ISSA ABELLO: FROM GROVE TO ROCKWELL MAKATI
Ipick up my second Uber passenger at Starbucks in The Grove. She is Issa Abello, 24, born and raised in Metro Manila. “I’ve always wanted to learn more about the film industry while taking an undergrad degree in De La Salle University,” she begins. “Upon graduating, I worked at a PR firm where I was able to discover more of my strengths and eventually save up to be able to study Screenwriting and Filmmaking in New York Film Academy.”
THE DRIVE What do you do? Are you working?
ISSA ABELLO: Since I came back from New York six months ago I have been freelancing as a nightlife photographer and currently working on a screenplay. I am also a writer and co-founder of Tagalikha (tagalikhablog.wordpress.com), a community of creatives in New York City. I am also job-hunting.
What do you think of Philippine cinema?
Actually there are a lot of movies that are being shown now, like those of Star Cinema which are very interesting. I liked the movie Seven Sundays. It’s a family movie and I super enjoyed it because it hit the spot at certain points because it’s about a family that doesn’t see each other often. Like me, I’m the eldest and I was able to identify with the role of Aga Muhlach in the movie. I also have that responsibility that all my siblings get along. I also liked the dialogues, and although there were some cliché lines used, they were perfect for the script.
So, today, I am going to watch Blade Runner.
Is it a good movie?
I think it was one of the first sci-fi movies of the ’80s. The first Blade Runner movie had good cinematography and styling. It was way ahead of its time. When I was studying we dissected some scenes of Blade Runner in school.
Are you a regular Uber rider?
Since I have come back, I have been taking Uber every day. The other day, I had a really good driver. I came from The Fort. The driver was very chatty and nice. It was late at night and I was really tired. He asked me how my day was and he listened to my answers. It was such a refreshing conversation. When I got to the village where I live in the south, it was quite dark, but I felt safe with my Uber driver and this is a good thing.
Did you take Uber in New York?
Yes. And some of the drivers are also chatty. A lot of them do shifts, so at night sometimes the driver would have just started his drive turn — these ones can be more chatty. And, like here, most of them own the cars they are driving.
Do the drivers in New York dress up?
Yes, most of them are in dress shirts when they are on duty. There was one time I rode an Audi Uber in New York, and I had loads of fun.
Is riding Uber here the same as riding in New York?
Yes, very much similar. The only difference is the price and the traffic.
Any interesting stories about your Uber drivers in the States?
One driver told me about a time he picked up a woman he had to take to the hospital because she was about to give birth. Good thing they made it to the hospital just in time. But the driver said he was freaking out because she could have given birth in the car — and it was rush hour at the time in NY.
Here in Manila, I was riding an Uber and my friend, who is a singer, was rehearsing her song. The driver asked me who she was. I told him to guess. And then he decided to turn on the radio and just at that moment her song was playing: it was Moira de la Torre.
Are your parents okay that you take Uber all over the place?
Yes. They know I am safe.