issue A CAREER-GUIDELINE MAGAZINEVOL 1 NO 1P10

contents

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05features

NEOFIGHTNew breeds of the media industry

trendsVIEWERSHIPDECODED15 What the audience wants to see in the industry

coverstory19 LESSONS FROM LUCENA

Discover the life of ISSUE’s man of the moment.

issued issue Issue is a career-guideline magazine dedicated for the Mass Com-munication students of the University of San Jose - Recoletos. It is a research output of the study “An Inoculation Theory Analysis on Selected Local TV Anchors: A Career-Guideline Magazine for the Mass Communication Students of USJ-R.” The magazine is intended to discover and assess the broadcast media industry, its people and the ways of getting inside it.

Through the articles of this magazine, the researchers would like to let the students know about the audience’s views and opinions on local media practitioners. These include their take on physical appearance controversies surrounding media practitioners, and public service. More-over, this magazine also travels through the personal experiences of newbies on the field.

Collectivelly, Issue is for students who want to make a scene, and a name in the broadcast industry, specifically, in Television. From cover to cover, Issue speaks for the underground young-bloods bound for mainstream goodness. The people behind ISSUE would like to thank everyone who has helped in making the thesis, and this output. Read with utmost sincerity and of open-mindedness.

EDITOR IN CHIEFBJORN TABANERACREATIVE DIRECTORPHILIP LAPINID IVPUBLISHING DIRECTORNESTLE SEMILLABUSINESS MANAGERMENERVA CAÑETE

ADVISERHARVEY INAHID

the staff

issue

about the cover

Clockwise starting from the top 1. The inter-view with Rico Lucena was done in Bigscreen Entertainment. 2. The cover that didn’t make it. The editors wanted the cover to look mysterious. 3. Nestle did the transcription for the interview.

On its maiden issue, ISSUE unfolds a story of man very noticeable in his field. In this set, he is the “man of the moment.” Rico Lucena, whose fame has never been imagined by his own think-ing, graces the first cover of ISSUE. We’re very proud to publish Rico in his “Rico” state, in spite of some challeng-es the team met along the way. Due to lack of time, the team wasn’t able to look for a studio. But, we found ourselves renting a room in Bigscreen Entertainment, a moviehouse with kinect rooms. The theme of the cover-story photoshoot was to project major stories in Rico’s life. As a result, the team had a literal projection of words associated

with ABS-CBN Cebu’s top reporter. Generally, the photoshoot was about Rico, his feats as a reporter and a media personality. The photos were captured by our creative director, Philip Lapinid IV. The no-holds-barred interview was undoubtedly pulled-off by our editor-in-chief, Bjorn Tabanera assisted by our Publishing Director, Nestle Semilla, and our Business Manager, Menerva Cañete. You have to see and read RIco in his relaxed persona. The team is more than happy to let you see this side of him not everyone knows. To Sir Rico, we thank you for everything. We are very pleased to publish this with you as our cover.

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letter from the editor

I cannot tell you exactly what freedom is, but I can try to tell you what freedom is not. Freedom is not believing what you believe in because you are presented with it is already there. It is not taking what is given to you because you are left with no choice. Maybe, just, maybe, freedom is questioning reality. Freedom is asking. It is searching for in-depth answers. For answers that lead to a much bigger issue; issues that we cannot neglect, issues that have to be dealt with.

Freedom is our quest for truth, and truth to many is not absolute.

Valued reader, what you have in your hands is a product of immortal labor. I say immortal be-cause we, the ISSUE team, have gone beyond our sanity and personhood to render only the

most accurate method of conveying to you the bigger picture of the local news industry and all it has to offer. In the perspective of the Inoculation Theory, it is our goal to educate you on how

the human mind perceives subjects of fame. Being the aspiring communication and media journalist that you are today, it is our intent for you to grow, and explore, and discover the es-sentials of what will be required of you in the near future. With tips and tidbits of advice from

the experts themselves, you’re sure to be a hit wonder yourself!

Friends, please bear in mind that the (30-page) publication you hold in your midst isn’t just compliance for another gruesome and tedious major subject. It is solid proof that once a vision is nurtured, it may turn into actuality. For ISSUE, it’s been a pathetic, depressing, gluttonous,

heart-wrenching, and joyous journey. We’ve had our ups, and of course, we’ve had our not-so-ups. Achieving what we have right now wasn’t easy. And now it is the start of yet another ex-

pedition. I am thankful for everyone who has supported us every step of the way. To the people who have never lost faith in our ability to serve, this one’s for you. In behalf of the entire ISSUE team, DAGHANG SALAMAT! As you continue to flip the pages, be reminded that this magazine is only for those who seek freedom, who seek to fulfill dreams and ambitions. Brace yourself,

it’s going to be a good ride.

BJORN TABANERAEditor

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1 Nestle, Philip, and Bjorn. 2 The group had snorkeling after pulling out an all-nighter. 3 Another thesis night at Bjorn’s. 4 Busy research-ers. 5 The group with their adviser Mr. Harvey Inahid and panelist Mr. Philip Mamugay. 6 The group during the proposal. 7 MC Research’s adviser, Mr. Harvey Inahid. 8 Swimming was one thing the group couldn’t afford to miss at Menerva’s.

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neofightsby Philip Lapinid IV and Bjorn TabaneraProduction Managers Nestle Semilla and Menerva CañetePhotographer Philip Lapinid IVLocale ABS-CBN Cebu Station and TV5 Cebu Studio

Two promising

and young

faces in the local

broadcasting scene take a

break from reporting, and

share the pages

of their stories.

Mean girls, althetic alpha-males, the silent types, and the back-row kinds. These are some of the groups we all belonged to when we were in high-school or college. We were one of these kinds of persons, before. But, in a class full of sub-cultures and notebooks, there is this one person who excels above the pack. You call him, at a whimsical note, the source of all the answers, or, on a serious tone, the academic elite. Joworski Alipon was one of these persons who made a cut. Joworski was a student leader in one of the organizations in college. And, he even graduated Summa Cum Laude. At that, Joworski has a lot on his plate. Even more when he was accepted by ABS-CBN Cebu as a field reporter right after graduation. Read on as ISSUE takes you to the mind of this neophyte in the media industry, his thoughts on public service, physical appearance on TV, and his passion.

P:How are you? J: I’m fine, relatively fine. A bit exhausted.P: When did you apply for the job?J: If I can remember it right, I think two weeks after my graduation, March 2010. I immediately applied because they were hiring reporters during that time. I was with Jun (Nalipay), so I was more confident to apply because it’s different when you have somebody with you rather than doing it alone. And, one more thing is, we had our internship during the last semester of college here in ABS-CBN. It was a plus factor for us, because we have been aquainted with the environment, even the job itself. And, it was during that time that I finally decided to become a reporter. Years before that, before entering college,I didn’t have any goal or direction that would tell me that this is what I really want after graduation.

JOWORSKI ALIPONFIELD REPORTER, ABS-CBN CEBU

I think it made me realize during the last semester how noble the job is and how dynamic it is . Something that I really wanted to do maybe and with careful deliberation and with the support of my family especially my mom kasi they will always have a big say in every decision that I make. So with their support, my mom told me that whatever you want they will always be behind me.P: What was your first report? How was it?J: Technically, my first report as a re-porter was in Talisay, the first time that I had gone on field alone kasi during my training days I was with the reporter. So, I think a month after the training I was given the trust to go out on field alone. I covered a flood incident in Talisay. It was fun and scary because although I had my prior knowledge about how to cover a certain news. But, it’s different when you do it on your own. I had a difficult time trying to locate for sources because I didn’t have my networking yet. I also had a difficult time in getting for an angle because I know during that time, there are a lot of reporters, even veteran reporters, who are doing their flash floods stories, its different. And, I considered myself as a neophyte during that time . But, I had this great help from my news desk, Vilma An-dales. I asked her told her about what I was trying to cover. It was an outlook because every day as a reporter you should have your own outlook. When you wake up in the morning you should think of a news which you would want to pursue, unless they will give you oth-er assignments. During that time when I was asked to go out on field, I imme-diately tried to reflect on my outlook. So, I had this story from Talisay. I heard it from somebody else so I grabbed the opportunity and lobbied the story to our news desk and she approved of it. Thats why we went to Talisay during that time .Fortunately, it was aired a day afterP: How are the people here in the station and in your workplace?

J: I would that in the first few months it was a little inconvenient for me because the people whom we have been work-ing here those people who are already experienced. But, I think it helped me a lot when I was joined with Jun and his company because whenever I have my own sentiments, we would share those sentiments together. I don’t feel that I’m isolated because I have somebody with me. When June resigned months ago ,just this year, it was a turning point for me because I began telling myself that I had to do this on my own. I have to become more independent and more mature in every decision because when Jun was here, we tried to share every sentiment and decision together. What-ever is the consensus of one will be the decision of the other. But this time I have to do it on my own, Jun told me that it is going to be different this time. One good thing is yung mga reporter they will let you feel that we are Kapam-ilya’s here. They made me feel like I am part of their family for the longest time. It was not that difficult because they’re good, kind and generous in terms of sharing information and sources. It is a matter on when to be serious and when to have a great time with them.P: What was your most embarrass-ing moment while on the field?J: I do have a lot when I ask an inter-viewee but when I ask him a question he told me that, indirectly telling me that did you research for this and in front of many practitioners as well. Wow it was a question na parang infront of media practitioners who know a lot about that information then I ask that question.So parang embarrassing because I was supposed to research on that, I was supposed to know that already. That’s when I started to learned the art of questioning even if it is pretty much obvious already a lot know already pero you must ask it in a way which is very subtle in a way that they will still be able to give you the answer.Because as a reporter you have to act like you know but then you don’t know everything parang ganun, your not only potent, omniscient so you have to find

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“As a reporter, you should have your own outlook. When you wake up in the morning, you should think of a news which you would want to pursue.”

a way that you will be able to get the answer most specially very crucial details in a way that they will still give you that. They are certain stories which actually happen before I became a reporter like katong kang ecleo the crime happen I think when I was high school pa nun. When I was assigned on the court on Ecleo’s hearing I don’t have anything on my mind so the value of each is actually research you have a lot of sources the internet, people who knows best the media practitioners with you, who have been following that you have to make friend with them specially the print they know a lot and also those veterans and there’s no harm in asking questions..P: What are the challenges as a new reporter?J: You have to prove that you deserve

it. We are pressured to deliver our news everyday but along side with that we are also pressured to present way ahead than the other network so with that added the pressure the greatest challenge there is how fresh as you can be. They bank on you as a new reporter because they thought you have that certain kind of creativity. Improv-ing yourself is not an overnight process maybe you need to do it in your entire life because as you go on field you must be better than yesterday.P: Is there an edge if you graduated with honors?J: The first time they will look is your resume, curriculum vitae and you have to sell yourself to the company that’s basically the meat of it.

“Improving yourself is not

an overnight process. Maybe

you need to do it in your

entire life because as

you go on field you must be

better than yesterday.

”

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Initially theere might be an edge be-cause it is so hard to look for a reporter you are train hard kasi abs-cbn wants yung less effort in training a particular reporter. Everything will go back to zero the honor of being a suma cumlaude will be back into zero you just have to strive for excellence.What do the Masscom students need in order to enter the broadcast industry?okay. first they have to check their heart. where is their passion. i mean it would really very difficult for them to last long, to survive in this industry if you dont have that passion.knowing all the pressures, knowing all the restrictions, knowing that you could have more than 8 hours everyday of working. sometimes you dont have sleep and all the sacrifices you have to make. second is they basically to accept all these consequences. if they have the passion already, ask themselves“Am I fitting enough to actually survive and accept all the consequences?” “it may sacrifice my timefor family, it may sacrifice my time for

my friends, it may sacrifice my personal life.” if you could see that there are a lot of reporters who are not married or still single as of this moment basically they have their priority, their vocation. We dont consider this as a job but its a vo-cation.kasi you spent more than maybe siguro more than 8 hours everyday or almost 24 hours everyday just be able to finish your deliverables and some-times its extending to that. parang there are still a lot of things to doyung parang nakakalimutan mo na, na “ay! may buhay pa pala ako!” or something like that. third is they have to be trustworthy enough. if you are a reporter you must be a person who is actually full of integrity in you. kasi its hard to sustain your reputation. very dif-ficult to build a trust so easy to break a trust. once that the trust will be broken then consider your career as done. and fourth you must look into the con-sideration also, that this is not really a financial rewarding job,although we are getting more than enough no sa amin dito specially in the local scene. nation-aly they really get the higher paidpero if you want to be a millionaire this is not the job for you.

Your advice for Masscom students who aspire to be like you. Before they would decide to become reporters they should ask themselves thousands or maybe million times its a matter of prudency, it’s a matter of making crucial decision of your life from one chapter to the other. You know too well that it’s totally different when you are exposed in the field while you are a student compared to being exposed on the field on the real side of the coin. Alam mo na na mas mabigat yung responsibility mo once when you are a reporter. You have to understand pretty well that the industry is in need of com-petent journalists. When you knowto yourself that you are one of them then there will be no one who can block you from doing it. This is one of the jobs that pay you from the adventures you do. Just like whats happening here. We are assigned in Dumagute, Bohol, Siquijor. So basically na ikot ko na ang buong central visayas. All these things parang package na eh. The pros and cons of being a journalist. So yun lang know the pros and cons. Again ill go back. know where your heart is, it really matters.

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DENNIS TANOCNEWS ANCHOR - FIELD REPORTER, TV5 CEBU

They say you usually take a lot of u-turns and detours before you finally acquire you’re lifelong dream. Ask Dennis Tanoc. He knows all about that. Like any other decent, hardworking individual in society, he started out as a behind-the-scenes-guy before landing the news-anchor stint he has now. Dennis is a lot of things to a lot of people he’s come in contact with. But right now, it is very safe to con-clude that more than anything else, he is an inspiration. As ISSUE is privileged to have placed him in the hotseat, the readers are invited to delve into the personal accounts, the humble beginnings, and the actualization of a dream come true. TV5’s local ce-lebrity tells everything. His secrets, his pieces of advice, and his opin-ions on the things that matter. Be stimulated as Dennis enlightens you and sheds some light on informa-tion that may come in very handy in an industry that demands for much. Are you ready?

How are you sir?D: Ok langWhen did you apply?D: March 2011What was your first report?D: Actually I was hired as a desk as-sistant not a reporter, not anchor but when we started last june 2011 27, when we launched action alerto I was choosen to anchor, that was the first time sad I begin a reporter an there someone nga ni resigned mao gepuli ko my first report was patay kay I was assigned graveyard man 7 to 3 so mostly ana nga time kasagaran ana mga crimes.Where you an achiever back in high school and college?D: Actually not that consistent kay mu-rag mu shine ko or mu achieve ko last na semester during high school after graduation or after the school year it’s either naa ko sa top 7 or 8 mostly more on extracurricular man gud ko more on perform or behind the scene

murag average lang ko ba AB Mascom ko san jose.Did you ever think of being the per-son you are right now?Dennis : Actually yes,during our high school diba naa may mga acting’acting I usually perform newscast kang mga production kung wan ay lain akoy muda sa Filipino, English mga newscast What was your most embarrassing moment as a reporter, Sir?Dennis : last December 25 last year kay wako mag expect nga nag allergy na d.i ko hair dye the first the, ay no 2nd nga nagpa hair dye ko was December 13 before nasunog ang gaisano south on going until December 25 I didn’t know nga allergy na d.i ko wako mag expext nga muburot akong nawong , ni hiwi na d.i to nahibong ang fellow reporter ato nga time pero akong feel-ing ato nga time mura kog kahilantanon then murag itchy jud akong paminaw na trigger og maayo katong na expose ko sa sunog, aso, particles nia fireworks pa kay nag cover man mi ato sa pasko wako magdahum nga ingon ato ang mahitabo tungod rato sa hair dye.What is the feeling of being a neo-phyte in the broadcast industry?actually dili ko makaingon nga neophyte though neophyte ko sa news kay I started as production in GMA 2008 niya for 8 months ko didto then I resigned niadto kog Singapore for work produc-tion gehapon ko didto for 1month I was a cameraman for a fashionTV after 1 month kay wala na koy kwarta I started to look job here in cebu niya gikuha ko balik sa GMA niya murag dili naman ko ganahan kay I started as PA researcher then ni offer man ang sugbo TV sa cap-itol then I applied dawat ko. I stay there for 2 years and a half before I started here in TV5 as a neophyte kuyaw, kulba di jud malikayan unsay mg age expect sa mga tao ba or unsay reaction then maghuna-huna jud ka sa mga tao. at first kulba jud pero e hinay-hinay imo self e use then concentrate lang jud then dili nimo e mind Is the competition tight?hmm wala ko maghuna-huna og com-petiton.

what was your celebrity moment?wala paku ana nga stage siguro katong sa tarlac somewhere in doljo Fatima ang mga tao didto I didn’t expect nga hala si kuan, wako mag expect nga ngun ana ba niya di man gud ko anad og ingon ana then wala sad nako ge-pangandoy nga mag celebrity2. Since our thesis is about an inocu-lation theory on selected local TV anchors:Does physical appearance matter Sir? One of the factors, siguro total package siguro kay actually ge audition man miDo controversies play an important role in your audience?as much as possible likayan ang con-troversies kay sure mu affect man jud na siya How about Public Service?Maybe the station during in our field as much as possible nay mga reklamo then we excerpt mubadlong pud mi bas a among work public service na siya because at the same time di raman ka mukuha og balita you need to educate them man sad katong mga tao nga nagkinahanglan og education. Do you think Public Service affects your viewership?siguro ingon ana nga way pero sa akong mind ron siguro work lang then trying to change maybe the world ginagmay lang at least man lang makat on sila sa kinabuhi Can you give pieces of advice to Masscom students?believe in your DREAMS. then step by step you will get there. hinayhinay lang ako gani pag high school gana-han ko noli de castro mas ganahan ko nga someone there nga akoy naglihok mao ni siya pero usahay di man nimo ma achieve so ikaw nalang then stay humble and believe in your dreams then ayaw kawad e og paglaom kay diba naa man tay plan a and plan b kungdi nimo makuha imo gusto naa pamay plan b, wa gae ko mag expext nga makuha ni nako though dream ni nako sauna.

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What should a Masscom student who aspires to be a reporter pos-sess?personality then the right attitude the way you handle yourself. Basta imong attitude mo matter jud siya kay bisag unsa paka ka mayo diha kung bati kag batasan it reflects. good attitude sa work sa people

“Imong attitude mo-matter jud siya kay bisag unsa paka ka maayo diha kung bati kag batasan, it reflects.”

issue feature

“Believe in your dreams. Then, step by

step, you will

get there”

viewershipDECODED

Does physical appearance matter if you want to apply for a spot on TV news reporting or anchoring? What if you’ll get a low audience-view turnout after

having a controversy? These questions puzzled the students inside us. But, we discovered what the audience wants to see on TV, their take on the

controversies that scare the media, and if they watch these personalities more because of public service.

You are a Mass Communica-tion student. You may have a family here in the metro, or in the outskirts of a province. Math scares you a lot. Well, for the most part of it. In a class, when you’re together with fellow Masscom students, you know what the result is either a noisy bunch, or a silent group because of too much editing,shooting and writing last night. Yes, this is how Mass Communication works.

Whether you deny it or not, there is a tiny soul inside you that says “I want to be seen on TV.” We all want to be seen, heard, and praised on the television, right? It is a dream that ev-eryone wants but only a few can enter. After graduation you want to apply for a job on TV as a field reporter. What do you really need? Do you have to be handsome to get the job? What if your past will be brought up and

everyone will make a fiasco out of it? Do I have to be advocacy-oriented?Don’t fret! This article will help you, in a lot of ways. The group gathered three respondents with different backgrounds and profiles. They carefully interviewed them about their views on local TV Anchors in terms of physical appearance, controversies encountered, and public service.

issue trends

DECODEDDECODED

who were the respondents?

issue trends

The assignments editor of one of the leading local newspaper firms in Cebu.

the editor

the faculty president

the student leaderThe president of a university’s student council.

The president of a faculty association in a university.

the youth columnist

the watch guard

One of the youngest columnists in a local daily of Cebu.

A security guard who works for a big company in downtown Cebu.

who were the subjects?

Pablito Galeza Nalzaro, better known as Bobby Nalzaro, was born on the 31st of August in the year 1963. Mr. Nalzaro studied college at Ateneo De Zamboanga University and is a graduate of Mass Communication. Pres-ently, he is a tri-media personality in the land of Cebu, as he both broadcasts as a TV anchor and a radio commentator. Consequently, he also writes for local paper. As of 2005, he has garnered 22 libel cases. Still, the TV icon proves to be very unshakeable as it his 32nd year this year, 2012, to his career in the local news industry.

Leo Andanar Lastimosa started his broadcast career in 1984 with DYLA AM. He was a campus reporter while studying Political Science in the University of San Jose – Recoletos. He is now a local TV Anchor of TV Patrol Cenral Visayas and the host of his own show Arangkada, which is aired in DYAB. Leo is also the host of the new public-service and commentary show Tubag on ABS-CBN Cebu.He also writes columns for Banat News, and The Freeman. He believes that another way of helping the pub-lic is through giving out information on current affairs and issues.

Bobby Nalzaro Leo Lastimosa

issue trends

what were the results?

evaluation in terms of:+physical appearance

+public service +controversies

theeditor

The editor is frank and direct. Upon given the question on the subjects, he states quickly that he finds Leo to be better styled than Bobby; and that Bobby should start wearing two button suits to better suit his physique. When it comes to visual appearance, for the editor, Leo is of better advantage. In terms of age and charity work, the editor believes that these factors do not deviate in anyway his viewpoint on the subjects. He believes that it is possible for one to be young yet extremely competent, therefore credibility and accuracy alone does not hinge solely on age. Charity on the other hand is said to be generated by the news network and not exactly by the anchors themselves. When controversies were brought up, he mentioned that despite the numerous negative issues that are associated to these broadcasters, it does not alter how he views the subjects because things like these are part of their profession. According to the editor, as long as it is the issues that are being hit and not particularly the personality, then that’s fine. More than anything else, the editor believes that is the credibility of a broadcaster that keeps these people on their positions.

thestudent leader

The student leader first states that the subjects have aged tremendously compared to how she first re-members them when she was young. When asked about what she thought when it came to the contro-versies encountered she felt that it was normal and that as long as they continue to fight for what’s right,

than that should be considered commendable as opposed to not following them anymore because of off-putting issues. Charity, on the other hand, is something they do for compliance, according to the stu-dent leader. When asked if there was anything she felt like they needed to improve on, delivery is all what she mentioned. She also stated that if there is anything she looks for in broadcasters, it’s that the delivery of news has to be fair and equal and that even though it may seem shallow, physical appearance should

also be invested on.

thefaculty

president

Of all the respondents, it is only the faculty president who has praised Bobby on a physical level compared to Leo. He comments that Bobby has good skin and is more visually appealing. Charity-wise, he mentions that Bobby is genuinely generous on a personal level but notes tht this should not affect how a person views news broadcasters. When asked if the faculty president knew any of their controversies, he fixated his comments on both of their sexuality saying that there have been rumors of Bobby being a womanizer and Leo being a homosexual. However, he quips that these are only rumors and have no founded bases. He also stated that these should not affect how one views broadcasters as these happen within their private lives and are not directly associate to how they execute their profession. The faculty president also feels that their credibility is not solely dependent on rumors. Age-wise, he feels that this does not directly contribute as to how an audience member should see them.

theyouthcolumnist

In terms of the physical aspect, the youth columnist believes that Leo is more credible because of his stance and his speaking style. On the other hand the youth columnist feels that Bobby should lose a

little bit of weight for him to be more convincing. She did note however that Leo is starting to ut on a lot of wrinkles. When age was brought up, the columnist feels that age is not that much of a factor because she hinges her perspective on these broadcasters on intellect. When the controversies were discussed,

she mentions that she is not aware of any issue faced by Bobby but has heard of Leo’s issue with the governor. That being said, she remains an unwavering follower of Leo despite knowing his controversy.

She believes that occurrences such as these are only a part of the jobs technicality. Charity on the other hand, does not affect ho news is being delivered. Therefore, it should not interfere as to how on looks at

an anchor, according to the youth columnist.

thewatchguard

The watch guard claims that he is a frequent audience of the two subjects. When asked about what he thought about the subjects’ physical appearance, he first pointed out that Leo is slim-mer than Bobby, but Bobby is better skinned than Leo. His comments on charity work however did not really hint any change of perspective. The watch guard believes that these charities are actually from the news networks and not from themselves personally. When controversies were brought up, he mentioned that he found it brave how these broadcasters actually face libel issues. He mentions that in this pursuit, they are fighting for truth. Age-wise, he believes that the older one is, the more credible one is likely to become. Things that Bobby and Leo should improve on, according to him, are delivery and commenting styles. He feels that even though they are already pillars in the local media scene, there are still a lot ways to deliver tactfully what they think on politics.

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L E S S O N SF R O M

L U C E N A

issuecoverstory

by Bjorn Tabanera production managers Nestle Semilla and Menerva Cañete photographer and creative director Philip Lapinid IV locale Bigscreen Entertainment

ISSUE’s cover star has got his head in the game and from all the visible signs, there are no hints

of his career backing down.

issuecoverstory

issuecoverstory

Without any trace of holding back, he answered, “working for the media isn’t just a profession, it’s more of answering a call.” Big-time news reporter and TV personality, Mr. Rico Lucena, responded with firm con-viction yet with subtle vulnerability when asked about his profession. He quipped that, more than anything else, being a news reporter may be a vocation more than it is a profession, as the fulfillment of giving ser-vice to the public is beyond that of financial exchange. Of course, having worked in a competitive, cutthroat industry for more than a decade now, one can tell only so many tales and values one has experienced and acquired throughout such a vibrant journey.

But before becoming the influential man he is right now, Rico modestly relayed to ISSUE how it all start-ed. “I was absorbed after graduation. I was an intern at A.B.S. I finished my (required) 200 hrs. of duty there. After I complied with everything, they told me I could stay. They said that I was still very much wel-come. I went on for about an extra 3 to 4 months (of duty for ABS-CBN) without that being credited to my (On-the-job-training). I did it more for my experience. I valued it.” As the interview progressed, the main man continued to story-tell how his career blossomed. When asked about why he was so passionate about the network he so lovingly works for right now, he had this to say, “When I was in high school I really loved ABS-CBN. For me, there was no other company that would satisfy and fulfill my career in broadcast journal-ism. I watched the former anchors of ABS-CBN on TV, specifically Dante Luzon and Rosemarie Borro-meo, and (I told myself) that someday I will be just like them.“

With so much sincerity, Mr. Lucena also told ISSUE that he used a lot positive visualization when he was still an aspiring media man. True enough, every-thing—his dreams, his ambitions, his plans, and his goals—worked out very well. And as of this writing, our cover-star is at the very beautiful land of Rome in Italy, covering yet another one of the many events set out for him.

In an industry so hard to last and survive in, Mr. Lucena makes it appear like it’s as easy as count-ing sheep. This reality is credited to the fact that he takes pleasure in what he is doing, “I enjoy the job. I’m fulfilled with my job and I never get bored with it.” But contrary to Rico’s unwavering passion for his craft, not everybody lasts very long; not everybody who gets the chance to experience being a broadcast journalist actually chooses to nurture and hone this type of job until the end.

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“Today’s youth, or should I say, the young graduates are more idealistic than ambitious or goal-getters. Instead of finding a career they really like or find po-tential in, or even set goals, they pattern it to whatever is ideal to their friends. But I still believe that there are young people who have potential and choose to stay in the industry (longer, if not for good).”

The drive to excel and commit to the craft is some-thing evident in the career of our main man. Longev-ity is one of his many remarkable traits. In the world of broadcast media where it is most probable to be likened to a jungle of disruptive beasts, survival is obviously of the essence. Something Rico Lucena has learned to master. “The only thing that will make you survive is when you are sure that this is your calling, and that this is your vocation.” Rico Lucena points out that it is the fulfillment of public service he is able to render that ultimately rises above the satisfaction of monetary compensation.

Compared to other media organizations and entities outside Cebu, Rico also stresses that the queen city of the south has a more united media force. “I believe that this is the only part of the country where Press Freedom week and (Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas) month is celebrated, and by doing this, we

we go together, jive together (with other media entities) despite the differences and the competition.”

With everything Lucena has been blessed to conquer, achieve, and prove for himself, it is safe to say that he has learned the ropes and mastered the tricks in and around the game of the business. From how reporters are expected to behave to how reporters are pro-jected to look like. “Of course, a reporter has to look good and presentable. We don’t want to deprive what the people are supposed to see. Let’s also not forget the fact that in the Philippines, we have this particu-lar belief that, if you’re seen on TV, you have to look good. (On the other hand,) I would like to believe that we’re starting to break free from the belief that only good-looking people can be seen on TV.” Mr. Lucena also supported his previous statements by saying that there are people in the news industry now who aren’t particularly good-looking but have landed jobs that position them to appear on TV, which he exclaims and considers as a breakthrough in cultural norms.

The local celebrity also adds that for as long as the reporter in his physical flesh isn’t considered the main message and that the story in which a reporter exists to relay is the main subject, then that shouldn’t be a problem.

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“The only thing that will make you survive is when you are sure that this

is your calling, and that this is your vocation.”

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Having said this, one may ask, what then may possibly be considered an external problem for broadcast journalists? Just like any other individual who appears on TV, is-sues about reputation and public image may cause a stir. “We (endow ourselves) a conscious effort for us to know and choose what is right so that our integrity and credibility will not be compromised.” The local TV reporter used the example of being brought to a street of bars and clubs. He mentions that when in a situation like that, he knows where to position himself and how to behave. “I can just sit down and drink with my friends. That would be okay. But then if I start to dance (like crazy) and people would start to recognize me, then I’d rather go home and sleep.” When asked if there was any rumor or controversy he has been heftily worried about, he calmly responded that there isn’t anything he could think of.

r. Lucena knows what he’s doing. If there is anything the aspiring media-practitioner and the ordinary Juan needs to learn from him, it’s that perseverance isn’t just a virtue. By being an example, he verifies that perseverance is a constant commit-ment to bettering one’s expertise. Rico Parilla Lucena wasn’t an over-night success, nor was he suddenly the best in his contemporaries in an instant. It took time; and in that time—over the course of running after what he believed is one of the most vital factors in the essence of his being, he worked his way up, focused and determined. ISSUE’s cover star has got his head in the game and from all the vis-ible signs, there are no hints of his career backing down.

“I can just sit down and drink with my friends. That would be okay. But then if I start to dance (like crazy) and people would start to recognize me, then I’d rather go home and sleep.”

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