Friday 16 March 2012

A Mentor's-Journalist Journey: Livng and Inspiring




          Everybody has someone to look up to. Young or old, everybody finds someone they admire, idolize and look forward to learn from and they are called the role models of the society.

Role models can make a huge impact on people’s lives and but for those who are truly honest and has the passion and compassion for giving kindness and sharing their wisdom to others are the few who definitely have made an unforgettable mark that is shown to those who live on with them. 

          One such role model is the journalist educator Romulo V. Maturingan. A graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Journalism degree in Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and took his Masters’ degree in Public Administration in Bulacan State University, where he has now been teaching as a Journalism instructor for about a year.


          But before his teaching career started, he first worked at GMA7 Network as the ‘brain-stormer’ for television news and entertainment programs and became an executive producer of ‘Imbestigador’ directly working under the reporter, Mike Enriquez, in DZBB Radio and anchor of 24-Oras, television news program.

          His career in GMA 7 has been going on for almost 7 years up till now, but during February of 2011, he decided to try to take a shot for a job opportunity in Singapore.

          Following his motto--- ‘live life to the fullest’, he left for Singapore and resigned from the network but went back to the Philippines shortly afterwards and reapplied back to GMA7 network where he now works as their Junior News Desk Editor in the news department.

          “I tried going to Singapore for greener pastures, but unfortunately, siguro that was just not for me so I reapplied sa GMA and underwent the same process na parang baguhan ulit ako doon.

       As an educator in Journalism, Sir Mulong, as he is called, has always considered his job as a profession, and not as a sideline even though he only works as a part-time instructor in BulSU. And in his experience, it has only been a year but his passion for teaching, his field of expertise has always been inspiring for him.

        “Mga 1 year palang ako sa pagtuturo pero masarap talaga ‘yung feeling kapag nagtuturo ako. Kung baga ganoon kabigat sa’kin ‘yung trabahong ito. Hindi ko siya mako-consider as a sideline. Profession talaga,” the educator mentioned.

         From his teaching experience, he also saw that he can also be a student as well as a professor—being able to learn from others as well to be able to share his own knowledge and experience with them. 

        “Naging Masscom student din ako before ako naging professor kaya naiintindihan ko din naman ang mga estudyante ko. Natutuwa ako kasi nakikita ko din na nagagawa naman nila ang mga dapat at nakakagawa din sila ng mga projects na hindi naming nagagawa before,” he said.


      “It’s fulfilling to impart knowledge. May natututunan ako in a sense na may naituturo ako.” he added.

     The most important lesson he also wanted his students to learn is the value of education and the importance of ethics on the field of Journalism.


        “Bukod sa study hard, gusto kong maalala nila [his students] ang importance ng ethics kapag nasa field na sila. Sana ‘yung ethics na ‘yon ma-maintain, kasi pag nasa trabaho na, may temptation ‘di ba?” Maturingan said.

        For now, he is contented with his life, and still waiting for what may come. He still hasn’t planned on marrying yet too, being single and ‘kasal muna ako sa aking sarili’ as he cheerfully said.
       Staying humble, still single, grateful to his family, enjoying teaching and being able to be free to be himself (like what his Chinese “Freedom” tattoo on his left forearm symbolizes), Romulo “Mulong” V. Maturingan continues to inspire his students, his colleagues, his fans, and is living his life completely to the fullest.#Carla Hermoso

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