THE GUEST

Jenna is surprised to receive an invitation from a group with artistic talents to attend their meeting. She is wondering why she has to be there having no idea about being an artist who performs on stage watched by an audience. Could it be that it is related to the English workshops she attended before with writers and those who have talents in performing arts which is presented by a cultural organization? After those workshops Jenna attended the events at the theater and she explored the opportunity to used what she learned in that workshop to start her writing journey. She joined the writer's professional group to polish her English language knowing she is a green horn about writing. It's true, when she is writing at first members of the writing group notice it. When she writes it is really grammatical composed of the simple compound and complex sentences. Slowly she has learned writing a story is totally different. To her surprise another group of writers that she joined declares there are no rules in writing and everyone can develop her own style. She learns a short ad can be a story like "For Sale" and flash stories flourish nowadays. composed of less than a hundred words Jenna thoughtfully concludes her invitation is related to the documentary film she has produced. There are no artists either in her documentary film but they say there is no performing arts if there is no storyteller. Here Jenna also relates why she is invited because her works are being submitted to the cultural organization. The documentary film is the life struggle of her Uncle Berting who migrated to the USA at a young age. In those days immigrants worked in the canneries of Washington and Alaska. Later on he enrolled to get a Certificate in the automotive industry. Others got jealous when he drove the cars repaired going around the vicinity. The Period of Depression struck the livelihood in America that her uncle chose to go back to the Philippines his home country. After a while he decided to get marry and has raised three children. Soon World War II engulfed the world including the Philippines. Her uncle didn't plan to join the Philippine Army to defend against the Japanese Occupation but he is being accused as a spy by his compatriots. Then one night he was abducted by a group from the Philippine Army and he is brought to the mountains. People say in the community, "If you are brought to the mountains you cannot come home alive." His family got worried about his safety and they put their hope for him to live to the hands of God through prayers. Of all miracles the head of the Philippine Army spare his life when he recognize Uncle Berting to be his neighbor and his friend. That is how he survived during the World War II. His family were very thankful upon his return after the war until his death to be accorded the Full Military Honors as a Veteran. But still Jenna is not sure if this is the reason why she is invited to the meeting. Maybe another reason is her children's book she has also published. It has been submitted to the cultural organization who is proud and happy to learn since she is a product of their writing workshops. Jenna's children's book is about a root crop that came to life being born out of the ground and explored the world to mingle with people. People cannot see him having the power to become invisible when people are around. One time he went out from their underground house and slid to the car of the landlord of the farmer who owns the land where they lived. They drove for a few hours to reach the shopping mall. "Rooty" the root crop inspected the shelves of the grocery store. It happened a dog which is a German Shepherd saw him. Only animals can see him The chase started and Rooty run as fast as he could until he reach the shelf where root crops are displayed who are thecsame like him. He jumped into it and laid there. No one among the people see or know he is there until he will be carried by a shopper to start another journey. Jenna plans to write it as a serial story so Rooty will have many adventures. Jenna goes to the meeting where she is invited to attend. She learns she is one of the members of the Producer's Circle which made her caught in surprise. "Why am I here?" she asked to herself. She can't figure it out at all. Those who are there just look at her. "What is she suppose to do there?" She has no idea. It is the opening night of the show and the purpose of the meeting is to introduce the director who mentions the members of the characters in the story presented by the producer. The director tells how he organized and what roles the artists has to perform. He describes the emotions the feelings the audience may experience during the show. The show lasted about two hours and Jenna realized how wonderful it is to see a really live performance compared to movies that she has watched. Meeting the artists personally after the show is more exciting to her , meeting an artist personally is awesome. An artist tells her that she has perform locally and in other places. Jenna's latest invitation is to join the group to the International Tour Show. This is extraordinary to her. "What will she do there?" Will she join the performers?" She is not an artist at all. This is amazingly wonderful to her. an adventure to see other places The invitation states the different countries that they are going to visit in Europe. She imagines herself to be very inquisitive about the people and their culture the architecture of the buildings , what kind of vendors and products they are selling in the markets and the theater where the artists are going to perform. Another is the hotel accommodations She has ask a companion to be with her for security and camaraderie. The food is also a nice thing to explore how health is being considered in their menus. Who are the people whom they are going to meet during the performances? All these entered to the mind of Jenna. Most importantly this tour will give new perspectives on how to live and enjoy life. She may see the difference of the locality where she comes from. Jenna is thinking what is she going to prepare for her wardrobe. Maybe she can be a gypsy lady. In her mind , it is such a new place for her to explore. Waiting for the final instructions on what to do and expect Jenna keeps herself in constant wonderment to be experiencing excitements and surprises. In the past where she went to some places it is not the same athmosphere like she will be in a group to explore places. The more it will be wonderful to her after the international performances are finished to give her an idea what is the next trip she may have after this. She is grateful to attend these meetings and be their guest.GP