NAGUGUTON NA PAMILYA UMABOT SA 7 6 M HOUSEHOLDS, ITINUTURING NA RECORD HIGH

Undestanding News Presented On The Online Digital Platform

I have been working in the broadcasting world for almost 2 long decades now. 

Back then, I learned from the traditional media like that of TV, Radio, Newspaper and Magazines on different types of news, entertainment and many more. 

The profound use of the internet dictates people from this era to shift from the traditional to new media. 

But why is this happening? 

The power of the world wide web, plus the advancement of technology like the use of our personal mobile phones will give us access remotely in any parts of the world, away from our homes. 

I remember, when I was part of CNN Philippines' rightsizing...I noticed that most of the job offerings were from the digital or online related work. 

The realization that there's a huge market to sell the news for example has a higher demand now. 

TNN, The Return! 

It was on the 6th of September 2020,  Sunday...surprisingly I received messages from one social media platform and another one from my personal mobile number. 

It was just a plain greeting. But honestly speaking, I was reluctant to receive a message from the person whom I previously have had worked before. 

Looking back, I was hired in January with the same company. But back then, I assumed a post of a writer/content specialist. 

The very first time I worked with a digital online news portal that uses at the beginning two social media platforms...Facebook and YouTube. 

But as of today, it also tapped more social media platforms including Twitter, Instagram, and has its own website now that recently monitizing now. 

A 6 days in a week job, which requires me to stay from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm. 

The duty requires writing news from different genres using two different language Filipino/English. 

Additional task was working on your own graphics layout using canva.

But before the very month of January 2020 ends, I along with 7-8 employees were asked to vacate the post. 

I was told that some investors backed out. 

I was then thinking that because it was a job that I found so fast,  (a common friend referral), I just accepted the very fact, that it will also end the same way.

OVERWHELMED WITH THE TASKS

On the 7th of September, I gave TNN my commitment for the offered job. 

Specifically, I will be working as News Writer/ News Presenter. 

Writing is something I wasn't born yesterday. 

But, performing the task that is outside my comfort zone as 'News Presenter,' was really a tough call for me. 

THE FIRST WEEK

I started working from TNN short for "Tony News Network," on the 10th of September.

At the time, I proposed for the following stories one was from Pres. Duterte's call to look for the most affordable vaccine to cure COVID-19. 

And another story was about Growling Tiger  Coach Aldin Ayo's resignation that was brought about by the 'bubble training' controversy in Sorsogon. But angled on the indefinite suspension sanctioned by the UAAP. 

The agreement here was from Mondays thru Thursdays...one voice-over story and one story that has on-cam intro and extro spiels. 

The report must run at least 3 to 5 minutes. 

And during Friday, I am required to do a news recap that has national, international, sports, police, showbiz, and feature stories to name a few. 

Anything that made a headline prior to the recapping. 

Looking at the requirements of the job, the procedure on working on all of these are just the same with broadcast TV where the elements present also posses the audio-visual elements. 

But the major twist is that it uses the internet or the online news portal. 

PROBLEMS/TRIALS/SOLUTIONS

Since the set up is a "Work from Home" (WFH), major adjustments was done to commit with a new found job. 

I have a pretty small home and looking for a place where I can do the spiel was a great challenge for me at the very beginning. 

I remember, I tried going to one of my sibling's home to look for a place where I can record my spiel. But it never worked out. 

I went back home, and pushed myself exploring possible ways on how I can pull this thing through. 

I even bothered my family, my wife and my eldest who personally pushed for the record button of my cellphone and hold the laptop to help me read for the spiel. 

We also had a hard time on achieving the aesthetic side of taping the newscast. 

At home, we only used our regular bulb as lighting source. 

We do not even have a microphone to enhance the audio of the spiel. 

And there was so much that appears on the background like seeing the fridge, the dining table, the curtain and other appliances which we had a hard time, hiding. 

I even stayed longer in the morning for recording the spiel. 

Aside from the fact that I spent 4 to 5 hours on weaving all the stories together to establish a newscast that will run for 9-15 minutes. 

The very first week, I think I was able to empty all the stored energy I kept during the quarantine period of having no work at home. 

MORE CHALLENGES

Sometimes choosing the best story for the day is a never ending challenge. 

Why? 

Because more than the information you'll be getting from the internet through different social media platforms sources, one must consideration is the availability of the audio-visual elements. 

Comparable to the traditional form of media like that of Television, an online digital news platform also offers these two important elements to achieve the effective way of story-telling. 

Like for example, I previously had a story about the 75th UN General Assembly and that I angled the story on President Donald Trump's speech on giving penalty to China who spreads the Coronavirus pandemic. 

Any writer would need a proof of sound byte from this very issue to support the writing. 

The recording source of like for example the    Facebook link has to be found. 

More than that, listening through a recorded event for the sound byte is also the very hard part of putting all the story together. 

Like I for one, had a hard time looking for the time code. Working on a cellphone is even more harder than using one's personal computer. 

Like previewing the video to move forward and backward. Using one's finger will move you further or go back at the very beginning. 

Transcribing also the interviews for the sound byte will also be asking you to devote more time. 

But learning from this line of work, ask google for available transcription. 

This will help you see clearly the points raised in a recorded assembly or meeting for instance and will save you more time. 

Weaving the story is just one of the many elements present. 

The audio element do not just limit the sound byte needed to tell a story. 

A recorded voice-over is also another element missing here. 

During the first week, I have been adjusting for the voice-over. Primarily because I think at some time, my voice was weak. 

I remember I was once told having no breakfast for sending a voice-over that lack voice power. 

Taking good care of your voice is a must too. Like getting enough sleep to restore the power to modulate and articulate the voice. 

Like what I've learned recently, voicing is acting too. 

You have to feel what you are voicing to express it properly. 

Other problems encountered during voice-overs was some noise barriers coming from a neighbor listening on a  radio, uncontrollable noises from outside. 

Too bad, I do not have a noise-proof wall. 

And even some noise purposely or accidentally made inside your home during the recording proper. 

Every story has a required voice needed. 

The recording of voice-over will depend on the story. 

The key to achieve the close to perfect recording is to act it out. 

And to hear your voice properly during the recording, use your hand to cover the other side of your ear. 

I think I remember seeing this style, on one my former boss Korina Sanchez when I assisted her before during one of her voice recordings.

Eventhough, its a "Work From Home" set-up because of the pandemic...sometimes adding elements like a "Man-on-the-street, " interviews is one sure recipe to bring your story to another level. 

Like for instance, when I submitted my very first story on Pres. Dutertes' suggestions to prioritized looking at a more affordable vaccine available in the market...thinking of incorporating sound bytes from the said MOTS will help the story-telling more powerful. 

Meaning to say, from time to time during Mondays thru Fridays, you will see me going out and adding some of these elements including spiels to complete the selected story. 

A very tough performing duty, thinking that there's a pandemic right now. 

But always thinking of not forgetting about some health safety protocols during the coverage. 

I have too because I value life, I even care and love my family. This big responsibility must start from me. 

THE GREAT REWARD

Being a journalist requires responsibility. 

For one, you have to inform and educate people. Being the very first to know the story. 

You look for sources, you interview people. 

Now, you became the bearer of the story. 

Being the first to know is a great reward for every journalists. 

Secondly, the byline or the people started to recognize you. This is where you build your credibility. 

When more and more people starting to recognize you as the bearer of the news and the author itself, any wrong information  you will tell or send them will result to you as less credible one. 

As the saying goes, "great powers, comes great responsibility." 

More than lookingbat yourself as the next door friendly neighborhood like spiderman, you are the bearer of the important information. 

And lastly, the amazing power it posses that reaches anyone in just one click. 

Today, more and more people are clamouring for the need to be inform. 

Aside from an interesting story, any online news portal like TNN must know how to share any of these stories uniquely. 

The job also requires you to think of the best way (an angle), you will tell the people your story. 

Some maybe has a natural talent on this. 

But for some, its still a quest to understand how you can be effective on this. 

The bottomline is, get all the sources sides as hard as you can and your good to go! 

STORIES PRESENTED FOR TONY NEWS NETWORK

From September 10 to 25, 2020 stories presented for Tony News Network reaches a total of 24 plus 2 News recap. 

See lists below:

▶️Duterte Murang Bakuna

▶️Coach Ayo Indifinite Ban In UAAP

▶️Former GMA at ABS-CBN Newsmen Nasa Canadian TV na

▶️Bagong Distancing Protocol Pinatupad ng DOTr

▶️Lady Gaga Wins 1st Tricon at the VMAs

▶️Conor McGregor Attempted Sexual Assault

▶️Jeepney Protocol sa Pagbiyahe

▶️First Filipina Mayor in England

▶️Cascolan on Bawas Oras Duty sa mga Pulis

▶️Hashtag Cancel Korea

▶️Online Delivery Scam

▶️Naglalabang Nanay sa labas huli dahil walang Face Mask

▶️Fish kill sa Baseco dahil sa Dolomite? 

▶️Hashtag Manila Bay Challenge

▶️Tagaytay is back to business

▶️Mayor Vico nakipagtunggali sa isang negosyante

▶️Pulis na pinatay sapul sa CCTV

▶️Julia buntis kay Gerald Totoo o Fake News

▶️Robredo to Duterte Hindi sapat ang pagtugon sa COVID-19? 

▶️Soberano ipapagahasa dahil nagreklamo sa mabagal na internet service

▶️Trump parusahan ang China na nagkalat ng virus

▶️Walastik na Robot at Prototyped Flying Car, Ibinida sa Japan

▶️Archbishop Arguelles Kinontra ang Safety Health Protocols ng Gobyerno

▶️News Recap September 11, 2020

▶️News Recap September 18, 2020

To God Be the glory! 

An Essay writing contest: Wika Ng Kasaysayan, Kasaysayan Ng Wika

Congratulations Kirsten Althea A. Garabot

for winning 1st place essay writing contest! 

Althea is now a 6th grade student of Navotas Elementary School 1, NES-1 under the supervision of their class adviser Marilou T. Nava. 

Below is the copy of an essay submitted last Friday, ‎28th of ‎August ‎2020. 

           

Essay Title:

Ang pandemya, Ang problema, 

at Ang Solusyon!

    Pandemya, paano nga ba  nito binago ang buhay ng bawat isa? Marami sa atin ay nawalan ng hanapbuhay.  May mga negosyo ring tuluyang nagsara. May mga magulang na 'di alam kung paano na bubuhayin ang kanilang pamilya at ang pinakamalungkot sa lahat ay may nawalan ng kanilang mahal sa buhay. Dagdag pa dito, ang malaking pagbabago at hamon sa aming kabataan na 'di na makapaglaro at makapamuhay ng gaya ng dati na kahit ang sistema ng pagaaral nila ay tulayan na ring nabago.

    Sa mga pangyayaring ganito, tunay na nasusubok ang ating pagka-Pilipino. At bilang kabataan naisip ko tuloy, paano ba ako makakatulong? Bilang bata pwede akong tumulong kahit sa maliliit na bagay? Ang aking mungkahi, isa na dito ang pagsusuot ng face masks, face shields o kaya ay wag na lamang lumabas ng bahay. Sa paraang ito ay matutulungan natin ang mga frontliners na hindi na muling kumalat ang virus.

    Marami pang paraan para makatulong sa nararanasan nating pandemya.Tulad ng paggamit ng social media platforms gaya ng tiktok, facebook, instagram, youtube at marami pang iba. Halimbawa, ituturo ang wastong paghuhugas ng kamay sa isang awitin at ang pagsasayaw naman upang maituro ng wasto ang tamang pagsusuot ng face masks at face shields.

    Hindi man ako katulad ni Alden Richards na isang "Asia's Multi-media Artist na kinuhang ambassador ng DOH upang maging magandang ehemplo ng karamihan, meron naman akong social media platforms para gaya niya ay maipamahagi ko rin ang ilang magagandang suhestiyon para labanan ang pandemyang ito. Dahil sa pinapairal na quarantine saan man lugar sa Pilipinas at ibang bahagi ng mundo...isantabi na muna ang "travel goals" at sundin ang payo ng isang nagtrending na kanta ng tsinita princess na Kim Chiu na may pinamagatang, sabayan ninyo ako..."bawal lumabas. Oh bawal lumabas."

    Sa panahong ito mas lalo nating kailangang magtulungan. Dapat lahat tayo may pakialam. Maging mapagmatyag sa kung ano ang dapat sundin. Wag maging pasaway at sundin na lamang dahil ang lahat ng ito ay para naman sa ating kapakanan at kabutihan.

This year's theme is in accordance with the celebration of the "Buwan Ng Wika," (language month, August 2020). 

The topic is based on..."Wika ng Kasaysayan, Kasaysayan Ng Wika, " 

Ang mga Katutubong Wika sa Maka-Filipinong Bayanihan kontra Pandemya. 

Among many entries from the 5th and sixth grades...three student made it to the cut! 

3rd place goes to 

Shane Christine P. Gaso 

Grade 6, Einstein

2nd place is

Chloie Charmin Q. Bautista

Grade 6, Einstein

Each participants has to follow a strict  essay mechanics. 

✅ Participants are only open for students on 5th and sixth grades

✅ The essay should be written in 200-300 words only

✅ Should be hand-written in an intermediate paper

✅ Picture of an essay must be submitted via-messenger through the class adviser

✅ In recognition of this year's winner, each of them will be receiving certificates 

Along with essay criterias... 

Body or content                     45%

Adherence to the theme       30%

The word appropriateness 

                                                 25%

Total👉                                  100%

The announcement of winners was released on the 3rd of September 2020.

As part also of the celebration of "Buwan Ng Wika," (language month). 

Students of Navotas Elementary School 1, (NES-1), also opens other contests for lower grade levels. 

From Grade 1 and  Grade 2,  is a contest based on "Makalumang Awitin". 

While, Grade 3 and Grade 4 pupils are welcome to join from writing a slogan. 

Just like the essay writing contest mechanics, the students will submit their entries via messenger through their advisers. 

And will also receive certificates as a proof of their recognition. 

This year's honorable judge for an essay writing contest is Ms. Kathlene Ann Mercadejas, class adviser from Navotas Elementary Central. 

As mandated by the Department of Education (DepEd), under blended learning...teachers and students are not allowed to do a face to face interaction (a traditional classroom) set up to prevent the spread of the Corona-virus, COVID-19, pandemic. 

Traversing Divisoria from Navotas...near yet so far!

There's a must visit to Divisoria on the 3rd of September, 2020 (Thursday).

We couldn't find a lego silicon molder in the area where we expect there is.

We tried resorting ordering online but we find the cost of delivery a budget burden. 

Since we need also some fresh veggies for cooking and baking needs, I pursued the plan of visiting Divisoria. 

But never knew that there was still no jeepney bound directly to Divisoria. 

I created some strategies to get there by trying some short trip commute just to get there.

I started 8:00 am leaving the house from Navotas. I took a jeepney going to Malabon but the plan was only to depart at C4 where there was a suggestion from a jeepney driver that there are existing trips going to Divisoria from Monumento. 

Walking is literally a must going here, there and everywhere. 

By asking there's a bus trip that goes all the way to Recto, the plan was to alight from there. 

But on my commute, the bus where I and 20 more passengers were prevented from traveling, overheard a problem from a permit to operate on one passenger asking a bus conductor. 

I felt bad, for 25 minutes were waisted waiting for a hope that it will soon be resolved. 

Decided to transfer from another bus but found a jeepney alternative with Recto signage. 

From Isetann, Recto transferred again to another jeep which has a promise of sending us all to Divisoria. 

I think if my memory still serves me well, my last visit was October 2019. I was with my wife looking for small jars from one of our customer. 

I have to ask people where I will find Divisoria Mall. But I am not going there exactly, it will just serves as a landmark to look for a place where I can find a baking stuffs like, a lego silicon molder, another grass molder, candles for male celebrators, a 12 inches cake board, and a baking paper. 

Took an hour or so on this. Because I need to locate where I can find a famous place in Divisoria called Tabora. 

A haven for baking tools and ingredients. 

By asking, I became a shuttle cock that was hit here, there, and everywhere. 

Don't know where my strength was coming from knowing that it was very sunny and it was really a normal day always in Divisoria with pandemic or none. 

When I finally found it, the items I was looking for was not available. 😔

But since there are so many individual stores in that particular area...moving from one store to another is really a must that very day. 

And so, I did. I was able to check more than 10 stores. And when I was about to give up, the last store I spotted got everything I was looking for. 🙏

A heartfelt thank you to a guy store assistant who patiently looked for the baking stuffs I was looking for. 

Looking around I have seen a great changes the way how vendors used to sell their goods. Now, vendor owners has a color-coordinated built-in store. 

I think this particular changes is part now of the so called..."Ang Bagong Maynila," which literally translates "The New Manila!" 

But the visit isn't over yet...I need to find Sto. Cristo now for some veggies my wife asked me to purchase. 

From asking again, I spotted it. 

Quite sure about it for I and my wife used to visit this place I think a number of times already. 

From there, I look for carrots, onions, parsely, cucumber, and spring onions. 

Walking again is a must to locate a way back to Navotas. I was thinking of finding a jeepney going to Gasak but there was a queues but there was no e-jeepney available. 

I decided to take a smart advice of getting the same route I took in the morning. 

I looked for a jeepney going to Recto and alighted there. 

I must so sort of tired, I only had a 330ml of water which I drank before I took jeepney commute again. 

I found a bus that I think I misundertood the signage. It says Monumento going to Taft. But it was a trip that went all the way to Intramuros. I just found out that it was a wrong commute when the bus conductor enlightened me. 

Again, I have to walk. I accidentally visited the new Lagusnilad which was recently revived this August. Now, with mural paintings that was very instagramable. 

Looking back, it houses stores that sells second hand books, toys, clothes, and even has a tailor shops. 

Decided not too take LRT 1, so I walk again. The signage I saw while commuting on a bus where I was alighted to Intramuros misleads me. It says PITX Monumento. I looked for it but found out that it was going to Roxas Blvd. 

Walked again, and now decided to ride an LRT1. 

After a year visit to Intramuros in Manila, I found out that the "Kartilya ng Katipunan," as a historical landmark was now given a major lift from its look. 

The area at the back of it where it has so many vendors, now a very clean small park with numerous trees. 

Passed by at the soon to be renewed Metropolitan Theater. I think the construction was about to finish. 

Delighted to see this because it was an old building on my last visit, June 2019. 

But the underpass looks just the same. I heard it will soon be fix like Lagusnilad. 

Finally, decided to ride LRT1. 

I fear riding it because it says in the news that over 200 plus of its personnel contracted the Coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic. 

But I decided to end my agony of walking and another chance to get lost and not find a jeepney or bus going to Monumento. 

There was a very few passengers no queues but I was standing when I was at Central Station. 

After two more stations some passengers alighted, that was a perfect chance to experience a comfortable trip. 

The physical distance was strickly observed inside the train. 

Successfully, I reached Monumento safe from worrying on idea that I might get lost again. 

Another walk challenge going to where jeepneys going to Navotas is located. 

Finally, found one and around 2:30 pm from 8:00 am trip leaving home...I was finally home sweet home! 

But come to think of it, it wasn't so easy to commute now via public transportation. Specially now that not all PUV's are authorize to travel under General Community Quarantine. 

Hopefully, the long overstaying COVID-19, pandemic will soon be over. 

Now that in every news it says that the vaccine will soon be ready. 

So far, I had 6 jeepney transfers, two bus rides, an LRT1 ride, and a lot of walking involved. 

Abe Were Good Friends Dine

At the very beginning of the quarantine announcement in the Metro Manila, 16th of March 2020...I do not remember myself and any member of the family going out to dine.

Who would do that? Knowing that part of the announcement was we are all encouraged to stay home to stop the spread of the virus.

The month of July when the status of Metro Manila was changed to General Community Quarantine (GCQ), this gave recommendations to some businesses to operate including dining in a restaurant.

First time to visit the place. I don't know maybe before we even enjoyed going out and dining in a restaurant, surprisingly we do not know anything about "Abe" restaurant. 

Thank you to a good friend Sir Samu who invited me to have dinner with him after a very satifying coffee at the Starbucks. 

We visited Abe at Trinoma. 

Getting inside fascinates me for it gave me a cozy feeling of the place. 

I interviewed a waitress/cashier that the restaurant has a 100-seating capacity which opens daily, from 10:00am to 7:00pm.

But that was the set-up before the time that the pandemic isn't here in the Philippines. 

By asking, I found out that their working schedules were adjusted. From the current set-up from 16 people manning the restaurant in operations daily, now they have two more people left the waitress/cashier and the floor manager. 

I am not sure how many people are left in the kitchen but certainly it was also reduced. 

Like in the case of the waitress/cashier only work for a week schedule and then another staff will occupy her duty until most of them had their rotations. 

A better work set-up than no work at all. 

Looking closer at the menu, they have many options to choose from. 

From small dishes menus to dessert. 

I gave the liberty to Sir Samu, after we both sign the small paper for customer's contact tracing. 

On their small dishes menu we had... 

"Sinuteng Baby Squid" that has laurel leaf many garlics and sauteed with olive oil. 

A small price to pay of... 

P280

We had another fish dish 

that belongs to a "Hearty Soup Dishes" 

PRESENTING... 

"Sinagang na Boneless Bangus Fillet with ripe guava." 

A flavorful hot soup with the taste of real guava, a serving good for 2-3 people at

P510 only. 

On more of Abe Favorites dishes... 

Also part of the menu is the "Crispy Pork Adobo ni Lola Ising." 

Well, I do not know her personally but I think its her personal dish recipe. 

This is very similar to crispy pata. 

Hot and crispy when served to us.

The special saucel blends well with it along with atsara. 

A bit pricy but worth it sold at... 

P510.

And just like listening to a music, to have some balance and harmony from a fresh harvest menu, here comes... 

"Gule Magalang." 

You know its fresh when you finally tasted the veggies which includes kangkong, kalabasa, green chili peppper, ampalaya and okra. 

At the amazing deal of your money worth only P310. 

All of these menus with your favorite

hot rice. I ordered for another extra rice for this battle. 

The quality of food plus how they carefully serve it with care. 

Most of it were in a white plates, wrapped with plastics and that includes the utensils we used. 

If there's one thing I will look for here is just an ambiance of music and nothing more. 

For Abe gave us, Sir Samu and I... a memorable dining experience. 

For one, I am highly recommending it with my family. 

Hope that I can bring them soon here. 

Secondly, with friends and relatives too. 

And lastly, I now understand why this still remains standing even though the pandemic strikes. 

'

Til our next visit! 🙌