OJT Journal 4

OJT Journal 4 (May 2 – May 6)
By Yeye Ignacio

             This fourth week completes my first training month at Star. We are asked to do a research about the ASEAN Connectivity to support a story regarding ASEAN Briefing and proposal of initiatives at Malacanang. Then on Wednesday, we went to New World Hotel in Makati for the coverage of the 10^th anniversary of the United Nations Volunteers. It was a volunteering program by the United Nations Development Programme that aims to achieve the eight Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

We were already there when Ms. Brago informed us that she was called by the office. So we are commanded to cover the event by ourselves; nonetheless, Star assigned another reporter to accompany us there. But since he arrived a bit late, he gave us go signal to do the job even without his presence. We interviewed first the Communication Officer of the UNV to get the background of the story. After the interview, we joined the press conference by UNV, UNDP, Philippine Red Cross and PNVSCA. After the press conference I got the chance to have another interview with the PNVSCA Executive Director to ask for specific elaboration on the case of Mindanao’s peace and development. Deadline of article for that event was 5 pm of the same day. I submitted two news stories from that event.

We were supposed to attend Vice President Jejomar Binay’s 32^nd ECoP event on Thursday, but we were not able to come because of some miscommunication between our trainer and the OVP beat reporter. Likewise, we were scheduled to attend Binay’s forum on Friday but he confirmed his absence for the said forum on the day itself. It was an unfortunate OVP week for us. I submitted 5 articles for this week.

OJT Journal 3

OJT Journal 3 (April 25 – April 29)

By Yeye Ignacio

            On Tuesday, we met at the DFA to have a short discussion about the submitted articles and the schedule for that week. It was more of deskwork. Since we have no event to cover, we stayed there to exchange articles with Jen, my co-intern, and to read and also compare news from different broadsheets and tabloids. Our trainer also spent time to give us piece of advice based on her own experiences. “Ask the stupidest questions and you will learn,” they’re just the words that I would never forget from her.

            The next day, we went to US Embassy to cover the official opening of its new annex building. It was attended by quite numerous media people. I guess they considered the event big not really because the happening was crucial, but because of the mere fact that US Embassy is considered as a prominent embassy here in the country. We had a tour inside the new annex building and then a press conference after. This time, as what I’ve promised, I already have a voice recorder for easier transcription. The ribbon cutting-ceremony was participated by US Ambassador Harry Thomas, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno and construction leader Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala. Deadline of article for that event was 7 pm of the same day.

            My trainer moved our Thursday meeting to Saturday because of some personal appointment. Even so, we are still required to pass an article for our daily submission. On Friday, our trainer was invited to the residence of the British Ambassador for the Royal Wedding. Sadly, the invitation indicated one reserved seat. While Ms. Brago was there, we were at home covering the wedding on TV and researching some information regarding the event. I wasn’t able to attend our Saturday meeting at the DFA because we went to Ilocos for a family gathering. My trainer allowed me to go there after I asked for her permission two days in advance. 

OJT Journal 2

OJT Journal 2 (April 18 - April 22)

By Yeye Ignacio

Week two of OJT journal would be very short since we had 3-day holy week break. Interns were not expected to write and pass their articles. On Monday, we were asked to do a research and a story about the growing issue of drug trafficking. Drug syndicates are using the Filipino workers in bringing illegal drugs abroad in exchange for money. To start the research, I first familiarized myself with the news articles regarding the most controversial issue of drug trafficking which was the one in China. I found myself reading a GMA News article which provided me numerous information on the issue, and to my surprise, the article carries a byline of JA.

On Tuesday we went to EDSA Shangri-La for the weekly Tuesday Club of journalists. They had former Chinese diplomats as their guests for the forum. We did not stay there for a long time since Star’s Associate Editor informed our trainer that she was already on her way to attend and cover the event. Instead, we went back to DFA Media Corps to check some articles and to have a lecture. During the lecture, DFA spokesman Eduardo Malaya came in to look for our trainer.

During the Holy Week, as what Ms. Brago said, I read some pages from the European Commission Evaluation guidelines. I also passed one extra article to make it three for that week, so that my time card will credit additional hours.