MANJO ZALAMEA is the Videographer, Video Editor, LECHONERO, Taga-tanggap ng pasalubong dito sa Portfolio Studio.
“Shooting the behind-the-scenes stuff of all of Paris Hilton’s activities during her working visit for Century Properties here gave me an all-access pass. It started at the NAIA Terminal 1 last Sunday (Aug. 14) to shoot her arrival. Together with Ivan Santos, our photographer, we arrived about an hour ahead of her scheduled 10:47 p.m. arrival. Armed with special access passes, we were whisked just short of her flight’s arrival gate to await her first appearance in the Philippines.
At first, we were the only ones there, though everyone—from security guards to the janitorial service personnel—knew she was arriving shortly. After about 30 minutes, a few photographers from the broadsheets, who were veterans of covering the airport beat, started to trickle in. Our eyes were trained at the tube from which she will emerge. At last, her plane had landed and when we looked back, we were surprised at how many people suddenly appeared from nowhere to try to get a glimpse of Paris.
Finally, wearing a yellow top and sunglasses, she emerged from the tube and started walking towards us. The minute I rolled my camera, mayhem ensued. People behind us started pushing forward while Airport Security tried to push us back. Making sure my camera was focused, I just pointed the camera to where she was and hoped for the best.
Airport security was to breeze her past the Duty Free Shops and the Immigration Desks straight to the VIP lounge. I was walking backwards, trying to stay in front of Paris, still keeping the camera lens pointed at her. With so many cameramen trying to get the best shots and crowding around her, I don’t know how many feet I stepped on while jockeying for position. Everyone, bystanders, passengers from other flights, airport employees, immigration officials and other kibitzers all had phone cameras pointed at her which made everything more difficult. They all wanted to get a piece of her.
The minute she entered the VIP lounge, she related to her friend and host, Robbie Antonio of Century Properties, that she lost her two phones on her flight from Dubai. It was then that we were requested to stop taking photos and videos to give her time to rest a bit before heading out of the airport where more media and fans are waiting.
We took that chance to get out of there and go ahead to the hotel so we can shoot her entrance there. During the ride back, it was time to review the footage I took, praying that I got decent video. I let out a big sigh of relief. By some stroke of luck, Paris’ long walk from the tube to the VIP lounge was captured in one long shot. Whew!
Paris’ working visit was so busy—I had to shoot behind-the-scenes footage of the TVC shoot, the photo shoot with Raymund, and the Design Meeting with Century properties. Then I had to edit the video for presentation at her official press conference. I finished literally minutes before. Since it was crunch time and Paris’ publicist and Century Properties bosses had to preview the video before presentation, we were led up to her suite at the hotel. After the video was approved, I took the opportunity to ask for her autograph and she graciously obliged. It’s the perfect souvenir.
Goodbye, Paris! Hope to work with you again when you come back.”
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