Memory 33: The Manila Times

I had my internship at The Manila Times. It was a 200-hour practicum required by the CEO and Executive Editor Sir Dante "Klink" Ang II. Initially, I was assigned to the news section under Sir William Depasupil. He was based at the defense corps office of Camp Aguinaldo at that time. I stayed for a few days in the camp and found my batch- and major-mates Ara and Axel; both from JRN4. It was hard for me since I'm not really into news. 

When the opportunity came to be part of the lifestyle section, I wrote a letter to the Executive Editor and got transferred right away. With the lifestyle section, I found the thrill I was looking for in a writing job. It's not about the loot bags but the excitement every event made me feel. I find news a thrilling experience but there's more with the lifestyle section because my interests are closer to that area. I'm happy to be able to work with the lifestyle people especially my mentors Ma'am Tessa and Miss Euden.

Here are my pride. It's not much but the experience is worth remembering. I love Times! If it weren't for them, I wouldn't be able to discover a lot of things about myself.

Memory 9: Photo Essay (A Day In A Life of A Gun Instructor)

Like what I posted in Memory 7, I always enjoy taking pictures. It gives me a different happiness whenever I hold a camera and take pictures. I don't stick with one subject. Most of the time, I take pictures of random objects. Hihihi. But here's a photo essay I did with my friend for our requirement for Print and Photojournalism. We used a Canon 1000D from a friend for this plate.

Our subject is my father who works at ARMSCOR as a Gun Instructor. He's been working for this company for many years now. He was a PATTS Aeronautical Engineering graduate but opted to pursue what he really loves to do and that is practical shooting.  But the opportunity to teach people about proper firearms use and safety paved way for a long term career for him. I am proud of my father. :) I didn't get the hang of practical shooting like him but to share his talent with my friends for this photo essay meant a lot for me.

So here's the photo essay I'm talking about...

Credits: Tubera & Saguiguit, 2011

My father assisted us all throughout the shoot. We followed the rules that are strictly imposed in their company. We even signed the waivers. Don't worry. We went through a screening before the shoot and the firearms that we used are licensed. :)

Memory 8: I'm a PANKYSTA!

I was thinking of what to post today; something that would show my preferences particularly in music. I was checking my timeline when my favorite rock star tweeted and I decided to share something about her since I'm a fan... I'm a PANKYSTA! :)

So here's my history of being a Pankysta for 6 years and counting...

(Credits: Panky Trinidad's Facebook profile)

Mariangela Soleil Frias Trinidad, also known as Panky, was a Pinoy Dream Academy Season 1 scholar. Being one of the singer-songwriters in their batch, she showed great potential to become a versatile singer. Her personality left an impression to the audience and even with her mentors in the Academy.

She was criticized for her strong personality and physical appearance. But she silenced the criticisms with her powerful vocals and great stage presence. Every week, she proved that she deserves to be in the Academy. She made it in the Top 6 and ranked fourth. I was able to watch the Dream Night with my mom and a friend. I was really happy to see her sing live for the first time. :)

A cut from the duet of Panky and Chad "Gemini" 

Top 6 scholars (From R-L); Chad, Panky, Ron, Yeng, Irish, and JayR. (Credits: PEP)

DREAM NIGHT (December 16, 2006) @ The Araneta Coliseum. Panky received her diploma from Head Master Jimmy Paredes.

AFTER PDA

As part of the privileges of being a PDA Scholar, she was given a chance to be part of the ASAP stage and perform with the other scholars. I was happy that I'll see her perform every week but after some time, ASAP changed their line ups/segments. I didn't know what happened to her and the rest of the scholars after that.


I remember she did the Dragonna theme song where Shaina Magdayao was the lead character. Also, she was part of CEBALO, a product of PDA Season 1, who sang Pinoy Ako for PBB Celebrity Edition 1. CEBALO also collaborated with fellow scholar and Grand Star Dreamer Yeng Constantino in her debut album for the song "Time In."

I think it was early 2011 or late 2010 when I saw her with a band in Umagang Kay Ganda. I literally jumped and squealed at 5:30 in the morning when I saw her on TV, It's been a long time and I'm just happy to know she's doing fine with her band VERSION 4.0.

♥ ♥ ♥

I've always been a fan of hers because I know she's a very talented artist. She never fails to amaze me with her powerful vocals. I hope she gets a chance with her band to be on the big stage again. I believe she will inspire more singers like me. :)

Here's my short fan girl story... I was looking for her profile on Google when I saw how active she is with her band through her twitter account. Also, she lost a lot of weight and she looks really cool. :) But what really made my smile was when I started following her on twitter, she re-tweeted some of my tweets and even replied several times. I was enjoying my fan girl moment that time. I told my cousin about it and we decided that when we're both free, we'll see Panky and Version 4.0 live soon.

MY FAVORITES....

Panky's version of Adele's Rolling In The Deep with Version 4.0 @ Strumm's

Panky's version of Hold The Line with Version 4.0 @ Strumm's

Panky's version of Turning Tables with Version 4.0 and Ivan on keys @ Strumm's

(Credits: SuperRockGodess on Youtube)

Watch these videos and listen to her powerful vocals. Let me know what you think and leave a comment. :) Thank you!

More about Panky here... http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=742927245&sk=info, www.twitter.com/pankyrocks, and http://www.youtube.com/user/SuperRockGodess

Memory 4: Getting In Touch With Insanity

Been hooked with Korean culture since I watched Full House, Stairway To Heaven, and Endless Love on TV. But what really made me stay in love with Korea is their music which they call K-POP (Korean Pop). I familiarized myself with the different boy and girl groups, shows, series, and even their language. At some point, I indulged in the world of RPG where imagination really takes you to a lot of places. Of course, moderation is advised.

I always say "My heart is in Seoul (South Korea)!" Here's my perspective on RPG.

CHAPTER 1

In the world of RPG (Role Playing Games), you can make the impossible, possible. You create your own realities in your own sphere. Thru imagination and creativity, you reach different places. The power of your mind will take you somewhere.

But just a reminder: Don't forget that fine line between reality and imagination. You might barge into imagination too much and you forget how it really works in reality.

The real world has a lot of uncertainties. We experience everything from the happiest to the most painful situations of life. Sometimes, we want to escape from all the problems that come our way. We want an easy way out of all the trials that test our characters.

But life is not like that. We cannot escape the complexities of life. All we need is to do, even if it costs a lot of sacrifices and pain, is to face and conquer it.

I must admit, I enjoyed both worlds. It's fun to live in a world where anything is possible. You can be whatever and whoever you want. Personally, all of my frustrations are made possible in my RPG world. I felt like somehow, I redeemed myself. But sometimes, having everything will not give us the true happiness. You can still find happiness in having less and enough. I learned to be contented for whatever I have. Indeed, contentment comes with happiness.

Imaginary and real world... How can we have two worlds at the same time? How do we draw abstraction from reality? How can we understand reality thru abstraction? I don't have the answers to these questions. I only have my experiences to share.

As we conquer these two worlds, our minds unconsciously work in between. We weigh things inside our heads. Even our hearts are involved in the process. How can we motivate ourselves not to be that attached to our fantasies and still maintain that connection with reality? Can we still distinguish imagination from reality?

I had moments in my life that I would tell myself, "Life would have been better if everything is within our reach. I wish RPG world is real," and "Reality is reality. Dealing with it may be hard but this is where we live. We'll face it no matter what it takes."

I presented imagination and reality in my perspective. Now, let me take you to a different side of RED STRINGS. In her world, everything seems to fall perfectly to place. But in truth, the behind stories complicates her world. Will she continue to live in that world or deviate herself back to where she really belongs?

Memory 3: Till We Meet Again

A relative died November 7 last year. I couldn't look inside the casket. I wasn't afraid but I’d rather remember the faces of the dead when they were still alive. But besides that, what really caught my attention were the faces of our other relatives. I felt the grief and saw how much they wanted to have more time with her. But, they just let God continue with His plans for He knows what's best for everyone.

Here's what I think about death.

  

One should not fear death. It is just a separation of the soul from the materialism of this world. One must realize that in the next lifetime, everyone will be reunited in His graces, in His kingdom. One day, you and your loved one will meet again.

I entered this hall and quietly found a seat. My senses were awakened by the smell of the fresh flowers that filled the room and the sight of the pretty little pots neatly arranged infront with the lights on the side that made my eyes squint as I recognize the object at the center.

My mind wandered in the four corners of the hall. How can you find beauty in death? How can these flowers look so alive while they are placed next to a lifeless person? How can death be celebrated in this manner when after the days of mourning, the dead will remain dead? These questions lingered in my mind as my eyes observe the hall.

Death is not a bad or ugly thing. We lose our loved ones physically but their memories will remain with us. Either good or bad, it is still worth remembering.

As I look into the flowers that are beautifully arranged in front, I realized that it represents the life of a person. God planted the seed and nourished it till it’s full bloomed. But as time goes by, the flowers will reach its maximum beauty, and in that time, God will harvest it.

People come and go, wrote their names on this some form of log book outside the hall, stayed for a few minutes or even hours to express condolences to the family. A simple thing for some but it meant a lot to the family suffering a loss, or worse, losses.

Memories were recalled, relived and remembered as people try to cope from the loss. Is it enough that you had good memories with the person who died before you? Do good memories help you move on from the absence of the most important person in your life?

Right then I realized, yes, these people who lost their loved ones are grieving. Crying is one way of showing your emotions. But these people, they opted to share the memories of their beloved to their relatives and visitors. Their beloved lived a good life and rightfully deserves a celebration. Not death, but living a wonderful life.

It is painful to lose the one you love physically. Like what others say, you can never cope with the loss. You just get used to the pain. The absence of that person will only make it hard to cope but it’s not bad after all. Everyone is prepared for the next stage of our lives. God laid out His plans to us and we are given this life for us to cherish and value. One or two will go before us and that’s a fact. We just have to value this life as much as our beloved celebrated the wonder of God’s gift of life.

As I leave the hall, I took a short glance inside and sighed. I may not have the courage to see you for the last time but I will have the courage to say, TILL WE MEET AGAIN.

Memory 2: My Love, My Kiss, My Heart

Wrote this last year, November 5. I was browsing cover songs on YouTube when I realized that my dream to be a singer didn't die. Yes, I was focusing on my future career as a writer especially that time that I'm cramming for our thesis and other requirements. I was so into finishing all the paper works given to us and one day, I missed my music life. I missed MHX jammings or just singing in our bathroom with my player on. I did set aside my dream to become a singer for practicality. Singing is a profession but I think that I should do something else. 

So here's my reflection last year...

Dreams don't die. As long as the passion is there, dreams will continue to live on.

I didn't let my dreams die while I finish my Journalism course. I didn't let music behind the back seat for nothing. I will wait for the right time.

I always wanted to be a singer. Ever since I was a kid, I would perform in family reunions. I would sing or dance just to entertain my family and relatives.

As I grow up, my interests have changed but music will always be with me. Music is my comfort zone. It is something that eases my heart from pain and my mind from bad thoughts. Music is everything to me but I had to set it aside to try something else.

For me, writing is second to music. It's a hobby. My cousin suggested trying something out of my comfort zone. And so, I pursued Journalism in college. It gets tougher and tougher every semester and the doubts kept bombarding me. There was a time that I wanted to shift to another course. I told myself, writing is not for me.

I tried to catch up and did my best but my flaws in writing cannot be denied. During OJT days, my fear intensified. I may not be able to pass since I will be working in a refutable publication. I did my hardest and even if it meant having no proper sleep, I gave my best. Fortunately, I was able to finish my internship, maybe not with the best articles, but with pride that I made it. Also, I learned to be independent. I went to different places, most are new to me, and that taught me to be the modern day "Dora The Explorer" (hahaha!).

Now, I felt like I've devoted a lot of time for writing. Still, music is everything to me. It is my refuge. I consider it as my friend who is with me during my ups and downs. It comforts me and assures me of a good day ahead. Even if I set it aside and it remained at the back seat for four years, it will always be right here in my heart.

Now that I'm in my last semester, I thought about music. After four years in Journalism, shall I give music a chance now?