Part 4: What a journey it has been!

Starting from the left Jake Remphsey Dy (AP/Writer) Jedidiah JD Del Rosario (Reporter), Maila Santiaguel (Communication Staff/EA), Mr Clift Daluz (VP for News and Public Affairs, Andrew Nacino (Desk Editor/Writer), Rodolfo Bong Garabot (Executive Producer)
The Manila Times Television
14th of  June 2019

"A life working in media is a never ending process of writing news and sharing it to the world.
Today, the desire to know about what's happening in the world is like a thirst for water and a hunger for food."

I remember year 2000, after I attained a degree in Bachelor of Arts in A. B. Communication Arts in the University of the East, Caloocan this was the very time that I need to make a decision of what specific strand in the media I will choose to grow a career.
Before it was just a question. But after I was hired and worked at the Philippine's Biggest and Largest Network, ABS-CBN, Channel 2 and worked with Balitang K, a news magazine program hosted and produced then, now an ABS-CBN Chief Correspondent Korina Sanchez...that lead became a clear direction of what career I should be taking.

It was almost going now to two decades having several work experiences that began from being a program researcher, a production assistant, an editing supervisor, a segment producer, an associate producer, and finally a dream come true an Executive Producer now!

How everything got started?
About a year ago, I went back to the academe and started teaching again this time a Senior High School students in Center for Media Arts Senior High School in Kamuning.
It was I believe a destiny for after two semesters...here I am went back on working to media again.

From my previous post, I already shared it to my readers that the invitation I think was a siren call.
But who was the people behind this huge success in my work leverage?
Let me begin by saying it was a former media co-worker from CNN Philippines Maila Santiaguel.

With Maila Santiaguel 

The turn-over ceremony
14th of June 2019

At the time I was told via messenger, they were looking for an Executive Producer but I do not have any experience on the post. My strong background could be traced back as an Associate Producer for almost 6 long years in Nine Media Company, CNN Philippines.

Did I doubt myself on this? Yes.
But there's a strong voice that told me... "You are now strong enough and ready to handle a more bigger responsibility!"

Then came in the time, that I have to meet personally my boss Mr. Clift Daluz who now hold the post of VP for News and Public Affairs at The Manila Times Television.

Clift Daluz with Dante A. Ang
3rd of June 2019

I met my boss during my years of working with ABS-CBN, Channel 2 and we used to work together also in Nine Media Company, CNN Philippines.
But I never had the chance to work with him personally for his former expertise focus on on-line digital marketing of our News website.

Clift Daluz, VP for News and Public Affairs
SONA Coverage ID
22nd of July 2019

What I knew about him was a very pleasant memory of when asking for something Mr. Daluz would politely request you to do it. Eventhough mainly it was part of your job.

Clift Daluz with The Manila Times College
7th of June 2019
The Manila Times Television

Fast forward now 2019, I remember our conversation. Mr. Daluz asked me if I can work as an EP for the news program?
I have butterflies in my stomach but
I said yes. But there's still a very few remaining percentage that I doubt myself and couldn't perform the duty offered.
But Mr. Daluz made me decide on this matter by giving me an assurance that I can handle it.
He was a man of conviction, and I do not want to dissapoint him on my expectations towards me.
He naver gave me any examination but gave me actual work where I can showcase my skills in writing creatively.
I somehow knew before that I possessed such skills but having the best conviction about this...I would say that it was
Mr. Daluz who brought out the best in me as an EP of the news program.

11th of June 2019
The team 

I was given all the time an instruction. He allows me to do it. The challenges began with the news program concept.
It was unbelievable that Mr. Daluz found strength on my proposals and ideas.
The next thing I knew, I was given the very opportunity to present this to Dante A. Ang (DAA).
And it was approved! 🙏😁
And it was the happiest moment of my life!

My daily duties as an EP with the team began with working on our interstitials.
Never had actual experiences making a special segments like this but Mr. Daluz thought me and the team along with Andrew Nacino, JD Del Rosario, Jake Remphsey Dy and Maila Santiaguel on how to properly dealth with it.

With the team JD, Mai, Remphsey and Drew
14th of June 2019
The Manila Times Television

The research and writing was enthrusted on our writers with different topics assigned on them.  When the script and all the ideas are ready, the editorial side of me came in for fact checking, how it was written, missing information, grammar related problems, the graphics involves and the idea on how it will be appealing to the intended target viewers.
Then, the very end part was the presentation or the preview this will be done after all the elements in the editing are all put together.
This is the time where the finish segments will be presented to Mr. Daluz after his approval this will be uploaded on our official Facebook account which includes a short description about the featured story.

With my boss Mr Clift Daluz
14th of June 2019

There's so much happening everyday and every month of course. We also prepare for  the coming of National Elections where I voluntarily wanted to join the coverage to personally assist our reporter during the outdoor coverage.
I was once asked if this was okay for me to join the coverage? Because he was thinking that I am offering something that was beyond my duties.
But I said the idea was very much welcomed.
I also wanted to assist the team going for the proper direction.

The third part of this blog was actually dedicated to my team.
Now, I want this specific part to have a highlight on our boss who gave us all this very wonderful opportunity.

Meeting with The Manila Times College
11th of June 2019

Like any other boss, Mr. Daluz believes and encourage all of us to have an open-door policy.  Meaning if you wish to communicate with him, you can approach him anytime. He is open for suggestions, comments and even some violent reactions.

And where in a world you will find a boss who join his team for lunch and even during merienda.
Mr. Daluz often treat his team a free-lunch and together like an ideal family having a meal on his very office.

18th of June 2019
A lunch with Mr. Clift Daluz at the KFC, Manila

To have found a perfect team to help you lighten up your work load is a plus factor...much more to have found a boss like Mr. Clift Daluz who inspires us all and bring out the best in his team!

As he always say and I quote...
"Kapag hindi dokumentado, bawal ikuwento!"

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Part 4: What a journey it has been!
Is a blog which continues the narration of my beautiful work experiences at The Manila Times Television.

There will be more stories coming...stand by for Part 5!

Thank you for reading please click follow and share if this story somehow inspires you!

In the world of the Academe...a look back!

Acknowledgement page part of the book done by my students in Integration for Digital Story Telling

Long time ago, and never so far away.
Why it seems that it sounds like I am singing here. 😁
I actually wanted to tell everyone that I started teaching year 2008 for the Tertiary Level in Roosevelt College System in Cainta Rizal, which lasted for a year and a half.
After that, mainly because of financial difficulties...I went back to the broadcast industry and pursued a job of a Segment Producer for GMA News TV that lasted for a year.
But there's a window that opened after the opportunity I had with GNTV, I found a job for an Associate Producer post in Solar News Channel, which was eventually known by many up to the present as Nine Media Company, CNN Philippines.
After almost 6 years of working with the same company, I was one of the many employees offered to do a graceful exit...right then and there I never knew that the profession I left for many years will now be my current job.

PREVIOUSLY

Late afternoon of June, I received a message from a friend his name is Samu and he was asking me if I can teach at the school where he's currently committed at the time. I said "Okay" to acknowledge his message but I guess it was interpreted in such a way that I am right away willing to teach as a part-timer. Just to be clear on this, there was no hesitation on my part...its just that before I commit for this very particular work, I wanted to have a self-assessment that I am really suited for this job to the best of my very ability.

The same day, I also received a text message from "Sir Julius Ramos" of ABS-CBN University asking me if I can teach to ELJ...the next thing I'm actually aware of that time, I sent him a copy of my resume. And to cut the long story short, I accepted the job and started immediately the following day.


AT PRESENT

4th of October 2018 as the world commemorates "World Teachers Day" I was part of it.

At Eugenio Lopez Center for Media Arts Senior High School in Kamuning, Quezon City, I became a teacher again.
And the student council just prepared all of us a very exciting surprises.

At the beginning, we attended a mass along with the fellows and students as well and came immediately games they made for us!

I don't know one game I remember was placing a glue on our faces and the goal was to collect as many cottons that will stick to it as possible.
I looked miserable after that but played and enjoyed it with the fellows.

From left Sir Remerzon Araza, Sir Mon Confiado, Mam Yeng Tome, Sir Erl Camano

There was a lot a game which involves eggplant and an egg bringing this to the finish line. Some eggs got cracked and some went to other directions but believe it or not...there's a winner at the end.

But wait there's more...one of the most hate portion of the surprise was when we were asked to dance..."Boom boom!"
Where I got notice not dancing by one of my student. 🤣 Sorry but not really my cup of tea.

The very best part was my very first experience having the idea of lunch in a "boodle fight" concept.

There's so much in there most of it were temptation food like "Pork Inihaw"
"Fried Tilapia" to name a few! 😁

I had the best lunch ever with the fellows of course.

As we finish our best "boodle fight" ever, inside the faculty all the teachers gathered and there we had our photo opportunity.
If you think all were present no...some were not around.
And got amazed with our numbers! 🤔

With co-teachers inside ELJ' s Faculty room
October 2018, World Teachers Day

Well, I will say that I will surely miss most of them. We might all have different subjects and grade levels were handling...but we are all beings dedicated to teach the students.

I will miss my morning early call time that's one thing for sure.
My alarm clock was always set around 4:30 in the morning and should be out of the house by 5:00am...to be of service for teaching around 7:00 in the morning.

Believe me it wasn't easy to do for I do not sleep early but sleep early morning.
But eventhough I lack sleep then, my students were all awake and enjoyed learning with the "out of the box"  and "traditional" teaching I applied then.

The first semester of 2018 was really loaded of subjects for I was teaching "Media Foundation" and "Integrating the elements and Principles of Organization in the Arts." 
I actually luckily handled "four sections" which includes Grade 11, Digital, Radio, Film and Grade 12 Excellence. 

With Grade 11, Digital

With Grade 11, Radio

With Grade 11, Film

I never had a mastery of an effective formula for teaching. Sometimes I also struggle because not most of my students when you give your 101 percent...some don't bother to give back at all.
I remember I got critized by some students who think they do not deserve the grades I gave them.
I just reminded them again that I just computed their grades and it was them who made it. Now, if you are lazy and do not exerted effort like the way other students did...it will always reflect on your total grades.
At this very moment, I have to draw the line for students who do not comply with the requirements on time.

The second semester was a little lighter because there was just two subjects offered to me "Developing Filipino Identity in the Media Arts" "Research and Writing for Narrative" and a "Media Foundation" again.

With Grade 12, Integrity

Grade 12, Meritocracy

Grade 12, Teamwork

Grade 12, Teamwork

With Grade 12, Integrity

With Grade 12, Media Foundation Class from left Benedict Torenia,  Lee Ann Sovietkaya Dee, Darlene Ballano
Aprielle Racsa was absent

The heavy and memorable part was the culminating class requirement that was all given to Grade 12, graduating students to produced and perform a play.

This requires extra-time and effort for most fellows to look after their class for several rehearsals and actual play that ends late most of the times.

But being a part of this exciting semester gave me more understanding of things to consider, learn more and how to deal with situation that sometimes came in unexpectedly.

But again "all good things must come to an end."
I am not leaving my teaching profession entirely.
There's just a siren call to went back to my first love being a journalist again.
Because they say opportunity knocks one.
Eventhough, I have to make a big decision very urgent...I know my new learnings and experiences in the Media will help me when time comes to give back again to the academe.

But true enough, presentations I did for every class I attended helped me thoroughly to pinpoint important things that requires greater attention.

This is not goodbye! 😃