Did you know that long before I became a blogger, I was already a reporter in Philippine show business? My journey as a showbiz reporter began some 20 years ago after college, when I moved to Manila to be with my family. I still vividly recall how it started.
I was applying then for another job and while waiting, I thought I would try writing for a magazine to enhance my writing skills. I was a member of the literary staff for our school paper during my college days.
Out of curiosity I called up the office of Graphic Arts Service Inc. (GASI) and luck was surely on my side that day as it was Star News Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Monching Jaramillo who answered the phone and he asked me to come to his office the next day. When we met, it was like we’ve known each other already as Monching and his staff were kind and generous to a newbie like me. They gave me guidelines and introduced me to other reporters who were there. Days and months passed, I started making friends and wrote for other magazines.
As years went by Monching continued training me by letting me assist him in photo shoots and doing exclusive interviews and magazine coverage.
As part of our job, we went to tapings and out of town shootings. We stayed up late for our interviews to finish and rush our deadlines. It is also in this industry where I met and talked to big stars who I never thought I’d see even in my dreams. Wow! After years of writing in several movie magazines, I then became one of the columnists for different tabloids circulating in the Philippines.
And two decades later, here I am as a blogger, writing about my experiences in the showbiz world. I had fun, had hard times at work but through it all I was able to survive.
Whenever I look at some of the photos and remember the wonderful experiences, I am humbled and blessed.
So, friends keep posted and I hope that soon I will be able to share with you bits and pieces again of my showbiz side.