IT WAS publicist Chuck Gomez who facilitated the non-selective distribution of Puregold’s Christmas giveaways among the members of the entertainment media, and why such items gayong it would have been much easier kung gift certificates na lang ang ibigay ng chain of supermarkets na ito?
Sagot ni Chuck: Puregold opted to donate the GCs to the typhoon Yolanda victims.
More than a hundred ang mga nakalistang pangalan sa papel na hawak ni Chuck, na matiyagang nakaposte sa Starbucks sa Imperial Suites mula alas-onse ng umaga until late afternoon two Mondays ago, himself handing the bag of goodies—tinext man niya o napadaan lang sa area na ‘yon.
That was the day before Marian Rivera hosted a press party, kung saan inirereklamo ng maraming reporter ang pagiging strictly invitational nito. Umasa kasi sila na ngayong wala na si Marian sa poder ng press-undriendly na si Popoy Caritativo at ngayo’y nasa pangangalaga na ng Triple A, what stood like a sturdy wall between Marian and some members of the press ay matitibag na.
Marian’s press party this year, however, was even worse.
Personally, we were quick in defense of Marian. Kilala ba niyang lahat ng nasa press for her to decide kung sino ang dapat lang maambunan ng kanyang ibabahaging biyaya, at kung sino ang dapat niyang pagkaitan?
Sabi nga ni Chuck who’s also tasked to draw a media list in every event na hinahawakan niya, “Hindi na kinukuwestiyon ng kliyente ko kung sinu-sino’ng iimbitahan ko. Titingnan lang niya kung magkano ang ilalabas niyang budget based on the list na sina-submit ko. Eh, kaya nga nag-hire siya ng taong tulad niya, pati ba naman pag-iimbita, eh, kailangan niyang problemahin?”
Tuloy, as a result of this selective invitation that happens under the celebrity’s nose ay sa kanya tuloy nagbu-boomerang ang mga tira ng press, and in Marian’s case, she’s the one getting all the flak.
Hirit ni Chuck, “Friend, kung hindi ko man kayo na-text na meron akong event, go na lang kayo kapag nabalitaan n’yo. I owe where I am now to you. Hindi ako magkakaroon ng trabaho kung hindi dahil sa inyo.”
Earlier that day, may nauna nang tabloid editor swooped down on the appointed place. Nang sipatin daw nito ang laman ng bag, tinanong nito si Chuck: “Nasaan ang press release?” Kadalasan na kasing kakambal ng mga ganoong freebies ang ilang pahinang pralala “for immediate release” sa mga publikasyon.
Sagot ni Chuck, “Naku, hindi po kailangang isulat ang ipinamimigay sa inyo!” Sorry, Chuck, if we violated the unwritten/unspoken rule. We just felt that this item had to find its way in our column.
Okey lang maging selective ang ilang event organizer lalo’t presscon ng pelikula ang hinahawakan niyang project, but should a press gathering in a supposed season of sharing be made exclusive and enjoyed only by the blessed few?
Pepperoni
by Ronnie Carrasco III
