Who’s your (tor) mentor?

On Twitter, I asked: “Who’s your mentor?” I had only a few replies. My Top Story co-anchor Tony Velasquez suggested that perhaps, if I rephrased my question to “Who’s your tormentor?,” more people would comment.  

Funny as it may sound, it rings some truth. We need a little “torment” to mold ourselves. To produce a beautiful sculpture, you have to carve out a part of wood. A healthy level of torment — as long as it does not kill you — may be good for our growth. 

I got my baptism of fire in Probe Productions where I worked as producer/reporter. My moment of torment, so to speak, is our regular Monday meetings during which every member of our team — from producers, editors and crew — would give comments from reports (the editing, scoring, graphics, etc.) down to our work ethic.

On a personal level, we were friends and family, but professionally, we were always on our toes to deliver our best. Probe Productions founder Cheche Lazaro is my idol and my mentor (never a tormentor) in many aspects of my work as a journalist and as a person. I spent only three years with Probe, but the lessons learned have remained with me.  

While it is true that it is very important to find a job that you love, it is energizing to have a boss that you respect and can learn from, and a working environment that encourages growth, is both critical and appreciative.

When The Apprentice Asia winner Jonathan Yabut guested in Umagang Kay Ganda, he told me that he was excited to begin work under Tony Fernandes, CEO of Air Asia. Fernandes rose from the ranks, knew little about the airline industry, but made it big… really big. Jonathan has always been a fan of The Apprentice (US version) of Donald Trump and so when he saw the commercial for The Apprentice Asia, he applied to be a contestant.

Sounds simple? Perhaps for him it was, because his life’s journey prepared him for it. At a young age, his mother told him that the only way he could study in a good school was if he became a scholar because they couldn’t afford it. 

I watched the final interview episode of The Apprentice Asia on the Internet. Jonathan, in a suit with a Philippine flag pinned on his lapel, was very confident and passionate to win “to inspire Filipinos” that they, too, can make it big. His background in the Debate Society was a good preparation for the competition. It set him apart from the other finalist, Andrea, a Singaporean. Jonathan was composed in organizing a charity event of Air Asia, and he was every inch the debonair man during the auction. 

I slept late previewing the past episodes of The Apprentice Asia and yes, I came to the conclusion that Jonathan with all his abilidad deserved to be hired. 

I raved to Jonathan about the opportunities he will learn from Fernandes. He was enthusiastic about the friends he will meet and people to work with. It’s a different playing field from his days as a management trainee then and as a senior product manager. He will directly report under Fernandes and will earn six figures at that. I told him, I don’t mind working as a driver or an alalay to a brilliant leader for an opportunity to observe and learn. His training as an apprentice is priceless! 

When I posted the question on Twitter, “Who is your mentor?,” I half-expected people to name names and share experiences. Maybe, just maybe, not a lot of people could relate. I was fortunate to have training in Probe and honestly, I thought that all that learning would end after I left. But I was soooo wrong because until today, I am surrounded by people at work whom I admire for their years of experience in broadcast, their unique strengths and their passion. I learn from them every single day. I observe and take note.  

It is ideal that we find mentors, but much about life is self-taught. Though not explicit, people that we admire and meet are mentoring us every day and inspiring us. But at the end of the day, it’s not enough that we remain teachable apprentices, it is important for us to also contribute and become mentors ourselves someday. 

(I would really appreciate feedback. Do e-mail me at [email protected] and follow me on Twitter @bernadette_ABS.)