My Journalistic and Broadcasting Stints

CLSU Collegian was a big part of my college life. I took writing very seriously that it had taken a toll on my academic studies.  I remember missing some exams, quizzes and project deadlines because I was at the printing press in Cabanatuan proof-reading so that the newspaper could be printed on time to beat the circulation date.  My social life was also sidelined while prioritizing my Collegian responsibilities. In my five-year residence at CLSU, I don’t remember attending any of the social nights and dance parties organized by men’s and women’s dormitories.  I used my potential party time for writing or editing articles.  I enjoyed the silence in the dorm when all the other guys were away partying!  My only involvement in the social gatherings would be assigning a staff member to cover the events for a news release. “I think you’re in the wrong place”, teased a friend who observed my dedication to the student newspaper. “You should have pursued journalism in Manila”, he added.

I liked what I was doing.  I found great satisfaction expressing myself in written and printed words.  I worked my way up the Collegian editorial rank every year.  I started as a contributing staff, then feature editor, associate editor and finally two term editor-in-chief.

Dr. Gem Soriano, the Faculty Advisor of the Collegian played a major role in my journalistic endeavor.  He did not only share with me the rudiments of journalism, he also taught me valuable life lessons.  I remember him seating me in his office one day when we were having some deadline issues.  Commenting on the staff’s perennial delay in putting together the publication, he had a rather strong message about the problem. In essence I remember  him saying: “It doesn’t matter how good your newspaper is, what matters is how timely you can release it to your readers.  Old news is no longer news. Procrastination has no place in the newspaper business.”  The grain of salt I gathered from that preaching proved to be very valuable  in my own personal life.  The lesson learned has been instilled in me until now!  Thank you Dr. Soriano—that was one “Gem” of a lesson Sir!!!!  Ms. Nancy Rayos who joined the Collegian during my last term complemented my creative writing skill. She deserved my long overdue gratitude for her patience and care. Ms. Rayos, thank you Ma’am. She cared that the student writers not only excelled in what they did in student publication but also in their academic pursuits.

Although  our Collegian advisors emphasized responsible journalism, they did not interfere with our freedom of expression.  As far as I was concerned,  I wrote my heart out and expressed my beliefs and conviction without restraint.  The CLSU Collegian during my term was able to publish contentious ideologies without undue censorship.My journalistic involvement gave me a good deal of training outside the classroom. The many workshops, conferences, seminars and conventions helped challenge my thinking and hone my writing skills. They widened my horizons. I traveled far and near, met and interacted with like-minded students, and became aware of social, political and economic issues.  I was once elected as Vice President of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines on the national level.  I also won first place in United Nations sponsored essay writing contest.  The article was published in the maiden issue of GENRE–edited by my SENSE brother- the prolific writer Nicanor Soliman.My journalistic engagement had taken another level when I was invited by Mr. Gerry Domingo to write a regular column in his province-wide publication, The Nueva Ecija News Profile.  This led to my radio stint.  Ms. Jenny Santa Maria, station manager of DWAR Radio in Cabanatuan City, sought for me upon reading my articles.  I was invited to her office and inquired if I would be interested working as a radio commentator/announcer. “I read your articles in CLSU Collegian and I follow your column in NE News Profile. Can you TALK the way you WRITE?”, she asked. “Yes Ma’m, I like to talk and I like to write”, I eagerly replied. She then gave me some topics to talk about and before I knew it, I was hired.  That was during my last semester at CLSU when I had fewer academic loads.

I had fun in radio. The  early morning talk show was aired  from 5AM to 8AM.  It
included news and commentaries on various issues interspersed with music. It didn’t pay much but there were a lot of perks which included free copies of music recordings–single and LPs–movie passes and restaurant vouchers usually given free by the program advertisers. Not to mention the recognition and a level of fame inherent to media people.

What a great surprise it was,  when one day a jeep-load of young people–mostly young girls and their mothers–visited me unannounced at the radio station. They even had a hand-printed poster that said “Gil Valenzuela Fans Club”.  Their leader, one of the mothers I suppose, came inside the studio. The radio technician signaled me to get out of the radio booth and meet our guests during a commercial break.  “Nandito po ba si Kuya Gil?” (Is big brother Gil around?), she inquired.  I must admit that I was caught flat-footed.  I was in my PJs and my long thick hair was unkempt. We did that in radio, especially the ones who had early morning shows.  After all, no one saw us because  we were just inside the radio booth babbling. “Sandali lang po.” (Just a moment  please.), I answered.  I instructed the radio technician to play music while I was away.  I rushed to my sleeping quarter, quickly changed, combed my hair, and sprayed some cologne.  “Kumusta po kayo, ako si Gil Valenzuela”.  (How are you?  I’m Gil Valenzuela), I said  when I came back.  The lady was visibly surprised.  “Ha? kayo pala….akala ko…..” (What? so it’s you……I thought…..) She did not finish her sentence.  She covered her mouth with her hand while talking and laughing.  I did not take any offense, instead I joked and finished her sentence.  “Akala ko……tall dark and handsome si Gil Valenzuela…. noon pala bansot na pangit pa.”  (I thought….Gil Valenzuela is tall, dark and handsome….I didn’t know that he is short and kind of ugly….) She quickly replied, “Hindi naman… Pogi nga kayo eh.” (Oh no! Not at all….actually you’re handsome.) And we both laughed.  When  I saw all the other girls outside with their poster,  I had an idea why they were in the studio. I needed to go back to the radio booth, so I invited the lady inside and did an impromptu interview to everyone’s delight, especially when my alter ego Bitoy batted into our conversation. Bitoy was a young boy, a character I made up to help me engage in conversations.  It aided me to fill up a four-hour talk show. According to my guests, it was Bitoy and my nightly music program that enamored me to the young girls who called me Kuya Gil.   After my program, we all gathered for a picnic under the shade of the mango tree in the radio station grounds and enjoyed the food they brought.  The girls sang “G-I-L the one that we love” to the tune of Air Supply’s hit song  “Here I Am”. Before they left, I managed to pull some strings and surprised them with passes for Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion movie.

“Your morning program is getting very good ratings,” announced my station manager. “We’re getting more advertisers as a result. Keep up the good work.” She then handed me an envelope. That was my very first bonus working as a professional broadcaster.

I was doing radio concurrent with Collegian and News Profile. As I progressed in mass media, I was becoming more and more militant in both writing and broadcasting.  Once I had a radio assignment to cover an event in Palayan City. I was wearing a press vest and a name tag for easy access to the venue when a member of the Philippine Constabulary (PC) approached me.  After introducing himself and mentioning that he was an avid listener of my radio program and reader of my column writing, he gave me friendly advice. “Payo ko lang  sa ‘yo mag-iingat ka sa isinusulat at sinasabi mo” (My advice is for you to be careful about what you’re writing and what you’re saying).  He gave me a firm handshake and left.  This encounter became clear to me when one of my friends came to meet me at church and gave me a warning. “Gil, mag-iingat ka nabasa ko ang pangalan mo sa surveillance list ng Philippine Constabulary”(Gil, be careful, I read your name on a surveillance list of the Philippine Constabulary).  “Please don’t tell my mother,” I pleaded.  “Naku, nasabi  ko na” (Oh, I told her already), he said. Mother was very distraught when she heard the news.  Crying, she pleaded to me to stop my radio and newspaper involvements. “Anak, ihinto  mo na yang radyo at diyario.  Hindi naman yan ang pinag-aralan mo ah.  Mag-review ka na lang para sa board exam mo.” (Son, please stop your radio and newspaper connections.  After all, that’s not what you studied about.  Just attend a review for your engineering board exam.) She was very fearful that I might land in detention for subversion as the fate of many student activists.

Immediately after graduation in 1981, I went to Manila to attend a board review in preparation for the rigorous engineering board examination.  After the review, I had another opportunity to practice  my journalistic interest. My sister Babbeth’s friend Ate Mila got me a job at the Manila Stock Exchange as a writer.  I was part of a team that prepared annual reports for big corporations. My colleagues were journalism students from different private universities in Manila.  Most of these urbanite apprentices who spoke Tag-lish were wealthy and spoiled kids of influential people.  At work, they just talked about their escapades the night before and their plans of partying the following night. I found their  Tag-lish rather annoying because I couldn’t stand how they were corrupting both Tagalog and English languages. I was sure my Pilipino and English professors, Mr. Tumangan and Mr. Roberto Ocampo, would also be slighted to hear these language corruptors, I thought to myself. I cringed hearing them converse in a less than respectful manner to our bosses.  They did not only talk back, they talked behind their backs.  Often, I heard whining whenever they were corrected and complaints if given difficult tasks.  I was criticized for being the ever obedient, respectful employee having addressed the bosses “Sir” and “Ma’m”.  I overheard one said I was “sipsip ” (licker). That did not bother me because I simply wanted to do the right thing. I wondered why they behaved the way they did. Had status and wealth made them arrogant, boastful and undisciplined?

I am sharing these things because what I experienced and witnessed among the rich young people impacted my life. I made a resolution not to be like them, that I would be different….that if the Lord would bless me with some wealth and fortune, I would remain humble and grateful.

On the last day of my summer job at Manila Stock Exchange, I was summoned by the big boss. “Gil, thank you for your services. You did an excellent job here. We really appreciate your talent and your dedication.  You have a very good attitude and work ethic. If you ever need a job we have a place for you here.”

At this juncture, my place under the sun had yet to be explored. I knew it wasn’t journalism or broadcasting. These experiences were simply a preparation for a bigger task ahead.  I was excited about practicing my degree in agricultural engineering.  Where would it take me?  What future would it bring me?   No, I did not worry. I was just curious about what the future held.

I knew it would be good because that’s what God promised in Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord.  Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

PROSPERITY, PROTECTION, HOPE, GOOD FUTURE are in store for me! Praise the Lord.