A lawmaker for two days

Photo from Philippine Model Congress

For two days, I acted as a lawmaker.

I applied to the 2nd Philippine Model Congress (PMC) on a whim. While browsing the Internet, I saw a call for applications to the model congress. I thought it would be a great opportunity to be in the shoes of the country’s legislators, so I sent my application a week before the deadline.

Fortunately, I was accepted as one of the delegates from a pool of over 1,400 applicants from across the Philippines. Considered as the country’s premiere legislative simulation program, the congress was held last July 27 and 28 at the Philippine Senate Building.

My stint as a representative of the District of Laguna gave me an opportunity to experience the life of a legislator even just for two days. The entire process the delegates underwent in the congress, which concluded with the passing of bills, made me realize that being a legislator is a no joke.

Legislators should have at least knowledge in relevant fields such as law, public administration, and economics. They should also have utmost perseverance since the process of drafting and passing of bills is a tedious task. But, I realized that the most pivotal factor is a strong sense of civic responsibility to improve lives by protecting the rights of the people.

A legislative simulation
The model congress was "a simulation of the affairs of the legislative branch of government." Like a real Congress, I experienced the process of creating laws of the land.

However, I was not able to write and submit a bill to the executive committee due to academic works. Given more time of preparation, I would have proposed a bill focusing on education, public health, or green environment. My fervent hope now is to draft a bill in advance, if ever I will apply to the 3rd PMC next year.

The delegates were grouped into five committees. Each committee was composed of more or less 100 high school and college students and young professionals. I was part of Committee 2.

In our committee, nine bills were discussed including Student Rights Bill, Urbanization Bill, Revised Party List System Bill, Livability Bill, and People’s Hour Act, among others. The delegates themselves drafted all these bills prior to the event.

The committee session began with the committee chair convening the session. Then, principal sponsors presented their bills to the committee members. A caucus was called for them to gather support for their bills. Voting proceeded to determine the bills to be debated in our committee.

Afterwards, principal sponsors of the voted bills discussed their bills in details. During this time, committee members asked questions about the sections of the bill. After the bills were amended, each bill was put into a vote to determine the bills to be passed to plenary. Committee 2 passed three bills.

Bills that passed the plenary session will be presented to the actual Philippine Senate and House of Representatives. This is a great opportunity for us – the youth – to be heard by the country’s leaders like Sen. Bam Aquino and Sen. Loren Legarda who have expressed their support to bills that passed the model congress.

Keeping my idealism burning
“Keep your idealism burning through the years.” – Sen. Bam Aquino

The two-day congress also saw speakers from both the public and private sectors who shared their different views on leadership and public service.

The conference’s speakers included Sen. Bam Aquino, Sen. Sonny Angara, National Youth Commission Chair Leon Flores III, Kabataan Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon, and business tycoon Washington Sycip. All of them inspired us to be part of the country’s development process.

Sen. Aquino reminded us to keep our idealism burning through the years. Trying to set an example, he said that as a toddler in 1980s he participated in rallies against the dictatorship. He added that he loves to talk to Filipino youth because he believes they are idealistic.

“It is never too early to start and fight the good fight. We’re never too young to take the challenge and say, I’m ready to join the development process,” he added.

During his speech, I realized that my idealism is my starting contribution to society. It is my weapon to take risks, to improve lives eventually, and to be ready to take any challenge.

But this idealism should not remain within me. The congress has taught me to start using this idealism in my communities where changing people’s lives begin. As I become more mature, hopefully, this idealism would ignite a light that could change my community, even in the simplest ways possible.

Wrapping up
My foremost goal in sending my application to PMC was to enlighten myself about the things I could do for my community. During the congress, I realized that my idealism should guide me to start a good fight for my community and, eventually, for our country.

My stint as a lawmaker for two days was one of the highlights of my life. It was an honor to participate in PMC which aimed to increase youth’s awareness on national issues. I also had the opportunity to meet idealistic people who had unique views on the country’s development process.

The congress also gave me a glimpse of what our country’s legislators do in the Congress. I realized that their task of creating laws demands knowledge in relevant fields, determination, hard work, rhetorical skill, and, most importantly, a strong sense of civic responsibility. The insights I got from PMC about the legislative process and public service would surely help me in my future endeavors.

Moreover, in this year’s PMC, 500 youth from 80 provinces across the country gathered to signify that the young generation could also offer a wealth of insights about the issues that are important to the country.

The varied bills discussed in the committee and plenary sessions showed that Filipino youth are still concerned and optimistic with the country’s future. The delegates debated upon on different bills, but the ultimate goal was to improve lives by protecting the rights of the people – even just in a model congress.

Hence, the most important lesson I realized is that the Filipino youth has the power to make a better political landscape in the county.

Indeed, PMC has molded a community of young people committed to nation-building. As Sen. Aquino reminded the delegates, “One is never too young to contribute to society.”

George Orwell's Animal Farm

When I had my Literature class about two years ago, my professor mentioned George Orwell's Animal Farm in one of her discussions. I forgot what she really told the class about this classic book. What I remember is that she highly recommended us to read it.

Finally I bought my copy last May 23. Since it was also my last day with Rappler as intern, I decided to drop by at SM Megamall for the first time. I entered Powerbooks and looked for a book I would read for the first term. Animal Farm, that is. Next in line is The Metamorphosis of Kafka.

Social media reminders for Rappler's awesome interns

"Welcome to journalism!"

Earlier today, the Social Media unit of Rappler organized a social media briefing for the network's awesome interns.

Special Projects Head Michael Josh Villanueva facilitated the activity to remind the interns of the responsible use of social media, especially Twitter.

"Meet some of the Rappler interns. Ready to work and eager to learn despite Labor Day!" Photo from Rappler

Sir Josh reminded the interns to be creative in 140 characters on Twitter. He also reminded the group to take advantage of the use of all the available social media platforms, which are Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, and Tumblr, among others.

As a rule of thumb, he said to tweet only what the interns can tell a person to his face. "When in doubt, don't tweet," he suggested.

His greatest reminder is for the interns to tweet responsibly because they are Rappler interns.

Following my heart's desire

"Go for what your heart wants and all will fall in place."

I applied in many companies for my internship. Only four of them entertained my application. The first one was an international humanitarian organization based in Makati. I underwent a phone interview with them, and that was my very first formal job interview. Since then, I did not receive any further update. I waited for almost three weeks for follow-up, so I kindly asked for one last week. Apparently, I was rejected. I moved on with open arms.

The second company was Storyline of ABS-CBN's ANC. I was invited for an interview, but I did not confirm my attendance. End of story.

Torn between two companies

Now my internship dilemma was this: I got accepted at IdeaSpace Philippines and Rappler. I went to IdeaSpace in March 25 for a one-on-one interview. I got accepted, fortunately. But I was still hoping that time I would also be accepted at Rappler. I crossed my fingers, tightly.

Rappler announced that they would notify those accepted on March 31. But because of huge number of applicants (more than 100 students applied!), they just notified the successful ones in installments. I kept my hopes up high, but I thought I was not good enough to be part of Rappler.

Then IdeaSpace invited me to attend the national finals of their competition held in Antipolo City last Friday. I attended the event. I don't regret it since I had the chance to witness 20 aspiring technopreneurs in the Philippines geared to turn their ideas into commercial realities. Moreover, I was able to meet my co-interns who hailed from famous universities. Unsurprisingly, they don't know my school. Someone even asked if it's a private school! Yes, it is.

'Unofficial' intern

My first task as an unofficial IdeaSpace intern was to update the Twitter world with what was happening in the event, so I tweeted a lot during that day. I flooded the timelines of my followers. Hehehe. Sorry for that. I also met the President and Co-Founder of IdeaSpace and saw the likes of MVP and Johan Segergen (Google Manager - PH & Thailand). Indeed, it was a fun experience, and I was warmly welcomed by the team. That was the time I realized that perhaps IdeaSpace was the right company for me. The next day, the one who interviewed me followed me on Twitter, and he tweeted "Good job! Hope you enjoyed the event." I was happy that my effort was acknowledged. It seemed that I was really for IdeaSpace until an email changed everything.

Last Monday, I received the much-awaited acceptance letter from Rappler! Yes, after weeks of waiting, this is it I'm about to spend my internship at Rappler! But my application journey doesn't really end here. How about IdeaSpace? They were very kind to me. It just makes me sad that I'm about to send an email declining their offer. "It was a difficult decision to make," I wrote. There's some sort of guilt on my part: I met the bosses of the company, talked to my co-interns, and understood the internship tasks I was supposed to do. But here I am about to decline their offer. (The interviewer just added me on Facebook yesterday, which makes thing more awkward! I'll probably accept him after my internship.)

Final decision

I called my OJT professor and asked for an advice. She just said that I should follow my heart's desire and everything else will fall in place. She told me to write a letter to IdeaSpace. The email is done, and I'm about to send it right after my Rappler orientation on Thursday. It seems awkward, really. I tried to make the letter as neutral and professional as possible.

This would be the first time that I am doing this, in a professional level. I was thankful that two great companies offered me with two different opportunities. But I have to make a final decision. That decision will surely affect my career goals in life. I am hoping for the best. I am hoping that I will be receiving a kind reply from IdeaSpace once I finally send the email. I am hoping that I will be enjoying my stay at Rappler. One thing is for sure, I just followed my heart's desire.

Accepted as Rappler intern

"God has perfect timing, never early, never late.

It takes a little patience & faith, but it's worth the wait."

Congratulations!
Welcome to RAPPLER!
You have been accepted as intern at Rappler.

I thought I was rejected once again. I already accepted it - Rappler was not for me until a wonderful email changed everything. I already lost hope because Ms. Chay Hofileña, the one who handles the internship, tweeted that those accepted would receive email last week. I received no confirmation; I was really sad and just comforted myself that IdeaSpace Philippines was probably the right company for me. Now, I am genuinely happy that I would be spending my internship with the Rappler team! It was a dream fulfilled. Hooray!

I immediately called my OJT professor to ask for advice on how to reject professionally the offer of IdeaSpace. "Go for what your heart wants and all will fall in place," she said. She was right. There are two opportunities in front of me, but I have to choose the one that I think aligns more closely with my current career goals. And Rappler fits those goals.

Our orientation is on Thursday, and we're about to start the next day. I am excited and nervous. I will make my stay at Rappler as memorable and fun as possible.

Application process

I started searching for companies as early as October! Rappler topped my list, of course. I read all the stories of past Rappler interns, just to have a feel of what would I experience with this great organization.

By January, I was finalizing my sample works, which was one of the four requirements (the other three were CV, application and recommendation letter). Because Rappler does multimedia journalism, I targeted three areas of this medium; namely, journalism, graphics, and photography. My sample works contained all these three aspects.

I really prepared my sample works well. I thought I had to impress them with my works since it would show my skills and edge over the other applicants. And I just did!

Then, I tailored my CV just right for the needs of Rappler. I included skills that were relevant to the post such as knowledge in multimedia journalism and the use of editing applications like Photoshop and Illustrator. I also highlighted my participation in CNN iReport Boot Camp. Thanks to my English for the Workplace classes, I learned how to craft properly an impressive CV.

I was about to send my application by mid-February; but Rappler changed the schedule to March 1. I had to wait. I finally sent it (with high hopes) on March 7. I got an email from Ms. Chay two weeks after. Submissions closed in late March. That wonderful email was just sent yesterday evening.