By Dave Achondo
OVER the years I have always thought simply about current events happening around me. I didn’t have a cares thought for anything other than pursuing a career in gaming or anything for that matter that piqued my interest during my early years as an adolescent. Never did I thought I would end up where I am now, working under a prestigious media organization, the Mindanao Gold Star Daily.
During my early years in the company, I worked under its lifestyle section “Urban Life” as one of its staff writers. In the beginning, there were four of us who mainly consist of our editor Catherine Chu, Choco Portado, and Aicy Soriano. It was a difficult start, to begin with as there were plenty of challenges that we all had to go through, issues, staff changes, deadlines, and producing interesting, and appealing features for our younger readers.
At this point, I had no clue what I got myself into as I did not have any prior training or experience in writing articles. Time passed, I began to understand how things work, I had to quickly adapt or I wouldn’t last long.
I learned a lot in this company from how to handle clients when out marketing and attending events, how to write and accept criticisms, and learn new skill sets. These were some of the things I learned during my time under UrbanLife.
A few years later I was transferred from fieldwork to a desk. Let me tell you this, it was like night and day. From the vibrant lifestyle section, I found myself as its desk editor (and no, it’s not someone who cleans desks). I was tasked with two sections of the newspaper ― as its Money Matter and Sports editor. I literally had to start over.
Fortunately, I was trained by a veteran editor, then Editor-in-Chief, Herbie Gomez who taught me the ropes, on what to do, where to go (if I had no stories), and how to layout my pages. He pretty much taught me the other side of media ― “the hard news.” At this point: “S**t just got real!”
This is where I realized being an editor is a tough job as I am always doing my best not to over-edit, rewrite, and write my own articles. And always check with the EIC, especially when you’re handed sensitive articles that could be libelous. Aside from the technical side of being an editor, this is really where I grew and started to have a voice of my own that can affect people negatively or positively.
The newsroom was no place for the faint-hearted. Day in and day out, before entering the room you had to leave your personal problems, issues, and your own biases at the door; like a slipper after the day ends you can pick them up, put them on, and feel down all you want as long as you completed your task.
This paper’s editors are no pushover that’s for sure. Yet, unlike some media practitioners, I have met who are “feeling entitled,” “feeling VIPs” that’s not how I was taught. After all, I am not only representing just myself, I am also representing the company. Maulaw sad intawon ta.
After almost a decade of being with this company, I learned so much. I grew as a person and as an individual both in character and integrity. If my 25-year-old self could see me now, he won’t recognize me. For this, I am forever grateful and indebted to the men and women of Mindanao Gold Star Daily who served as my mentors.
Happy 32nd anniversary to Mindanao Gold Star Daily!
