought five but who cares? She remembered. Probably because of my countless queries. hehe! She further told her mom I lived in the Scout area (she even remembered the street) and then said to me, "We live nearby, we're from New Manila." I was a bit dazed and awestruck as the little conversation was going on. I mean, I was dazed because I was hungry and the rumblings in my tummy were really getting to me, and awestruck because she was talking to me. I even forgot to say my name. ngeee.

When they had paid for their purchase, we said our goodbyes and I went on to unload the stuff to the counter. I was wary of the curious looks I was getting from the other customers. Let them be. I was too hungry to mind it. I rushed to the package counter to leave my bag when there she was with her grocery cart, depositing her groceries. So our little chat continued. I had told her that I was going up to the third floor and we was in a hurry because we had to break fast at home. And so our conversation shifted to fasting. It was a short conversation, but it was pleasant. We parted ways again, and I met up with Hamza and Raja. I know I should have said something about her stuff, how I really like them and all, and gotten a pic with her but again, I was too hungry it didn't even cross my mind. Sayang nga eh. But it was all right.

Later that night, I was browsing through sites on Multiply when I got a personal message from her. It was a delightful surprise because I wasn't expecting anything and I had meant to leave her a message first to say thank you and it was nice to have met her. She beat me to it! And so I replied and thanked her for being nice and all.

She's actually kind and down to earth. I usually have this vision of celebrities acting bratty, high and mighty. I guess she proved me wrong. It was cool to have met an artista who didn't have any airs in her, who's just like any average jane... But she'll never be an average jane...

She's already Chynna O.

She's already Stellar.

Glad to have met you, Sis! See you around.