Two years!!

This month I turned second year as multimedia reporter for the online arm of the country's most influential newspaper (pero di ko ipo promote dito). So if you haven't figured it out yet, I only blog happy stuff but aren't too personal that can be shared  and milestones. This December I'd be on my third year at my current employer, as I first started  there as editorial assistant. Wow, I'm getting old.

I'm on my second year as reporter and yet I feel like I've been on the beat only for a year or so because I took up so many desk work (I recently made sure that my boss knows this sentiment hehehe). How is it so far? I'm on defense beat which is no problem because I'm quite familiar with it. And I've always wanted this since college. And I hate politics. This is a prayer that came true, if you ask me. I even lit candles for this back then (I should've prayed for true love instead, dont you think?) But man, I'm already here and yet taking care of sources nationwide is no piece of cake. Whenever I'm already chummies with a source on the ground, he gets re-assigned!! Bago na namang aalagaan! It's hard to keep a source in hotspot areas! This military organization is so dynamic it's so hard to keep up! Sometimes I get non-defense coverages, which is a blessing because it's a chance to unwind (and at times it's not so welcome, because I'd rather be on my beat). We get lifestyle coverages or elections, SONA, senate, etc. It's a different world every experience. It's crazy.

I have a love and hate relationship with my work. I love it because it's so humbling and I learn a lot. Like everyday, there's some new knowledge to learn or a mistake to cringe about. It's also a privilege to be a witness,

to experience things first, to see history unfold in front of you. My pleasure. This job is so humbling, it makes me realize that there is so much I don't know in the world and I have a long, long way to go. At the same time, it gives me stress, it tests my patience to the bone marrow, and sometimes I really hate it so much to a point I wish I was one of those people who don't give a shit about news. Sometimes it gives me insecurities, and there are times it makes me feel like I don't work hard enough if I don't get a story. And sometimes internal matters in the office are just too much to bear for my already stressful life. There was also a point that I barely had a social life.  This job is so unhealthy, truth be told. And yet I choose to stay.

Today, I'm still overwhelmed with the influence of media. Like how this industry I'm in can bring down a person or an institution, how glorifying a subject can win hearts of the people, or simply, just how it dictates. Although I'd have to say that as a newbie, my journalism style is more of something that "tells" rather than "dictates." But the information we choose to share is a factor when the society shapes its opinion of something. (And I don't wanna get righteous about responsible journalism here, I'm no veteran okay).

I also have to admit, the perks of the job are really gratifying. On top of my list are concerts such as Maroon 5 or J Lo that I begged to cover. I'm definitely not one of those people who would shell out so much money to see these artists in flesh (Well unless it's my ultimate favorite The Corrs). We also have privilege to get access to events that ordinary people won't get invited to. Oh boy, I love my ID at times.

At the same time, I get sad whenever some of us in this industry think that we are immune from ridicule or we can get away with things, or we can get back at things or people unfavorable to us, or we are entitled to things, just because of our job -- because we have the opportunity to dictate and influence if we want to. Some of us can be really self-serving and use the influence that we have for their own gain. I don't want to point fingers, but it's a reality in this profession. I'm not saying that I'm perfect and I'm a person of integrity -- it's also been a challenge to tone down my biases in some of my stories, too. But I pray that I do not give the impression to others that I'm self-serving, nor I will become this kind of person in the future.

If you ask me how long do I see myself in this job, well, in truth, I don't know. When I prayed for this, I didn't consider what I'd do next if I get answered. And so I've become more careful on what goals I should pray for -- it should also be as precious and worth it. But until I find a new goal, I will play things by ear and be grateful to be where I'm at. :)

Blue skies

Let's talk about cool stuff.

When Ate Mylene, a former co-worker in the military, told me over one of our dinners together that she's scheduled to feature the Philippine Army Parachute Team in the magazine she now works for, I begged

with all my might to join her coverage. First and foremost, I've always been attracted to liberating things. Isn't parachuting or skydiving so liberating to look at in photos and videos? When I set up this blog in 2010, I chose a photo of a guy in parachute as my avatar, which I use until now (Yun ang konek). I'm sorry I don't remember where I stole that photo. Hehehe! I've been familiar with PAPT only because they are the highlight of some military events that I cover as a defense reporter. After the pass-in-review they would suddenly fall from the sky, popping their canopies, then wild applause  from the crowd follows!! As for me, I'd always watch out for those who land on their butts. Ang cute eh. Hehehe!! Ate Mye's feature would be a good opportunity to see them work up close, diba? Also, one of my closest girlfriends in the military earned my admiration when she took up Basic Airborne Course a few years back. Not all people, and a lady at that, can jump out of a chopper (I don't think I ever would. Unless it would be tandem skydiving). She'd text me almost everyday how tired she was from training. So there, those who can fly automatically get brownie points from me and they don't know it. Let's keep that a secret lest it might be mistaken as conflict of interest in my job.

One sunny day in March, we trooped to Sta. Rosa in Nueva Ecija (Royce drop zone) for Ate Mye's coverage. While she did her work stuff, I happily stayed on the

sidelines and observed these parachute guys do their thing. It's no joke, with all those double checking before an actual jump, they really mean serious business even though these guys are already expert in the field, kumbaga, Airborne level 10 (Divine!! Sweet!! Sugar crush! Ay, Candy Crush pala yun!). My reporter instinct wanted to start formulating a story as well, but because my main purpose was just to have fun and out of respect of Ate Mye's "moment" (hahaha naks)...sige, I told myself next time na lang siguro ako naman magco-cover? Hehehehe. The highlight of the coverage was a big treat for us, at least for me. We were allowed to ride the chopper and witness how they jump! I've already mentioned that not everybody can jump from a plane, thousands of feet above the ground....but let me add this: not everybody gets to ride with them and see how they fly, too. Yehey!!! Happy moment!!

It wasn't my first time to ride a chopper. I've been on a Huey and a Sokol but I always feel the need to emotionally prepare (oo may ganon) myself every plane or chopper ride because of the sudden downdrafts (I'm not sure what it's called, basta yung biglang baba). I hate that feeling. I had a chance to ride with Airborne students that day, which gave me a picture how my friend Laila was like when she took up the course. The students were so scared!! I was so happy when all of them were out because some needed to get pushed.  Hahaha! I was also secretly terrified at first that I didn't get a seatbelt but was only tied with a rope on my waist. That's what made the experience even more fun though! Anyway I came out of it alive and I actually enjoyed the ride. And later, when I did my research on Facebook and checked photos of Army freefallers in the air, potek, gets ko na kung sino yung Peter Pan na nababasa ko sa Facebook. Hehehehe!!! I would've liked to write more about them and more technical stuff on this blog post, but that only made me realize that I don't know much. Hehehe!!! I ended up watching several videos, and my research led to HALO and HAHO stuff I was already too lazy to comprehend!! All I can say for now is that I'm just amazed with their passion for this. I mean, they have to regularly train for this on top of their tasks as soldiers (And if I'm not mistaken, most of them, if not all, are members of the elite Special Forces. As you know, I'm also partial to SF just because my former snappy boss is one. Hehehe). Not to mention that parachuting or freefall comes with a possible danger every jump. This hobby or lifestyle or mode of transport, is something to be taken seriously. I wonder though, if they have used this in actual combat or relief operations. There was one movie I saw where they used parachutes to land at an enemy target. So cool. :)

Thanks to Ate Mylene and her fellows at Travel Plus for tagging me along to this coverage. Thanks to the Army team too, for being accommodating hosts. Photos here are from JM Punzalan. There are more on my Facebook account. Travel Plus May-July is out now in newsstands, by the way. Go grab a copy!! :)

2012

Just a recap for 2012. Much as I'd like to make each year memorable and unforgettable, I could say that this year was just one of those uneventful years. I mean, I didn't get a new job or get married or whatever. It was highlighted by a few domestic trips outside Manila, though, all thanks to my short vacation and work travels. Some places I visited this year were places I've already been to, but I always welcome the thought of going back again anyway.

So in these photos are Baguio, Nueva Ecija, Palawan, Bohol, Pampanga, Cebu, Capiz and Aklan. I hope I could squeeze in more travels for 2013, and maybe a foreign one at that. But that's just my wishful thinking.  

I did meet a whole of new people in my life, and that is awesome. I did not keep my New Year's resolution, so I see no point of making another for next year. I got sick again, but this time it was only a less serious gastritis attack but it kept me in the hospital for several days. My stress always manifests in a gastro attack.

And for a fun-ner side of my job, I got to cover Maroon 5 and Jennifer Lopez concerts, which I am grateful for because I don't see myself splurging for those expensive ticket prices. Unless it's gonna be The Corrs.

For 2013, I just want to be more serious with my job. And possibly make a career change? Hmm who knows.I have wishes for my family and myself, but I'd rather keep it to myself. Thank you Lord for the year that was. :)

Missing Bohol

Last May, my friend Laila and I finally managed to pursue our overdue trip to Bohol. After two years of planning and daydreaming, can you imagine?! She visited the place a few weeks before our trip with her husband, but we've already been meaning to go there as early as 2010. Our former boss in my previous employer, which I will name in my blog as sir Omet, was re-assigned as the Battalion Commander of the ever "courageous and determined" Army's 2nd Special Forces Battalion in Bohol.

Meet sir Omet, our former boss

 Unfortunately, our former boss wasn't there in the most days of our visit because he had a conference in Cebu. And so he had his men to take care of us. Until today I'm still ever grateful for their hospitality!! Go SF! :)

We were so spoiled I think I still owe them something. I promised to give back when they visit Manila. They even prepared an itinerary! But we had to cut a portion of our schedule to meet our former boss in Cebu before heading back to Manila.

Our host the Army 5th Special Forces Company. 

We toured almost the whole Bohol. We visited the Sandugo, Baclayon Church, Prony the python, the Man-Made Forest, Bohol Bee Farm, Danao Adventure Park and a dinner cruise by the Loboc River among others. And of course, it's not Bohol without the tarsier and Chocolate Hills!

But what made this short vacation unforgettable was my diving experience. It really meant a lot to me because I'm scaredy shit of huge waters and I can't swim! I almost backed out when we were about to dive! Hayyy embarrassing "inarte" moment it was!

We spent the night in Panglao Island on our second night and the next morning I thought we were only going for a swim or dolphin-watching. To my horror, our military tourist guides (who happened to be certified scuba divers) squeezed a short dive  in our schedule.

Going diving, baby! (But scaaared)

While in great disbelief, we were brought to Mr. Divers Dive Center, where the military people in Bohol rent their gear. The owner is an Isabela-descent, which was why I kind of felt at ease having an Ilocano around. Proud northener here! Anyway, our guides and the owner kept reassuring me that I could still go diving even if I don't know how to swim at all. Laila convinced me to try the diving gears for photo ops. After we changed our outfits, she said, "O sige pag di ka nag dive lalagay ko sa Facebook nagpa photo ops ka lang!" Wahahahahaha! What a true friend. :)

PROUD MOMENT!! :)

We had training near the shore for less than an hour. And then THE moment came. We rode on a motorboat and went several meters from the shore. Laila was the first to jump, and once on water she kept reassuring me that she was okay and I will be fine too. But until the last moment I was having second thoughts as I'm very accident prone! Seriously! But the boys were also persistent saying I'd be missing a lot if I won't go down. I also imagined that my father, who is always scolding me for skipping swimming lessons every chance he gets, would at least be proud if I would be able to do this. AND SO I DID IT!!!!

Once I made it to the water, my friends were already cheering and clapping!!! Nakakahiya but I was so happy and proud! Laila and I both had a "buddy" with us to control our apparatus as we went 30 feet down. Imagine, it wasn't that deep for real divers, but I was already making a show. Unfortunately, Laila's buddy had the underwater camera and when they both reached 30 feet deep they had to go back up because Laila was having ear problems. What luck, I wanted to have my photo taken but I was still scared I want to go back up too.

Nevertheless, it was such an accomplishment and I could say it was the highlight of our Bohol trip. :) :) :) I always look back at that experience with a smile...and pride! I like that feeling when I conquer a fear-- what a natural high. :)

I miss Bohol and I hope to go back there within a year maybe. How nice it was to realize that I could actually have a life outside of my job. I also miss Acacia de Bubu, the best "tusok-tusok" place I know! Here are other photos form the trip. There are also photos in Facebook. :)

Reuters!

My photo made it to Reuters! Well I think it wasn't an exceptional photo but it just had to go with the story, I guess. I covered a cruise ship event when it docked in Manila. Two days later, the Azamara Quest caught minor fire in the middle of Sulu Sea when it was on its way to Malaysia.

That's about it. All was well after the fire and I'm glad for the people who were in it were safe, especially the crew members, half of which were Filipino.

Anyway, I was so giddy with my photo's fate and now I am considering that being a photographer would be a good career in the future. Why not, right? Too ambitious? Hmmm. :)