CONNECTIONS

November 17, 2010

   Josenians will always be Josenians - Tatak Recoleto as what they usually call it. I guess there’s this invisible string attached in each one of us. Strings that are used to help one another in times of need. And I guess I'm just one of those lucky Josenians who have that string connected with other personalities in my chosen field of profession.

Mr. Alan Domingo of GMA-7

   The Josenians I'm talking about are Mr. Alan Domingo of GMA-7's Balitang Bisdak and Mr. Ador Vincent Mayol of Cebu Daily News. Two of the best media practitioners in Metro Cebu that I have worked with.

Mr. Ador Vincent Mayol of CDN

    I guess I was just so lucky that day while I was walking along the corridor of the Palace of Justice when I saw Sir Alan together with his cameraman roaming around the courts. He was shocked upon seeing me. And I know you're shocked too because he knows me. Well, point of information, I have worked with him last semester because as I was saying I became an intern of Buena Mano Balita where he was a mainstay host. With humility, I asked Sir Alan if I could go with him in finding news and he gladly said yes. Ofcourse together with Sir Ador Mayol of CDN, which I guess was his best buddy and luckily is another true-blooded Josenian.

    After roaming around the Palace of Justice, our next stop was the “Kapihan sa PIA” – a press conference organized by the Philippine Information Agency held at DOH-7. The presscon was all about "drugs" with Director Adrian Alvariño of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) as the speaker. It was a timely topic since it was on the midst of the issue of the captured one kilo of shabu in Cebu just recently. The said presscon also tackled about the “Iwas Paputok Program” of DOH in lieu of the Christmas and New Year celebration with Dr. Ped Medalla as the resource speaker. Afterwards, we attended still another major press conference held at a certain cafe by former mayor Lakambini Reluya over her complaint on the on-going "San Fernando election protest". That presscon opened the door for me to meet other big names in the media industry such as Mr. Elly Bacqueros of Sun.Star Cebu, Mr. Gregg Rubio of The Freeman, the CCTN news team and of course Mr. Ike Durano of DYRF (which was one of our panelists in our thesis).
   I really got big news on that day and it wouldn't be possible if not for Sir Alan and Sir Ador's help. I'm just so glad to have kuya’s and ate's in the industry who is willing to help us - which I must say an advantage of a Josenian intern. Connections as what you call it.

DELICIOSO

November 12, 2010

I know what you’re thinking – you would probably be thinking of food right?The answer is both a YES and a NO. Why? It’s because I will not be only talkling of food that would satisfy our tummies but also food for our mind - experience is what I'm referring to. And I had a "delicious" experience when I went on duty for the first time with a senior reporter – with no other than Ms. Sheila Gravinez.

Ms. Sheila Gravinez and me

I already knew Ms. Sheila then because she was a former DYSS reporter of GMA-7 where I used to have my tv broadcasting internship over Buena Mano Balita. Because of that, I was happy when Sir Roger texted me that I’ll be going with Ms. Sheila that day.

We went to the Department of Health first to get an update of dengue  cases in the region as well as went to the Regional Health Office Environmental Health Program and talked to Engr. Evangeline Canoneo about the inspection in the disposal of coal ash at a coal power plant in Naga City. Lastly, we went to the Bureau of Food and Drugs to get an update about their advisory on imported products entering the country especially in Region 7. Afterwards we went back to the office. On our way there, to my surprise Ms. Sheila humbly asked me if what story would I like to write. Amazed with her kindness, I immediately replied that it’s up to her if what story would she like me to write. Thus, she decided to give me the dengue update and the BFAD advisory. Indeed, it was a great challenge in my part for I’ll be dealing with medical terminologies or jargons but I don't have any worries for I know that Ms. Sheila was just there to back me up.

When we arrived at the office, Miss Jennette told us that all Sun.Star Superbalita staff as well as interns will be going to have a lunch at Tsim Sha Tsui restaurant located at Ayala Terraces. I really thought it would be a working lunch and they will have a meeting. But I was amazed because we just purely ate our lunch there for about an hour and a half. It was an eat-all-you-can treat in lieu of the anniversary of the publication. I just appreciated their effort for inviting us in that very delicious lunch. The food were not just "delicious" but the memories we had as well.

LEAN DAYS NO MORE

November 8, 2010

     Not all day is a news day in a police station. There are also what you called “lean days” or days without news. In this scenario, the policeman would usually be happy for it means that their area of responsibility was peaceful on that day while a media practitioner and an intern like me would be sad because we will not have stories to write. That’s what I thought upon leaving the homicide section that day with no incidents reported in the police blotter. But I was definitely wrong! As a police beat reporter or intern, I realized that I must not only be dependent on police blotters, I need to explore. There’s more news out there connected with police works.

And the one I’m talking about is the awarding ceremony of police officers who have successfully helped in the confiscation of almost 50 video karera machines and mole-mole. The said ceremony was attended by no less than

Cebu City Mayor Michael "Mike"Rama

NAPOLCOM Commissioner Eduardo Escueta

CCPO Snr. Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe

      But the highlight of the event was the crashing or destroying of the said illegal gambling machines with the use of a pay loader. Mayor Rama, Commissioner Escueta as well as S/Supt. Buenafe rode on the said pay loader. After that nerve cracking experience, I went to the Theft and Robbery section of CCPO together with other police beat reporters for there were two snatchers caught by the police officers. One of the thing I would say I am thankful of being an intern in this field is that I get to know people from the media.I really do consider it a great privilege to work and meet such personalities.I met some police beat reporters like Chito Aragon of Cebu Daily News, Rey Pasaporte of Banat News, Niña Sumacot of The Freeman, Arnold Bustamante of DYHP and Kevin Lagunda of Sun.Star Cebu which I thought at first was a Superbalita reporter. After getting the news, we headed towards S/Supt. Buenafe’s press conference.

   With the warm welcome and support other media practitioners have shown me that day, I really felt that I was really part of the media industry now. Indeed as I ended my day, I've realized that it was a very fruitful police beat experience worth to be reminded.

MAJOR, MAJOR DAY

November 5, 2010

Excitement along with pressure is bugging me up on my first official duty as an intern in Sun.Star Superbalita. I really woke up early to start my day right. But I just can’t help myself to be very nervous, I just don’t know why. I mean it’s not the first time I’m going to do this because I’ve already been exposed to this kind of work when I took up my news writing major last two years ago. But safe to say it’s just normal for a second timer like me. While, I was heading towards Fuente Police Station, I do admit that I had second thoughts of approaching the police officer but I really tried my best to conquer that fear and asked for the police blotter. As I was scanning the pages of the blotter, I’ve realized that not all stories are worth writing for, especially those petty crimes. Unfortunately, I haven’t find any news worthy story. Hence, I decided to leave. My next stop was at Camp Sotero Cabahug at Gorordo Avenue. I directly proceeded to the homicide section, and thank God I found a story – a shooting alarm. I immediately wrote what’s inside the blotter but looks like some information were missing so I asked the police officer about the said incident but he failed to answer my question. He just told me to wait for the investigator who was still responding an alarm. So, I opted to wait.



PO3 Ruth Violango of CCPO



       Few minutes later, a tall and beautiful policewoman entered the office. She was PO3 Ruth Violango - who would have thought she was a police officer? Anyways, she was the who recorded and investigated the said shooting alarm. So, I asked her few questions and I was just so glad she answered my queries. But before living the homicide section, PO3 Violango asked me if I want to get the other alarm they have responded. I was overwhelmed and in no time I grabbed the opportunity and wrote the details of the said alarm – a dead person alarm. After writing and asked follow-up questions, I decided to leave the office. I was supposed to be going early to the Superbalita office to write my story but I’ve realized that my cellphone was empty battery. Thus, I decided to go home to charge my phone. Good thing, when I opened my phone, I saw Ms. Jennette’s text about a certain seminar held in Sudlon that we have to attend– luckily it’s just near our place. Thus, I hurriedly went there. When I arrived, my co-interns where already there and the seminar had already started. But still I didn't have any worries because Sir Roger had just arrived as well as Ms. Carmi Cavanlit of ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol Central Visayas.

   The seminar was all about the formal launching of the “Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTBMLE)” program. And highlighted with the presence of Rep. Magtanggol Gunigundo of Valunzuela City. The seminar was really interesting and full of insights about the Cebuano language proposed to be taught in school. But what’s more extraordinary was the press conference held after the seminar. It was a working lunch and it was attended by distinguished guests and personalities. The said seminar was graced by no other than the owner and publisher of Sun.Star Cebu, Atty. Jesus B. Garcia along with Mayor Adelino Sitoy, Dr. Recardo Borgonia of Dep-Ed 7 and other important names in the society. The thing was we were supposed to ask them questions but it was ironic, in a sense, that we were the once asked and put in a “hot seat”. Nevertheless, I find the experience memorable because I’ve meet other media practitioners like Melanie Rosales from The Freeman, Rebelander Basilan of SunStar Cebu, Candese Mongaya of Cebu Daily News and of course Mr. Nikko Sereno of GMA-7 who was with Ms. Darlane Sino-Cruz. After the seminar, we finally went to the office to write our story. Indeed it was a very long day full of major, major events and surprises.

SUPERNOVA

November 3, 2010

I’m not a superwoman like what you’re thinking. I don’t have superficial powers - I can’t fly and fight with monsters and other villains. But if there’s one thing I can do to help other people, that’s through writing with the use of my mighty pen. Yes, an opportunity given to me by Sun.Star Superbalita.



Mrs. Jennette B. Castañares
News Desk, Sun.Star Superbalita



As I could remember, it was ten in the morning of All Soul’s Day when my cellphone beeped and saw that the text message was from Ms. Jennette of Superbalita – she was asking if I’m available for an interview the following day. Honestly, it took a couple of minutes before the word “interview” sink into my mind. But I finally came back to my senses and replied “yes”. The day of the interview came and as usual I was nervous. I have so many what if’s in my mind but I just kept it and went inside the office of Sun.Star Superbalita. I was just on time when I arrived and my co-interns were already there, Pearl, Decemay and Marissa. Ms. Jenette Castañares, the news desk of Super B was just so nice and told us to wait for a while for the EIC or the “Editor-in-Chief”.



Ms. Michelle P. So
Editor-in-Chief, Sun.Star Superbalita



Upon hearing the word “EIC”, my heart began to beat so fast, really fast because I would meet no less than the most significant person in the publication. But I didn’t make it obvious; I don’t want her to feel that I am. Finally the long wait was over when a woman with a strong aura entered the office and told us to proceed at the conference room. I guess she was the one we were waiting and I was correct. She’s Michelle P. So fondly called “MPS” by her colleagues. When we were inside the room, I just can’t help but be starstruck by her presence. I mean I used to read her column in SunStar Cebu and here I am now facing her. Indeed, she’s a woman with credibility, very outspoken and not to mention she has a great sense of humor.

Before the “interview”, MPS gave us the “Sun.Star Manual and Code of Ethics” for us to read and understand by heart. Afterwards she asked our preferred duty schedule, that’s how considerate she was. But what I appreciated more about her was when she told us that we were not just mere interns, but we are now part of the company as reporters given equal importance like the other staff. She drafted the schedule for our practicum in Superbalita, not knowing that we would automatically start on that day (November 3) until December 31 of this year. MPS then cracked a joke that she don’t want to see our face on January 1 of next year. Kidding aside, she told us that she’s not after the time or the number of hours we’ll get but what matters to her is the learning and experience we can get from this internship. She ended that great conversation with an advice that we should be responsible for everything we write for we are not just writing for ourselves but foremost we are bringing the name of the publication.



Mr. Roger E. Vallena, News Editor of SuperB

with her wife Mrs. Chello Vallena of GMA-7  



As I recall the famous line in the Spiderman film, which says, “great power comes with great responsibility”, I just can’t believe that I will meet the “Spiderman of SunStar Superbalita” still on that day. He’s no other than the news editor, Mr. Roger E. Vallena. Indeed, his work demands more time and effort –edit, edit and edit. But with the kind of personality he has, he makes the job done in no time. That’s how dedicated he is and that’s what he wants us to be. When we met him still inside the conference room, he gave us certain guidelines and tips on how to gather and write the news – to get all sides of the story (that’s objectivity). We were first assigned to the police beat and I was assigned to cover Fuente Police Station and Camp Sotero Cabahug. Sir Roger added that along our internship in the paper, we would also be given the chance to write for the entertainment and sports section. And what even made me excited was when he said that if there’s a chance, he would also let us cover presidential visits and the like. Time run so fast that it took us about 3 hours talking to each other but that’s okay. But before we ended, Sir Roger gave us a task – a final project he was referring to. It was about “abortion” and we have to interview all the people involved in the issue. But instead of having a heavy heart and thinking of it as a burden, I took it as a great challenge. Indeed on that day, I have told myself that “I may not be a superhero but I could be a catalyst for change and help the world in the way I can.”