Ace's Entry: Of Motherhood, Food, and Media Rush

Ace's Entry
OF MOTHERHOOD, FOOD, AND MEDIA RUSH
19 April 2005, Saturday

Now I know why the media experts keep on yelling the concept of "Media Ethics" on textbooks, forums or documentaries. Now I know why some newspapers and news programs like *BLEEP,* *BLEEP* and *BLEEP* fail to report substantially on certain issues. Now I know why some reporters hesitate to deliver some truthful (yet stinging) facts…Why do I know? Because despite my limited experience and my status as trainee, I am proud to say that "I've been there." And why do some media firms hesitate to report substantially or set aside press ethics? Read on.

SCENARIO NO.1

Despite the transport strike, I arrived at OWWA ten minutes earlier than the designated time, which is 11 AM. As I entered the premises, the guard asked me where I was going. I told him that I will attend the press conference on the launching of "Halfway Home" and the OWWA-Microsoft IT Center (see my articles for the details.).

"Pero sir, wala po kayo dito" the guard said referring to the list of people invited for the event. I saw the list…its filled with names of press people and the media company they are in…and oh! I was not there! But I saw the item "Leonillo Santiago – Buhay Marino" so I said "Ah…eh, (quite timidly), kasama po ako nito (pointing to my mentor's name). Trainee niya po ako para sa OFW Journalism Consortium." Upon hearing the last three words, the guard said "Sandali lang po sir…(and he approached a lady who seems to be their supervisor) Ma'am wala po siya sa listahan pero kasama daw po ng taga-media." The lady smiled and said: "Ah, ganon ba, sige pasok ka. Sa second floor yung presscon" and she gave me an OWWA folder containing the press release for the events.

No sweat. That's what I call hospitality. The guard even offered to accompany me to the venue but I politely declined.

SCENARIO NO. 2

As I reached the room, I was alone. I was the earliest to arrive. Yehey! I now hold the distinction as "the first journalist ever to step on the OWWA Halfway Home" (Duh, how significant!) Fortunately, I was not bored since there are newspapers and magazines to keep me company.

Later on a photojournalist from Kabayan newspaper arrived (I can't believe it! This is the real thing! I'm now with the journalists!). Then a man in barong asked the Kabayan photographer to fill up the log sheet. Then he asked me to do the same. The sheet asks for my name and the company I am working on. Of course I wrote my name and under the company column, I wrote (in my usual large cursive) "OFW Journalism Consortium/Buhay Marino". The man smiled and said: "Ah, sa Buhay Marino ka, yung dyaryo ng Marino? Ayos yan!" (I wonder why he did not mention the OFWJC). Out of courtesy, I smiled back. The guy is really cheerful and accommodating.

SCENARIO NO. 3

After the arrival of VIPs like DOLE Secretary Patricia Santo Tomas and OWWA Administrator Marianito Roque, brief prayers led by the parish priest of Our Lady of Sorrows were recited. The blessing of the facilities followed. (We even have to go upstairs since the IT center is located at the tenth floor).

After the religious ceremonies, the members of the press were invited to join the fellowship lunch prepared for them upstairs. Perhaps the media people were beating some deadline or they were too hungry that there was a rush for elevators. As I entered the elevator, I realized that my mentor was left behind! (Shame shame shame on me). As I reached the floor that leads to the dining room, I decided to wait for Mr. Santiago who also used the elevator. (you may call this "pambawi" if you want to)

Near the entrance of the dining area, a lady is inviting the press people to come to the dining area. Friendly…approachable…hospitable…perhaps these words are appropriate to her. When she saw me standing near the elevator, she said (with a smile): "Sir halina kayo, huwag po kayong mahihiya. Kain po…" I said "Sige po hinihintay ko lang po ang mentor ko." She smiled again and continued to entertain the media men who are about to enter the dining area.

SCENARIO NO. 4

Ah! Those TV people! They, along with the print media men, flocked the presidential table where Secretary Santo Tomas, Administrator Roque and Undersecretary Brillantes were seated. But they are more visible because of their cameras, microphone and wires. (as compared to the print peoples' small recorders, pen, mini notebooks and papers.) Well, in order to get the feel of a press conference and upon the advice of Mr. Santiago, I joined the other media men.

My professor in Newspaper Management and Practice Prof. Jeremaiah Opiniano once told the class "Kapag nasa field na kayo, huwag kayong pasisindak." I beg thy indulgences, Sir Jere; I failed to follow thy advice. But just like any cub reporter, I was intimidated by the other media people (and I think even my co intern Kassey felt the same).The old players were really aggressive, persistent and assertive. It seems that there is a "pakapalan ng mukha" or "palakasan ng arrival" contest so that the sources would acknowledge them. The scene went like this:

ME: (gathering courage and murmuring to myself) C'mon, ask the question…they might leave and your story is dead. Ask Ambassador Roque now! (then softly) S…S….Sir…
TV REPORTER 1: (loudly) Secretary, has DOLE identified the Filipinos hurt in Iraq ? (Take note: the question is not even related to the projects lauched!)
(Santo Tomas answers the question)
ME: (to myself again)Okay, it's my turn. (trying to speak) A…e…
TV REPORTER 2: (louder than the first one). Ma'am, Sir, how about the status of Roberto Tarongoy? Is he still alive?
(Santo Tomas and Roque answers)
ME: (still, to myself): Duh! Ask! What are you waiting for?? (very softly to Mr. Roque) S…Sir…ah…what…
CAMERAMAN: (setting the wires and gadgets) A., excuse me! (to me)

(After giving way to him, another TV reporter uses his loud voice to address the question and it took a lot of minutes before I ended pushing and lambasting myself. When I finally had the strength to ask my first question, few media men were left and the TV media already left. Why they immediately left, I really do not know.)

Poor officials! The media did not even allow them to sip even for once their soup before asking questions. But what is amazing is that they rarely complain despite the media rush. (So noticeable was the rush that Secretary Santo Tomas later on yelled in the room : "SOMEBODY LEFT HIS RECODER…RECORDER HERE!"

SCENARIO NO. 5

As I finished my food – roast beef, chicken strips (which I won't recognize if I was born blind), Fettuccini, pandan salad and Coke, I immediately browsed my press release. (Oh, this is similar to the paper we jumble, edit, and reedit in our news writing classes). Well, except for some glitches in typing, the press release was filled with important facts related to the event.

But, oh, wait, mother of mothers! Look…look…look at the quotes! Our UST professors are right when they said that reporters must not rely on press conferences unless we want our article to be bombarded with tons and tons of motherhood statements (well, for those who do not know, these are statements that do not say anything, something stated for the sake of saying something. But why the term? ). Here's a taste of useless quotes:

"This Halfway Home may be modest but it's safe and homey"

"We appreciate Microsoft's effort of expanding its program of reducing the global technology divide"

"Our mission-vision is that…to help the Filipinos. That's really our focus."

Thank God, administrator Roque, Director dela Fuente and Microsoft PR manager Laurie Moreno agreed to join our table after the lunch. (Again, with smiling faces, accommodating attitudes, welcoming gestures and a few more motherhoods). At least we can ask questions not covered in the press release.

FINALLY…AN ASSESSMENT

I cannot say anything negative about the way OWWA welcomed and entertained us, the reporters. The members of the staff and the officers are indeed hospitable and approachable. Kudos to them. But the media must not be swayed by these gestures and flatteries. It's not bad to appreciate them but not to the extent that these cloud their perspective and their story angle. Many reporters have the tendency to shun alternative angles out of gratitude to them (or indolence?). They merely report press releases, and forget to explore other details that may provide substance to their story. As a result, we frequently read he-said-she-said type of stories which failed to relate to the ordinary Pinoy's context. (Okay, I admit, I almost got swayed. But the beef roast and the pandan salad would make one wish for more similar events in OWWA! Promise!) In this case, journalists must learn how to draw a line between appreciation and legwork.

But one question bothered me. Supposed I was not part of the reporters covering the event…just one of the many persons asking assistance for an OFW relative…would I receive the same treatment from the OWWA staff? I just hope these agencies also extend the same, nice treatment to our kababayans who need their help, those who are unarmed with press IDs, microphones, or cameras but filled with hopes and desires to realize a dream for their family and friends. May God bless the agencies which have genuine concern and hospitality to people who hold not the might of the pen and the men who possess not the power of the air waves.