No Regrets

              Decision is the fruit of your desire. For that reason, you do not think what its consequences would be. It’s like saying ‘yes’ to an invitation because your friends are going too. You didn’t even know the exact reason why you were invited.  The only thing that was set is: “This is got to be fun!” You’d get excited then. You did not even have an idea of what to prepare and how it would cost. You’ve made a rush decision, basically. When the day has come for the event, you’re now thinking whether to go or not. Why? You have no time to prepare your things. You do not have enough money. You have other appointments. You’d decide not to go. You would convince yourself that God has a purpose. However, you could not avoid thinking that you should have been enjoying with your friends at the camp. And yet, when you found yourself being productive on that day, you could really say that He has a purpose. You would end up without regrets. You could learn something from it, as well – think twice before you decide.

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A JOURNALIST?

I’d really love to write ever since I was a child. One day, my mother asked what I want to be.I answered her that I want to be a poet or a scriptwriter. She smiled. So, I thought my mother would be happy if I would become a writer. Since then, it was my ambition—to become a writer. As I grew up, I found myself in creative writing. I asked my elder sister what course should I get which would keep me to write. She said, mass communication. And I was like, “I will take that course in college!” So, I took BA Mass Communication in UP Cebu even though I got a Degree Program Available. I was so excited to enter my first class in college. It was Comm100 with Miss Belinda Espiritu. As she explained what our course is all about, I was like “Nooooo! This is not what I want. I took the wrong course. This is not the kind of writing (Journalism) I want to pursue.” Seriously, I felt like going out of the room. I was so stupid not to research about Mass Communication, then. Apparently, I was not that ready for college even though my age was. My excitement was just really huge. On the first Saturday of the school year, I cried to my mother. I told her that I do not want to write news. It was my first fear. She asked: “You want to be a writer, right?” Yes, but not in newswriting. Discussion on the introduction to Mass Communication during the 1^st semester was a relief, though.  But, as what my mother said, I cannot escape from where I am right now. That’s why, when I saw “Journ101” on my Form5 for the 2^nd semester I felt like “Let’s get it on!” I thought I would find it hard to accept the subject but I was wrong. Sir Jason Baguia encourages us how to become a better journalist someday by correcting our mistakes. He gives us brilliant activities. My fear was temporarily gone, then. He even let us visit the MuseoSugbo where Cebu Journalism and Journalist Gallery can be located. Cebuano journalists were of great number. I started thinking, “If these people were once Mass Communication students like me, then I can become a journalist like them.” Astonished by their achievements, I got interested to answer the question: “What it means to be a journalist?” To be a journalist, one must genuinely be interested with people. No matter how dirty that person looks like or how bad his odor is, deal with him. Who knows that he can be a good source? A journalist must be good at interviewing people. His questions should have sense. In order to do that, an ability to communicate easily, both verbally and in writing is important. He must have a sheer enthusiasm. They said journalism is tiring but a journalist must maintain his pure interest to it. He must be inquisitive, curious or downright nosey. He should have that sense of smell for news. He must be good at listening to what people say. A journalist must be good at researching a complex subject and explaining it in English. He can communicate well with other people from all walks of life. Every journalist must be eager to learn. He must work at speed and under pressure to meet deadlines. I know, I learn all about these qualities of a good journalist from my teacher. Good thing, I have my notes. Well, for me being a journalist means success. Mr. Webster may define success as the accumulation of material possessions or the attainment of a position of power or prestige, an accomplishment. But according to John Wooden, success is the peace of mind attained only through self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do the best of which you are capable. I like it. I’m pretty that every journalist always takes the risk of getting good and right information making them feel satisfied. No matter what the result may be, printed or not, he owns the trophy.As what Cervantes said: “The journey is better than the end.”

I may not become the kind of writer that I’ve always wanted to be but perhaps God’s helping me to realize where I really should be. Until then, I can prove that being a journalist means success.

Pablo

Oh Pablo, why did you come?

Oh Pablo, can you be calm?

Oh Pablo, you’re such a sham!

Oh Pablo, please end that cram!

Oh Pablo, when will you stop?

Oh Pablo, what else to pop?

Oh Pablo, you ruined the top!

Oh Pablo, no more to slap!

Oh Pablo, please do have mercy!

Oh Pablo, now we’re all queasy!

Oh Pablo, no to casualty!

Oh Pablo, stop this tragedy!

Journalism: A Challenge

I actually don’t know how to start this essay. BUT PLEASE do continue reading this.

My feet brought me to South Bus Terminal just in case somebody sold a newspaper. Fortunately, I found Freeman in a pharmacy near USC Main when I passed there for the second time. I walked from San Carlos to Ramos in Jakosalem Street where my boarding house was located. Swallowing my pride was the only option I could think of just to borrow a laptop from a board mate because the internet cafe was closed. SmartBro even didn’t work immediately. I needed internet for my other tasks. I’ve spent sixty-five pesos in order to avail unlimited service. I almost cried. I could not dare to move on, when something was left behind. But I did not give up until I found myself in my room with the SmartBro connected on the laptop. So here I am, starting to gather my thoughts for this assignment. (12:12A.M., 11/28/12).

YES, I KNOW YOU DON’T CARE ABOUT IT BUT THANK YOU FOR READING, THOUGH. And I’m SORRY because for sure, you didn’t like it.

            Anyway, journalism NEVER became a reason why I took Mass Communication. I’ve tried twice to join the official news publication in CTU-Argao and apparently (as you can see how I write in the first paragraph), I’ve failed twice too. Since then, I had the hesitation if I should pursue Mass Communication especially when I had a “DEGREE PROGRAM AVAILABLE” on the letter from UP Cebu for the result in UPCAT. I don’t know what is in this course that I really like to practice it even though there are already signs that I may not graduate on time. Still, that doesn’t change my traumatic experience with journalism. No doubt I slept when Veronica Guerin begun. I woke up when I heard the sound of thrill though. BUT, there’s a BIG but! After watching the movie, my interest went up to 2 from 0. I realized that there are other characteristics a journalist must possess aside from the writing skills. You can’t write a good article without these, I guess.

As for me, specific characteristics would probably come along with the following:

(1)   A good journalist must understand the nature of journalism before accepting the job.

(2)   A good journalist must apply this understanding while doing his job.

(3)   A good journalist must value the applications in continuing his job.

(4)   A good journalist is remembered as a good one even if he’s already not on the job.

The movie gave me a better understanding about journalism. I am very thankful to our teacher who bestowed us the chance to watch it.

I think, I must give a perfect 10 for journalism first before I will tell that I can be a journalist. I must have the ultimate PASSION in technical writing then.

Well, let’s see if I can write a story (different from my first paragraph, I really hope) that is WORTHY to read someday.

Since I took Mass Communication, why not take the challenge in journalism?

I Hate It

I hate it because she is cool

I hate it because I’m a fool

I hate it because she’s pretty

I hate it because I’m ugly

I hate it because she is wiser

I hate it because I’m a loser

I hate it because she is happy

I hate it because I am lonely

I hate it because she is charming

I hate it because I’m annoying

I hate it because she loves herself

I hate it because I hate myself

Kaya Ra Ni

Sa lalum ug mangitngit nga kabuntagon

Naghimog linya ang mga buluhaton

Ako naglibog kung unsa ang unahon

Ilabina nga ako pod katulogon

Sa akong paglingi ni mama ug papa

Akong gibuka ang akong mga mata

Nakita nako ang sakripisyo nila

Para lang makatarong ko ug eskuyla

Milingi ko sa akong mga igsuon

Nga andam  mutabang sa akong pagtuon

Nakita ko ang ilang kwartang giipon

Para sa akong maayong kaugmaon

Ug mikalit pagtulo ang akong luha

Tungod sa kalipay nga akong nakuha

Salamat sa Iyang  mga gipakita

Nadasig ko nga dili magpakasala

Ug busa karon dili nako sayangan

Kining higayon para sila mabayran

Ang kalisod tarungon nako ug pas-an

Para sa akong mga igsuon ug ginikanan

My Profiler in TINTA

On my way back to Argao, I could see my reflection on the glass window of the bus. I saw my face wearing eye bags. On that moment, I could only see myself as a stressful college student. Later on, I realized how I missed my family and that’s exactly the reason why I decided to go home. Home is such a wonderful word to consider so I suddenly smiled. I asked my reflection: Who am I before I went to college? My reflection said:

“On the 19^th day of July 1994, Carmen Jonahville Caminade Matarlo was born in Argao Cebu. She is Babydon at home while in school she is Menang. Her favorite color is purple. She loves to watch anime and read manga. She has collections such as cute pens, anime posters, anime magazines, key chains, dictionaries and books. Her favorite author is Alice Sebold who wrote The Lovely Bones. Her daily routine was home-school-church-home. She loves all the people she knows. She loves everything. As you can notice, she’s a happy person. But behind that personality is a person who can’t express her sadness through her voice and so she found poetry as her partner in crime. She started writing in elementary with her first poem Kaligayahan Maging Kalungkutan. She have written 44 poems already and submitted those in devianArt. She loves to see her Sensei (teacher) Pilandok’s evaluation of her works through his comments. She considers each evaluation as an inspiration for improvement. In school, all tasks which involve writing are given to her. And she accepts every task positively. Now I’m asking you: How do you see yourself right now in college?” I told my reflection:

I’m Carmen Jonahville Caminade Matarlo taking up BA Mass Communication in University of the Philippines Cebu. You can’t call me Babydon. You can’t call me Menang. But you must call me Ceejay. My favorite color is still purple. I’m forever will be an Otaku (anime lover). I left my collections in my room at home except for my anime magazines. My daily routine is boarding house-school-boarding house. Though I only go to church every Sunday, I praise God more than anything else every day. I love to observe the people whether they deserve my attention or not. I love almost everything. See the differences? Well, change is the only permanent thing on Earth. But I assure you that my passion for creative writing will never change. The fact that I didn’t hesitate to join TINTA only showed how much I wanted to keep myself as a creative writer.

I’m on my way back to the city and right now, I can see myself not just a college student who wears eye bags but a college student who wears eye bags happily. Writing is one of my happiness.

Now if you think talking to you (my reflection) is a stupid act well I am sorry, I find it creative.  Mabuhay ang mga Creative Iskolars! :D