mercifulrain

Sunday, May 14, 2006

Goodbye, Cebu...Hello, Singapore

I’m leaving for Singapore at 3 a.m. in May 26 for a two-year contract to work as writer/editor for an organization’s publication. I’m leaving Cebu, and yes, I’m leaving Sun.Star, the newspaper I’ve worked for.

It took me a while to write this because this whole move and new direction in my life has been quite overwhelming.

I dearly love my job as a feature writer and business news reporter. The thought of leaving the newspaper tore my heart. I didn’t see myself to stay in the newspaper till my hair is gray, but I also didn’t expect to leave this early either. But I grabbed the opportunity to work in Singapore because like most of us, Filipinos with average income, I need to earn more to help my family financially. That was my primary motivation.

But during the process of my job application and interaction with my supervisor/editor in Singapore, I realized I’m on for something that’s really worth the move. What seemed to be at first a pure sacrifice for me (to help my family financially) was turned into something I consider a promising move (for my personal growth).

The nature of my writing job in Singapore won’t be the same with my work in the newspaper but I am equally thrilled for my opportunities to improve my writing skills, learn photography and creative lay out designing. And of course, I will be in a foreign country – I will be learning new culture, people, and language. So it’s not only bigger salary, but also a wider cultural and educational exposure that awaits me!:-)

My supervisor/editor in Singapore is a multi-talented woman. She’s a creative lay out designer, a photographer, a traveler, a teacher, a friend and most excitingly, she’s a writer and in fact, a book author. I am overwhelmed by the thought that I will be working with someone like her. She’s definitely a gift and a magnet.

I would like to thank you all for journeying with me in my young career and in my walk as a person, a friend, a family, and a writer. I hope to keep in touch with you all and see you when I’m back.

What’s next after Singapore?

I shall wait and see where Father would lead me. I might extend one or two more years in Singapore or I might stick to my two-year deal. I will still be contributing articles at SunStar once in a while and I will be updating my blog from time to time.

posted by MercifulRain at 12:18 PM

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I remember…and will reminisce

I began working at SunStar Cebu as an intern. My first story came out Feb. 2, 2004 at SunStar’s Top Stories Section, Page 8. Then I wrote for Lifestyle (now called Live!) and Weekend sections. I was hired as fulltime business news reporter March 28 last year.

My “Garing National High School converts trash to cash” story in March 24 last year was my first to win SunStar’s Best of the Newsroom recognition in Best in Feature Story. I also got Best in Enterprise Story for my “Micro, small firms form alliance” while my “Status quo on rules disputed by engineers” and “Family businesses drive economy, but many die” won for Best Writing. Just small awards, anyway, but great enough to keep me going and motivated. :-)

At the business page, I have to write two stories everyday (Sunday to Friday). It doesn’t matter what time I come in or go out the office. What matters are my stories. Sometimes, I only have one. My editors have been gracious not to shoot me with a “why-only-one-story?” look. :-) Thanks to CTL, LAP and CYR for the encouragement and support.

Slapped! I was at Carbon Market to cover an event of vendors. I was intently keeping an eye on my bag because I know the place is a snatcher-infested area. But I forgot there were crazy people around too. A woman came in front of me and gave me a big slap on my face and asked, “Where is my husband?” Shoot. My right cheek was red. That was the first and only slap I got in my whole life. Ever.

I wrote for Bull’s Eye (SunStar’s special issue during the 19th Philippine Advertising Congress) in November last year. One night, a newspaper girl came and asked me, “Bull’s Eye…you want a copy? It’s free!” Haha. I said, “Yes. I want one.” Then she glanced at the Press I.D. I wore and realized Bull’s Eye banner story writer was me!

I enjoy being obscure. I walk to coffee shops and see businessmen read my business news stories. I was at a jeepney one time and the lady beside me was reading my business story. She had no idea the writer, ALC, was right beside her. :-) Or like the time I attended a national gathering of civil engineers. One of the speakers included my story “Status quo rules disputed by engineers” in one of his presentation slides. I held my breath while he talked about the issue. He used my article as reference. They didn’t know the writer was there.:-)

CTL, my first editor in the business page is one of my mentors. In my first few months as business writer, I didn’t have to drink coffee to pump up my adrenaline and keep my senses awake because she was my coffee. She works fast and hard. She’s a great editor. I can’t take my work for granted. Even in my sleep, she was there giving me instructions, work assignments. Haha. Nightmares.

I took a taxi one time. My mind was so engrossed about the event that I will be covering, thinking of questions I would ask, other things to do for that day, etc. When the taxi stopped, I paid P6 – which was a regular jeepney fare. The driver looked at me and I looked at him back squarely. Then I remembered I was in a taxi and my bill was P78, not P6! Ooops. Sorry.:-)

I was on my way home from work one late afternoon. I sat at the front seat of a jeepney. I was so tired and sleepy that I actually slept on the driver’s shoulder. Shoot!:-)

Another jeepney story….Because I’m tired and drained after work, my energy level normally goes down as I take my ride home. Many times I had to pay more because I would fall asleep and wake up and realize I’ve already passed by my place! Then I had to take another ride back. Ugh!

I met with a business news source in a coffee shop. When he saw me, he said I was too young to be a business news writer. He expected to see a middle-aged woman, not a lady in blue jeans.:-)

I am so privileged to have interviewed celebrities, artists, businessmen, vendors, CEOs, community leaders, etc. Working at the media means access to people and places where ordinary citizens can’t. Looking back, I was an extremely shy girl. I didn’t expect one day I will be in a place or work where I am supposed to be talking with big wigs. Talk about coming out from my shell.

A number of times I was at work (in the field or in the newsroom) with cold sweat in my head, stiff neck muscles and weak knees because of migraine. But I had to work anyway. Thank God for Avamigran - a tablet or two will kick migraine away. But sometimes, it really requires me to lie down in bed and forget about work.

I interviewed an old businessman who owns a pearl farm. We talked for about three hours. My recorder was on. I took notes and listened intently. In my head, I was jumping and excited because it was a good, big story. But in the end, the old man said he didn't want to see the story published. It was "off the record". Goodness! Ugh!

posted by MercifulRain at 11:39 AM

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A Reporter's Life - at a glance