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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halalan etc

It's been the month na pala since I last updated this blog. I was just busy the past weeks because of the elections. It was my first election coverage. We did a lot of things, but over-all it was good experience. I was working 12-hours straight for 2 consecutive days- all election stories. Wow the results were fast! I hope allegations of fraud are not true, or else it will diminish the credibility of the entire exercise.


the war room

My company also spent huge amounts of money for the election coverage. Our so-called 'war room' was wow. There were at least 50 huge TV screens across the room and one big touchscreen monitor. The TVs by the way, I think, were for aesthetic purposes only, hehehe. But still, the room looked like a NASA space center with all the videos. ANC also spent for our hotel. They booked a nearby hotel for those who wished to stay. Only a few tried it, so in short, I was alone in my hotel room which was good for 3 people.


the huge touchscreen TV

On another note, I applied and passed all my requirements for visa this week. The embassy says it will release results on May 31. My scheduled trip will be on June 5. So, days before my trip, I am not yet sure if matutuloy. I hope my visa application will be approved.

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Salamat President

It has been a week since former President Cory Aquino passed away. I haven't been able to update this blog primarily because of that. The newsroom has been very busy those days. I was here at work when the news broke out at the wee hours of the morning. I am part of the "Friday Team". We stayed all night after receiving info that Cory is dying. Then at 4am, it was confirmed. We waited for an hour before airing the story, since we are not 100% sure.

From August 1 to August 5, as people lined for several hours, walked for several hours, so did I (in a different manner). I was at the control booth all those hours checking all the grahics, titles that went on air. Good thing, there was no "Pres. Arroyo died" statement just like other media stories. :-)

Covering Cory's death was really an emotionally filled job. You can't help but feel sorrow, even if a media person should be neutral. Though I am not a Cory fan, neither am I a Cory critic, I feel blessed and privileged of knowing I was alive during Cory's era. And I feel really irritated to all those who think she should not be given honor etc.

And biases aside, ABS-CBN/ ANC did a good job for its 5-day coverage of the event. It was an emotional ride (and expensive too) for all of us here in the newsroom, but it is worth for the woman who helped change Philippine history.

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Pandemic

The World Health Organization is nearing to declaring a world pandemic due to the H1N1 virus. The Philippines now has the highest number of cases in Southeast Asia at 92 (as of today). Even here at the office, rumors spread that some employees have the virus because some of them travelled abroad. And I think I am psychologically sick too. Hehehe, but seriously I feel weak these past days. But of course, I hope I am not sick.

On another note, I have to look for a new place soon! I was eyeing this room for rent in front of ABS-CBN, but just today I found out it's already taken!!! Back to step one I guess.

Weak and homeless...

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