Last Sunday, I had my Monday column yanked because my editor thought it was a little too explosive for public consumption. The column was about the Philippine Football Federation. I was covering the PBA games at the Araneta Coliseum at that time we were texting back and forth. It really threw me for a loop and I found it a little hard to concentrate on the game. But sitting between Allan Caidic, Jong Uichico and Siot Tanquincen helped me focus on the task at hand. And besides we had a great running conversation going.
I couldn't let go of it and wrangled a deal to re-write it and get more stuff. It's so easy for people to say that I've got a mad on for the PFF and I live to lambast them. Au contraire. The current president who I have taken to task is a family friend. His wife is someone my father helped with her musical career. They used to go to the house a lot. And no they didn't stop because of what I've written. People just move on. Writing critical stuff isn't easy because it's a tough job. Furthermore, I'd rather write stories. But I've done a lot of that stuff -- from breaking the PCU player scandal to the early problems of the World Cup in South Africa (using a confidential FIFA report that at that point few had read) to the UAAP. And there's a lot more.
As for the re-write, I'll have it ready for Monday.
I have only been doing this for a living in the past five years. Before that it was advertising and marketing. I did PR and political stuff (Senate reports for a Senator). I've worked with athletes, showbiz types (Gawd, I've got stories. Lots even!), wannabees, cops and killers, soldiers, musicians, and common folk. There are all sorts.
Working five different jobs has stressed me out beyond belief and more and more I cling to life's simple pleasures to unwind. Reading a book now is a luxury. Just spending a day watching DVDs is criminal. While having a late lunch with a close friend the other day, he suggested writing about the PBA from the comfort of home (watching the games on TV) and as appealing as it may sound I really can't.
I used to have this sign in front of my work station while in advertising. It read: "Today, I will do my best work." My best friend in the agency shared the same philosophy about earning our pay and not short-changing our employer. While giving a talk during a seminar organized by the Philippine Daily Inquirer earlier this year, one of the editors, Chito dela Vega, complimented me for be one of the few writers left out there to go out and hunt down a story. To be embedded with people and write from the gut. From someone who has done much in journalism and whose work I've read and followed that was huge.
I struggle writing now what with juggling all my work. I do that because it's tough putting two kids to school (and in Ateneo to boot) with all these other payables. At the back of this all is that never-ending plan to leave for the United States again (and I will one day).
I've mentioned in my tweets how this is going to be a difficult week. I'm finishing a year-end report, giving a talk (on Friday), writing a bunch of stuff, and well, shuttling back and forth between Ateneo and Mindshare (our office is at the Fort). I've to finish the final re-writes of Turn On the Bright Lights as well. And to think I was hoping to go to the Asian Games!!! Nothing like flagellating myself, right?
Last night I couldn't sleep a wink. I guess I was real excited coz it was my first day teaching in Ateneo. I totally enjoyed Tulong Dunong and those Alternative Class Days back in school. I've done lectures in UST, ICA, SBC, Mindanao State University, and a few others. And I've always enjoyed working with kids. Even while I was in advertising, I think I was the only person in creatives who didn't treat OJTs as gofers. I made sure I taught them stuff and gave them meaningful work to do. I figure I did a good job coz years later I was still getting gifts from them. One I even hired for work and he remains at ABS CBN to this day.
Honestly, it was rejuvenating. We finished around 1045 and as soon as I entered the Comm Dept, one of the assistants noted that I was grinning from ear to ear. Yes, it was fun and I do hope that the students felt the same way. As I was heading towards to alumni office to interview my boss for the year end report, I bumped in Bacon Austria who asked if he could transfer. I said why not? Then while inside the alumni office, I got a text from a another student who wanted to transfer. When I went back to the department office, she was with one of my students. I figure he had fun so he invited her to transfer. I know this is going to be a great class. I've planned it down to the last detail.
I'm not really sure if I'll be able to go beyond this semester. I'm really trying to land that job abroad with a news bureau. My sister once worked in a news bureau in Africa (she's literally traveled all over the world). Her team was multi-ethnic and she had a blast doing that for quite some time. The closest thing I've done is going abroad to interview athletes and musicians. I love sports but those who really know me well will tell you that music is an even bigger passion. Almost every night in New York, I'd be in rock clubs. I'd go out of state to watch bands. One of the first pieces I ever wrote for the Philippine Daily Inquirer was about Rizal Underground. I followed them around for about a week as they went from practices to gigs to guest appearances on television. This was Almost Famous before I saw Almost Famous. And this was a time when their single "Sabado Nights" was a huge hit.
One of the photographers I speak a lot with is Ali Vicoy of the Manila Bulletin. His late father, Willie Vicoy was killed in that ambush in Gattaran, Cagayan that nearly claimed the life of my uncle (who was the target of NPA rebels). Many soldiers died that day. My uncle, a Vietnam War vet (like Tito Willie who also covered the war in Indochina at the same time my uncle, who is a West Point grad was there), was airlifted to Makati Med where he received immediate medical attention (FVR was Secretary of National Defense while Cory Aquino was president during this time). He did lose some digits from all that shrapnel. I've always had this enduring fascination for the military, hence, my wanting to enter the service and kill some bad guys along the way.
I met Kevin Sites in the US before and his work has also had a profound effect on me and how I write. I've always wanted to do the kind of work that he does. In case you don't know him, he covers hot zones. Or war zones, if you will. I grew up reading books like Whatever Happened to Charlie Company in addition to stories about the New York Yankees and Julius Erving's Philadelphia 76ers. I always wanted to tell stories about people. I wish I could find my picture of me and Nick Joaquin talking about books and writing. That was an awful long time ago. Who knows where that stuff is? But covering a war. I stop in my tracks when that stuff comes on CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera or wherever.
Aww, hell. There's so much to do and so little time. So I've interviewed the folks at the PFF and have video to boot. I'm giving a talk on Friday. There's a clutter on my table for OC me. I've got a stack of books to read and a bunch of DVDs and CDs to watch and listen to. And I'm prepping for next week's class.
Sure it's a lot and it can be quite stressful -- so you'll have to forgive my rambling -- but I guess you can tell, I'm having fun.
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