Of Malls and Text Messages

I had interesting reports last week ranging from malls, text messages to Thai investments. Likewise, I interviewed SM President Hans Sy and Metro Pacific Chairman Manny Pangilinan.

Mall story: Interesting to note that malls have become a vital part of Filipinos' lives. Everything is inside a mall nowadays, from shops, restaurants, cinemas to clinics, chapels, gov't offices, sports venues and many more. But malls also highlight the inefficiencies of gov't, who's supposed to provide clean and secured areas.

Text messages story: Are you texting less today compared to years ago? Has messaging apps overtaken your normal SMS service? An expert says, many Filipinos are using chat apps now, but he clarifies, it's not yet the death of text messaging, at least not for now.

UP BGC story: SM handed over the new UP building at the Bonifacio Global City. It's worth P400-M and will house some post graduate classes.

Thai investments story: Products from Thailand were showcased at the 'Thai Top Brands 2016' expo at the SMX MOA. Many Thai businessmen want to invest in PH, but some of them want PH gov't to improve ease of doing business.

Video of reports below:

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30,000 jobs for Filipinos

Last January 28, 2016, my first report on TV Patrol aired. Technically, it was not the very first, since a few years ago, I had reports that aired on TV Patrol Weekend. But the January 28 report was the first for the weekday edition, with no less than Kabayan Noli de Castro giving the intro to the report. He even said 'Nagpapatrol si Jikki Pascual'. haha

The story was about the planned hiring of Royal Caribbean Cruises of about 30,000 Filipinos in the next 5 years. The cruise ship company also plans to build a direct hiring facility in Manila. This will be a big boost for employment opportunities for Filipinos, since most Pinoys are geared for the service sector.

Of course, my report also had an English version for ANC. Covering this story, I rode a chopper for the first time and truly a memorable coverage from start to the finished output. Watch report:

Ironically, I was on a chopper while covering the cruise ship story :)

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Longest Hiatus

My longest blogging hiatus ever. 6 months or half a year without any post!

I won't be enumerating what I did the past months, but I will focus on my TV reports in the last 3 days. All my reports in the last 3 days were connected to the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Research Symposium in Quezon City. It was hosted by the University of the Philippines.

My first report is about the creation of a card game 'Resilience'. It is about the economy and the environment and it was developed by the University of the Philippines.

My second report is about building back better after every disaster. Experts say consultations with affected communities must done first and scientific data relied upon before doing reconstruction efforts. Watch the report at the bottom of this page.

My third report is about a Japanese scientist's prediction that the Philippines will be spared from super typhoons in the next 10 years. PAGASA of course is not convinced. He also said there was a long global warming hiatus (hence name of this entry). Click here for the third report.

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2 months absence

I only have one blog entry this year so far. It's been very difficult posting a blog, because of a busy schedule and just a lack of enthusiasm to post something longer than a tweet. It's easier to update via Twitter or Facebook since it only requires just a few words or sentences. But with a blog entry, you need to have paragraphs and have photos or video too.

In 2 months that I have been absent in Blogger, so many things happened. The highlights perhaps are my trips. I have been to two countries, both of which were places I haven't been to. They are Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. I also had a local trip in the last 2 months: Ilocos Norte.

Here's one of my reports:

Here are links to my other reports:
- Tuberculosis survivor's story
- DOST: Science is sexy
- Intramuros redevelopment
- Overseas Filipinos contributions
- Turkish Airlines opens Manila route

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January 2015

I haven't posted a blog entry this year and I wouldn't want to end January without a single post. The first month of this year has been a generally busy and emotional month. Two key stories that made headlines for many days and even weeks happened this month: 1) the visit of Pope Francis in the Philippines; 2) the death of 44 SAF commandos in Maguindanao.

The first was a joyful occasion filled with tears of joy and inspiration; the second one was a sorrowful news filled with tears of anger and frustration. Hopefully, February will offer glorious and luminous stories.

January also marked the official change of my work. I am now out of the office almost every day, covering various stories from House hearings to press briefings.

Here are links to some my stories this January:
World Bank on lower oil prices 
Importance of the geohazard map of your area
Coffee culture in PH
IATA: NAIA has safety issues
Job opportunities for persons with developmental conditions

New The World Tonight set

PopeFrancisPH coverage

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7 Full Years in the Newsroom

This month marks my 7th year as a journalist. I joined the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) in September 2007, a few months after graduation. It's my first and only job. I initially wasn't thinking of ANC when I applied for work. I remember the HR person telling me to rank where I want to work. The choices were: TV Patrol or Bandila, The Correspondents or any current affairs show on ABS-CBN or ANC. Well, ANC was the last on my list, but as it turned out, it was the only one that has a vacancy. So, I said yes right away.

My journey with ANC has its ups and downs. I guess, like any employee, one would have a love-hate relationship with your company. But like any family, you learn to love them.

I am proud to say I started as a PA/runner. Today, fresh grads usually start as PA/writer, but during my time, it was PA/runner- a lowly position. I would deliver scripts to the editing or the control booth daily. I would also, sometimes, be assigned to just stay behind the camera, doing nothing, just observe. I felt underemployed at that time, but I know, I also learned a lot about the systems in the newsroom, since I get to work or interact with people from the newsroom, editing room, control booth and even the studio.

The World Tonight 2007- when I was still tasked to observe behind the camera

Eventually, I was tasked to write. My first tasks were writing sports or foreign news. And from there, my career grew, albeit in a slow pace. I would be assigned to check the graphics in the control booth, produce short reports, and eventually I would write business news, politics, showbiz, technology, features and basically just about anything. I would also join special documentary teams, breaking news coverage and many more. I'd like to think I have a broad experience in the "behind the camera" role (writer, producer, graphics checker, and even experience the 'point of view' of a studio cameraman). Oh, I'm also part of the social media team of ANC, one of the pioneers from among news organizations in the country.

On the on-cam side, my first ANC appearance was as the explainee in the show 'The Explainer' hosted by Manolo Quezon. I would do it once in a while. Then I would also ask my bosses to allow me to cover features stories on the field. My first coverage was about the National Disability Month. From that moment, I have done dozens of coverage not just in Metro Manila, but also in Cebu, Negros, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Maguindanao and Leyte. I have also interviewed so many people, among them CEOs, senators, and even celebrities including Paris Hilton. I have also been on a Spanish Galleon ship and the US aircraft carrier.

My first anchor post started in 2012, when I was asked to be a weather anchor for ANC's weekend grid. I was also given the opportunity to anchor the newscasts during the graveyard shift once a week. And by 2014, I was assigned to handle the graveyard shift on a daily basis. I have also pushed some of my reports for TV Patrol Weekend, do Balitang America and lend my voice for Umagang Kay Ganda.



I have seen and worked during many breaking news coverage, including the Maguindanao Massacre, Manila Hostage Crisis, Cory Aquino's death, Halalan, Corona impeachment and the many typhoons, SONAs, senate hearings, and dozens of special events.

They say, there's a 7-year itch. We'll, I'm not sure about that, but what I am certain is that I will continue to grow, continue to learn new things. I still have a lot to learn, and many of the things I have learned, I owe to ANC.

Selfie! September 2007 (background: old newsroom look)

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QualiMed & affordable healthcare

Ayala Land is investing P2-B in the healthcare industry for the next 5 years. It recently opened its first mall-based surgery center at Fairview Terraces in Quezon City. Ayala's entry into the healthcare sector is via the brand Qualimed, a partnership with the Mercado General Hospital. The Asian Eye Institute has also joined the venture as it adds its first 'Eye Site' branch at the Qualimed clinic in Fairview.

Qualimed is expected to expand further, as they plan to open 10 hospitals and 10 clinics nationwide in the coming years. They will be opening in Ayala projects as they plan to include medical centers in future 'township' developments. Among the provinces where Qualimed hospitals are being built are Iloilo, Negros Occidental and Bulacan. Other areas include Cebu, Davao and Cavite.

Current & future QualiMed projects

What's interesting about this development is that Qualimed is targeted to the lower to middle income bracket. Ayala and Asian Eye Institute are premium brands normally catering to the high-end sector. But they say, they want to get a chunk of the middle class market since it's a very big segment and they also want to provide quality medical services at a fraction of the cost compared to premium hospitals and clinics. They say, they have government hospital pricing, but private hospital service.

It's good to see that more hospitals and clinics are being built. The Philippines has a growing population, yet there were very few hospitals that were built in recent years. It's also nice to see a top brand such as Ayala venturing into medical facilities, following the footsteps of Manny Pangilinan's Metro Pacific, which has already intensified its investments in the healthcare industry.

Hopefully, QualiMed lives up to its name of 'quality medicine or medical service'. And hoping they will continue to provide world class service at  an affordable rate, so more Filipinos can have access to medical services that are of international standards.

Watch my report on this topic that was aired on ANC. Click here.

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Gabriel Macht in the Philippines

'Suits' star Gabriel Macht arrived in the Philippines last week. He visited typhoon-hit Ormoc City to help the survivors affected by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). I got a chance to secure a one-on-one interview with him while he was in Manila. He mentioned about his project to help the victims, as well as what fans can expect in the fresh episodes of 'Suits'. Here's my report aired on ANC:

For the full interview, click this link: FULL INTERVIEW ON ANC.

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Bohol post-quake tourism

I went to Bohol last week to check on tourism developments in the province 2 months after the earthquake. Though Bohol tourism is now back to normal, only few tourists visit Bohol even during the holiday season, which is usually a peak season.

It was my first time in the province, and I
must say Bohol is truly beautiful. Please visit Bohol to help the local economy. Tours, roads, hotels are all back to normal. And the Boholanos are very friendly and loving people.

Here are the reports I did for ANC and ABS-CBN.
Pls. click the link :-)

ANC
Part 1 http://t.co/JyL97mGTPa
Part 2 http://t.co/Uan5bnaE5p
Part 3 http://t.co/SHTkd2NNoN

TV Patrol http://t.co/aC6U8N8xYE

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Balitang America debut

The video below is my first ever Balitang America episode. It was aired last October 17, 2012 on The Filipino Channel (TFC) in the US and locally on the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC). I was relieving Tony Velasquez that night, since he was on an overseas trip.

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Print media still strong?

Is print media still relevant in the digital age? Newspapers and magazine companies gathered for the 2nd Philippine Print Media Congress in Manila to answer that question. I covered the event and I think I was the only one from a TV network who covered the print media event. It's ironic that amid print journalists, there I was with my TV crew. :)

Here's my report aired last Sept. 7, 2012 on ANC.

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Butchoy

My first storm: Butchoy.

Last June 16, 2012, I reported live on Dateline Philippines on ANC. It was my first typhoon (and I guess it was also the first weather report in the country that reported that Butchoy has intensified into a typhoon).

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Malaysia + Thailand

No, I didn't go to those countries. I just had a report about the two Southeast Asian nations. It has been over a month since I last updated this blog. I think I was just busy (and perhaps lazy too). So I'll just upload two of my reports that were aired on ANC last month. I had an exclusive TV interview with the Tourism Minister of Malaysia and the Ambassador of Thailand to the Philippines. 

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2012 Meditation

My first blog entry for 2012!
To start the year right, here's my report aired on the first day of the year. It's about my interview with Fr. Laurence Freeman, a Benedictine monk who visited the Philippines last December. He is campaigning for people to meditate. He suggests people to meditate twice a day and to just focus on one word for 20 minutes per session. Above all, he says meditation is moving beyond vision, words and thoughts. Meaning, you do not talk or even think while meditating. Fr. Freeman says, it will be difficult for first timers, but once you get it, then it will be a good habit for 2012.

Happy meditating. Try it.

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From Food to War

My December reports so far: From Taguig to Clark in Pampanga.

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Business Reports

My past 2 reports are business-related. And to be more specific, the reports have something to do with auditing firms. The first one is about the partnership between global auditing firm Mazars and Philippine-based Reyes, Tacandong & Company. The second one is Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year 2011 Philippines. After these 2 events, I went to Vietnam only to find out my high school friend Leo is working there for Ernst & Young/ SGV. Talk about coincidence. Probably it's a sign I need to shift careers. :)

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Paris Hilton in Manila

I got to interview Paris Hilton in Manila!! It was just a very short interview, but it was a semi-exclusive, since I'm only 1 out of 2-3 journalists who were able to do so. The experience is now very blurry. I guess I was starstruck or something, haha

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Pamana

I haven't been blogging recently. I told myself I'll blog more often this year. Anyways, since my last post, I have been to Mindanao and Visayas. I was in Cotabato and Maguindanao last July and in Bacolod just a few days ago. The first was for work, the other for leisure. Here are the reports I made about my coverage in Mindanao.
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process has launched the PAMANA program. It aims to assist displaced residents affected by the conflict in ARMM.

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ToyCon 2011

I'm not superman.
Last weekend was very tiring for me. Friday, I was working from 6am-12mn. I had to cover 3 events in the evening! (super traffic pa). Then I had a whole day work on Saturday. Plus another coverage Sunday. Everything was fun, but fatigue just took a toll on me. By Sunday, I was feeling sick during my coverage. That coverage was the ToyCon at the SM Megamall. There were so many people, but it was a cool event.
Here are some pics.

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Chuck Bass in Manila [video]

Gossip Girl's Ed Westwick arrives in Manila to shoot for a commercial.
He is endorsing Philippine fashion brand 'Penshoppe'

For details, check previous post :-)

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