A window back to my real world

The toughest question so far that was asked of me and it was then coming from the OIC on Zoe Broadcasting Network, Inc. Mr. Rene Gonzalez.

I replied back after asking several questions, but I gave a precise answer and that was "yes". It was Friday,  6th of August, realizing that they wanted me to take over as an Executive Producer, Monday, 16th of August.

THE WHOLE STORY

It was 6th of August, while I was waiting for 

one of my students in my online teaching class, I got a call. It was from Zoe Broadcasting whom I forwarded my resume, the night before. 

The truth of the matter was, I only applied as News Desk Editor. I found the notice on one of my reporter in Manila Times Television JD Del Rosario. The next thing, I know, I was with other key people of the company for a zoom final interview.

It was 11th of August, Wednesday, I finally met our reporters, and of course our News Manager. 

Right then and there, I signed for a job order under the "Executive Producer" post. 

In 2019, I worked for the same post at the Manila Times Television. And in March of 2021, I was hired as the head of the News and Current Affairs under Dreamwave  Media Network also situated in Ortigas, Pasig City. 

A NEW HOME! 

The very week, I met also with the writers/segment producers and other people whom I will be working with, to survive our daily newscast. Thus, came after a company orientation of its mission, vision and goal. 

And also, I think the challenging part was understanding the machine where all the content will be written. 

During my previous work with other broadcasting networks like that of ABS-CBN, we are using "electronic newsroom" (ENR) and iNEWS from CNN Philippines. 

But I never came across with "NewsBox" a total stranger for me. 

When it comes to the rundown, it already has a templated one. Like, I need to understand how to memorize popular commands like anchors on cam, back to back sot, upstream, roll vtr, end etc. 

The correct placing of commands are essential in achieving the smooth flow of the newscast. 

Like, I was told about related concerns on the newsbox during their previous airing in the control room. 

If ever, I need to have a final line-up, that I will not move or edit. Because, it will affect our on-air newscast. 

So far, I was able to understand newsbox thoroughly within the span of two weeks. 

UNDERSTANDING THE WORK LOAD

I was up around 6:30 am, for a 9:00 am office call time. This was where I have to see it myself how was rush hour specially during Monday. 

For the first week, we were at the office around 9:00 am, a very early preparation for the 10:30 pm newscast. 

The editorial team did this to fully understand the scope and its work load. 

It was on the 13th of August, when we did a newscast simulation. We were able to gather all fresh content, but there was scarcity  of editors. 

But we pushed through, by getting scripts from 30th of June line-up. 

Though, I and our News Manager felt that the produced content wouldn't be usable, I suggested and we both agreed that the simulation will help us understand the technical side of the newscast.

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH AND THE TOUGH GETS GOING

While, I was teaching myself to fully comprehend everything, I noticed that I was too concentrated on looking at my content. 

This, neglected even the time, I will spend for lunch, merienda and even dinner. 

There was a time, I experienced getting dizzy and that I wasn't completely understand what I was writing. 

I even closed my eyes for minutes, for I felt that my eyes were too dry due to the long exposure in front of the computer. 

But, I shaped up, started  bringing meals my wife prepared for me at home. 

On the first week, I resorted to a quick convenience store and fast food chain restaurants for my food to eat. 

But, budget wise and time related concerns, it won't work for me. 

THE GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP

I'd like to begin this by quoting what was once said by our News Manager, Gerry Lirio. 

According to him, 

"The team is survived its daily airing because of its teamwork."

It's not common that you will find people in the industry, whom you will work harmoniously. It happens in real life for each of you has different qualities, but what will give fairness is that all of you has the same skills acquired in the broadcasting.

The way I perceived it, just like in cooking we have all the ingredients ready to come up with the best tasting meal, in broadcast the right amount of news to inform and inspire. 

ABOUT BALITANG A2Z 

Balitang A2Z is a weekday late night news program that delivers comprehensive and credible news alongside community-focused and inspiring stories that are relatable to Filipino free TV viewers to empower them to make decisions in their daily lives and motivates them towards positive change.

You can watch Balitang A2Z with our anchor Barbie Muhlach weekdays, Mondays thru Fridays, 10:30 pm on Zoe Broadcasting Inc., Channel 11.

OPEN TO WORK

 

Good day! 

I am Rodolfo Garabot, aka "Rod,"  an experienced Broadcast Journalist for two decades now.

I graduated Bachelor of Arts, A. B. Communication Arts at the University of the East in Caloocan, in 2000.

I began my professional career when I started working as Program Researcher for Balitang K, a news magazine program in ABS-CBN, Channel 2.

Then occupied positions such as Editing Supervisor in The Filipino Channel (TFC). 

After 8 to 9 years of working with the Network, I moved to GMA 7, and worked as Segment Producer for "Good News, Kasama si Vicky Morales," in GMA News TV in 2011 to 2012.

Another opportunity came in when I became an Associate Producer for Solar News, 9TV, and now popularly known as CNN Philippines for 6 years, under Nine Media Company in Mandaluyong City. 

A hunger for career growth, and financial stability pushed me to find another work which led me from becoming an Executive Producer at The Manila Times Television in April 2009. 

Another very recent opportunity was spotted and given to me when I was hired for Dreamwave Media Network as News and Current Affairs Head. 

Now, I am open to work for another company and willing to share my expertise in the broadcasting network or any related field.

Through the years, I developed a philosophy in life which a strongly believe... 

"Dream, 

Work Hard, 

Triumph." 

Thank you and more power! 

Respectfully yours,

Mr. Rodolfo A. Garabot

Interested Applicant

In Finding a Job

About a year ago, I became a part of the so called company "rightsizing."
At the time, I was with the Nine Media Company, CNN Philippines and worked there for almost 6 years.
After that I started facing the reality of life specially in finding the right job.
Before, when I graduated year 2000, the best way to find a job was by looking at a classified ads found in several newspapers.
Or by simply going personally to a prospect companies, submit a resume and wait for their calls.
But after two decades a big change happened specially in looking for a career you want in life.
Things maybe so different because from the perspective of the fresh graduates, experience is the best policy.
While for some including me, who's been working almost 20 years, we are hungry for "professional growth"  and a "career stability."
So when a jobseeker that has so many experiences in life became so "picky" you can't blame them.
After all, its the same standards most of the companies are looking  for at every jobseekers searching for their next career.
So everything is fair.
The jobseekers and the companies both has certain employee's expectations and qualifications.

JOB PORTAL SITES

Recently, I became so active looking at existing but dependable job portal sites.
Mainly because this will bridge a jobseekers to any of the dream job he/she wishes to have in the future.

I came acrossed on all different kinds of job portal sites. I am doing this to expand my reach in different companies offering jobs that matches my skills and qualifications.

I made a blog about jobstreet.com who's been giving me updates daily.
I am also using Kalibrr and LinkedIn to expand more my job searches.
I am also including famous websites of broadcasting companies to name a few...
ABS-CBN Channel 2, and GMA 7.

Most of these job portal sites requires a jobseeker a log-in details and you can only do this by filling-up personal information about you and previous job experiences.

Jobstreet.com, Kalibrr, LinkedIn requires jobseekers to visit their websites for daily updates related to your job searches.
On the other hand, these major broadcasting networks also have the same principles but only ABS-CBN career section sites do not provide changes to a resume one jobseeker provided before. But just limited to a section where you viewed jobs available and an update on the number of years in a particular skills you've provided before.
Like for example, in Associate Producer post I had before, I can only alter the number of years I provided. The section of the major of responsibilities you had were being removed.
See concrete example below...

But GMA 7 allows a jobseekers to alter everything from the photo updates to other relevant information on your job applications but some of these showed a status of unprocessed.

What is pretty normal from most companies who posted for their websites are some automated email responses telling jobseekers that they have received one's application or sometimes your skills do not matches the qualifications they're looking for.
But in my case recently, I got notified as "overqualified."

SOME SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO GET YOUR DREAM JOB

Aside from creating information from many existing job portal sites, a jobseekers is also very hungry of some of the helpful tips they will have to do to have a job.
Some popular suggestions were asking a former colleagues, friends, classmates, people whom you worked before for any possible job opportunities within their companies.
I replied once to this suggestion in one social media sites applications I am actively using.
I remember my former boss who actually told me about this.
And I quote..."Its not what you know, its who you know."
I'd like to disagree on that thought because most of my previous work experiences were jobs I personally applied for.
Highlighting my very skills and qualifications as a journalist.
No wonder why I never had any reaction from that particular suggestion.

While some says you have to look at how your resume appears.
While most of the companies in their human resources sections viewed  experiences as much as important...I still believe in the saying that goes something like this...

How many of us agree on this?
But you know at the end of the day, let's face the reality..."the companies looking for the qualifications they were searching for set the rules."

For some companies who's actually forgetting about their obligations by not even sending any responses from a jobseekers after they had them for interviews...better shape up.
Teach your human resources that there are so many means on how to replied back an email perhaps, a simple text, or if it won't bothers you all...a simple call.

I just remembered one call which I received last month. And that company told me that I was qualified for the post they were looking for. Before ending the interview, the interviewee from the phone told me that they will call within the day or tomorrow...and that their client was from Australia and busy at the moment.
I remembered also an instance where the interviewee was very apologetic because it was prohibited to make anyone on the line to wait longer.
I texted her once, but I never got any response. I made a follow-up text the following day and used the same principles the company set for any of their clients.
And that's how I got response sent via-text as well.

To all the jobseekers, don't ever give up. The process, the waiting is tedious but there are too many jobs out there, grab one for you and fight for it.
And let us all achieve career growth together and professional stability.
If this one won't work, be the boss of your own company, be an entrepreneur! 😉👍

Part 2: What a journey it has been!

Palacio Del Gobernador with JD Del Rosario (Reporter) along with Ruel Del Prado and Errol Capacete (Cameraman)
8th of May, 2019

Manila City, Philippines

The very best thing about this location is that you will enjoy a scenic view mainly a manmade construction of a historical walled city of "Intramuros" during the spanish era that was built 1521 that serves as their military base in Asia. 

A perfect walk exercise routine after I was alighted the LRT1 commute. This is the best opportunity for me to get enough Vitamin C which I can directly get from walking in the morning. Along with the sweat which I do not mind at all. 

I was also doing the same thing when going home but always choosing a commute via train to save more time. 

2nd of May, 2019 at the studio
The Manila Times Television

With Chal Lontoc, anchor auditionee

Chal Lontoc Del Rosario at the Manila Times Television studio

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Our VP for News and Public Affairs Clift Daluz with Chal Lontoc
2nd of May 2019

The audition continues having met for the first time Chal Lontoc del Rosario, the famous "Coke" endorser which involves hand gestures and singing while making such act. The song lines goes something like... "Ito ang beat sabay-sabay, ito ang beat bawal sablay." 

Which up to now I can still recall and I believe some would probably identify as well. 

  With JD Del Rosario (Reporter) working on his spiel

As part of my duties and responsibilities was to train reporters on the field. The correct posture, the delivery, and other important matter during live in the field or on location. 

Our search for the anchor continues and this time it was Angela Lagunzad of an anchor for UNTV joined us for audition. 

Angela being compared to the first two anchors who auditioned were really trained in doing daily news anchoring. The voice phasing was great almost perfect and of course the camera loves her too. 

And from what I felt that time I and the rest of the people in the broadcast can easily work with, also same thing with Sel Guevarra and Chal Lontoc. 

But the decision or the final say will be with the station owner and our VP too. 

Angela Lagunzad, Anchor auditionee
16th of May 2019

 The studio lights ready

There were also reporters who auditioned from The Manila Times Television, these two were from Central Luzon Television (CLTV), the female reporter was Angelica Marie Simpao with Reiniel Pawid of course our very own Jedediah Del Rosario who were supposed to be our beat reporter for the Malacanang Palace.

Definitely it was a very big day, so much work we finished that day...and we end up having our lunch around 2:00pm or 3:00 in the afternoon.

But the team were all happy and contented. 

The next big thing will be scheduled the following day. 

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Part 2: What a journey it has been is a continuation of published blog of Part 1: What a journey it has been.

More exciting stories as Part 3: What a journey it has been continues next week.

Thank you for reading! 😊