Newbie in media relations

Just last May, my boss assigned me to the Communications Unit under his office. Being a management type, I know zip about media and public relations. But a flash back of an HSBC advertisement hit me: successful managers focus on what they are good at and let the experts handle the rest. And we did have experts -- policy adviser, writers, researchers, media and public relations officers, communications officers.

Unfortunately, before we can set into motion plans that will evenly spread responsibilities, our policy adviser, the brain of the entire unit's operation, had to go on vacation.

Since then, we had to rely on each other keep up with the standard previously set. This required me to learn things I am not entirely good at.

I admit I am an amiable person. I always smile from the time I leave for work until the time I meet the heavy traffic on my way home. And if media and public relations would mean lots of warm friendly smiles, I might have done well. But no. This is an entirely new ball game.

In the "relations" business, you can't get away with just a smile. You will need to do something. You will need to hold on to something (a-get-away-from-jail-free-card so my friend the policy adviser had said). Thanks to him, I had a few -- read minuscule -- ideas of what needs to be done.

Among the things I have learned are the following:

1. When misquoted, call up the person/reporter/media outfit that misquoted you and correct them.
2. When you missed a reporter's call, call back immediately and ask what is needed.
3. If you are asked a question, tell them you will get them in touch with someone who knows the answer.
4. If you do not know the answer, don't speculate, refer to #3.
5. If you "think" you know the answer, ask the reporter if you could call back to confirm what you know from someone who really knows.
6. If that someone who really knows is open for an interview, ask if you could give his/her number to the reporter and do so.
7. If you "really think" you know the answer, quote someone who gave that answer in verbatim.
8. If you know the answer by heart, refer to #7.
9. If the event being held needs updating, organize a press conference not later than 1:00pm. Print reporters need to file their reports before 2:00pm.
10. Always let the reporters assigned to gather news from your office -- aka beat reporters -- know the news first hand before any other random reporters get in touch with your office.

That's it for now. More to come as I learn more.

Dual SIM mobile phone from China

During the trip to Escolta, we visited the 168 Mall where goods can be bought at wholesale prices. One of the electronic products on sale is a mobile phone with TV and dual SIM capabilities.

This phone that costs 10,000 pesos bears the brand "PDA Phone" and is probably made in China (based on the Chinese characters in the opening screen). It features a touch screen and other basic features of a mobile phone.

Marketed as a PDA phone, it does not live up to my needs. It does not have a word or spreadsheet capability and does not even have a notes feature. It does have an alarm clock and to-do list.

It's TV capability offers analog TV and supposedly CATV capabilities. Its stylus acts as the antenna. Though the reception when we tested it is not that good (due to weak signals according to the sales person) it is free compared to the soon-to-be-pay-per-view myTV feature of a local service provider.

The phone's dual SIM capability allows a user to switch from one network to another by simply turning off the unit. This is good for us since we have a prepaid electronic loading business that requires two phones to use for both major networks (and we are running out of phones).

Sadly, the 10,000 peso unit is the only one with dual SIM. there are cheaper units with TV features but without the convenience of dual SIM.

For those interested, you can visit that stall at the 3rd floor of 168 Mall near the food court. 168 Mall is in the Divisoria District of the City of Manila, just a ride away from the Escolta station of the Pasig Ferry.

By the way, this is not a paid review. :)

Pasig Ferry Ride 2

Just this afternoon, we went into another Pasig Ferry trip. We got right on time arriving at the ferry station in Bambang, Pasig City for the 12:30pm pick-up.

Ferry service from Bambang to Escolta starts from 5.30am. Last trip from Bambang to Escolta is at 8.40pm

Ferry service from Escolta to Bambang starts at 6.05am and the last trip leaves at 8.40pm for Bambang.


At present, the Bambang station is a mere pontoon set-up along side the river waiting for the more modern and air conditioned station to be finished.


The Kalawaan station looks pretty much like the pontoon Bambang Station. No on-going construction, however, indicates the construction of a more modern stations.


Guadalupe station, the next stop to Escolta, is the first station I have ever noticed. I have seen the construction in 2006 and passed by it last February 2007 after arriving from Tacloban City, Leyte.


Hulo station is next. Hulo is located somewhere in Mandaluyong City a few minutes from the Guadalupe station.


Lambingan station is also located in Mandaluyong City. Lambingan, if translated to English means romancing. :-)


Sta. Ana station located in the City of Manila is probably near the famous Sta. Ana race track (Sorry, I was not able to confirm). As you can see, the "T" in Sta. does not look too good when I took the picture before the recent storm. The last time we passed by, the "T" is nowhere to be seen. hehehe

The next station is the station behind the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Good for the students!

After this, the ferry passes under the Nagtahan bridge on to a scenic view of the Malacanan Palace, the seat of the President of the Republic of the Philippines, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Alas, all passengers are prohibited from taking photographs while passing through Malacanan. A member of the Presidential Security Group is present to ensure that. And every time the ferry passes. the crew are on the watch in case a passenger pulls out a camera.

And the final stop, Escolta station.

It was a relaxing 1 hour 10 minute ride with a Transformers movie feature on the ferry's front-mounted HDTV.

Hope you'll enjoy the ride as well. Just don't mind the shanties you pass and the garbage floating by.

Photos from Pasig Ferry Ride

Here are some photos from our Pasig Ferry ride last time.
A view of the back end of the enclosed and air-conditioned ferry. Each ferry has three rows. With three seats on either side row and four seats on the middle row.

At the front, you can see to the left and partly to the right the exit doors leading to the front side exits. Also featured is the HDTV up front for the passengers' entertainment. Not much use for those seated way back though.

The door to the bridge is also seen to the right of the HDTV.

The ferry travels from Kalawaan, Pasig City, Metro Manila to Escolta in the City of Manila. Stations along the way are Bambang in Pasig City, Guadalupe near the Guadalupe bridge in EDSA, Sta. Ana and Lambingan stations both in Mandaluyong, PUP in Sta. Mesa, Manila, and finally Escolta across the historical Philippine Postal Corporation.

Four ferries alternately arrive every 35 minutes in every station. The trip from Bambang to Escolta takes about an hour and 15 minutes.

They charge from 25 to 45 pesos during weekdays and a flat rate of 25 pesos on weekends.

Well, we are on our way now to have another ride on the ferry to visit Divisoria for some bargain shopping.

Choosing a career

On August 28, the Department of Education of the Republic of the Philippines will be conducting its National Career Assessment Examination to all public and private 4th year high school students.

The NCAE is aimed at assessing the possible career tracks of each student. This will help guide students at the course they will likely to succeed in.

Most Filipinos dream of having at least one child finish college. Due to the large number of families in the lower income bracket, the hopes are left with the eldest child. They either finish their degrees draining up most of their families resources or they skip college and immediately go to work.

Most popular professions are: entertainers, actors, dancers, physical therapists, nurses, doctors, and teachers. Most of those try to get into the arts are disappointed not because they lack talent but because there is a lot of competition and there are just too many others with even better talents. As for those trying to get into the medical professions, they are not simply cut out for the medical field and end up dropping out of college after a short stay.

Children have a lot of career options in mind. Parents too have career options for their children. Which among these options should they choose? I know this dilemma personally because I had lots of career options myself. I thought of becoming a lawyer, a priest, a successful entrepreneur, or a soldier. I even dreamed of a career as Global Dictator!

With the results of the NCAE, students and parents can better decide on what career path to choose where the child will likely to meet success. If the results point to a career in arts, the student may enroll in an art class or a certificate course in the arts in any university. If the results show that the child has a capacity in academics, that child may take up any course in college based on the result of sub-domains in Science and Mathematics. Other career options are for the student to take up technical-vocational courses or an entrepreneurial course.

Most people fear that the NCAE may become an obstacle to a college degree. This is not true since there is no law passed providing the exam this authority. DepEd plans to make the NCAE as such in the future anyway.

For those who think that college is the only way to success, please reconsider. Although a college degree is needed to be employed or promoted, most company policies I have read also considers equivalents to a degree.

The Technical Educations and Skills Development Authority of the Philippine Government offers certifications for technical-vocational course graduates. A National Certification Level III (NC3) I thinks is equal to a college degree. Following this trend, NC4 and NC5 are equivalents of a masters or doctoral degree.

So kids, troop down to your schools on Tuesday, August 28 and take the test. Who knows, you may end up having a higher position in a company compared to someone who took the college degree you have dreamed of.

Quote and Misquote

Gunny Highway's commanding officer once said, "Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it."

In the world of news, reporters, and media, we can say "be careful what you said, you might get misquoted."

I have noticed in some print news that personalities get misquoted at times. It may be due to the need for sensationalism or simply because the idea was misinterpreted. An this misquotes often put people in hot water. I was. Well, not yet anyway. My boss did not report to the office the day I was misquoted, so I am safe... for the time being.

So, when you speak to a bunch of people in a commotion, please remember to speak clearly and audibly. And be sure they got exactly what you said. And be as sure that they understood what you meant.

Have a great time!

Blame is a two-way street

I have read an article this morning on the education crisis. This article somewhat puts blame on the education sector for its various shortcomings.

I have also read several articles on the deteriorating roads, low-quality of services in some hospitals, and many more.

Often, I read about experts or people in power putting the blame on those who are directly involved in preventing this "shortcomings." Those directly involved will most probably loose interest in their work, and think of themselves as unqualified for the job.

Personally, I believe putting all the blame on one person is not going to solve anything. I believe that those "experts" and "people in power" are also to blame though not is the same degree, probably.

The question that comes up my mind every time I hear a blame is, "What did we do to help prevent whatever from happening?" Another question is "Did we ever do our part to help prevent bad things to happen?"

I think critics should do the same. I believe we are all in this together. We can't just sit idly by and let other people do what they have to do.

We don't need to be nosy and be like backseat drivers. We have to do our share. Offer our help. Suggest solutions to the problems.

A friend once said, "If you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem and I am going to take you out along with it."

Have a good day!

Cruise along Pasig River

Two weeks ago, me and my wife went to cruise along Pasig River on board an airconditioned catamaran. It has plastic seats, good view of the river (and its garbage) and a front mounted HDTV for entertainment.

It was a Sunday so we planned to bum around Manila. We took the ferry from the San Joaquin Station. Since it was a Sunday, they offered a flat rate of P25.00. It took more than one hour to get to Escolta, the last station. Across the river is the Philippine Post Office.

After a long stroll in Raon and the China Town, we again took the ferry back to Pasig.

Even though the trip took more than an hour, it was stress free inspite of the garbage floating around. And since it is airconditioned, we sat comfortably not being bothered by the possibility of a foul smell outside.

I would recommend to readers to take the ferry. For those interested it has stations in Kalawaan, San Joaquin, Guadalupe, Lambingan, Sta. Ana, PUP, and Escolta.

A map at the back of the ferry shows possible expansion to Manila Bay, Laguna de Bay, and Marikina almost to San Mateo.

Hope you will also enjoy the ride as we did.

After the storm

Last week, the Republic of the Philippines has been "side-swiped" by a tropical storm locally now as Egay -- also a common nickname for someone named Edgar.

Even though the storm did not hit Luzon island, heavy rains flooded most of region. Classes in all levels had been suspended for three days affecting schedules for examinations.

What will happen to the students? They will have to put up to make up classes often scheduled during weekends. Or stay in school longer that those from other provinces to complete the minimum number of days required for learning.

This can also mean cramming lessons to meet the scheduled periodical exams!

Aside from that, the public works office will have to spend some time and money to repair damaged roads and other infrastructure. The education department will also spend some for damaged school properties. And the affected families will share time with students on the use of the classrooms since the schools are often used as evacuation centers.

Well, as they say, when it rains, it pours!

Raw pictures