Saturday, April 29, 2006

Tj Burgonio

Sir Ashzel and I, together with Sir Lito of DZBB, went to Ortigas for CHED’s presscon. We were early as usual because of my super punctual practitioner, so while we were waiting for the program to start and other media people to come, a guy – most likely in his 40s – came stood in front of me, gestured a handshake and said “Tj? Tj Burgonio?”. I just stared at him, thinking if I would shake his hand or not. Then he moves his face closer and said “Tj? Ay akala ko si Tj ka, kamukha mo kasi.” Sir Ashzel and his media friends laughed and agreed that I look like him.

A few minutes later another guy stopped in front of me and asked, “Kapatid mo ba si Tj?”. Then another guy said, “Nagulat ako, kala ko dito uli si Tj.”. Two more people said I look like him. Weird. Makes me want to see Tj or his picture to see if I really look like him.



City Halls

Friday, April 28 would be the hardest day in OJT so far. It was my first time to cover something without Sir Ashzel. I was told to go to Pasay City Hall, court branch 117. It’s a trial about PIATCO and AEDC with the NAIA IPT3 project. Ma’am Rhodina and Ma’am Jo were also there.

Then after, and now with Sir Ashzel, we went to the new Makati City to cover the Subic rape case. The hall was full of media people, reporters and cameramen, waiting for it to start. Then I saw Kris Bayos and Hazel minutes later. It was really tough trying to get as many interview or trying to record as many people as you can, when they are scattered all over the place talking at the same time. It was fun, though hard. I was published 3 more times. So happy. They finally got my name right on the fourth one.



Hate List

Here’s my weekly hate list.

1. The pouting expression or whatever-you-call-it that dancers do when. Hate it!
2. Gruesome and disgusting scene at MRT – 5pm onwards.
3. Irritating voice of Mike Enriquez.
4. MTV’s Wildboyz. Their show is 100% not funny and entertaining – for me. Weird that Kai and Dex loves the shows, laughing at their stupidity.




Pictures!!!


@ the Makati City Hall Pressroom

schoolmates -slash- internmates Kris and Hazel, also covering the Subic Rape Case

The busy media people at the Makati RTC - Subic Rape Case

Sunday, April 23, 2006

The article I wrote

This was published April 26, 2006, Malaya. This article was cut into 3 paragraphs. But even though, I'm still happy. My name was also mispelled. Berniss was turned "Barniss". But I don't care.

Six drug pushers meted life term, dismissed cop gets 12 years

Six drug pushers were sentenced to life imprisonment while a dismissed cop meted another 12 years in four separate decisions handed by the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) yesterday.

In her decision, Makati RTC branch 135 Judge Delia Panganiban dismissed the alibi and weak denial of the accused and said that the prosecution was able to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The court cited the direct testimonies of members of the Makati Police Drug Enforcement Unit and the Makati Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MADAC) which conducted the buy-bust operation in convicting the accused.

Found guilty for violating Sections 5 and 11, Article II of republic Act 9165 commonly known as the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and sentenced to life imprisonment were ceferino Dy alyas “Boy Hapon”, jesus Hapa, George Eyam, Wilfredo Encila, Ricardo Jacob, and Donato Capco.

On the other hand, policeman PO1 Peter Gonzales, dismissed after his arrest for drug use, was found guilty of violating Section 11 pursuant to the Intermediate Sentence Law.

Vice Mayor and MADAC chair Ernesto Mercado said that the decision would boost the city’s campaign against illegal drugs.

“Boy Hapon”, who was arrested after a buy-bust operation in Erico Hotel, Guadalupe, Makati in 2003, received the gravest punishment of double life imprisonment and was ordered to pay a total of P900, 000 for violating both Sections 5 and 11. Recovered from his possessions during the raid were 19 plastic sachets of 11.23 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride commonly known as shabu.

Hapa on the other hand was ordered to pay a fine of P500, 000 and was ordered to undergo rehabilitation for violating Section 15. He was nabbed while delivering 4.502 grams of the illegal substance to Gonzales.

Eyam was caught with 47.80 grams of shabu in July 2003 at the Guadalupe Commercial Complex, was ordered to pay P400, 000 along with the life imprisonment.

Arrested in a separate buy-bust operations by MADAC operatives and the Makati police sometime in 2003 and 2005, Capco, Encila and Jacob were ordered to pay P500, 000 by the court along with the life imrisonment. –30-




An unrelated pic


Little Patia and Justin. So cute!

A year older and my fisrt day


I officially started my OJT last Tuesday, my birthday, and I can say that I really enjoyed it. My practitioner, Sir Ashzel Hachero, turned out to be quite young, in his late 20s maybe. I imagined him to be in his 30s or something. He’s nice and jokes quite often. Though he really looks like my speech professor Sir Satoquia, the only difference is Sir Ashzel’s not gay.

The pressroom in the Makati city hall is really nice. Files are organized, computers on each desk, a black comfy couch, a round table at one side, air conditioned, and a little radio.


A view of the pressroom from the couch

We started at around 9am. Our first stop was the Makati court, which is just beside the city hall. After that at around 10, we hurriedly walked to Shangri-la Makati for a presscon. Turns out we’re not late (the program is said to start at 10 and we finished at the court at 9:56) and I saw Jasmine and Kim also covering the said event. Oh and I also saw Hazel at the court, turns out that we have the same beat, and also Mel though it was her last day there.

With Jasmine and Kim at Shangri-la Makati, waiting for the program to start.

I finished at 6pm. In one day I was able to finish 9 hours – and it’s my birthday. Anyway, after that I went to megamall to have dinner with my family. And I’m really so damn tired. Tiring but fun. I think it’s a good thing.

The thing is Sir Ashzel’s beat is Makati, Pasay, Las Piňas, paranaque, Taguig, Pateros, Muntinlupa, MMDA, Dep Ed, CHED, and NAIA. Tha’s a lot.

Anyway, mom said Angela called, so she gave her my mobile number. But unfortunately we didn’t talked, I was at the presscon when she was calling and I turned my phone to silent mode. I know it’s her because when I checked my phone the screen showed (no number).

The Following days

Nothing much happened in my second day. Not much is happening around. Sir Ashzel just told me to write two police stories, both about a group arrested by the police. I really didn’t like what I wrote, since I’m not really used to writing articles about that.

News was flowing on the third day, though we only stayed at the pressroom. I was told to write 4 articles – well actually 3 since I really didn’t finished the fourth one. Sir Ashzel included my name in his articles – which was the first two articles that I wrote combined – and he edited my first article that was passed to the news desk. He said I did ok and that I’m just having a little trouble with my lead. I was so happy.

Come the next day – I came extra early because we were suppose to go to Manila Peninsula for another press con which was cancelled because we went to the presscon at NAPOLCOM (National Police Cimmission) instead with Hazel – Sir Ashzel told me that Malaya used my article. I was so happy. They even included my name. Even though the original 10 paragraph article was cut short to 3 paragraphs and my name was misspelled “Barniss” I don’t really care. Seeing my name in the newspaper, seeing my article published made me so happy.

People in the pressroom

Sir Ashzel – my practitioner from Malaya is the joker of the group. He always gives jokes and he is the only guy who is at the pressroom everyday and is always the earliest to arrive. He loves to tease the girls, and they love him. He is also the only one who does not use a laptop. For some reason he can’t say my name, Zaidee. He calls me kuya instead.

Ma’am Hannah – from Manila Bulletin. Young and quite pretty, she somehow loosk like Kitchie Nadal, she is close to Ashzel.

Ma’am Tarra – from Inquirer. Young and the coolest among the group. She always sings out loud while writing her articles. She told me that I look like Tj Burgonio – have no idea who he is and how he looks like, she said he is a writer for Inquirer, we have the same hair, height, etc. Calls me Tj.

Ma’am Jo – also from Inquirer. Pretty and serious in her work. Eyes and hands on her laptop moist of the time. Not much of a talker.

Ma’am Rhodina – from Phil Star. Everyone calls her ate. The serious type, she always tells Ashzel to buy pandesal. The only one who can pronounce Zaidee correctly.

Mike – from Phil Star. Doesn’t want to be called sir, just Mike. Funny and somehow loud like Ashzel.

Sir Lito and Sir Rikki – from GMA and ABS radio. Not always there, but they’re nice. Sir Lito is also from Angono.

Hazel – my classmate last sem in ma’am Pusta’s class. Mike’s trainee.

Karen and Wilhelm – girls from Adamson. Trainee’s of Ma’am Rhodina.


Everything is ok so far. I’m having a good time. Learning a lot. I still have 175 hours left.

Monday, April 17, 2006

My lucky day


Anyway, even though I don't have the no. of my practitioner, I still went to Makati coz I was planning to call malaya when i get there. But today is my lucky day. I know I have the right number, I even tasked May just to check. I gave up hope and decided to go to powerplant but does not open until 11. So I went straight to starbucks. COMFORT DRINK!!!! Just one iced caramel latte fixed my bad day. After that, I went to megamall, chill a little and go home. But of course, I'm going to try to call malaya again.


time check: 5pm. I already called malaya a couple of hours ago. Ms. Minnie is very nice, she's the news editor. She gave me Sir Ashzel's number. And I'm going to OFFICIALY start my ojt tomorrow.

Saturday, April 15, 2006

Tentative Banner and Movies


I made a tentative banner for my blog last night. I know its not that nice but it works for me. It took me quite a long time to come up with that tentative banner.

I also watched ‘In Her Shoes ‘ and ‘The Family Stone’. I really couldn’t relater to the first one, which stars Cameron Diaz, since it tells a story of two sisters. I like the latter one personally; it floats between drama and comedy. It starts Sarah Jessica Parker (Sex and the City girl), Claire Danes (the girl whose movies were banned in the Philippines, lol), Rachel McAdams (from the Notebook) Dermot Mulroney (the Wedding planner, and the Wedding Date) and Luke Wilson. Nice movie.



Things I Hate


There are some things that really make me so irritated. I don’t really know the reason why, I just do.

1.Empoy – he’s the guy in the ‘Papa Cologne’ video of Parokya ni Edgar and also a cast in the sitcom ‘Bora’. I was watching Myx daily top ten and the song made it to top 7 I think. What makes me hate him is his stupid and manyak smile. Eew. Really disgusting. He’s not even funny.

2.Girls walking around the palengke wearing sleeveless top and a super short shorts or micro mini skirt, flipping their long straight rebonded hair, wearing red lipstick and all that make up, who combs their hair every 2 minutes. Duh. Can’t they wear something much more proper? So pok-pok!!! – I saw 5 girls while I’m eating at Jollibee with my sister.

3.Tambay wannabe rakista kids who thinks they’re cool because they smoke.

4.Someone you don’t know sending you a message, and when you ask who he or she is he or she replies with “Ay sorry wrong send, ginamit kasi ng friend ko yung phone ko. Anyway, may I know your name? Pwede makipagtextmate?” – I don’t need and I don’t want a textmate!!!!



Pictures!!!!


cute picture of me and my siblings

with little Reiko


Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Rutherford Reunion

I decided to go to our Rutherford reunion an hour before the meeting time, 4:30 last Saturday. Rutherford is actually my 4th year high school section, the so-called pilot section composed of super-smart and a few know-it-all students – and hey, I’m not one of those ok? – Anyway, I was thinking of an excuse not to go – since my best friend is in Canada, and my other close friends told me that they are not going. An hour before the call time one of my classmates texted me and told me that Onedia – a close friend since grade 2 - finally decided to go. Upon receiving the message, I took my bag, packed a few things and told my parents that we’re having a reunion. So to make the story short, we went to the resort called Villa Virginia and Oneida didn’t make it.

Ok, so I’m going to tell what the resort look like. Personally I didn’t like it. I really don’t like swimming and when I saw the place… Well, good thing I brought a book and didn’t bring extra clothes for swimming coz there’s no way anyone could make me touch the water. They could pay me a million to swim for 3 minutes and I would say HELL NO!!! It is not a private resort, and it’s crowded. Water’s probably 80% dirty – ok so I’m over reacting.

We rented a room since it is supposed to be an overnight but like I’ve said; pay me a million, I won’t sleep there!!! The bed sheets smell awful, as if it was stuck in a cabinet for years. And one pillow actually smells like vomit – I’m not over reacting about the pillow, I’m actually not the one who said that.

Enough comments about the resort.

My high school classmates didn’t change a bit in my opinion. The guys are still anime-maniacs, I mean Naruto-maniacs. One actually has the complete OST of Naruto on his phone.



Katrin’s still very talkative. She’s working at a callcenter for extra money.


Bianca’s still the mahinhin girl. I’m actually having a hard time listening to her speak; her voice is so soft and mellow.


I decided to go at about 9:30, go to an Internet shop and create a blog. That’s about it. I really didn’t enjoy but it’s quite fun to talk to your classmates again after a year.


New Look

I decided to have a haircut last week. And my classmates are actually quite surprised at my current hair. The resident long hair guy in the class gone clean cut. LoL. Dior actually told me that I look younger, but Mj said that long hair suits me better. I actually like it. Love myself no matter what.

After the clearance, I went to Megamall and stayed at Time Zone for a few hours. Been playing a lot of Tekken Tag, Tekken 5 and Guilty Gear lately. I use Michelle and Bryan for Tekken tag, Nina for Tekken 5, and Millian Rage for Guilty Gear.


Little Patia and my sister


I was surprised to see little Patia when I got home. She is the cute and bratty daughter of the son of one of our neighbors –slash- family friend. Turns out that little Patia also like the pretty and smart Bianca Gonzales. LoL.


Let’s Celebrate!


At about 7pm or so, we had a little celebration because it was my cousin Krizelle’s bday (April 9), Mom’s bday (April 10) and my bday (April 18). Our relatives in the US surprised us with 5 boxes of pizza and 3 big… ummm I think it’s called binalot or something, it was a mix of seafoods and chicken and pork with rice all mixed together – yeah I know, sounds a bit disgusting. Mom also made some pasta and pinakbet. I had fun. It’s nice talking to your cousins, even though our conversations are trash… I mean the topics. But it was fun I tell you. The celebration ended at 3am, and next came the worst part – cleaning.


OJT


Time check: 1:36 AM, April 12, 2006. I’m actually typing now because my computer’s Internet explorer broken, so I’ll write it now and go to an Internet shop tomorrow. And I’m also talking to Nona – Pete’s gf – via sms. She couldn’t sleep for some reason, and is in hyper mode, as if she drank a quad latte… adik! Stig. LoL.

Malaya’s not texting. I still don’t know my mentor’s phone number. I can’t find his picture in the Internet as well. How the hell can I find him in Makati?!?! How can I find Mr. Ashzel Hachero??? Kamusta naman!!

Hope they text soon!!!!


I’m turning 20 next week… NO!!!!!!

It’s over.

Sunday, April 09, 2006

Makati and my Grades

Yesterday my Dad along with sister toured me around Makati - since I was assigned there for my OJT- after eating lunch at Terriyaki Boy Libis (really love their kani salad, beef aspara and strawberry shake). I have to be familiar with the place, know where the city hall, court and police station are located. After our little tour, we fetched my Mom and little brother at a salon and went to Greenhills then to Megamall.


Me and my sister at Terriyaki Boy Libis



It's freaking hot so I have to drink my current favorite coffee:
Iced Hazelnut Latte

Since I'm itching to see my grades, after eating the great combination of rootbeer and pizza for dinner I hurried to netopia to check my grades.

And guess what, I passed Philosophy. *evil laugh*

here are my grades:

art appreciation 1.75
photojournalism 2.25
layout and copyreading 2.25
world literature 2.25
rational psychology 3 (really don't care, I'm happy I passed! lol.)
dynamics of philippine politics 2
research in major field 1 (I'm really quite surprised!)
intermediate spanish 2

Got 2.06 ave. Not bad.


I passed Philosophy. Yay!!!

Saturday, April 08, 2006

Ok, so this is my first entry and I'm completely new to this blog thing.

I don't even know why I even created one!

Anyway, I'm here in an internet shop and just been to our high school Rutherford reunion. It was ok, and I will post my complaints and tell what happened to that reunion next time - since I don't really have time to type because the internet shop closes at 11pm and it is already 10:30!

That's all then. I'll post again soon!

Cya.