On starting a new career at 30

We didn't have a television set at home until I was 10 years old. When our first set of  colored TV landed a space in our living room, it immediately became a part of our family. It was the center of attention. My horizon widened when it arrived. Suddenly, I was opened to the reality that we live in a vast universe.

I witnessed historic events in our country through the news -- elections, people power, papal visit, devastating disasters, high-profile crimes, and many more. Through the years, I developed a keen interest to news and current events.

And this prompted me to major in Journalism back in college. On my senior year, I became the editor-in chief of our university paper, The Bicol Universitarian.  It was a responsibility I took with all my heart.

Right after graduation, though, reality forced me to take a different path. More of it here: On Chasing Dreams and Impacting My World.

After spending almost a decade working in a non-media related job and after completing my other personal goals (80 Before 30 challenge), I felt I needed to go back to an old dream-- back to mainstream media. 

When my friend, Eph, informed me about the opening for a post at GMA News, I immediately applied. I went through a rigorous screening process, and luckily, I passed and got considered for the job. The offer couldn't come at a more opportune time.

The nature of my new work comes with great challenges and profound responsibility. To quote veteran journalist, Jessica Soho, it's a job "I wouldn't want even my worst enemy to be in."

So, what exactly I do at work?  I choose and write the news stories to air. I'm also in charge with the production, making sure that the bulletins and breaking news are sound, fresh, fair, and accurate. It should be glitch-free -- both in content and in form. 

My job is to let the viewers understand even the most complex stories and to write scripts that are comprehensible to everyone -- from top ranked officials to the grassroots. 

From the menu of stories that is happening within the day, in and out of the country, I should be able to pick the most recent ones regardless if its politics, weather, consumer stories, showbiz, or sports. The point is to update the viewers what just happened, what will happen, or what is happening. 

Compared to online and print media, the news that are delivered on TV go through a more intricate process. There's a video element to every news story that goes through a technical process. In a few weeks that I've worked in the newsroom, I've come to respect the people working behind the camera even more.  

I'm still learning the ropes. There's still so much to know, so many TV jargons to understand. But I'm expected to perform well while learning the trade. 

Despite the challenges, I'm making the most of every minute I spend inside the newsroom. After all, I live my dream in that chaotic room full of news-junkie people. 

At 30, many people my age may have already found their niche in their own professional career. Mine may have come a little late, but still I'm glad I took the leap.  I'm incredibly grateful that this rare "career" opportunity came. 

Of course, pursuing this path comes with a trade-off. Future travels will have to be put on hold for a little while. But somehow, I'm even more grateful that I've explored our country first before I got into this job. It makes more sense writing about familiar places, and telling stories about people I've shared the same space with closer to my heart.

Storytelling doesn't end after traveling takes the backseat. Storytelling goes on... just through a different platform.