LEARNING FROM THE MEDIA INDUSTRY

In my short stay in the Media Industry, I've learned some of these media experiences:

1. DO IT YOURSELF. As a writer and a producer in the creative team, I am tasked to write and produce different kinds of plugs. In the production proper, where I'm supposed to gather the materials for my production, I sought help from staffs of other departments. Since the nature of the business is quite busy, the help that I've asked usually gets delayed that results to a delayed project. That's why on my recent projects, I only depended on one person alone: me. There was a time that I wrote, produced, and even starred on the same plug. It's was tiring, but at least, I got to beat my deadline.

2. ACCURACY, ACCURACY, AND ACCURACY. Some of the plugs I made entailed research work that needs verification and accurate analysis. Since my projects are aired for television, there must be no room for mistakes. My sources need to be updated so that it can be more significant to the viewers. It must also be consistent, wherein cross-referencing from other equally credible sources is needed. Lastly, it should be accurate. The facts presented must be precise and correct. Not only it would be beneficial to the viewers, accuracy can also help build a credible name for the station.

3. INNOVATION AND MIND IN MOTION. “You're only good as your last project”, this is what I always keep in mind after I finish a project. When a project is about to end, another one, or sometimes, even several are already on queue. It means that I must have a dynamic mind to finish my projects with originality and distinction from one another. I must be innovative and must be updated with the latest trends so that my projects keeps on improving and can suite what the viewers would probably like.

4. EAT DEADLINES FOR SNACK. When deadlines are being fed to you everyday, your time management skills must keep up with your daily tasks to produce quality projects. There are instances that the request for a plug is given in the morning and should be aired on the afternoon. In those cases, you must think very fast and still deliver a good output at the same time.

5. LEMONS, SALT, AND TEQUILA. Media is quite demanding. If they gave you lemons, it means that you have to produce tequila and salt. Since the company is just starting, it still lacks some equipment, man power, and budget for a certain production. As a producer, I need to outsource and make deals that are only limited to my budget. Instead of paying my talents or buying my materials, most of the time, I just set a deal where my talents or materials can be paid by the company's most abundant resource: air time.

MEDIA WORLD: A SHORT STORY

I in one of my info plug shooting

Does the length really matters for a story? Is a novel better than a short story because it is longer?

As I remember a year ago, I was still at the marketing field then, that when I get bored in my routinized marketing activities, I always think of venturing in my scholarly discipline, which is the Media world. When my students (I used to teach general education subjects too) ask me, if I was not hired by my previous company, where will I go? I immediately answer them, “Bisa kung mag media(I want to be a media practitioner)”.

Months passed and my previous company I am working for, closed. I and my previous workmates have to part ways. Then that familiar question rang again in my mind. “Where will I go now?”.

I always have this Manila dream. It is having a job in the country's capital and experiencing the lifestyle in the metro. That's why I decided on applying a job there. Unfortunately, I did not met the qualification in one of my applications.

One day I sent a message over the internet to one of my friends working in a regional TV station, luckily, the station is in need of a creative writer. I applied and got the post.

THE START

Beginnings has been always infamous for me. I hate it, and I don't even like a single bit of it.

My first week was 4 out of 10 I guess. I feel like a lion in the north pole, or a polar bear in the safari. I don't feel that I belong. Everything seems so familiar, yet so strange--new faces, new tasks, everything new. The excitement I felt before turned to another thing, fear.

My start was really rough. I never thought of transferring into another career would be this emotionally burdening. It's like throwing away my 2-year experience investment as marketing personnel and going back to square one.

There are times that I felt like quitting. If securing a job is just easy these days, I probably resigned on my first two weeks.

THE EARLY END

On my first month, still in the media world, a job opportunity re-opened its door for me. The post offered was for an Events and Presentation officer. At first, I ignored it because of the low salary offer. I tried to negotiate and fortunately, they agreed upon my request.

My stay in the media world lasted for 2 months and 5 days. Honestly, it was hard for me to leave the field that I've studied and dreamed for when I was in college, plus the fact that I have adjusted to the work schedule and travel. Also, in a short span of time, I and my colleagues had the chance to bond.

A short story as I describe it, my stop over in the media world is indeed swift, but it doesn't mean that it was less-filled with fun and learning.

WE’RE ALL SUCKERS FOR IT

Are we dying live or living to die? How can we fight for something that isn’t completely there?

Life. Yes, it can stand alone. This broad concept is the reason why I’m blogging on this post.

So far, I never found a philosopher that is good enough to find the meaning of it. Maybe it is on the diversity of our individual minds and experiences that no one can really define it for general understanding.

So what is in it that we are dying for, or living at when we can’t simply define it?

It’s been exactly 2 weeks and two days since I was bailed-out by my company for its closure. I tried to look for another job, and so far, the “we’ll-call-you” cliché is what I get from my prospects.

Yeah right, I’m just being impatient. Well I say it’s easy to be patient when you still have money to spend and you’re not borrowing from your brother just to sustain your previous lifestyle. Yes, it is happening.

On my job hunting, I came out of my comfort zone: I traveled across provinces just to get a job. I rode crowded modes of public transportation, and queued on lines to get clearances to secure a living. That period in time, I started to think that “hey, I’m dying to live now”.

Where as months before, when I still got a job, I’m just working, then waiting for the pay day to pay my bills, then spend my remaining money for good time, and then repeat process. In short, back then, I’m just living to die.

Security. I don’t know if it can stand alone like its predecessor, but surely it gives a quite distinctive clue for its definition in my case.

This current event leads me into an assumption that when we are robbed with certainty, that’s the very moment that we’ll strive to wrestle for it. When we feel weary about something being taken away from us, the value of that thing increases and we’ll do anything to secure it in our possession. That’s dying to live defined in one paragraph.

On the other hand, if you’re safe and settled, you’ll find yourself doing stuffs in routine until you meet the dead end; just like living to die.

Clearly I’m dying to live now. Being with this notion, I’ve learn how to value so many things in life that I used to have that eventually lead me into valuing more the things that I still have. It taught me a lot but I don’t want to be in this moment for so long. This is an unfamiliar case for me since for a long time, I was really living to die.

Life--its real definition is about to be revealed while living in and working for it at the same time. It is something we fight for while we’re struggling to know what really it is about.

Living it or dying to achieve it, whatever our drives may be, face it, we’re all suckers for it.

Genetic Meowtation

The Attack of the Two-Headed Kitty :)

A World of their Own

Models: ACSC Students
Venue: Clark Picnic Grounds
Photographed by: PARH

Call me self-centered but sometimes, I want to be like them. They live in the perfect world that they created. It is a world free of judgment, bias and prejudice. It's also a world full of innocence and fun, where every time is play time.  It's where everything seems so real and ideal at the same time.

Experience Nest

CPDFI Marketing Department Office

This is the place where I thought of and did so many things in the past 2 years. This is where I produced my concepts for my lessons, planned my Marketing venture, day dreamed, goof around with my students and office mates, killed a lot of boring office times, have been stressed, have been happy, and have been wiser--In short, I've experienced lots of real-life things and events. I will surely miss this spot.

2YEARS, 2 MONTHS AND 12 DAYS : An Open Break-up Acceptance Letter to Poly

Dear Poly,

This is our last day to be together. Naturally, after our two-year relationship, it’s but heart breaking to feel that this is our last day.

To start of, I want to thank you for giving me the experience. I can still remember the day that I had my break-up with Suth, in a snap of a finger, you came out of no where and saved me.

Frankly, it was not love at first sight, not at all. Can you forgive me if I say that you’re just a rebound for Suth? That you’re just a sort of a for-the-meantime-partner, yes, it’s true. With all my heart, I ask for your forgiveness.

They say that “love what you’re doing, or leave”. Many times I thought of leaving you because of our relationship’s demanding commitment. But by the time that I was about to leave, there is this small whispering voice I always hear that says “stay”. So I stayed.

In my stay in our relationship, I've grown to love you more in my every waking day. My love for you grown and strengthen. I never thought that I’ll love you this way up to now. In simpler term, you made my stay worth it.

Our days were not all rainbows and butterflies. As a normal couple, we had issues that put our relationship to a test. We surpassed lots of issue that we lasted 2 years and 2 months and 12 days.

Unfortunately, this last problem of ours sparked our break-up. I know both of us did our part in restoring this beautiful partnership, but there are these elements that both of us can’t really control.

This letter is for you to know how I’ve grown to love you and how fortunate I am to be with you in the past couple of years. Though it’s saddening to know that we’ll be growing apart, I want you to know that I’m on the process of accepting our separation. Though I’m not sure if we’ll meet again someday, but I’m quite sure that the experience I’ve learned from you will be immortalize in my heart and in my mind.

Before we part, let me reminisce our memories together...

July Bday Celebrations 2010

Buwan ng Wika 2010

Educational tour 2010

Intramurals 2010

Belen- Making Contest 2010

CPDFI-Feati Xmas Party 2010

Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2011

Planning Conference 2011

Intrams 2011

Foundation Day 2011

Red Stags @ Intrams 2011

CPDFI-FEATI 2011

CPDFI Xmas Party 2011

Giant Lantern @ Clark 2011

Giant Lantern @ Clark 2011

Spiritual Enhancement 2012

Red Stags Graduation

R and R 2012

CAMT Grad 2012

Friday Bfast 2012

Yours Truly,

Sir Paul :)

Wrapping-Up My 22nd Ride

Time fast so swiftly and I can’t even imagine that I’m already writing this wrap-up for my 22^nd year. It’s just like yesterday that I’m at the garage writing my 21^st year wrap. And now it’s official, this is my last day wearing the age 22. J

This year was a big roller coaster ride for me. Aside from it was too fast, it gave me an adrenalin feeling of excitement, fear, and relief at the end.

Now let me have the pride and joy to list down the highlights of my 22^nd year.

-o-I met and got close to the Red Stags -o-My family got and Heinz (Shih Tzu) and Katty (Siamese Cat) on our Household -o- Red Stags Closing Party -o- I got Mikki (My Camera) -o- I became the over-all chairperson for our Foundation day/ and Intramurals -o- Red Stags, CPDFI, CPFI-FEATI, Family, Kat and Company Christmas Parties -o- I got sick on Christmas Eve and Christmas day -o- I got 3gs. My first Iphone -o- Cruz Clan Reunion -o- January Family outing in Bolinao, Pangasinan -o- My friend and I got reunited -o- April’s stress-busting gifts -o- Marketing 2012 -o- I joined Instagram -o- I discovered Milk Tea -o- I met Josiah (fraternal cousin) for the first time -o- Instability of the company I’m working for -o- Work-related stress -o- Zambales family outing -o- I met Henzo (son of a good friend) for the first time -o- Updating and experience-sharing with Marj -o- FAB Party at Subic -o- Post Summer Office Outing -o- I and my peers got our first FAB Shirt -o- My best friend’s party -o- Me stalking the “The Dark Knight Rises” production development -o- The Dark Knight Rises premiere. -o-

See how great my 22^nd was? Soon enough this roller coaster ride will come to its end. The ride is indeed one of my best so far, and I can’t wait to get out of it to traverse towards my 23^rd. J

Positive Me and Nothing Else

When we see something in the light we focus our sights at the object itself. But later on, as we examine the totality of the figure and the light, then we see the darkness, the shadow.

This week, our accountant had this activity for us. The activity is to write at least 3 positive traits of each of our officemates. This day, we collected our positive traits listed to a secret ballot from each of our officemates, and here are the traits that my officemates think positively about me:

-         (4) Mabait (kind)

-         (2) Marunong makisama (flexible)

-         (2) Mapanatindi ya/Malawak ya pag-unawa (understanding)

-         (2) Simple

-         (2) down to earth/ humble

-         May respeto sa ibang tao (Respectful)

-         Hard working

-         Matalino (Intelligent)

-         Maputi (has light complexion)

-         Magaling mag-suggest (suggestive)

-         Pranka (frank)

-         Disciplined in many ways

-         Can able to mingle to anybody

-         You make me laugh always

-         I learn a lot from you

-         Good listener

-         Parating may joke (has a sense of humor)

-         Easy ang trabaho kapag anjan ka (dependable)

-         Good in work management

-         A true friend that is really for keeps

-          May appreciate (appreciative)

After reading the traits written on the ballots, it seems my self-esteem notched a level higher. There are some of the traits I am aware that I have, and there are also some that caught me off guard.

Actually, I’m not a fan of sugar-coating. I admire the people who are honest to me. They are the people who see the light and the shadow in me and tell me that I have both.

But this activity, aside from lifting me up, it made me realize that perspective is and will always be important. That if I focused myself in the lighted area of me or the others, all that I’ll see is the lighted part alone, a sort of a selective exposure technique.

It’s good to look at all the angles, but it is equally good if I 'll just expose myself to what makes me feel better, and that’s my positive me.

Hunger Satisfied

Photo Credits to  www.shadowlocked.com

I never was hungry for something like this for so long (4 years) in my life. And yes, the long wait was finally over. The last part of the Batman trilogy premiered; The Dark Knight Rises (TDKR).

Since I was a kid, I’ve been always fascinated with the literary presentation of The Batman. Much more of it, its latest franchise (Nolan’s) was the best produced so far. All of the movies in the three-part saga were unique but cohesive and each has a well written script, very good story, and an epic direction.

The Dark Knight Rises

Honestly, at first, I was a bit bored with the plot and wondering why the two villains (Bane and Catwoman) are underexposed. The movie was halfway and I can’t still figure out the trend of the plot. Where is it going?

But later on, when the climax rises, everything seems like to be in their proper places, that all of the scenes are quintessential to the movie as a whole. I thought at first that 2 hours and 45 minutes for a movie is too long, it seems in this movie that the running time of it was nothing but perfect.

The last 20 minutes of the film almost gave me a heart attack. Every second is important and twists reveal themselves all the way. It also sewed all of the I-thought-irrelevant-scenes on the first and middle part of the movie.

The movie was epic. It was the perfect wrap for a perfect trilogy on one of the most iconic characters of all times. Enough said.

As Comparison to its Predecessors

I compare the trilogy to a complete course of a meal.

The first was Batman Begins which I guess is the appetizer. It warms up the taste buds for a full blast main course that’s about to come. Of all the three movies, its script, for me, was the best and was the most cohesive. It’s simply is a good start or a good hint of an arising epic.

The second is The Dark Knight (TDK) which I compare it to the main course. It is main event of the trilogy. Everything was perfect in here including cinematography, lights, action and direction. After the Batman Begins warmed the taste buds, The Dark knight then satisfied the craving.

If The Dark Knight is like a main course which is slowly roasted to perfection, TDKR is like another main course where everything goes and was cooked in a fast phase with extremely high temperature. Also, I compare it, particularly at the end part of the movie, as the dessert. After TDK and TDKR fulfilled the cravings, it’s now time for the dessert. Its end was a satisfying end of the entire course.

Villains

One trademark of any Batman adaptations is its villains. In this movie, an unfamiliar and under rated villain was introduce, Bane. Unlike its associate who I guess is one of Batman’s most well-known (or the only) antiheroes, Catwoman.

Tom Hardy as Bane was very good, but its safe to say that it didn’t leveled or even surpassed Ledger (as Joker)‘s performancein TDK. At first I don’t believe him at all, plus his confusing style of speaking. I guess that’s the part of the movie that confused me; I didn’t understand a word he uttered. But in the end, where all ends were knotted, I’ve finally appreciated his craft. I thought at first that he was under-acting, but at the end, his acting was just perfect for his role.

Anne Hathaway as Catwoman, on the other hand, from start to finish, was in character. Her interpretation of the character was remarkable, as Catwoman and as Selina Kyle. She almost stole the show in every scene she’s in.

The End

The long wait had come to end, and the legend did end. My cravings and hunger were satisfied and my standards for comic-book-adapted-movies are raised to another level. I’ll surely miss the hunger and the excitement for another legend like this.

Life: It Goes On

The past months for me and my company were not so good. Our business partner pulled-out because the memorandum of agreement between us and them already lapsed, leaving our company on the brink of closure and the transfer of our clients to other companies.

I’ve encountered 2 major problems when the frenzy rose. As a marketing personnel, it’s a quite saddening that all of my fruits (recruits) for this year were harvested by other companies. I’m left with no choice to discharge them because as I’ve said, we cannot accommodate them for this business year.

            While as a front desk personnel, all of the problems/rants/stresses of our clients as well as their guardians were thrown in my face. It’s like me being the shock absorber of the whole company.

In my 2 years of stay in the company, it’s the first time I felt that there are steel balls attached on my feet every time I wake up in the morning for office. Every time I hear the office phone rings, it’s like I’m having a mini-heart attack. And every time a parent/client approaches my desk, I just wish that there’s an escape door on my foot steps.

Honestly, there are plenty of times I thought of quitting. I felt that my stress level then was not appropriate with a 22-year old kind of mind set. But fortunately, I stayed.

Roughly a month passed, our company laid-off almost half of its employees and discharged its entire market. But the good thing is that our president has decided to re-open the company next year, which is enough reason for few employees to stay. Luckily, I’m one of the few to have job retention.

After the turmoil, we decided to have a small party. It’s a sort of a summer tradition of the company where we go out of town or to a resort nearby. That night, as I reminisce the days of the past months, I can’t help but smile and be thankful on my present state that night.

The past incident made me realize some things: that there is nothing certain in the corporate world, that the real world after school was never sugar and spice all the time, that there’s a rainbow after a rain, and that life… it really goes on.

Summer Outing 2012

CPDFI 2012

Before Swimming

The Father Figure

FAB Summer Party with our First Fab Shirt :)

One of my favorite lessons back when I’m still teaching General Sociology was the study of Human Groups. According to Sociology, to become a group, it must be identifiable that sets members apart from non-members.

Social Group

According to study of Human Groups, to become a member of a group, you must be present in their activities so that interaction will be flowing, keeping the group alive—where as the absence of the majority of the members in most of the activities may trigger emotional bond deterioration that can eventually lead to the group’s break down. To be specific, attendance is, and will always be a must to keep the group going.

I always advise my former students that they must spend their time wisely on their close peers that happened to be their classmates, while they still have time to bond in school. I always tell them that “Eto na yung last time na makukumpleto kayo, if makumpleto man kayo, sa other life time na siguro”.

Experientially, this past 2 years, after our collegiate graduation, it became stressful in my part because I find it hard to set a meeting or date with my peers that also happened to be my classmates in college. Worse part is, if ever a date will prosper, I would be grateful if half of them are available.

It’s not their fault that they are not as available as I am. Because as we go separately after graduation, we ventured individually in our chosen or circumstantial careers, and others on raising their own families.

Fortunately, this summer, I had a chance to set a get away with the help of one member from our group, Marjorie. She recently lives in South Korea with her own family, and decided to go home for a vacation. She even waived more than half of the expenses by pledging the accommodation and the dinner for the said outing. Now there’s more reason that my friends can come with us.

Drift of Interest

And it did prosper(applause). I’m talking about our summer get together. At first, I thought that it was surreal. Though only 80% did attend, but that was already the best attendance we had since graduation.

I was a bit surprised that our conversations notched up higher. From usually silly jokes, puppy heart breaks and research problems to life, marital issues, and other matured stuffs.

One thing I learned in our catching-ups and conversations in our outing is that life really goes on and nothing stays the same entirely. Even if you don’t want to grow-up in your youth life, you’ll eventually do, and that’s not even a choice.

Perhaps the only constant thing in my group is the belongingness I feel. Whenever I’m with them I always feel home and doesn’t need to play any role or character.

Father Figure

After our drinking session and had lots of fun, we decided to take our rests for the pending activities the next day. At our resting period, one of my friends came knocking at our room’s door and weeping. After a sec, another friend of ours rushed to our room “I’m sorry”.

Well this segment is not about their problem so I might as well keep the issue confidential. Tired as I am, I transferred to the other room to mend the frenzy or at least let it cool down.

Then at our way home Marjorie, my seatmate then, told me that when I transferred to the other room, that she, and the other girls think that I’m the father figure in our group. I’m modest to ask why, but not modest to admit that I am.

With my dogmatic attitude, I tend to lead the group in most aspects. Also one reason is that I have the most available time amongst them. One point at a time, I grew tired of organizing a date for them, it seems that I’m the only one who wants to make sure that our group still exists and will exist in the coming years. But after hearing my description from them, I felt that I’m responsible for each and every member of our group, and it felt so good that they are depending on me like a father.

 --

Our attendance is not perfect, and I’m afraid that it never will be. But as of today, I’m rest assured that my group is still in tacked and I’m already good with that. End.

Some Photos:

It says F-A-B, our group's name

Our traditional Jump Shots

with Miles in a Superman ride

My First Photoshoot

the Other Furrball

Katty and Heinz :)

Katty :)

Months after Heinz graced our home, a Siamese feline entered soon. She's Katty, the playmate and lil' sister of Heinz :)

Can't get enough of the furrball

It's been 6 months since Heinz, our Shih Tzu was born. That day, we never realized how he'll make our family livelier than ever. It's like having a baby in the house. Though owning him is costly and requires lots of effort for maintenance, we never had regret on it. :)

Happy 6 month baby :)

Towering

Twilight