OJT Journal 5

OJT Journal 5 (May 9 – May 13)

By Yeye Ignacio

This week started a bit unfortunate because of the heavy rain. We were supposed to be at the Sofitel Hotel on Monday for a conference and at Mandarin Hotel in the evening for European Union event. But since the rain was continuous, our trainer decided to cancel the scheduled activities. Instead, I made an article about OFW at home. On Tuesday, aside from writing an article about ASEAN as part of the daily requirement, we met at the DFA to give us short discussion and instruction for one particular task: to make our own news story out of the Philippine United Nations Development Program. She gave us two days to accomplish and wanted us to submit the article before Friday. 

There were two stories that caught my interest, the United Nations Volunteerism in Mindanao and the UNV with its action plan for the 8 Millennium Development Goals. I was not sure that time if I could finish them both so I started with the UNV Mindanao first, I went to UNV office on Wednesday to at least gather helpful information. They also gave me the contact number of their program officer to provide me updates on the organization’s programs in Mindanao. Through her, together with the UNDP communication officer, I got the information I needed for the story. I used some of my International Year of Volunteers materials for my supporting details. On the same day, I wrote my daily article requirement.

With a little time left before the deadline, I tried writing the second story. I was able to finish the story; though it was not that detailed and informative as the one I prioritized, I still submitted it. I felt happy after all. I experienced doing an article without an event, without my trainer, without a basis; but, a story focus that was being conceptualized by my own. The experience itself made me happy. I had 6 articles for this week.