An Exposure Trip to the World of Journalism

An Exposure Trip to the World of Journalism

By Marika Halili

What a crazy, wild experience it was to be immersed in something so nerve–rackingly unfamiliar yet amazingly overwhelming. This week I left with people I have never met before to do things I have never done before.  Also, it’s to a place I have never gone before, if I might add.

Two days ago I started on what I will repeatedly call the best three days of my life so far. This happened, all thanks to the circumstance that Ateneo hired a new Journalism professor – one who didn’t care much about the theories but encouraged us to develop our potentials through unconventional ways that will actually help us in the real world, whether we end up in Journalism or not. He’s Rick Olivares, a sports-writer-slash-all-around-media-person. The man strongly believes that the world is our classroom and decides to take us on an exposure trip unlike any other. He wanted to bring five of his students to Bacolod to show us how professional journalism is, while covering the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers match between Mongolia and the Philippines at Pana-ad Stadium. Unfortunately, due to the influx of tourists, hotel availabilities ran out fast and he could only take one of us. Unbelievably, I was given this rare, positively outrageous opportunity.  The only downside to this is that, honestly, I am not a die–hard fan of the sport, not having been exposed to it all my life. I only had a week to research on the game’s technicalities before I left for Bacolod. Knowing this limitation, I still went on the trip. I guess no one in their right minds would pass up this opportunity, regardless of one’s limitation.

So there I was. February 8, 2011 at exactly 6:45 in the morning, I arrived at NAIA Terminal 3 for my flight to Bacolod. It was too early for my flight time which was 9:00, so I decided to go people–watching. Upon arriving I’ve already spotted travellers checking in – young and old alike in their Azkals shirts and football kits, all geared up for the game happening the next day. After a while, I met two of Sir Rick’s colleagues, one of them who I roomed with. We boarded at around 9:30 (flight got a tad delayed) and I remember not knowing what to expect. I had no idea what I have gotten myself into.

We landed 45 minutes later, and on our way to the hotel I saw the whole city just plastered with ‘GO AZKALS’ below various sponsor logos on tarpolines. They were hung up on every lamp post along the city’s major highways. I then thought, wow, this game’s really going to be huge.

After lunch, we went to L’Fisher Hotel (where the team is staying) for the Team Managers Press Conference. While waiting for it to start, I got to do one of my firsts. Sir Rick set me up an impromptu interview with promising Cebuano Azkal, Paolo Pascual. The interview was short; I just asked five to six questions on top of my head. I was very nervous; it being my first real interview without a prepared set of questions. My lack of experience was so obvious because I was trembling and my voice sounded quite shaky! Nevertheless, I was so proud that I was able to do it as a start.

And then the firsts came one after the other.The press conference started and my multitasking skills were tested. I had to take down notes that have to be accurate while trying to take pictures that have to have the proper composition. If I try to squeeze myself through the cameramen who work for major networks, I was worried I might get in the way but then I had to take proper photos! I was torn; I didn’t know what I’m allowed and not allowed to do.

I also found out that Journalism isn’t your usual nine to five office job. After everybody left, the writers remained in the conference room because they had to produce their articles and meet the deadline. Everybody in the room worked in silence. Some compared their facts in hushed tones while the others typed away. I pulled out my pen and notebook to rewrite and organize what I took down earlier.

When I woke up the following morning, I knew that February 9 2011 will definitely be etched in history. The intensity and adrenaline rush tripled!  But before going to Pana-ad Stadium, we went to Don Salvador Benedicto, a picturesque town on the mountains of Negros Occidental. After taking in the view from the cliffside, we had a scrumptous lunch together with the owner of the place and some friends, Sir Rick and his colleagues, the manager, mom and little sister Keri of the Younghusband brothers.

What? Journalists get to have a little leisure time too! (Time management is key, however. You wouldn’t wanna get left out by the others.)

On our way back to the city proper, the rain began to pour. Echoes of worries and disappointments were uttered from our group, since if the rain continues to pour, it will definitely affect not only the match, but the organization of the whole event. Fortunately, it’s was as if the heavens wanted a good game as well. The rain stopped after a couple of hours giving enough time for the field to dry.

By 2:00 pm we arrived already at Pana-ad Stadium. Sir Rick advised that I should talk to the fans. I asked them how long they’ve been waiting and if they’re confident that the Azkals will win. I also talked to the heads of the security group and found out that there were 700 policemen assigned to the stadium to ensure everyone’s safety. Journalism does require a lot of relating to the public, which makes sense since they are the ones who actually create what you need as a journalist. In this type of work, being timid will certainly get you nowhere.

The match started at 7:00 in the evening. I sat at the section of the bleachers assigned for the media. I sat beside writers, radio commentators, and saw broadcasters behind me. Sir Rick asked me to take down the time at every attempt and who was responsible for it and at every goal, of course. I panicked because I couldn’t keep up! I kept missing the attempts, the throw – ins, I even got the time wrong. I felt bad about not being able to do as I was expected to.

The Philippines won 2-0 over Mongolia, after goals from Chieffy Caligdong and Phil Younghusband. Fireworks were lit and it was so tempting to watch for the whole duration of ten minutes!

After the match, Sir Rick asked me to get an audio from the post–game press conference. I ran down from the bleachers to the media room, searching for speakers. But lo and behold, there weren’t any in the room, not even microphones. I learned that in certain circumstances you have to do away with what you have, and in this case I took down notes again as I shuffled the camera and recorders back and forth on the table. It might seem shallow on how I think of that situation as a big deal, but I saw how the journalists adjusted to what was present, just to be able to get their stories.

I appreciated how I was continuously impelled to leave the circle of certainty. I noticed that Sir Olivares kept on pushing me to do things that I have to get used to if ever I decide to become a journalist. After the post game presscon, I (ambush) interviewed Mr. Dan Palami, Team Manager of the Azkals, about how the game turned out and the upcoming training for the team’s away game in Mongolia this March. Being a first timer, it was a heart–pounding experience for me. I felt that awe-inspiring kind of adrenaline rush; terrifying at first but already very gratifying, for me at least.   

I’ve always thought that you should not bite off more than you can chew. But I realized that sometimes, only by allowing myself to be thrown into something that is out of what I think is adequate will I realize that life does indeed start at the end of my comfort zone. Yes, it won’t be smooth sailing all the way but I will never be able to make a mark if I don’t get myself out there. Sir Rick was right when he tells us in class that we should never be afraid to make mistakes.

It is an understatement to say that I learned a lot from three days of being in media. I’m elated to say that I can work in this type of environment. These days it seems so hard to look forward to reality. From what we see around us, we are constantly reminded that reality is brimming with negativities, of maximum efforts and minimum rewards. However, being in Pana-ad as part of the media has taught me not to feel jaded about the real world. I learned that I don’t have to endure how problematic life is after school because the passion will entirely make up for it. And if in case I forget, I can look back at these past three days and get myself a jumpstart. For all that I know now and for all the things that I will use the knowledge and realizations with, I have February 8, 9 and 10 to thank for.