Yeah write!

While in Vietnam, one of Tita’s friends, Tita Lee, asked me why I chose to take Journalism in college. Without even thinking about it, I blurted out that “I’ve always wanted to become a writer.” It came out of my mouth unintentionally. Maybe it was because we were trying to brave the cold rainy night in our swimming attire. (We planned to swim that night, and it rained. More on that on my next blog.)

Going back, I was shocked with what I said. Well, partly shocked. Way back in highschool, I was pretty confident that I write well and I could take up Journalism with the little prodding from a former English teacher, Ms. Santos. The first time I told her I wanted to take up Journalism in college, she was ecstatic about it. She said I could really do great there, which of course is very flattering to hear from a very able English mentor.

But then things got a little shaky, when I passed UPCAT. I was on my way to UP Los Baños to take up Chemical Engineering instead. It was what I considered my greatest achievement. Prior to that, I also found out that I passed the entrance exam in PUP, where I intend to take up Journalism.  I don’t know if it’s a stroke of destiny, but mama just grabbed me one day to enroll in PUP instead of UP. I was hesitant because I had my mind set to go to UP and study chemicals and stuff. And honestly, when you think of it (and to what I did think before), the only thing that PUP has against UP is that extra letter “P”.

My first year in college was a so-so. I hated everything about writing, some professors and the deadlines. It was the time when I was introduced to terms like “stress” and “haggard”. Still, I was able to maintain my scholarship grant from a community foundation in Taguig. On my second year, I was able to join a media study tour in Singapore, where we visited different media-related institutions, from Reuters to MTV, as well as universities that puts a great deal in mass communication and journalism. It sparked an interest within me to pursue journalism. I was excited to go back to school and give it my best.

News journalism in the country was very terrifying. Journalistic killings were rampant and every news beat is a challenge. And then it hit me; maybe I don’t want to be a news writer. I opted to become a lifestyle writer, a creative writer. My love for sports took over as I applied for Solar Entertainment Corp. for my internship. I was designated at the Marketing Department of Solar Sports and was tasked to write newsletters and press releases on a specific channel, Basketball TV.

I grew a certain liking to this department, Marketing. The events, press releases and conferences seemed like fun assignments for a job. I then pursued this path until I got the same job in a different company. I am currently the Junior Writer of the Marketing Department of E. Excel Int’l.

So, why did I choose to take up Journalism? I still don’t know. Maybe it’s because writing is the only thing that I’m confident that I could do quite well. I was literally dragged into this whole thing and soon after, I followed its flow and flaws until I just let myself float and let the waves bring me where I am headed. I’m still not so sure if I made the right decision of choosing Journalism over Engineering, PUP over UP. But does it matter now? I actually like what I do. As described by a good friend in a conversation, writing is such a weird job, because really, most people know how to write. It’s one of the basic foundations of literacy. As a writer, it is our task to inform, entertain and educate through our choice of words, idea and emotions. It’s actually draining, but once you get that byline or a mention at the editorials, you’re made. It’s a grave task, but I chose to take it because I can do it. Everyone can write, but not everyone can be a writer.

Do I even make a sense here?

Screw it.