a p r i l 2 0 0 5 i s s u e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


STARDOM IS HARD WORK!

These familiar faces show up on our TV screens, movie houses, and thousands of magazine covers. In the pantheon of modern-day gods, they’ve been idolized, immortalized, and become sources of inspiration to thousands of devoted fans.

But celebrity status did not come overnight. A life that sparkles with the glitz and glam was frequently earned by blood, sweat, and tears. Like the non-showbiz career people, the stars have paid their dues and keep on sharpening their skills. That’s how they can burn even brighter.

Once in a while, JobsDB.com will chat up-close and personal with these celebrities. Though not all of us have been bitten by the acting and concert bug, the values and lessons in their success story are pretty universal.


JIGGY MANICAD:
SUCCESS COMES BY “BUILDING TRUST”

Success doesn’t come overnight---especially in broadcast journalism. Forget what people say that all it takes is an attractive face and a dramatic voice to make it as an anchor or a reporter. TV reporter Jiggy Manicad comes by his prominence honestly. After a short stint at The Manila Times and ABS-CBN’s “Magandang Gabi, Bayan”, he found his home in the GMA-7 Network as he soon started doing reportage for “GMA I-Witness,” “Brigada Siete,” “GMA Balita,” and “GMA News.”

Pretty soon, viewers identified him as the one reporter who was covering the most hazardous stories; he suffered a broken nose while running a live story on the EDSA TRES crowd’s march to Malacanang. Unlike other successful media representatives, Jiggy continues to keep a low profile. He remains the simple, down-to-earth guy that took a shot auditioning for GMA-7 years ago. Not one to turn down a request for help if he can help it, Jiggy also agreed to a short ten-minute phone interview for JobsDB---while his vehicle was rushing him to his next assignment.

Have you ever wanted to be a reporter?

After high school, I wanted to take a vocational course. Back then, I wanted to be a mechanic and set up my own talyer. But I passed the UP Entrance Exam, and while in college, realized that my training was more for journalism. As part of my student assistantship, I wrote speeches for chancellorship and student publications. Naiisp ko, na heto ang linya ko. After college, I didn’t know where to apply: advertising or mass media. Until a relative suggested mass media.

What do you like most about the work you do?

Developing my stories. Dapat maganda ang discipline mo at may diskarte ka. Gusto ko nasusubaybayan ko ang mga issues, at nandoon ka kapag may malaking event. Maganda rin iyong nakakabiyahe ka.

What are the stories you’ve done that you find most fulfilling?

Ang pinakamalapit siguro sa puso ko iyong na-rescue ko iyong kidnap victim. I was following the case of Betty Chua-Sy. One source lumapit at hinanap ako sa GMA, sinabi niya na doon sa kapitbahay niya ay may kinidnap. Nirerecruit siya to drive the get away car. Problema niya baka madamay ang family niya. We checked his background, maayos noong vinerify namin. Kinoordinate naming sa NBI at AFPNCR command, and they planned the operation. Naisip naming na kung marami ang humahawak as matandang kinidnap at armado, magandang makita nila na malakas ang nag-ra-raid sa kanila. Successful ang raid.

Isa pang storya na close sa puso ko ay iyong siege sa Mendiola ng mga pro-Erap. Ilang araw na kami nakatutok sa ganoong story, sinusubaybayan ang mga pro-Erap. During their march to Malacanang, pinagmumura kami ng mga pro-Erap, sabi nila biased ang GMA.

As a reporter, how do you make sure that you’re up to speed on your job?

Ang facts at details na hawak mo, make sure na first hand talaga. Definitely walang sablay. Dapat first-hand info at hindi tsismis. You should get the prime source.

Where do you want to go from here?

I want to place more weight on anchoring and hosting, at the same time gusto kong mag-fie-field. Hindi puede malawa ang field work sa system ko.

What advice would you want to give young broadcast students who want to reach your level of success?

Put in dedication, hard work, at dasal. Sa journalism, hindi overnight ang success, pinagtratrabahoan mo, you build up your name in the stories that you do. You should also be assertive and aggressive in getting the story assignments. You have to prove yourself, because that’s how the network and the viewers will build their trust on your stories. Stick ka lang sa trabaho. No monkey business. Masisira ka kung tatanggap ka ng envelopmental journalism.

 

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