a whole lot of fun while learning; a summer worth remembering :)

With all the ideas and learnings on my mind, I really don't know how to start this entry. All I can say is that my whole OJT experience was a blast! A lot of unexpected things happened and I will surely cherish those moments. I gained new friends, met new people, learned new things. There were a lot of firsts during my OJT.

First time to:

-be published in The Philippine Star and Manila Times;
-be published in an online publication (Bulatlat.com);
-be cited by Ms. Ceres Doyo herself in her column in PDI :D ;
-cover a Labor Day rally;
-cover the first automated elections with a media ID;
-attend a press conference;
-use a flip camera for an interview :) ;
-get hold of a press ID with my name, photo and signature in it(haha. :p);
-receive a cheque as honorarium for our published article :);
-commute from this place to that place without the assurance that I would get to reach my destination safely without getting lost;

and a lot lot more!



Everything was really fun and memorable. Everyone did their part to make my internship experience unforgettable. From the staffs of the two organizations to my co-interns who are now my friends.

I learned different techniques in writing and how to do in-depth research and analysis of every single detail you will use for your story. I learned how to look for contacts and to maximize the resources I have for every story that was assigned to me. Moreover, I learned how to speed up my article writing since there is a deadline set for each story that I am tasked to write.

I have to say I made the right decision in choosing PCIJ and Bulatlat as my OJT sites. I wanted to try feature writing in magazine publications though like Summit Media and Mega Publishing. But I don't regret choosing the PCIJ and Bulatlat because now, I believe that it was God's will for me to work for them.

I realized just now that having two OJT sites for my internship was a wise decision. Though I admit I had a hard time juggling my schedule for the two organizations, everything was worth it.

Before my OJT started, being published was the farthest thing on my mind. It didn't occur to me that I would be blessed with this much opportunity. I made myself proud; I made my friends proud and the most important thing for me is that I made my parents proud of me and my capabilities. All these I owe to the people who helped my with my OJT journey.

I'd like to take this chance to thank my parents for believing in my capabilities; St. Scho for the Benedictine values they taught me;
my Mass Comm professors from year one up to now, for all the things they taught me; the PCIJ staff especially Ma'am Malou Mangahas, Sir Ed Lingao and my internship supervisor, Ms. Karol Ilagan;
the Bulatlat staff especially Sir Benjie Oliveros and Ate Janness Ellao;
my classmates who were my co-interns at Bulatlat especially Cielo Flores;
my co-interns at PCIJ especially Mark Tare and Ivan Lim, my group mates whom I closely worked with;
our interviewees and the speakers for the seminars we attended for sharing their experiences and knowledge to us and
GOD for all the blessings that he has been showering upon me. :)

This is by far, my best summer ever. :)