I’ve been not so active lately due to some major changes that came into my life. It was like everyday, there’s something new happening. But late me share what are these happy changes…

Finally, I was able to finish my degree on the 10th of June! Imagine, after 14 years! Yeah you’ve read it right, fourteen years!

 

Okay, here’s a back story… I was supposed to graduate on 2002 but fate didn’t let me…I failed to finish my thesis due to some reasons which led my interest not to attend my other minor subjects…You know the importance of thesis as it serves as the “key” for a senior student to pass and eventually graduate…when I told my parents the sad news, of course they are very heartbroken and we don’t know what to do…I am very ashamed not only to myself but for my parents who strived so hard in order for me to finish…My main concern was on how will I be able to find a good job if I didn’t have the degree and tagged as “undergrad”.. But you know what, God made a great move and introduced me to one of the best Directors in the TV industry – Direk Ding Bolanos. He was a cousin of my father’s boss. Direk was the one who opened the doors for me in this industry. So I started as production assistant for Wow Mali and the rest was history as they say.. I had the chance to work with the respected artist and people behind the camera and eventually gained significant experience wherein I was able to do all formats from comedy, lifestyle magazine, live airing, reality shows and got involved on big international projects.. 

As years went by, I always get the feeling of emptiness despite the success I have.. I can be categorize myself as professional but there’s something missing..It would always come to my mind “what if I continue my studies, I just need to finish 4 subjects”.. So my second attempt was in 2009, I enrolled but didn’t reach midterms because I had to drop all my subjects due to my tv show projects..I had three shows and I could no longer manage my schedule to go to school since I’m always busy doing oculars, tapings, etc.. So I focused on my career because it’s really doing great! 

Until last year, on the month of June something happened. I was relieved from our show and this was the very first time because we are used to our shows finish at one or two season but there’s always a replacement.. This time, there’s an ongoing show but I will not be a part of its 3rd season due to a very unreasonable recommendation coming from someone who possessed an undeserving power and position..I can still remember what she said — “The new executive producer has brought her associate producer to the show”.. Those were the exact words! So I will be replaced just because of that? What about the love, efforts, hardworks I had done to the show in the past two seasons??? Of course I asked for valid technical and professional reasons but all that person said were not credible, no basis and one thing was very sure, this person was power tripping! How can you be credible if you’re not the one who mounted the show from the very start? That person was just lucky enough because of the higher position gained through friendship! I am very depressed emotionally, I can’t sleep, I’m stressed and I cried a lot! I lost my self esteem and confidence. I looked into myself as unworthy of the experiences I had for almost 13 years! I started questioning my capabilities and asked “Are my experience really not enough?” “Should I not be labeled as Producer”? “Are the years were just nothing, scrap?

Despite the hardships I’m going through, slowly I accepted the situation and started to adjust. Spent each day taking care of my kids, cleaning our house and reading books..This was the longest break I’ve had in my entire career and I’m not used to it.. So, I decided to go back to school but this time, I’m very eager to finish this. Maybe this will be the right time and will be my priority..

I enrolled 2 subjects for the first semester so that I will still have a flexible schedule if ever projects will come. I did freelance production jobs for an advertising company and some events. Until I got a call from my previous Boss and offered me to go back to the tv show. Without any hesitation, I accepted the offer because that proved something — I had importance and value to the show and gained back my dignity. I’m back on my track doing tapings and felt the warm acceptance of our hosts and staff.. 

But as promised, I won’t let the job affect my studies. Eventually, I finished the first semester and enrolled again for the 2nd which will be the last semester I would be.. 

Here’s the funny side of my back to school journey. I’m the oldest in our class. Haha! All the kids call me Ate. I call my professors “Ma’am and they also do the same.. I experienced graded resitations, reporting, quizzes, doing homeworks, exams, etc.. It feels great to be doing these things again.. Would you believe I’m the second highest on my Nihongo class? I remembered back when I won’t choose Nihongo for my foreign language elective. But it’s very interesting pala! Konnichiwa! I want to travel to Japan and know more about their culture! The other subject I would also ignore during my younger days was Political Science because of the articles and laws. But then again, surprisingly I loved it! 

We got three revisions on the degree paper so it felt like a flashback dilemma! I did the third revision of Chapters 4 & 5 which contains data analysis and interpretation during my preprod for an out of town shoot for a commercial, so imagine the pressure and stress level! Thank God we made it right and passed! And not to mention, I did my review for our finals on Political Science when I got back home from 2 days shoot in Baler, Aurora! I only slept during travel! Whew!

After all the hardships, tears and years of pursuing finally the day has come for my graduation! When I saw my name on the official list, I can’t explain the feeling! I’m already crying during our rehearsals! Haha! But the actual day’s feeling was full of mixed emotions! The level of fulfillment was unexplainable! The moment I entered PICC, that was already a proud moment and walking on that stage was extremely fulfilling! My parents, husband and kids were so proud and happy! This could’ve been the same moment on 2002 but that day was a total completion of my ambition! It’s never too late to reach for your dream! 

This is the story of my sweet victory! It took a really long, bitter-sweet, challenging but worthy journey! Made possible by Father God Almighty!

Jing, The Mommy Raketera