The CSB Experience 3: Off-Rhythm

"Got relieved from my job...I'll make kuwento later"-James
"Shucks. Bad?"-Mommy
"I don't know. Di pa nagsisink-in sa'kin eh."-James
"Okay"-Mommy

Ooh, this is quite ironic. Just the other day I was talking to Ian how I got my internship for a radio program and the next day, I told him I got laid off. Just only now am I starting to have that sinking feeling of failure and disappointment. It just gets to me with brute force and now I'm taking all my disappointment out of this entry in order for to  get some heat off from my system.

I never seen this coming although there were signs right under my nose but I never expected the outcome of me getting "relieved from [my] duties". It was all sudden, and I don't know how I would react to such news. It was indeed a tragic and grim ending for an otherwise productive and supposedly-fulfilled Thursday the 22nd.

I started working as part of the production team of 99.5 RT's RT30 Countdown last February were originally I signed up on writing scripts for the weekly Friday show. Eventually my qualifications as a design student landed me with the task of producing a logo that will identify the show and eventually expand to designing its website among other things. This was a significant factor that led to what became of my tenure in that station.

First and foremost, I decided to pursue my internship in advanced in the hopes of starting off early before taking my formal OJT class this May (brought by circumstances beyodn the school's control). It was quite the coincidence that the RT30 team are looking for interns so I tooked the opportunity to inquire and eventually apply for the job.

Even if it's not a paying job, the experience of working for radio further widened my horizons and made me appreciate the medium even more. As a listener since the station's "re-inception" back in September 2008, it was really a big honor for me to work for a legendary entity that has been around for the past 3 decades.

One of the jocks who used to work for RT was my professor last year and he was the one who suggested that I could apply in the station as an intern. And even before, I was able to learn more about RT's history thanks in part of several former and current RT personalities who always keep in touch at the RT thread in Pinoy Exchange. It made me even more determined of finding a way to land myself a job there.

It finally came into fruition a year later when I booked one at the station. I enjoyed the rollercoaster ride, having met such a wonderful set of people in the team: Jose, Inka, Carla, Clarisa, Alven, Claude, Jessica and the rest of the RT crew. Despite the difficulty of the work given, I always try to put on a smile and at least have fun working. It makes the job a lot lighter to carry.

So when I got the news that I'm not going to be a part of RT30 anymore rendered my speechless, as in REALLY speechless. My mouth was like spitting out a thought bubble that looks like this: "...". My mind was finding it difficult to process every single word into my brain. My ears were turning read and my eyes widened in total disbelief.

It pains me that my efforts did not reap results that the team wanted to see. On the one-hand, how will all of these factor for my OJT? Assuming that the works I produced under RT30 are considered properties of the show, how will I get compensated in a way that they will honor my contributions as a member of the team? How likely will they use my designs as a basis for future revisions if the task is given to my replacement? Not much explanation was given as far as my on-the-job training is concerned and I'm still waiting for them to reply about my queries. My parents even suggested that I should do my internship at the Philippine Information Agency but I have other things in mind.

 As I've mentioned back then, my top goal is to finish school no matter what. I know there are bigger and better things ahead, and my firing will not be a hindrance but will serve as a motivation for me to continue dreaming big.

In addition, my relationship with RT may not stop there, as it turns out. I'm still officially a part of the station's training program, The Farm and I'll be training under its Production module. Although the program's first few weeks might conflict with my academics, I'm happy to say that the school year will officially end in 9 working days.

As unfortunate as how sudden my run was cut short, I know that there's always be a light coming at the end of the dark tunnel.