The future before me

It is not everyday one has the privilege to meet the future.

Last Tuesday, I had the honor to train 28 aspiring TV journalists for SOLAR TV. Beyond their seeming innocence, I found hope for a better media.

To meet young people who have excelled not by virtue of wealth or social status, shows how education, the Internet, social media and travel have started to equalize things little by little.

It was no longer a room filled with rich kids from rich kids’ schools wearing their stereo-typical imported, branded outfits and accessories, enunciating their fair skinned English.

At first glance it seemed that way as the “kikay” sounding shrills reminded me of “Oh My Gosh” groupies. No they were not. They were media affected young graduates, sprinkled with a couple of young mothers, four experienced journalists who wanted to matter, to make a difference but never got the recognition they deserved.

In that pool of soon to be “professional siblings” under the SOLAR TV family was the reflection of Philippine society  a Eurasian young lady whose seeming disadvantage and cultural dislocation early in life now stands to become her best asset if mentored well.

One or two single moms reflected our social reality as well as their personal difficulties between motherhood and the need to provide for the child that is now the most precious thing in their lives. Yet in all that complexity, they manifested maturity and the steely determination one needs to survive in media.

There was the seemingly rebellious Jolina look alike who did not “dress the part” of a serious TV journalist, only to blow the competition away after conducting her simulated interview. Here again was a young person who just needed to see the example, taught the lesson and encouraged.

Imagine a room full of teachable hearts and minds belonging to people with masters degrees, literary awards, survivors of economic disadvantage and discrimination, kids who seemed to have come from the cast of “Glee” and then discover their untapped abilities?

This was the future before me; this was the next generation and I had but one day to instill upon them that which is right, that which is true. Something, whether you believe it or not, will surely make the difference.

Call it a “Eureka!” moment. We spend so much time thinking or worrying about the future. We talk about training up or mentoring the young. Last Tuesday, I left the house to do a job, to conduct a training program. Instead I met the future.

Please remember that the next time a child asks for help or next time you have to train newbies, neophytes or “fresh meat”. Don’t just tell them what to do, help them define their future, because we won’t be it when it comes.

(Thanks to Ms. Leah and the guys at SOLAR TV for giving me a free hand.)

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Between a bombshell and a pillbox, one would think that media outlets would instantly go for the bombshell. But why didn’t they?

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the Commission on Audit (COA) recently completed and released information indicating certain irregularities in the accounting and expenditures of the PCSO during the past administration.

The big story that got very little coverage was the claim that PCSO funds were utilized for advertising but were not supported by any documents and went mainly to pockets of favored agencies or parties, etc. The minor story was that six Catholic Diocese or priests, each received one brand new sport utility vehicle (SUV).

I wish, I had a chance to teach the PCSO officials on the art of dropping bombshells before they threw away such a golden opportunity.

For starters, they must have been aware that any advertising expenditure ultimately goes to a media establishment or a media personality. Therefore such a premature expose would be “lost in translation”.

In other words they would intentionally lose the story.

Any media outlet or media personality who directly or indirectly earned or benefitted from such unusually large ad placements can be expected to ignore, embargo or block any coverage of stories that might come back to bite the guilty parties.

The PCSO officials may have taught that P261.735 million of unaccounted, undocumented money being given to certain ad agencies or media outlets was reason enough for media coverage. But it’s not.

It has long been common knowledge that past administrations have used the PCSO, PAGCOR and various Intelligence funds to establish a working relationship with media, particularly those that are “commercially minded”, meaning if they get commercials that’s all they have in mind, not government.

Millions of pesos fatten up media outlets and personnel through advertisements and co-prods or co-productions. In exchange, those in government get immunity from attack or harsh criticism. The P261+ million per annum of undocumented ad buys is nothing to all the money spent each year.

Details and conflict lead to stories being written. If the PCSO-COA report named names and pointed out who was excluded or deprived of the advertising placements, then those who went “hungry” can be expected to go “angry” as well.

Instead we now hear and read about “6 SUVs goes to 6 priests”. This spin on the story instantly puts the PCSO on the warpath of the Catholic Church because it places the CBCP in an embarrassing light. So kill “media involvement” and deflect the guilt.

The CBCP and some Congressmen have reportedly called for an investigation on the matter. Not everybody gets a second chance but a congressional investigation would certainly be the perfect opportunity for the PCSO and COA to drop the bomb on target.

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