I was asked by one of my bosses to cover an event at The Block, SM North Edsa and I instantly agreed. I have always wanted to write, although press releases are not really my forte. But hey, there’s always time for trying new things. And maybe that would be my starting point, since Ms. Clarissa Concio and Denise Mallabo (EIC & Production Coordinator, respectively) of Burn Magazine already expected me to do write-ups during events. My first assignment supposedly was the Earth Day Jam at Tomas Morato last month but they changed their minds when they learned that I’m from Las Piñas. Oh well.
So anyway, it was just a day before the Nestle event at The Block when I realized that I will surely have a hard time going there since I’ll be coming from the south. Hassle! Too late to back out, I still said yes. Ms. Gi gave me a sample press release and some guide questions. But I had a different plan in mind. That day, a new intern (also from UST) reported for work and he’s a Journalism student! And he lives in QC! Haha, sinuswerte nga naman! I asked him if he’s interested to cover an event and write a pr with me (since he’s calling me ‘Miss’ or ‘Ma’am,’ if not ‘Ate’). He quickly said yes. Naks. So I told him to go to The Block in the morning, and I’ll be the one to cover the afternoon festivities (but I really didn’t have plans to go. Hehehe…)
May 5, day of the event. I woke up at past 11. My phone was bombarded with text messages from my co-intern. I completely forgot that I told him to just text me if he would encounter any problems. Oo nga pala, wala pa siyang company ID! Why didn’t I think of that agad? Haha! Buti nalang the organizers of the event were not that strict, they still believed that he’s from Hinge Inquirer, yun nga lang, he wasn’t their priority. According to one of his messages, he got to interview someone from the production staff and there will be a live program daw in the afternoon and an appearance of Spiderman. Patay. I had no choice but to go to SM North Edsa. Even if my co-intern wanted to stay, di pwede kasi he has another ojt yata somewhere.
It was already past 1pm when I decided to go. Talagang pinag-isipan ko pa! Haha! Kasi naman, ang layo talaga! I only go to that mall if and only I would be coming from UST or from Ers’ house in Project 6. Bus and fx lang din yung alam ko na means of transportation going to SM North. Plus, I AM AFRAID TO RIDE THE MRT ALONE. Kahit LRT pa yan. I have always had a fear of getting lost.
I got to the mrt station alive, thank god. Actually I didn’t even know na taft station na yun, buti nalang doon talaga nag-sstop lahat ng jeep. Hehe! First mrt ride, ang sayaaaaa! :D And in less than an hour, nasa north ave station na ako! If I took the bus til Lawton, and fx til SM North, ten years malamang! Haha!
I arrived just in time for the afternoon program. All the kids were gathered at the “Central Park” after an exhausting adventure around The Block-turned-Downtown Manhattan. The event pala was called “Krunch Into The Web,” a three-day promotion of Nestle Breakfast Cereals and Sony’s Spiderman 3. I was led to the press area, met the production staff and Ms. Aileen from the Sales Dept. of Spark Magazine (Hinge Inquirer). She was looking for me daw kasi Ms. Gi just told her that she sent a writer but forgot to mention the name. The program was hosted by DJ Fran and Sam Concepcion. A production number was given by the five oh so adorable mascots of Nestle Breakfast Cereals and a song number by Sam Concepcion and Chesca Ortega. At around 5:00, a very buff Spiderman made an appearance. He looked weird in that super tight costume, yikes! Hahahaha! But the kids loved him, they all took pictures with him in their own Spidey poses and costumes. Cute!
While they were all busy hovering over Spiderman, Ms. Aileen introduced me to the Brand Manager of Nestle Koko Krunch and I interviewed him for a few minutes. I didn’t bring my voice recorded because Ms. Gi never told me that I will be interviewing people. Buti nalang I write very fast. Lesson #1, always come prepared. Hay.
The event was a success, the whole venue was packed and it was obvious that all the kids had fun. There were a lot of freebies. Now I believe that the press people never leave empty-handed. Aside from this wonderful experience that I brought home, I was also given a press kit (Koko Krunch bag, press id, program, a cd containing Nestle’s promotional logos, etc.) and a heavy bag full of Nestle cereals and milk. My fave!
Going home wasn’t a problem, unlike before that I had to travel for 3 hours. The line at the mrt station was long pero okay lang, may empty seats pa naman. Definitely next time, I will not hesitate to accept any assignment, kahit saan pa yan! Go lang ng go! And I’m pretty sure na mapapadalas na ako mag mrt, although I still am a bit nervous to travel alone! Hehe..
