On making a short documentary

I would want a discussion on this rather than transient reading.

I'm planning to undertake making a short video documentary. My editor has given me a story which I can follow through. But I might be too confident for the project because right now I feel ready. Here are the reasons why:

1. I have reached the minimum equipment requirements. 

I have a small 3 CCD camera that records to DV (not HDV) which still works although is definitely a dying format.
I have a Firewire cable and the camera works great with Final Cut Pro.
I have a point and shoot for emergency videos. It can shoot HD.
No tripod.

I have a voice recorder with an omni-directional microphone.
I don't have a boom mic but I intend to avail of one soon.

2. I have a story.

Before you scream poverty porn, it is more than what it seems.

An illegal settlers community nicknamed itself as "waterworld" because their houses stay above water through bamboo poles. The lead is even though they are illegal settlers, a certain group is still able to charge them some sort of "rental fee" which is of course, illegal. I don't really know enough details and I intend to do preliminary research but the story is from a first-hand source. I think I can get something juicy out of that (<- Is this sensationalism?)

3. I have experience.

Sure I haven't been in the news business for at least half a year but I am loving every part of it and I've been able to get sources that other papers in my area did not have. I enjoy the investigation part, doing things under pressure, constant haggling ("give me 10 more minutes I'll give more info! Please!") and unique first-hand experience. My experience with video production goes way back and I've been a self-proclaimed colorist for a while already so I'm familiar with the NLE and the process and the shooting.



After letting all this out, I realized that the only reason I'm putting this out there is because I'm sh*t scared. What if I don't finish making it? What if I get tired of it? What if I lack too many shots? What if my angle is just bad? What if I just can't?

Staying afloat in journalism

I was able to go to the closing ceremonies of Manggahan Festival 2013.

It made me realize how territorial I am that I've never been to the island even though it's extremely close to my place. I've been there once, I admit but it was with friends and it was booze-less. It was like a sleepover where you often just ignore where you are.

The awkward video has some explanation. 

I am taking working at a newspaper seriously but by virtue of the ultimate truth posted on the internets, I got scared because newspapers are apparently disappearing and the only way for a journalist to survive is to learn other crafts. I know some Final Cut Pro and some Sony Vegas and some Adobe Premiere after a long stretch of being a Wannabe Kurosawa. I'm over that phase now but some of the skills remain.

The narration is shits because I stutter when I'm in awkward positions and I've learned my English from reading books so I admit failing at speech. But what the hell! I've talked to people I don't know just to get a story and I have been hanged-up on a number of times for asking too much questions. I'm not going to back down now.

But internet be kind.

Try not to be emotional

So I've been working for a local newspaper  and it has been fun. Fun is actually referring to the busy-ness (not business, definitely) I get out of it and not the work itself.

For you to effectively know what I mean, here is a story.

Yesterday I was in a very public place but I still had my digital camera, mobile phone, voice recorder and all the essential things I call my journalism toolkit. My phone rang – an unknown number. When I said hi, a sad voice answered. I knew who it was.

A day earlier, I went to the OWWA (search it) regional office and talked about the death of an OFW from my locale in Abu Dhabi allegedly due to abuse from employer. 

I had on the phone the sister of a victim.

Do you know how it feels to have a loved one die on the other side of the world? Me neither. I was sweating, I was stuttering. Talking to someone who knows sadness that I have never even imagined is just so harrowing. You feel so insensitive and incapable. 

The woman on the phone was nice and accommodating. I have earlier introduced myself as a journalist based in their home city and I told her that a lot of the fellow Ilonggos of the victim are curious as to what will happen with the investigations.

She talked to me, answered my questions. She was brave. And then she told me they will fight and seek justice for the departed family member.

When the phone died, I did too.

As a journalist, you have to write a fact-ridden piece for hard news. For a long while, I didn't know why someone would have to read facts and create their own judgements. For a long while, I thought everyone should react the same way.

This world is a cruel thing to think about.

Makabayan coalation picket outside Comelec 6 (UPDATE)

A group of Makabayan party-list coalition grounded the street affronting Comelec regional offices in Iloilo City.

(Grab your copy of the News Today Libre now! And yes the paper is for free!)

Iloilo City – Members of the Makabayan Party Coalition picket the Comelec regional office after the verdict of the supreme court case filed against its members was scheduled to be released yesterday.

PISTON (Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide),and Kabataan, a youth-led party-list, are both in danger of disqualification over postering offenses.

The nationwide picket was organized by Makabayan groups across the nation as a protest over the unfair treatment of progressive groups.

According to the Makabayan website, PISTON tallied a single postering offense while Kabataan had 7. Satur Ocampo, Makabayan president, observes that pro-administration party-lists like Akbayan with 9 postering violations are left alone.

“The Comelec and Chairman Brillantes should not allow themselves to be used by the administration to harass and suppress the true voices of the marginalized in our society.”, Ocampo added.

Charmane Chin, regional spokesperson of Kabataan party-list, together with other members of the Makabayan party-list coalition, stood outside the Comelec 6 office along Washington St. waving banners that spelled “Comelec, Tuta ni PNOY” and “No To Yellow Comelec.”

“We took off the posters and we wrote a letter and submitted evidence however the Comelec pursued their disqualification case. The sad thing is we are not even part of the top violator list.” Chin said.

According to Chin, “Risa Hontiveros has 9 postering violation but the Comelec takes her case lightly because she is backed by the Malacañang.”

“They want progressive party-lists to have less seats. This is a clear use of the power of Aquino over the Comelec. In the disqualifications of PISTON and Kabataan comes less opposition for his administration. We are attacked because we make the most noise over national issues”, Chin concluded.

Atty. Renato Magbutay, election officer for the region, said all proceedings for the case "are high up" in the en banc court and regional directors aren't in on the problem.

Miss Dinagyang 2013 Victoria Oke: a conversation on empowerment, spirituality and excelling

  (Article first appeared on the April 10, 2013 (Wednesday) Issue of the Iloilo's The News Today Libre. )

Emily Victoria Oke, Miss Dinagyang 2013, sends me a worried message wondering why I’m running late for her interview. She explains humbly why she needs to finish on time. I couldn’t blame her. She is leaving early the next day for Manila to prepare for the Miss Aliwan 2013 pageant where she will be representing Iloilo and the Dinagyang Festival. When I finally see her in the airy exterior of a café in Plazuela, she didn’t look worried at all. In her pink dress, she looked dazzling. We haven’t seen each other for only a few months but I could already feel how much she has grown.

I’ve known Victoria for about ten years now. We were classmates in elementary and I would always see her rise above the rest. Apart from inborn intelligence, it was her diligence that set her apart. When we review together for quiz bees, it was her own desire to learn more that showed clearly, earning the respect and admiration of our teachers.

I tell Victoria that if she is more comfortable, she can speak in Hiligaynon for the interview but she immediately denies the offer. She would rather speak in English saying it will help her prepare for her upcoming pageant. I knew she was serious about getting ready for the event. This is something everyone should know about her: she takes every opportunity to prepare herself.

Curiously, I ask when she began to get interested in pageants. “I don’t really know when I decided to join pageants but I remember when I was a little girl, my brother joined a couple of man searches too. It was seeing a group of women parade with him on stage, seeing them so empowered that made me want to join pageants myself. We all know that before, women are regarded as second-class citizens. The pageants give women an opportunity to be seen as strong and powerful.”

Victoria is thankful that the Dinagyang Festival where she won her crown is just two months early of the Aliwan Festival. “The lessons I have learned are still fresh in me but I continue to prepare especially reading to expand my vocabulary in order to be ready for the competition.”

Victoria strikes a friendly pose after our interview.

Although Victoria doesn’t deny that stereotyping is still eminent in local pageants where the “lighter” candidates are commonly favored, she is sure that pageants are not just for what lies on the outside. “You always want people to say, ‘Oh she has an advocacy, she has substance, she is an empowered woman.’” Her coach Mr. Joury would always tell her that pageants are battlefields; “I must come in full gear to remember that every move is an opportunity for criticism.” Instead of fear, she uses this as reason to work harder.

Her biggest inspiration is her kind. It is, according to her, a responsibility to inspire other women. “I look up to Tyra Banks because she advocates empowering girls and women”. Her main goal is “women empowerment, for women to know their potentials and God’s perfect plan for them”. A modern woman for her is strong, and present achievements by women inspire her. “I would like for women to gain a common ground, a strong web of support, and the complete abolishment of discrimination.”

“God is the center of my universe. I am proud of this trait of mine where I raise all my victories to God.” She reads the Bible, and that’s why she knows that God loves her and she wants people to see her as a testimony of His love. When we were children, she would proudly declare how her mother kept a lock of her hair in the pages of the Bible. Superstition or otherwise, Victoria turned out to be as smart as she is faithful.

When I asked her how a pageant candidate can represent Iloilo, she confidently answered that Iloilo is her home and Iloilo is where she comes from. “Iloilo is my home, is my heritage and it is who I am.”  She also cites the importance of culture in progress. “Our culture plays a big part in our decisions.”

Unavoidably, the interview returns to a friendly chat and she laughs saying, “This is good. I get to practice my interview skills!” I oblige by asking her what questions she thinks they might ask in Aliwan and she volunteers current events. I ask her about the upcoming elections.

She voices her opinion well. “Any amount is far too less for selling the future.” Her zooming in on vote-buying lets me know that she relies on what is ahead. “Our future shouldn’t be for sale”; she values forward-thinking. When I asked her about the tensions in the two Koreas, she replied with a distilled opinion: “War is still war”.

Checking my time, I see I’ve been pushing my luck but she is calm.  “I am looking forward to Manila. I will be wearing designs by Miss Dinagyang 2013 Board Chairperson Alex Soncio. Mr. Soncio, my make-up artist Benjie Sevilla and handler Alberto Barros formed a team to help me handle the Aliwan Festival pageant. I hope for the best and I am confident that my team will do a great job seeing me through.”

A lot of people I have met have been talking about prospects of Binibining Pilipinas for her but Victoria replies “I will consider it in 2 or 3 years time. I want to see first if I have a fight in the prestigious competition and I will give myself some time to mature more.”

She leaves a message for the Ilonggo people:

“Thank you for your support. I’ve been receiving a lot of encouragement through SMS and messages on my Facebook. I have one more request, please offer prayers for me as I represent you in Aliwan. I’m happy that many people are proud of me and expect me to do my best because I do know that you deserve to shine in the national arena.”

I wanted to ask her if she was ready for the pageant but I saw her again, rising from her seat and asking me if we’re ready for the photos. She stands tall, commands power and respect. Her beauty isn’t like the ones you see everyday, it was the kind that allowed her wit to shine through. I knew she has always been ready. I take a few pictures and she tells me the laundry list of things she has to do before the first flight she has to catch the next day. I say goodbye and give a hug.

Victoria is the youngest of three, her mother is Filipina while her dad comes from Nigeria. When her father passed away in his home country late last year, Victoria told me that it wasn’t sadness that overcame her but contentment. Her dad loves her a lot, his health was in a decline and the passing didn’t take her by surprise. A part of her was happy that her dad was already with the Creator. Victoria’s faith is strong and she is as strong. Aside from great strength, she also has poise, beauty, intelligence, and wholesome confidence that never fail to rise above the rest.*

Boracay is still the best place to be with friends

For the trip that lasted over 4 days I was able to take about 20 pictures and most of them from the way to Boracay Island. I take a stupid amount of photos and they are the worst.

For the last few days of March, I went to Boracay with three friends from school. I don't even remember how many nights we stayed on the island because it was so fun with most of the nights I was walking around on the shore, half-unconscious from binging on kidney preservatives.

Why Boracay is the best place for barkadas:

1. It has alcohol. While nature purists might consider this stupidity, the whole island is basically one long bar counter. There is an unlimited supply of alcohol for what seems to be a segregated island and my friends are all literature majors so we like drinks. We talk about philosophy, the nature of literary history, our favorite writers and the concept of reality. However, unlike them, I gravitate more towards electronic music, dancing with strangers and making friends. After a deeply intelligent conversation, I reward myself by giving in to my animal instincts of awkward flailing around of limbs. 

My friend's dad brought along a boat and that was pretty cool.

2. It's built to be an illusion. We all believed that we were carefree and we can do whatever we wanted against the background of a wonderful blue shore, immaculate sand and the glorious sun. The foreigners with their strong features served as a bonus and we all knew we could do whatever we want. From eating cheap fried chicken to staying in the hotel room feasting on Coke and rhum on midday, it was alright. The illusion is plain and simple: nature is there to provide, our only responsibility was to do whatever we want.

Look at my photography skills! I don't even know what the point of this photo is!

3. If it's not family friendly, it's for barkadas. That must be a rule-of-thumb. When I say not family friendly, it is because I have seen adorable Asian babies get lost in the nocturnal crowd, half of which are drunk and noisy, and I didn't like it. Boracay might be for the kids in the morning but they must be kept during the dark until they turn 18 (or 13, you decide). I've been to Boracay a number of times, half of which with parents and the morning swims were all I could do. I missed more than half of the island experience for sure.

4. It's somehow safe. Although I have to share that on the first night I had to help a Swedish girl home because she was hammered (The next day she told me she was roofied when someone handed her a bottle of beer), Boracay is safe especially when you are around friends. I don't know if I was lucky enough to land on the kinder part of the island but everyone was so welcoming especially beginning midnight. During our last morning in Boracay, a drunk guy who sang so well offered to make scrambled eggs for me and my friends. It was, borrowing his almost unintelligeble words, "the best  *^#(&@ scrambled eggs  in the world".

Boracay is a good island and yes, during car rides with my parents, I stare up the sun and dream of backpacking alone to the island. But like all dreams they end. Boracay is worth it and it is at its best with good friends. You really do emerge as better friends once you get off the island (cheesy, definitely outside of the island vibe). Bye.

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Reason for not posting recently: working at a local newspaper trying to be professional and everything. Yay!