Midterm Blog Journal # 4: Sinulog That Was!

       In preparation for the coming Sinulog, the five of us were actually asked by Ms. Chielo last week if we could volunteer for GMA's Sinulog coverage. Of course, we don't have the right to say NO because this is an opportunity for us to showcase of what we have and to render our service as mass communication interns. I know, it's gonna be an exciting Sinulog coverage. Jasmin Vailoces declined the offer because according to her she will be with her mother on that day. So, it will be only be Rechiel, Angela, Malou and I who will be joining the once in a lifetime coverage for Sinulog 2011.

       On the 15th of January, an eve of Fiesta Señor, we had our duty in the station in order to help for the preparation. Angela is appointed as the Production Assistant at the vicinity of Cebu City Sports Center while Malou is the Production Assistant at the station. Rechiel and I are researchers. So it's gonna a tough job ahead for us because we will be researching with the profile of each dancing contingent, higante, puppeteers, and float categories. Together with us were Ademar Ochotorena and Ma. Theresa Niere of Isyu Karon staff. I am nervous and excited because they are expecting a lot from us. I am challenged to do with my responsibility. Prior to the preparation, the moment Rechiel and I knew our task for the coverage, we already did extensive research with the profile of participants on the internet, newspapers and Sinulog Foundation. We went home around 7:00 PM.

       On January 16, we arrived at the Cebu City Sports Center at exactly 4:00 o'clock in the morning. It was a rainy Sinulog actually, a blessing of Snr. Sto. Niño. I have informed Dr. Teoddie through text upon our arrival at the Sports Center regarding our duty in Sinulog 2011 coverage. I have observed that it's not easy to put up a coverage because you have to do these and that. A staff of GMA-7 Manila went to Cebu in order to help the coverage. They carried with them, those heavy equipment to have a much clearer coverage. I supposed those things are expensive ones. We had our breakfast around 7:00 PM. Before the mass started, Rechiel and I went outside the Sports Center to get more information with the contingents that we lacked. It's easy for us to get in and out of the Sports Center because we were provided with media I.D. from the Sinulog Foundation. Although we wore a plastic raincoat, we were partly wet due to unstoppable drizzle and rain. Well, I enjoyed so much of the rain. The good thing was I have brought extra shirt with me. I offered this genuine service of mine to Snr. Sto. Niño.

       It was also privilege on my part to personally meet the much coveted artists from GMA 7. I saw Raymond Guttierez, Cebu's very own and a Josenian Diva Montelaba, Steven Silva, Enzo Pineda, Elmo Magalona, Wyn-Wyn Marquez, Sef Cadayona from the Party Pilipinas, Solenn Heusaff, Ehra Madrigal, John Hall, Aubrey Miles of Survivor Philippines,  and Rhian Ramos. I have missed to see Miss Universe Philippines Maria Venus Raj who was with the Three-Sixty Pharmacy which classmates too late to inform me.

       After all it was my baptism of fire to join a Sinulog coverage. With this,  I deeply thanked the GMA-7 Cebu management and staff as what I've said for giving the four of us, mass communication interns, the portal of opportunity for being part with the success of Sinulog 2011 coverage---two thumbs up and indeed memorable. Proudly Kapuso! Proudly Josenian! Viva Pit Señor!

Midterm Blog Journal # 3: Welcome Archbishop Jose Palma and Thank You Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal

        After 29 years of genuine service, outgoing Archbishop of Cebu His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal is ready to leave the island with all his love and faith and wishing that Cebuanos will accept the new Archbishop Jose Palma wholeheartedly.

        This was the statement of Cardinal Vidal during a press conference last January 10 at the Cardinal's Palace. It was a two-in-one  press conference actually which on the first part there was a signing of the memorandum of agreement with proposed Osmeña Park. This was attended by Mayor Michael Rama, the appointed architects, press people, and Cardinal Vidal himself.

        On the second part, the Archdiocese of Cebu led by Msgr. Marnel Mejia and Msgr. Cris Garcia together with the executive secretary Margarita Matheu and Sis. Amelyne Paglinawan of the Daughters of St. Paul revealed to the media regarding the preparation of the installation of Jose Palma as the new Archbishop of Cebu. In the presscon, Palma will arrive Cebu from Manila via Mactan International Airport around 3:00 PM on January 12, Wednesday. He will be met by representatives from the church, military, and local officials.

     From the airport, a motorcade is set that will tour the streets from Mandaue City to the Archbishop's residence. The motorcade is limited with only three vehicles to those will be joining in order to avoid traffic jam.

     According to Matheu, over 800 visitors will be participating the canonical installation of Palma. Not only Cebuanos but also priests and lay coming from adjacent provinces where Palma has rendered his service.

   These includes 90 priests and 134 lay from Palo, Leyte, 52 priests and 50 lay from Jaro, Iloilo, and 32 priests and 35 lay from Calbayog, Leyte. The 55 bishops of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines will also be witnessing the event. The 83-year old mother of Palma will be heading the delegates of Archdiocese of Jaro, Iloilo.

  On the day of the installation, a mass will be held at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral which Msgr. Mejia discussed the liturgical proceedings. The family of Archbishop Palma, guests, Archdiocese of  Cebu, both local and national media have designated seats inside the Cathedral. The readings of Archbishop Palma will be from St. Paul, Isaiah and St. John. After the installation right, a lunch is set at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City. This day also marked the anniversary of the ordination of Palma as bishop. Around 3:00 PM, he will be meeting the press people for the first time at the Cardinal's Palace.

      Archbishop Palma will be heading the mass on January 15 at Basilica Minore del Santo Niño and expected to join the foot procession in the afternoon. He will also lead the mass at Cebu City Sports Center on January 16 prior to the Sinulog Grand Mardi Gras celebration.

Midterm Blog Journal # 2: Looking Forward for 2011

            Happy New Year! Happy 2011! It had been a great 2010 to me and to the country. We were able to survived the challenges we have faced. To God Be The Glory! 

We were able to experience a first automated election last May 2010 which Benigno Simeon Aquino III emerged as the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines. The yellow color dominated in the political arena which symbolizes hope. Who would forget the saddening story of 2010 which was the hostage crisis at the Quirino Grandstand and killed foreign lives. It was truly a threat to the tourism industry of the country after the incident happened when other countries released a banning advisory against the Philippines. 

      Amidst that horrible incident. a day after, Maria Venus Raj's major major victory as  Miss Universe 2010 4th runner-up truly a breath of fresh air. She was able to give inspiration to all Filipino people in any parts of the globe. Of course, a barangay election pushed through last October 25, 2010 despite of a lot of deprivations.

            After one week and five days of vacation, I was able to rest and find inner peace which I am preparing myself for better opportunities which I'll be inclined to this hopeful 2011.

  Last January 5, 2011, it was my first duty of the year. I was on the field with my co-intern Rechiel Cordova. Our reporter was Mr. Jun Veliganio and Mr. Renante Quiñones as our video journalist. We went to the Cebu Provincial Capitol in order to interview Governor Gwendolyn Garcial regarding the 93-1 issue, which until now still unresolved. But Gov. Garcia had an urgent meeting so it was Atty. Rory Jon Sepulveda, Capitol Consultant, granted us the interview.

         

       After that, we went to the Cebu City Police Office in order to follow-up a suicidal case. A 26-year old Elgin Cadilig used the .9mm Norinco pistol of his girlfriend PO1 Jubilee Catan Inquig. Both are natives of Negros Oriental.

Midterm Blog Journal # 1: This is My Moment

December 17, 2010, Friday is a very memorable day of my internship life. I am reporter on this day. Believe it or not. I was with a video journalist Mr. Jun Solon. The moment when Mr. Albert Aballe informed me that I'll be going on the field I was really shocked and truly in a state of disbelief. This is my chance to apply the theories I've learned in school. I am nervous and hesitant. The people in the newsroom were very supportive. Around the 2:00 PM we left the station on our way to the Cebu Provincial Police Office in order to witness the muzzle taping of CPPO Officials' firearms.

           As part of their campaign against indiscriminate firing during the holidays and over 70 police officers had cooperated. No police officer was exempted from having the muzzle of his or her firearm taped. What's even more shocking, CPPO Director Erson Digal asked met to muzzle his .45 pistol and signed it. I was indeed hesitant to accept the favor. But with the confirmation from other media practitioners who were also present and the approval of Sir Solon, I represent the media. By the way, this was an exclusive story for Balitang Bisdak since no shadow of a reporter from TV Patrol Central Visayas. It's an ecstatic feeling mixed with excitement and fear ran through my veins. It was truly an honor for me having chosen by a high rank police official and able to hold and signed his pistol. Things just really come unexpectedly. To God be the Glory!

           Digal then taped and signed the firearms of Supt. Eduardo Saavedra, CPPO deputy director for administration and Supt. Teofilo Siclot, deputy director for operation. Digal urged the public to report any police officer who fires his service or private firearms. He also announced that his constituents will be receiving P850 as Christmas bonus from the funds of the Provincial Office and a half sack of rice from his pocket during their upcoming Christmas party.