DAY 17

Wednesday, on this day a regular Kapihan sa PIA is scheduled. We were assigned since no one will cover it. Actually, PIA is a popular place for the media, but I and Sheila didn’t know where it is. We kept on asking, the usual act we do every time we’re not familiar with the place. Oh, I really hate this deja vu, the common scenario wherein we arrived but still need to walk to look for the place.

The sun is painful, and we walked under its heat. We have no choice man gud! Finally, upon arriving at the CCPO, the officer pointed where the PIA is. Ahai, we finally found the glory. Late again, but not that too long. The guests were from the Aboitiz foundation, and there was one Negrense. Oh, kababayan.

After that, we went to her and told her that we are from Negros also. Okay, this is what I love—free lunch! Yeah, it was an American style of lunch. After back, proceeded to the office, scheduled and encoded without waiting for it to be edited. Haha, we were hard-headed this time. Balik bahay, had a meeting with the rest of the group and rest.

DAY 16

Prior this day, we received an assignment scheduled at 8am at the Archbishop’s Palace. Wow, intriguing place, you mean a palace?! Let’s find out.

Actually we were confused what jeep to ride. We transferred at another waiting area. Then we arrived at the Iglesia, as what people told us.

Oh my God, we were always asking. It was a long walk before reaching the place. But, it was not totally a palace. We arrived late, ahai, ulahi na kayu. The other outlets were there already, including the two giant ones. Parang kami lang atah anh intern dun, but still confidence must stay.

We interviewed Cardinal Vidal himself, ahh, that’s where he is residing pala. Then walked, the same thing we did habang papunta sa lugar.

It was still early, so we opted for a stroll at the mal muna. We went to Ayala, and had god time there especially when I saw the dancing gay spiderman. Ohh, I love that! He washed away from problem, he really made me laugh out loud. Then back to the office, encoded the facts and went back home at 7pm (medyo early ngayon).

DAY 15

Back to duty after the two-day escapade at Negros. Okay, we don’t know where we’re going today so we first went to the office. We asked the day desk, but because it’s Monday, there’s nothing new, no presscons, etc…

But Sir Marjun let us to go with him at Camp Lapu-lapu for the joint presscon of AFP and PNP. We came late but still we ate the free lunch offered. We met more interns from other schools.

Then the event started. We sat fronting the high ranking officials (parang totoo). The issue was about the insurgency problems in the Visayas that must be addressed and given due attention in preparation for the coming election.


I knew my cousin is there because he’s applying for army, so I texted him. Then, I saw him with his co-ROTC officer in college who is also my friend. But we need to go back to the office for it was already 4pm, and we still need it to be scheduled and submit before 6pm.

There we were with a cramming drama. We went out at 8pm, tired and went back to the boarding house. but after the supper, we first visited an internet café.

DAY 12

It’s Flyday! Fly back to Negros…

First stop was the Parklane International Hotel at Gorordo. Wow, very social and elegant place. According to Ma’am Joh, there’s a press conference daw, but we don’t know what specific company it is and whose party or person is conducting it. Bstah agreement namin is magkita kami dun.

My God, we waited for not so long for our senior. We asked the guard but there’s no press con of the DENR. Okay, we still stayed inside. Then we asked again, there was really none. Then the senior texted us to attend the tapok-tapok sa KIA instead, which is only a walking distance from the place. When we were near half-way, she texted and gave us the complete name of the event. Hindi naman pala sa DENR yun, launching pala ng isang company which distributes organics and fertilizers. Okay, back to the hotel. Hai, ang init kaya maglakad.

It was held on the third floor. Ohh, we were the only media there. We found it not newsworthy. Few hours later, Ma’am Joh came. Napaka-sosyal naman talaga, maski bread ginagamitan ng kutsilyo. Hmmmn, kung sa amin lang yan. Kinmay ko na yan, pero hindi talaga ako nasiyahan sa event. I can’t relate with the topic.

Then we asked for a short time to interview the head so that we can exit from the event. He set the place for the conversation; it was on the fourth floor where the swimming pool is located.

After that, we went to KIA for a regular tapok-tapok which is heard live in a radio outlet here. Suki na rin kasi ako dun kasi friends na kami ng mga member sa CAMP. When we arrived, we thought we’re late, pero almost dun na. we took the free lunch, and still get an angle to write.

Because I am heading for Dumaguete in the afternoon, while riding in a jeepney going back to the office, I wrote a draft. I was rushing at that time so that I can ride on the last trip of the fastcraft (water vessel).

I returned to the boarding house at passed 1pm, and thanks God, nakasakay ako sa 2pm bus trip going to Lilo-an. I arrived at the port on 5:30 and on the vessel at 6pm.

Hoh, nakakapanibago ang Negros. That would one probably feel once stayed in the other place for quite a time. I dropped at downtown, returned to the boarding house (ohh, I miss my room), chitchat with the remaining board mates, and went to Bacong where the party will happen.

I was happy seeing my co-staffers in the publication again especially the person special to me. Ohh, I miss the camera so back to the usual narcissa life, haha…

I changed outfit for the farewell party which started at as early as 1am, haha… I was very tired so I just let tita jery do the hosting. The party ended at 8am, and it was great!

PS: “I love you!” this is for you…

Port destination

Day 10

Pier 1—the target place for a culmination activity. It was held at the Mariner’s Court, wow! A place suited for wedding, birthdays, etc because its halls are wide. I thought it was not the event but when I saw Sir Efren, I know we’re in the right place.

We were actually late, but the accommodating IO of DOLE is very kind to us. He talked with us, and showed the same treatment though we’re still interns. I really like Sir Efren, he’s different!

We were surrounded with ladies and men in white uniforms, the nurses. We witnessed their program, but what moved my emotion was the video presentation about the conditions of less fortunate people. That was a heartbreaking video!

The lunch was great, we were in a separate room (for the guests and media daw talaga yun, hmmmn, sosyal). We passed through the Metropol again against the excruciating heat and smoke, and proceeded to the office. After encoding, waited for the articles to be edited and went home!

The same routine is done at the boarding house. That’s it! Wala akong energy ngayon magsulat ng bonggang-bongga!

Day 9

The phone alarmed at 8:00am (as set last night). Our senior texted to meet us at 10:00am at the Comelec Regional Office.

On the first day (with Ma’am Jes) we were on that office, but I forgot the way going there. So we stopped at the City Hall. We saw the jam packed supporters of Noy-noy and Mar. You could easily notice them because they’re all in yellow. The day was set for the rally of the whole LP group in Cebu.

We went ahead to the Comelec for I remember the way na. while walking for Ma’am Joh to arrive, we saw reporters and interns from ABD-CBN and GMA.

Ma’am Joh came, but our purpose interviewee was not there so we proceeded to the Dep’t of Health for another issue on HIV/AIDS cases in the Visayas. But another bad news, the doctor who could best answer is in Manila for a national summit. We walked to the POEA (which is just near the boarding house), but the person was not there also. Hoh, ang malas naman ng umaga!

So we returned to the Comelec instead because one employee said that the director will return at 1:00pm. Prior to us, the ABS-CBN team was there also. Then we were the next. Ahh, okay! He is the new regional director of the Comelec that’s why he’s the talk of the town. We passed through the Metropol again and Ma’am Joh went up to the Lourde’s grotto (it’s her panata every time she’s in the city)

We immediately encoded the two stories. We waited until near 8:00pm before we were allowed to go homw. But inside the jeep, my head got “pakong” on the steel roof of the vehicle. Okay, another laugh out loud moment (kevz sa ubang passengers).

We ate supper at a place new to us, went to the internet café and returned home. It was a fulfilling day because naka-facebook ako. Alam mo naman, nagiging masaya ako dahil dito. Iba na gdulot ng facebook sa ‘kin.

Mik-mik Monday

DAY 8

Caused by insomnia, I slept at 1:00am last night. I woke up at 8, but since the start of the day, I didn’t feel fine. I had stomachache, so I was not in the mood to report (duty) to The Freeman. But no, I must not waste time. A stomachache is not as painful as a toothache, so I must go with the group.

Inside the jeep going to Rajah Park Hotel at Fuente Osmeña, my hands were dirtied with a black something, I don’t know what the source of it is. Another destruction to my day, ahh, kalagot jud!

We waited for half-hour before the press conference started. Pelaez and Espedidio, Lapu-lapu mayoralty and congressional candidates, respectively announced to the public through the press that they made a letter of complaint to the Comelec-Region 7 against the cheating scheme of the rival group. It was really a big issue that’s why we need to secure a document for it. But we explained to these politicians that we are not from Cebu that’s we we’re not familiar with those persons they are pointing to. Ok, so much for that issue.

With us were reporters from GMA, ABS-CBN, radio stations, and other interns from UP and CNU. Going back to the office, we have this intern from SunStar. She’s our new friend, her name is Alexia, a photojournalism intern. During the event, she also wrote because the writer, who was supposed to be with her, did not come. We talked about a lot of things while inside the vehicle.

When I, Ericson and Aby were inside the office, we felt the atmosphere of sleeping, (in short, mik2 jud sya). The room is cold, so sleeping is the best thing to do (if only allowed). But time’s running fast, we need to schedule and encode that big news first, before the resting session. But, I didn’t feel the interest and mood to write, my mind is not set on the words on the monitor.

But we still finished it. We waited for all our articles to be done edited. The air conditioner was blowing intensely. We screamed while sitting at the back. Until we found the glory when we got out from the office. The warm environment comforted us.

We ate rice with tocino, chorizo, siomai, etcetera for supper. I felt very tired so I slept directly after taking a shower.