The day I missed Bruno Mars and "working"

Late March of 2011, I had my internship on ABS-CBN Foundation. I was assigned to the PSG department with my classmate Bianca and this is the time when we almost met Bruno Mars, but let's get to that later.

Brief description of our tasks for OJT:
Write scripts for Bantay Bata 163. Transcribe and code interviews. Do voice-overs to be aired on ANC. Dubbing. Inventory of video tapes. Ingesting videos to be aired. Join and assist on shoot, etc.

I've learned a lot from those tasks plus I got to meet a lot of people who were able to teach me. I also made friends with them and the other trainees. I feel like even for a short stay I got the taste of how working on Television industry works. It was an unforgettable learning experience.

Here's a view of our workplace with the people behind the camera:

(Dubbing room)

(Rosette at the office doing VOs, writing and dubbing)

(When we joined a shoot with Ms. Tina Monzon-Palma, no less)

(Keep track)

Now let's get to the Bruno Mars, part of the story. Colleagues were exchanging jokes about Bruno Mars visiting the office. I took it seriously. I don't know, maybe I got a hint that it may be true. Woman's instinct maybe? It is.

It was supposed to be our last week when we saw AF's calendar of activities. Right before our eyes was a reminder that Bruno Mars will visit AF. Was it really a big deal though? For a music junkie like me who's a sucker for celebrities, it is. Who will want to miss it when it's an opportunity coming closer to you? So we've decided (Bianca and I) to go to AF even if we have a clearance to attend to in school. We promised to ourselves that we should make it to this day.

April 8. We hurried our lunch and went straight to the office. Once we arrived, securities were all over the place we were ecstatic, there was even a red carpet at the ground floor of the office. It is really happening. In a few minutes we'll get to see  Bruno Mars. I was all ready. I prepared my camera and phone in case of a paparazzi tendency at the spur of the moment. We're all ears to the doors, if there would  be screams or camera snaps (which they said aren't allowed by the securities.) Eyes on the windows to see if his car has arrived until we were asked to transcribe some videos on a closed room. I thought we weren't allowed to go out so we just waited if they'd call us in case he was there, but no. It didn't happen. We just  continued our work. Then we heard some squealing. Right, they've already seen them, too late for us. He's already upstairs, about to perform to the children from Children's village.

Few minutes later, someone entered the room and told us they saw Bruno. How giddy they were. They were even showing videos and photos of him. I tell you it was heartbreaking in hyperbole because we were just there. They should have called us. However, they told us that we could have another chance to see him after he perform for he'll pass by our floor again. They said we should just wait. So we waited again, but later on I was asked to deliver some tapes at the Sagip Kapamilya office. I hurried to the elevator so that I could still have the chance. Inside the elevator was a middle-aged woman with a seemingly Press ID/ Bruno Mars pass ID. I smiled at her. Left the elevator ran to the office and went back to the elevator.

When I came back to our department, everyone was giddy again. Apparently, Bruno Mars already passed again. Had I not hurried I would have seen him inside that elevator. Oh chances, sometimes they're just too elusive. Turns out, the woman on the elevator was one of the organizers/ handler of Bruno Mars. I didn't know. Or maybe, seeing Bruno Mars wasn't just meant to be. Well, at least I'm almost there. Only,I didn't get there. Almost but not quite.

Later on, we were asked to return the technical equipment used during Bruno Mars' performance. I got the chance to hold on his microphone. It was a privilege like I was holding a sacred object. It may be overacting but when you're always there but not quite, you just feel happy and disappointed at the same time. Still thankful there were a lot of "at leasts" and "almosts".

Maybe there will be a next time. Let's wait and see.

(Memoirs of what-could-have-been)

Warning: Killer Exams Ahead

Say hello to my review props! These are my reading materials for my Literary Criticism Exam. Actually, aside from this, I got a lot of exams to battle this Prelim week: Ethics. BroadJrn. Land reform and Taxation. So I really need to read, read, read and STUDY. I have to focus and fight with my sleepy head. My brain will be exhausted, I know, but it's all good, even if I'm busy with a lot of things there are still several reasons keeping me sane. There's still writing and you, right?

I just updated this blog to tell you I am busy but this blog is still alive and the 'blogger' is undergoing a lot of pressure right now and will make it up to you next time.

Whatever happened to A.Y. 2010-2011

...and to everything else in between.

I drafted this blog some days ago thinking of what to write because the school year was just full of emotions that I can't put it into words.

Like every school year, there are a lot of stories to tell with this one. Happy ones, sad ones and undefinable ones. Of course, all of those things are what's keeping it worth remembering. To say the least it has been one of the hardest school years so far for I've got to deal with a lot of things aside from school works. There's a lot of pressure going on especially on the latter part where I have to organize the things needed for my internship this summer. Luckily though, I got over all the hardships and passed the subjects not with flying colors but still just right and something to be thankful for. After all the shoots for PhotoJourn, schedule mishaps, shoots for ArtApp Docu, long hours in front of my laptop editing and transcribing videos, interviews here and there, editing of research papers. it's all done and I'm off to face another one this coming June. A big one, for it'll hopefully be my last year in UST. Oh yes, that fast already. We'll be the official Quadricentennial Senior batch by May 31. I don't know what to feel with that but I'm glad I've overcome six semesters already. So whatever happened to Academic Year 2010-2011 will just stay there. And whatever I will feel this coming school year is something that I am looking forward to.

First sem A.Y. 2010-2011: Photo-blogged

If I were to describe the First Semester I've had, I'll use a line from Eminem and Rihanna's Love the way you lie, "I can't tell you what it really is, I can only tell you what it feels like..".
Exactly that, because it is hard to describe but in five words it is:
1. Sleep-depriving- Sometimes I don't even sleep. Now, my body clock's reversed. Screwed. I'm always alive during the wee hours of the night. Turned zombie. I.need.to.restart.my.bodyclock. Seriously.
2. Too hectic- deadlines here and there, write. write. write. (even when writer's block happen almost every time that I needed it) Juggled three editorial tasks along with quizzes, projects and exams for I was an EIC for a group in Lit, Assoc Ed for a group in Feat and Features Ed for a group in NPM. Tiring but I got through it easily because of good and helpful colleagues,Thank God!
3 and 4.Fun and memorable- I got to meet awesome people, cover events, do things I've never done before, gained a lot of experience with a rollercoaster of emotions and taught me some tough lessons (good or bad), travel, have photoshoots, sleepover, interviews, learn a lot of things, practice them,and get good grades in the process. and I guess that is why it ended as #5. Fulfilling. The word itself says it all.

I think these aren't enough though, in a span of almost 5 months so much has happened and I guess it'd be more vivid if I put them into photos. Let's include the non-school related stuff as well.

June

June 16, 2010.Wednesday. Taken right after Sir Nestor Cuartero's first Feature Writing Class meeting. After this day, so much has happened. A magazine project etc.

July

July 9, 2010. Watched this for free! I'm a sucker for concerts that I joined a contest on radio. Thanks to U92FM for this opportunity. I was hella lucky to win tickets especially that this is THE USHER. Totally made me OMG!

August

Met two Legendary personalities. National Artist for Literature, F. Sionil Jose at the Annual Journalism Seminar and Manix Abrera, my favorite cartoonist!

September

Mona's 18th and Trojan Women shoot for Achaean Lith magazine. I had fun on both.

October

Had a free Walk this way tour, courtesy of the Mr. Carlos Celdran. I was also able to interview him for Halo-Halo magazine and Metro Bullet News blog. He was the man of the hour then because of the Damaso thing and I was lucky he agreed for an interview.

There are several memories to share but those were just some that encapsulated over the past five months. I know second sem will add more to these. I am looking forward to that.

How Our Classrooms Suddenly Turned Into Newsrooms?

School year 2010-2011 opened exactly a week and a day ago. Upon the opening of this new semester comes greater responsibility (Not that Tobey Maguire responsibility kind of thing but just simple responsibilities like not being late on class, if you get what I mean), bigger changes, and a lot of adjustments to make. There's a lot in store for us on our Third year in UST.

Aside from our building being newly painted and renovated, our schedules and room assignments changed. Even professors and instructors do, plus we now have four major subjects to take. Most of our classes now ends at 9pm, 5-day class everything on the afternoon shift. These courses are more complicated than the previous ones, and note that each class's duration is 3 hours. Very different from the one-hour or one-and-a-half class morning shift classes that we got used to. This must be the price we pay for somehow slacking off on our first two years in College, adjustment's inevitable. This got to be the real thing. I foresee challenges ahead. A lot actually. I observed this on the past first five days I've been spending on different classrooms. Maybe the only thing that didn't change was our block, same familiar faces but better ones I must say.

June 16 happened, and in one snap...

Our classrooms suddenly turned into newsrooms, how?

We instantly became reporters/writers/researchers our Professors or Instructors became our boss and editors. We research for stories then submit our articles on deadline, they check it. That's just about it. Sounds easy? Truth be told, it just sounds like it but the process is not as easy as that. I speak for myself, I don't know with others. Some are born to write anyway.

Meanwhile, about the experience I'm learning a lot. I'm trying to note what I've been learning so far.

On Lit 3, The professor said we should keep up on our acads because the only choice we have is either to sink or swim.

On Feature Writing, The professor stressed out that we should mean whatever we say and whatever we say we'll mean. He also said that everyday is a deadline for writers. These deadlines drives us crazy but when it does, it makes us work harder since it gives us undue pressure.

On News paper practice and management, The professor said deadlines are sacred. Indeed it is.

On Literary Journalism, The professor highlighted some anecdotes about the misfortunes of reporters who got late. Tardiness should be strictly avoided on our field.

These are just some, I also have Spanish, I.T. in the Newsroom, Experimental Psychology, Filipino 2 classes where I've also learned a lot. I note what they say, because I believe everything matters. I've had a lot of lessons in my head over the week, imagine that. It's good that I'm learning. First day was not just mere orientation or the same old introduce-yourself-in-class session, some segway-ed their lessons already. On one class we even had a mock press-conference. Classrooms surely turned into newsrooms. We may encounter several surprises like this along the way, I must prepare. Or at least I should be alert or aware. (I can't find the perfect word. ha.)

So this has been me, reporting to you the happenings on my come back to school, I'd be updating you when something's newsworthy enough, wait for the next deadline.

By the way, I posted some photos of my second assignment below, to interview a Freshman at the Thomasian Walk. I am working on this article now with my oh-so-reliable friend/partner Bianca. Good luck to us! (In case you're wondering what's my first assignment, it is a critique paper on any feature article of my choice, there.)





(Covered the Thomasian Welcome Walk yesterday. Freshmen spirits on high!)

heart-BREAKING DAWN

HEART-BREAKING DAWN

HEART-BREAKING DAWN it is..

After those series of unfortunate events that I've gone through, I'm still thankful I'm still here and back to blogging.(for now) It has actually been exactly 4 months and 2 days since my last entry and I'm sorry to disappoint you that this entry has really nothing to do with TWILIGHT SAGA or whatever it is affiliated with the title, I just feel that it fits my mood right now. Melancholic yet gratified after all.

Why melancholic, unfortunate and why heart-breaking dawn? Do I sound like an 'emo chic' in here? Well, I hope not. haha! It is not something serious though, looking back months
ago I just felt melancholic. I mean, starting College was such a big adjustment and I've had like tons of first time experiences here. Before, after having my phone robbed, commuting was hell. I cannot even go to school without any companion, but as it is I need to learn something from it. I met a lot of people and some turn out to be my friends now, others just acquaintances that may also be a friend someday. I'm glad about what freedom College and AB gave me. It was my first time to go home so late for being stuck on traffic, first time to meet UAAP players, first time to watch Pep Rally, Have PE class with awesome groupmates, Frozen moments and Scary happenings, Be part of a community which share a unique camaraderie as a THOMASIAN. "One for UST" as they say, what a school spirit I yearned just with this semester. Every time I go to school having jeepney ride and entering RM. 215 it was as if my day is just starting, it is so unpredictable but at the end of the tiring day it was always fun to be in that section "1JRN3". As the story goes, the semester gave me perks that helped me during my adjustment period as a froshie but it's not always a happy experience in reality, there are 'unfortunate events', I am a human not exempted from this kind of events, I am not a Dean's Lister for my own fault, I was not able to report on a class day and that gave me my first wonderful grade "3.0". Of course I'm thankful that I passed but I can't take off the thought that I slept 3 am every time I do hardcore reports or projects and I squeezed and gave out every effort I have on my system so that I'll have good grades but things can't always go my way, maybe I deserve what I got or maybe I do not but I know God is there to give justice to what I deserve and to what is really planned for me.

Sure disappointments are heartbreaking and brings me to despair but it could also be a step to moving forward. There are millions or infinite reasons enough to be thankful for and for me to be happy. Every bit of thing takes time and effort, even waking up does. Today is the breaking dawn as the semester has ended. The Chapter 1 is closed and cannot be edited for it has already been published, tomorrow is something to look forward to, it is the "NEW MOON" of my life. Wish me luck for my enrollment and clearance tomorrow, I guess it is hello 2nd sem!

Rants and stuff.

Citizen Army Training (CAT). Swimming Classes. Late Night Sleeps. Livelihood classes. Journalism Class. etc. etc.

Ah..finally, I'm a certified SENIOR.

I don't know what to expect but I know that in the process there would be lots of learning in a hard way, but, this would still count as my treasured memory. 

As they say, High School is the best part of school.

I don't agree but I don't disagree either cause I'm "IN" it right now.

Let's just say I am on the process of discovering it yet.

Sooner or Later, I will find the answers.

I just hope that along the way everything would be fine and I'm definitely looking forward to overcoming everything with pride without quitting and the feeling of despair.

I really do. This is my last year in High School. It should be my best.

Best of luck to my batch mates, Batch '07-'08.=)