The sun hung low over the skyline as Kai and Jom stepped into the hotel suite, both visibly worn from their day but energized with purpose. Adrian looked up from his laptop, system panel glowing faintly behind his focused gaze.
Kai dropped a folder onto the table. "We covered all the sites you listed. Got pictures, some quick videos, and a few notes. Jom had some... opinions too."
"Mostly about the food," Jom added, plopping onto the couch. "But hey, great views, solid acoustics in a few spots. That abandoned theater in Santa Mesa? It's a gold mine. Dusty, but magical."
Adrian flipped through the photos they'd compiled—vintage trains, old lamp-lit streets, skyline backdrops washed in orange hues. Exactly the tone *City of Stars* needed.
"Good work, both of you," he said, pausing at a shot of the riverbank at twilight. "This one—perfect for the dance sequence."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "You're really going through with this? Full-blown musical, with you as the lead?"
"Have to," Adrian said with a half-smile. "No one else gets it yet. But they will."
Before anyone could respond, Adrian's phone buzzed again. It was Lance Villarta.
He answered. "Hey, we've wrapped the initial scouting. What's next?"
"Perfect timing," Lance said. "I need you three to come with me tomorrow morning. There's this old studio in Cavite—a spot I mentioned earlier. Hidden gem, used to belong to a local indie legend. The owner's letting me use it as a casting and testing ground for the project."
Adrian's eyes lit up. "We're in."
"I'll send the location. Get ready."
---
Early the next day, the trio packed up and met Lance outside the hotel. His black SUV was parked by the curb, windows tinted, trunk filled with film gear and a thermos of strong coffee.
"So," Lance began as they drove through the city, "how serious are you about finding no-name actors?"
"Serious enough to reject anyone that feels fake," Adrian replied. "I don't want stars—I want characters. Real ones."
Lance glanced at him in the rearview mirror. "Then this studio might be what you're looking for. A few hidden talents. Hard to train, maybe, but raw potential."
Kai nudged Jom. "We should bring snacks. You know, for the *raw talent.*"
Jom laughed. "Let's just hope they can sing, dance, and cry on cue, or Adrian might start training himself in mirror monologues again."
Adrian grinned, amused but focused. "I might."
---
Meanwhile, in a sleek, modern office inside a Tokyo media building, a meeting was underway.
The Southeast Asia Short Film Review Panel had just concluded their screening session, and the final word had been spoken by the panel chair:
"Voicemail is the standout. Emotional. Economical. Brilliantly paced."
A young Japanese liaison stood by the window, her tablet glowing with details. "Shall I prepare travel arrangements to Manila?"
"Yes," the chair said. "Reach out to the creators. This Adrian Rivera... we want him at the festival. Make it happen."
---
Back in the Philippines, the SUV rolled into the province's outskirts. The once-bustling studio had aged gracefully—vines climbing the outer walls, the wooden gate creaking as it opened, welcoming them into a new phase of their journey.
Inside, the walls were lined with posters of forgotten classics. A modest stage stood at the center of the main room, bathed in natural light from a cracked skylight. Adrian walked in slowly, taking it all in.
"This place has history," he whispered.
"And maybe a future," Lance added, checking his phone. "Our first batch of auditions will start this afternoon. Locals. A few students. Maybe a dropout or two."
Jom leaned in close to Kai. "Dropouts? Sounds like us."
Kai nodded. "Perfect casting, then."
Adrian stepped toward the stage, imagining the scenes—two lovers dancing under dim lights, laughter echoing against the walls, piano keys ringing in silence. *City of Stars* was beginning to breathe.
He turned to his friends. "You ready?"
Jom gave a mock salute. "For greatness? Always."
Kai just smirked. "Let's make magic."
---
Meanwhile, across town, Rina Velasco sat in a quiet conference room, reviewing a thick binder of production materials. Her producer was explaining the details of their next shoot—she would serve as vice director on a political thriller set in Iloilo.
She nodded mechanically, noting everything, but her thoughts kept drifting.
*Adrian Rivera.*
*Voicemail.*
*City of Stars.*
Every industry whisper echoed with his name now. The boy wonder. The reborn storyteller.
She tapped her pen against the desk, then smiled slightly. "Let him have the spotlight—for now."
Her producer looked up. "Something on your mind?"
"Just strategy," she said smoothly. "I'll gain experience here. But next time... I won't just be a contender. I'll be the benchmark."
---
And somewhere, between two worlds, Adrian Rivera stood in the middle of a dusty stage, the soft glow of sunlight bathing his silhouette.
He reached into his coat pocket and unfolded a crumpled piece of paper.
**Scene 27 – Riverbank (Golden Hour)**
*He takes her hand. They spin slowly. The music swells. The dream feels real...*
He closed his eyes. The mission was far from over—but the dream was alive.
And the stars, at last, were aligning.(End chapter)