The Apeiron
A hopeful's journey in the world of journalism
* The very sad thing is, in our country, though we are considered as the defenders of the truth, we ourselves are deprived of our right to a good living, with the right salary and benefits, wherein we could say, "with my job, my family will not go hungry again."
As I continue to exist, I have learned to embrace on the belief which says, "if you have a blood of a writer, you'll always be writer."
I don't know exactly where to start, except that I asked favor from our kind editor to give me this privilege to have a column before I leave the country to Japan this Saturday (for the very first time I should say!) For once, just FOR NOW, I only wanted to be a writer.
This article goes for the aspiring people, who wanted to become journalists, or for the journalists themselves if you'll let me, but generally for the dreamers.
When I was ten, I heard about this profession and told everyone around me, "When I reach college, I will take Mass Communications." As I grew up, I became amazed with the glamorous reporters on TV, so I tried to imitate them through reading newspapers loudly in front of my family during meals. As I am about to graduate from high school, I declared, "I want to be a journalist." At that time, I met a friend who has been serving for a government media for years and he got to advise me, "Are you sure you wanted to study journalism? Know what, there is no money in that industry." Also, my grandmom recommended, "You had better take nursing." But still, enrollment came and I pursued my dream. "I only wanted to be a reporter. That's all." That they heard from me, and from that time on, nobody opposed.
In my university years, I became a part of our college publication. From there, and from the learning and challenges I have passed from my professors in my good university, I can say that I have enhanced my ability. Thanks to them. Then, I had my first job as an account executive and feature writer of one local newspaper, got pregnant after a year (?), then worked as a news writer of The News Today (for just more than a month due to my health. Shame on me!), and finally turned out as a Korean tutor. Oh, I forgot, I got married, delivered a baby (who's turning 3 now), and still remained a Korean tutor up to the present. Positively, I have to specify, an "English writing teacher."
I have to be frank. The very main reason why I changed career (from journalist to tutor) was that I realized that I could not offer my family financial stability in being a reporter. Every time my students ask me why I left my job, I would always pause for a second and say, "no money in journalism."
Generally, money is not the only thing that I consider most relevant in this world. However, I could not carry on my ambition and let the future of my family dragged by the economic pressure that most of us are experiencing. And so, again I remembered a friend's advice that indeed there is no future in journalism. Hence, I opted to make use of my right to fly off to Japan being a "Nikkiejin," or a Japanese descendant. To work... to earn... in any good means. Most importantly, to venture for a possible bright future. Thus, I pray that the good Lord will bless luck to me.
As much as possible, and as long as I live, I wish to write my entire life, to practice journalism, to share my discovery of the very essence of every little thing that exists, and be proud to feed my family from my own perspiration. However, the very sad thing is, in our country, though we are considered as the defenders of the truth, we ourselves are deprived of our right to a good living, with the right salary and benefits, wherein we could say, "with my job, my family will not go hungry again."
If only our country can provide every journalist better pay then, I will want to live and work here proudly practicing my profession. Then every dreamer like me will have a future to look forward to. Then we can realize each of our ambition. I'm not role-playing as an antagonist to those local journalists who settle down with their job, I only wanted to express that not all can live like heroes forever.
On the other hand, despite these sad realities, I'm still praying that at least one of our hopes will be realized for the sake of the many young aspirants. I presume, not only hundreds, but also thousands or even millions.
By that time, I can still smile for them, as they may stand high and carry the esteem of their profession.
To those who dream of becoming a journalist, I would like to remind you of what I have heard from my professor, "all can write, but not all can be writers." As for me, I will never stop writing, no matter what field or career my path will take me in the future. For the present journalists, I salute you for your endurable strength and steadfastness. Not all of us are like you. With your examples, a new generation of mass communicators will be born.
I may be one of the many Filipinos who didn't really practice their chosen career here in the Philippines. But still, I will walk through optimistically. In a day or two, I will be back and embrace the things and persons that make me happy again, as I say, "Tadaima!"