| A Passion for Words |
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| Tuesday, 22 May 2007 | |
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Page 2 of 2 As a young busboy doing catering for the Aristocrat Restaurant when I was a working-student, I was consciously listening to Renato Constantino’s or other bigwigs’ speeches, political or otherwise, absorbing what I can when I can, thinking I will be able to use them some time; and I was right. As a performing talent with the Bata Batuta Children’s Theatre and Television -- my first paying job incidentally – and later with the KB drama folks I was bent not only improving my personality but also learning more about life and the world. Working with the likes of Johnny Manahan, Maria Montelibano, Bonnie Weisntein, Caloy Atayde, Bong Penera, Geleen Eugenio, Rene Requiestas, Subas Herrero, and more, was a great experience. But I don’t think I would get to where I am now without the help from my parents. By allowing me to be myself; by believing that I can do what I want if I truly put my mind into it, they made me who I am today. My father was a smart, funny, creative, kind, nurturing soul and so was my mother. My mother’s bedtime stories became the rock bed of my love for stories and books. My father’s music became the strength that gets me through during the bad days in my life. They inspired the left and right sides of my brain and all the nook and crannies of my heart. Their love and liberal ways encouraged me to find my own way in own way and fill my spirits to this day. My parents were my first idols (I just hope my kids would have similar good thoughts of me, an absentee overseas worker father that I am). By the way, I must mention the guy who was a big influence in my becoming a writer: Mr. Renato Saballo, my English teacher at National Teachers College, Manila. After “discovering” my “writing talent,” he encouraged me to write more, read more, and live more. He entered me in competitions – I was the national essay writing champion in 1978 -- brought me to see stage plays and concerts, gave me books and magazines way beyond my age to read. I’m not sure I would have the confidence to be a writer had he not given me the tools to gain that confidence. Once he gave a book by Nick Joaquin – “Portrait of the Filipino as an Artist” – he scribbled: “In my dreams, I saw a certain Percy Roxas surpassed Nick Joaquin…” I know I can never surpass or even equal the greatness of Nick Joaquin but I know I should not stop trying. What challenges did you face or are facing in your line of work? Everything is a challenge; even just trying to be physically fit all the time for my kind of work. J Seriously though, it’s a difficult question. The role of an editor has changed drastically through the years. The Age of Intelligence, as experts call this era, has brought so much change in the way things are done, and in the editorial office, in the way a newspaper or magazine is designed and created, in how information are being disseminated and gobbled up, and more. But to these things, the editors can adapt and adjust. I consider job challenges normal. By itself, it’s already a challenge to write not just good but better in a language that is foreign to you. It’s a challenge to compete in a multi-racial, multi-cultural work environment and with different perceptions of what is true, good, and beautiful. It’s a challenge to get ahead. More daunting perhaps is earning the trust of your co-workers – both Thai and otherwise -- as a worker and as a person; showing that you are worthy of respect, proving that you deserve your title and position. As a stranger in a foreign country, you walk a thin line; whatever you do, you are always a second class citizen. Still, this should not stop you from performing your best. I always try to do my best and give 101 percent all the time. An eternal challenge is keeping up with all the developments in my career. But editors don’t stop learning, nor should every one. As an editor, I always try to follow the best practices of the trade. I try to keep myself updated with the knowledge and issues around the world. I try to constantly develop myself (thank God to the Internet for making that easier) and remain as competitive as ever. I’m sorry to say this but sometimes I rue that it’s rather difficult to practice “real journalism” in the Thai milieu, particularly in the travel and tourism magazines, which are so advertising-oriented. Often we bend the rules to accommodate the wishes of the advertisers because we need the revenue. I use to pull my hair in frustration when my writers, subs, page designers and other co-magazine workers (even publishers sometimes don’t know anything about proper journalism) fail to live up to accepted journalistic standards. I still do, in fact. But one can only ask so much. We must do our best with what is given us. Work must be finished whether it’s perfect or not. We do not live in an ideal world. Speaking from experience, and without elaboration, I think the best journalistic practices, in my present publication for example, is yet to happen. I can cite a litany of other factors but I’d rather not bore you or your readers. There’s an appropriate forum for this. To this day, I’m still waiting for my dream magazine or newspaper. But I loved my previous stint with Travel Asia (one of the trade publications I did for Singapore-based Venture Asia Publishing as regional correspondent for Thailand and Indochina). And my years with Subic Bay News were among the best years of my working life; this is where I learned to be a “serious” journalist, thanks to Felan Esguerra. How about the dream job? Don’t’ I have it already? My life’s been a dream, really. I cannot ask for more. My work gives me the right dose of stress to make my adrenalin juice flowing, the right challenges to keep me on my feet at all times, the right attitude to keep me both strong and humble, the right conflict to help me become a sensitive and caring, the right perks to make career rewards more honey sweet. Yes, balancing work and personal life is always a challenge especially when you work in a foreign country. I can’t see my family all the time and homesickness slips in from time to time. I wish I can enjoy the perks and privileges of my job with them but I’m too far away. But we must do our best with what is given us. To quote Lennon: “Life is too short for fussin’” Is being a Filipino a challenge in your field of work or not? Why or why not? In a sense, it is. Being a foreigner using a foreign language in a foreign land is not easy, to put it simply. Even if you’re not a Filipino, you have to prove myself – to your foreign boss, to your foreign staff, to other foreign journalists, to your readers, to the world. Although we’re supposed to be living in a politically-correct world, discrimination and prejudices, albeit perhaps more subtly, still exist in our midst. We just have to live with them. Sometimes, even now, in functions and events I attend, I can feel how some people, Thais and otherwise, are treated unfairly because of their color, ideas, perceived higher status, or worst, the way they look. I can see how some people can be unfair, biased, and judgmental. But you can’t let this people get to you. I don’t.’ I think in general -- as far as Filipinos in Thailand are concerned -- discrimination is hardly an issue. We’re among the most adaptable and flexible of all peoples and we’re survivors. We also know how to love even at ourselves. And yes, most Thais I meet love and respect Filipinos. I have more close Thai friends now than Filipinos and I enjoy their company a lot. As a Filipino, I find myself being careful of my actions; I am acutely aware that things I do might be perceived as things Filipinos do and these can affect how my country and people are perceived. Sometimes I slip; I’m only human. But I try to show the best attributes of a Filipino as much possible. What experiences have you had which are worth sharing to other Pinoys? When everything else is said and done I am just a regular guy. My personal experience is as unique as yours. If you’re asking about experiences related to working and living in Thailand, I think we all have our own stories to tell. Some may be good, some may be bad, and some may be really painful. I almost gave my life up when my company – Bangkok Etcetera – had to shut down in 2005. I thought I’ve lost everything and went home in the Philippines for a while. But after whining for a while, I realized that I cannot give up, and I must rise up where I fell down. So I returned to Bangkok to face my demons. Looking back, I see that experience as just another phase of life, just another learning process. I believe it made me a stronger and better person. Will I go back into business again? I’m just taking my time. Let me quote an aphorism by Eric Hoffer to summarize my view of experience: “Those that are unique and worthwhile in us are felt only in flashes, if we do not know how to savor these flashes, we are without growth and exhilaration.” For those who want to do the same as you did, or want to get where you are now, what advice would you give them? I am not really fond of telling people what to do – well, except my editorial staff -- but yeah, in a capsule: if you want to get where you want to go, then work hard, focus on your goals, strive with dedication, determination, persistence, and always be compassionate. Most importantly, never give up! My personal motto is imagine like a child, create like an artist, think like a scientist, feel like a lover, love like a parent, work like you’re the business owner -- and live like the world is ending tomorrow. If you have to break rules, learn the rules first. Find your equilibrium because we all need balance in our lives. In short, work hard but don’t be afraid to play hard too. Also, don’t be afraid to fail. When you fall, try to get up fast. What are your thoughts about Siam Pinoy and how else can we improve what we do? I think Siam Pinoy can be a good platform for all Filipinos in Thailand. It’s praiseworthy that you are thinking community, not individual self. I’d like to be part of that. But you need a good team to execute your good intentions, so find those similar-minded people, make them part of the website and don’t give up! I suggest that you run Siam Pinoy like mainstream media, meaning don’t wait for content, go out and get it – interview the Philippine ambassador for starters -- and present it with all the merits of good journalism. Be accurate, be clear, be fair, be consistent. Be informative, be entertaining, be educational, be inspiring. Easier said than done, but please don’t ever, ever give up! Let’s talk about the specifics – and may revenues -- later. J What thoughts do you have that you want to share with the community? Never give up on the Philippines and the Filipinos! I just wish we Filipinos in Thailand and everywhere can get over our petty self-interests and get our acts together for the country. I don’t’ want to sound cheesy but our country needs heroes, and if we are “the new heroes” (sic) indeed – as they say J -- we must live up to it. Let’s do more than just send money back home. Here in our midst, we can probably do something to make the whole nation proud. Let’s not wait for a leader; and we can do it in small ways, too. Let’s start a fire among us burning. Let’s be Filipinos. Let’s belong! By: Percy Roxas |
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