It was summer of 2009 when I submitted an article in the youth section of our daily newspaper here in our city, gratefully my article was published; and a week after, the page editor called and asked me if I can be a regular contributor to the youth page.
Since then, I have been a contributor and written a handful of 1-page self-help essays focusing on self-development. This started my interest in Creative Writing.
Dream Job
2 years after and at 22 years old, I was accepted as a Writer and Producer for TV for ABS-CBN Corporation in Metro Manila. I was in awe the first time I stepped in the company I have always dreamt of since Grade School. Celebrities were just on TV and Magazines and now I am working with them. It was hard to mix work and being starstruck.
I wrote and produced several cable shows in my early years in the company, and was assigned as Writer for KrisTV on Channel 2, Writer/ Producer for ABS-CBN Convergence and Marketing/ PR for ABS-CBN Events (ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra) the years after. Being an IJM, I was allowed to work multiple jobs in the company.
I have also been managed by a talent agency for Asian-looking roles for ABS-CBN’s teleseryes. I also did hosting gigs for Star Cinema and ChinoyTV (The main reason why I want to work for TV. Giggles.)
As someone from the province with no TV background, I braved to move-out having with me only the confidence that it will be a great learning experience — and it was. It was remarkable.
It was an achievement having to work for my dream company for 6 years, with brilliant individuals having the same passion for mass media and the arts. I learned a lot from them. They are the leaders in the field.
The job was physically, mentally and emotionally exhausting, though I surpassed that all for the love of my job and the company I value as my second home. As they say, once a Kapamilya, always a Kapamilya.
Politics
Apparently, born to a political family, I have to make a decision to leave my dream job when I decided to support a relative who was running for a spot in the congressional race in 2016, but that time wasn’t ours yet, we did not make it to even one seat. I was supposed to be the Chief of Staff if we have won.
In the political race, I have come to realize that one should be able to have a full pocket and wide connection to win and survive the political race… but then again, we are hopeful for better days in the next elections.
Mabuhay!
No mainstream broadcasting yet, I — without a whim — decided to apply to other industries. A Creative Marketing/Service work in another industry as long as I don’t go back to Cebu that soon. I wanted to explore what the Capital has in store for me. I have always dreamt of working in Manila, and I will make it my best to survive here no matter the circumstance.
The labor competition in the capital is just so tough. Not until Philippines Airlines called me for my Cabin Crew application in March of 2016, and got in. It was a rigorous hiring and training process.
Fast forward to 5 months, I was confused if I really wanted the job; or was I, during that time, emotionally unstable (due to our lose in the elections?) I even didn’t realize until I went out of PAL that thousands of young girls (and guys) would kill for the job, literally thousands — but I was not one of them. I was just a creative guy that needed a job.
After a year in 2017, I got a call from HR and met my trainers. I was given the chance to comeback and earn my wings. I missed them so much and hugged them tight. I was happy for the opportunity.
But then, maybe “Coffee or Tea?” and “Emergency bend down” was not for me. Though having cousins and friends in PR and 2P, working there is always a wonderful option. “Mabuhay!”
Pursuing the Passion
I decided to come back to Cebu. To rest and for clarity.
After enough rest, I started freelancing and pitching through my network and started receiving projects both from the government and private sectors with creative assignments, then CEA Creatives and Events came to happen. It was a one-man show for me, until I needed a growing team.
This is what I want to focus on – being a Creative.
It was a “for fun” project turned serious, when I realize I have a big responsibility to my clients who trusted my service, and since then my team and I have survived the agency life – 3 years and 4 months, as of this writing. Thank you to all our clients-turned-friends who trusted us.
For now, we are having fun with what we are doing. I am also happy that I have given, thru my clients, jobs to my growing staff.
Whatever my business and professional venture is in the future, I am ready with an excited heart. I am in no competition with anyone because I know, in reality, that we can’t serve everyone. We need to have our fair share. May we all make it.
