A Tribute to the People who Shaped my Life (Part I)

They are my mentors. To elevate it further, they are my Gurus. Without them, I will not probably be the person that I am now… Still on a reflective mode (must be a birthday hang over), I am listing down the names of 10 people who inspired and/or guided me to be where I am today…

(Note: I am excluding members of my family and my present bossess)

Here they are, at random:

1. President Cory Aquino

I was 21 when I became Cory's junior in-house reporter. I was star-struck when I first met her. That was August 1991. Imagine, face-to-face with the Icon of People Power and the first woman president in Asia! I only used to see her on TV and read about her in the papers.

Though I worked for her for only 10 months, she definitely is unforgettable. I was inspired by her simplicity. Napaka-low profile. She doesn't want to get unnecessary attention. Very unassuming.

She was very cautious about spending government money for Malacanang functions. Once, she treated the reporters (including me and the rest of her in-house coverage team) to a dinner at Malacanang's Heroes Hall. I overheard her telling the Household staff that she was paying the dinner from her personal fund.

My most memorable moment with Cory? I guess that will entail another blog. But let me just say briefly that it was when she visited Calauit Island in June 1992, one week before she turned over the reign of government to Fidel V. Ramos. I was privileged to see a very different Cory. Very casual. Very candid. Very ordinary. That was an experience I wouldn't forget. No Malacanang press corps– only me, documenting President Cory's activities, and some members of the Aquino family, especially her grandchildren.

2. Lourdes "Deedee" Siytangco

Now Manila Bulletin columnist, a TV talk show host, and Cory's spokesperson, Deedee was Cory's press undersecretary when I came on board. In fact, our department (the Presidential Press Staff-News Reportorial Section) was under her.

I remember Usec. Siytangco as the "mother hen" of the Malacanang press. And as a mother, she was very protective of her children. Being the bunso in President Cory's in-house coverage team, i can say that she was  extra nice to me. But she also trained me to be a reporter who must develop the "nose for news." I remember her giving me lectures (ok, "sabon") whenever I missed what she thought must be the "scoop of the day."

Deedee is also very thoughtful, always giving little things to her staff. Though I haven't seen her for years now, my admiration and fondness for Usec Deedee never wane. I miss her.

3. Joanne Rae Ramirez

She was my immediate boss during Cory's time. Joanne was the executive editor of the Presidential Press Staff. How can I forget her? She was the one who hired me! 

My final test when she was about to hire me was to write a press release on Cory's speech ( I forgot now what it was all about). I made a two-page news article. I was nervous, but she was so sweet and nice.

Being a neophyte, Joanne was so patient in mentoring me, correcting every piece i submit until such a time that I could write with very minimal editing (I almost jumped with joy, when one day, she returned a copy of the story i made without much corrections!)

And being the youngest in her team of reporters, she was also very protective of me, especially when "Mother hen" Deedee Siytangco had her bad hair days.

I will always love Joanne because when Cory's term was ending, she was the one who advised me to stay put. (After serving a few months under FVR, she moved to the Philippine Star where she is still connected until now as an associate editor.) When she was about to leave her post and i signified my intention to leave Malacanang and try to be a newspaper reporter, this was what she told me: "Jojo, you are still young. I see your potentials. Why don't you stay here for a while and give it a try? you might like working for FVR after all."

I obviously made the right decision when I heeded her words of wisdom. Until now, I still meet Joanne on some occasions. Aside from the Philippine Star, she is now the editor-in-chief of People Asia Magazine.

*** TO BE CONTINUED***