There are a lot of things I have to be thankful for for the past year. In early 2011, I was published in Melchor F. Cichon’s Matimgas nga Paeanoblion: Anthology of Poems Written by Aklanons. I had two successive but equally awesome jobs: being a copyeditor for Elsevier, the world’s biggest publisher of scientific and medical journals, and being a creative writer/program producer/promotions specialist for ABS-CBN Sports on Studio 23. I made giant leaps in 2011 and I’ve mostly survived those giant leaps with just a few scratches. I made new friends, I became a part of new worlds, I grew up some more, and I learned valuable lessons in life. It was a great year for me and for that I’m very, very thankful.
As most of you would know, I’ve had several blogs under my belt now. I’ve moved from blogspot to Wordpress to tumblr. For most of them, I’ve always had the tradition of writing “year-enders” like this one. I mostly thank a lot of people and post photos on five of the best things that have happened to me during the entire year. This year, I plan to do the same, although on a more economical spectrum (photos are harder to post here on tumblr).
First off, I’d like to thank the people from SPi Global for giving me a home as one of its copyeditors for Elsevier. To my old boss bear, EJ Solera. To my friends and colleagues, Joseinne Ignacio, Marvin Lim, Erica Montesa, Kat Cortes, Ivy Lou Flores, Maya Agbo, Steff Bayle, Carla Dimayuga, and everyone else. The experience was wonderful. Being a part of your world was amazing.
[ABS-CBN Sports guy, Studio 23]
The year 2011 also had me on sports commercials for ABS-CBN Sports. Jordan Constantino is an awesome boss and Paul Michael dela Torre is one hell of a senior/mentor. Pepper Bobadilla, Crizia Po, Carlo Grajo, Djoanna San Jose, and everyone from Studio 23 are a great bunch to work with. Each second is pure bliss. There are still a lot of great people from the network I’d like to thank (like Madelle Balendo and Buyang Manuel) just for being alive. Without them, work would be less bearable.
[Armando Lao’s Screenwriting class, UPFI]
Being a part of Armando Lao’s Screenwriting class at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Film Institute was an opportunity that I couldn’t obviously pass up. I met great people there, the likes of Bernice Paita, Kim Lee, Vanessa Balagapo, Lars Magbanua, Juliene Co, Ian Urrutia, Ivan Payawal, Minda Monica Ponce, and Gershom Chua among others. The lessons I’ve learned from the legendary Armando Lao himself are to keep for a lifetime. It was one of the most valuable experiences of the year. I have all of his papers on a special folder on my drawer.
[Valley of Chrome in Cubao X]
As I’ve mentioned before, countless of times on Twitter and Facebook, my boss, Jordan Constantino, is the bassist for the rock band Valley of Chrome. I’m not even kidding. It was only natural for myself, my hipster friend Val, and the lovely Rica to attend one of their gigs. Thankfully, it was in Cubao X. That night will never be forgotten for as long as I live. I got to hang out with real rockers and Slapshock also made an appearance. Plus, it was Cubao X, for crying out loud!
[NaNoWriMo TGIO party: Libreria, Cubao X]
I’d be lying to you if I say the PinoyWriMos’ “Thank God It’s Over” party wasn’t the most enjoyable ending to the year. I’ve already written about it here: Writer Weekend. There was free food, free NaNoWriMo stickers (which I’ve already stuck on my laptop), Adam David, Honey Peralta from Flipside Publishing, Anna Santos from Writer’s Block Philippines, tons of young writers, and Libreria Bookstore in Cubao X as the party venue. What more could you ask for?
This year was just amazing. From friends to opportunities, 2011 was super generous. There are a lot of people, old friends and new, who helped me survive the year and I will forever be thankful to all of them. You all know who you are.
But as the flame of 2011 goes out, 2012 comes bearing more hope and success. Cheers to another year filled with more awesomeness!
I’ll be waiting for you on the other side, mates!
