Tell us something about your childhood dreams.
“I’ve always dreamed of being part of GMA News and Public Affairs. I’ve always been amazed at how their reports and documentaries could change you – your mindset, your heart, and your actions. I told myself I want to be part of such passionate team and be a catalyst of change. Back then, it was like dreaming Prince William will make you his princess – too good to be true; too far from reality. But cliché as it can be, dreams do come true, mine did become a reality.
I remember my first few days in GMA – I couldn’t believe I was face to face with reporters I used to watch on TV – Kara David, Sandra Aguinaldo, Michael Fajatin, etc., staring blankly in front of them. I started as a news writer for Unang Balita (news segment of Unang Hirit), I was very happy, thankful and proud of my job – couldn’t ask for more. But God has planned something bigger for me.
From the grave yard shift, I was hired as a pioneer writer for Balitanghali (BT) in QTV 11 and eventually 24 Oras got me as a writer as well. After some time, I was promoted to be the Associate Producer of BT, then promoted again and became its Executive Producer (EP). Again, I was living my dream that time – an EP of a newscast and concurrently a writer for the primetime news, 24 Oras. But wait there’s more.
I remember praying the prayer of Jabez and God did enlarge my territory. When I was offered the position of being the EP of 24 Oras, I was overwhelmed – with fear. I thought I was too young to handle such humongous responsibility. I was afraid I would make a mistake that would stain the credibility of the news organization I highly regard. I even asked my boss – why me? The problem with chances is that you’re not sure if you’d have a second shot. So when you are given the bullet, take the shot.”
What was your ultimate philosophy as a student? What was your life verse?
“My college days were not easy. My family was going through bankruptcy that time. That became my motivation – I need to graduate because I need to get a good job so I could help my family. To support my studies, I became a working student.
In dire times, I just held on and told myself “Things will get better.” I didn’t want to regret how close I was to the finish line, if I quit too soon. As my favorite poem goes – it’s when things seem worst that you must not quit. I’m glad I didn’t. Because things did get better. I received my miracle – a scholarship grant during my junior and senior years so I was able to graduate on time.
My life verse is 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, ‘Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize… I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.’ Simply put, I run to win.”
You have with you a young person who doesn’t want to study anymore. Knowing the value of education, how will you convince him to change his mind?
“I will take him/her to Isla Puting Bato in Tondo where there are “sisid kids” – children who scavenge the dirty waters so they will have money to go school. I will also make him/her smell the stench of Payatas dumpsite where there are also children who labor for some coins and wished they were in school.
I think the secret of success is loving what you do and giving it your best. When you achieve your goals already, never say ‘hanggang dito na lang ako, ok na ‘to.’ Always be open for change and never ever turn down an opportunity because you’ll never know if it will open doors for you. The possibilities are endless.”