Ace's Entry (Special Edition): D-Day

Ace's Entry (SPECIAL EDITION)
D-DAY
22 April 2005 Saturday

Here's a dialogue between an aspiring journalist and his alter ego

ME: (after returning the phone receiver) Aaaaarrrgh! Ano ba yan! Kung hindi wala, busy, nag-outing o kaya naman hindi nila alam! What kind of sources are these!!! How can I finish this article early?!?!?!

ACE: Huh, that's your fault. Umiral na naman pagka-demanding mo sa sarili mo! Feeling mo naman kaya mo…Pwe!

ME: Hey, who are you? Only OFWJC Interns are allowed to write in this space…this is a blog for us trainees! How dare you!

ACE: Who am I? Well, I am Mr. Romero… also called Ace. (evil grin). I also have the right to express myself here for the simple reason that I am you…and you are an intern of OFWJC…ergo, I am also an intern of the said media group…Got it? Logic lang yan! (more evil grin)

ME: What???! A Doppelganger? What the…

ACE: Relax…I am here in this blog because you're talking to yourself. In other words…you created ME!

ME: (rubbing my eyes) Is this true…Hey I do not drinking beer…and…oh no…I am now insane! The disappointing day has made me insane! Nooooooo!

ACE: Ang OA naman nito. Talking to one's self doesn't necessarily mean you are insane. People do that especially when they are in a dilemma or they are disgruntled…or they are in trouble…now which is which?

ME: Well, I 'm not in a dilemma… I am not in trouble. Perhaps disgruntled would roughly fit the mood.

ACE: Ooooh…why?

ME: Well, you heard it already. The potential sources seem unaware of the project of *BLEEP* regarding OFWs. (Later on you'll know why this is censored). There seem to be a problem as regards the information dissemination of this government agency. How can they serve the people or fulfill their aims if nobody knows or cares about the project?

ACE: Ito naman, it was launched just recently at the *BLEEP* building. Give them some time.
ME: But hello…this is something that affects the interest of people. Why can't they coordinate with the media so that proper coverage of it is ensured?

ACE: Oh well, blame the media too. They are covering nonsense stuff like Lovapalooza, FHM Fashion show or D' Bodies…and they can't cover this.

ME: Got a point there. But at least they should have informed groups like the NGOs about the plan so that these groups can help them assist our kababayans…

ACE: And media people like you would have information? Isn't it?

ME: ah…well…yes!

ACE: Plastic!

ME: I admit that's an advantage. But hey, remember I got about 30 OFW relatives abroad. I am also worried about them since most of them live in the provinces

ACE: Okay…fine…

ME: And another thing, something weird happened when I called the government agency. First I was connected by the operator to the *BLEEP* division. The operator said I must address my questions there. When I called there, nobody answered the phone…

ACE: Hahaha…hey, go on…

ME: Well, I tried to call after 20 minutes. As usual I was connected to the *BLEEP* division. The phone rang again, while I was chanting the prayers: Sana po may sumagot…sana po please…Then somebody answered the phone! Heavens! A source! I stated my aim and my identity…I even told the person about the project *BLEEP*…and as a reward for my effort, I got the answer: "Ay…wala pa pong tao dito eh…tawag na lang po kayo uli. Waaaaaah!

ACE: Tsk Tsk Tsk. Don't tell me it isn't over yet?

ME: It isn't! I called after an hour. I told myself "Siguro naman may tao na ng oras na yon!" And I got…"Ay wala pa po yung in charge diyan…nasa bangko po…tawag po kayo mga after lunch…Okay fine!

ACE: (Yawning)

ME: About 2:30 PM, I called again. I asked the operator to connect me to the *BLEEP* division. Later the operator said: "Busy po yung local eh. I asked her for the local number so I won't have to pass thru the operator again…

ACE: Zzzzzz! Haa…e…hehehe!

ME: Armed with the local number the operator gave me, I called the agency again. When I asked: "Dito po ba yung *BLEEP* division. The lady who answered said: Ay hindi po…wait lang po…and she connected me to the (Wow! The operator knows the local numbers very well!)…and to make the story short, I finally talked to someone from that division!

ACE: Hay naku, hinigal ako sa kwento mo! Tapos?

ME: I asked her candidly "Ma'am, pwede po bang mag tanong tungkol sa *BLEEP* She answered: "Ay yan po ay para sa….Blah blah blah…(things that are already part of the press release I got when I covered the launching of the project). Then I asked: A…e…Ma'am, kung free po yan, saan po kaya kukuha ng pondo para sa maintenance?

ACE: Wowowee! Tough one huh? What did she say?

ME: She said very sweetly: "Ay sir… sa Advocacy po kayo para masagot yan…
Aaaarrgh! (It seems they're afraid of money matters isn't it?) After that the usual followed…dial…ring…operator…ring again…and finally I reached the Advocay Hooray!

ACE: O, anong sinabi?

ME: "Ay sir, wala pong tao ngayon ditto, Monday to Thursday lang po ang opisina naming (Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat???!!!)

ACE: Tsk Tsk!

ME: The NGOs are more accessible. Although most of the are not aware of the project. But at least they are very friendly…well some. Yung iba, okay lang.

ACE: What's okay lang? Aspiring journalist pa naman ito, hindi specific!

ME: Tama na! The entry is long already. At least I got some views. And definitely, Disgruntling days like this won't discourage my dream of being a journalist. Mangungulit uli ako bukas at sa mga susunod pang araw! Well, Boss Dennis gave me a deadline—May 3, so I can include the story in the OFWJC packet. But I am ordering myself to finish it by April 27. I will submit it to Mr. Santiago then he will forward it to Mr. Estopace. Yeba!

ACE: Asooh, Why that early? What is your objective?

ME: Well first, that's part of my self-discipline. Second. I do not want to experience cramming. It produces substandard work and nervous breakdown. Third, It serves as allowance if ever Sir Dennis or Sir Leo wants some revisions. At least I can still catch up. Lastly, I do not want to see others suffer or worry because of my inefficiency or my complacency. I already experienced that in the past…it's embarrassing. I already suffered also due to others' neglect. I do not want it to happen again. I hate pasaways.

ACE: Naks! Naiiyak na ako! Hehehe!

ME: Well, the thought of getting published makes me excited too. A Chinese once said that there are three ways to achieve immortality: plant a tree, have a son and write (or get published I suppose). I think seeing his by line is every cub reporter's fantasy

ACE: Sige na nga. Want to say more?

ME: Lastly, I AM EXTENDING MY INDULGENCES TO MR. SANTIAGO AND MR. ESTOPACE. I pestered them today with several questions as regards my deadline and my articles. Anyway, I am promising them that I will do well so I deserve to take some of their time. Again, sorry for my kakulitan. Thanks for your patience Sirs.

ACE: Ayan, Masyado ka kasing atat!

ME: But I am still imposing my deadline to myself. APRIL 27. I should be able to finish the article on that day…and I should have submitted it to Mr. Santiago by April 28. Remember that!

ACE: Fine. So I think you must stop talking to me now…As I said, people talk to themselves when they're in dilemma, trouble or when worried. You must not do it frequently. Stop worrying too much. Relax. Unwind. Take it easy and enjoy your training. Okay?

ME: I am enjoying it. Okay. Thanks. Goodbye.

(The aspiring journalist does not know when he will converse with himself again. But he is very sure…he will.)