Congresswoman Lucy Torres-Gomez once told me that it is important to always look presentable at work or even during your “relaxed” days because you will never know who you will meet. (pag wa sa work di naman daw kailangang nakagown o nakapagpaparlor. Basta maayos ka!) The unexpected “encounters” may bring you opportunities. (siyempre first impression nga naman pag nakita ang aura mo!)
I have some unforgettable chance meetings that gave me once in a lifetime break (at kailangan ko pa mga ganyang meeting!)
News Anchor Pia Hontiveros
Several years ago, I attended a talk by Pia Hontiveros for UST AB Communication Arts. She was a Senior Reporter for ABS CBN News that time. (estudyante ako rito at fresh na fresh).
Pia: Who among you would like to be a news reporter?
(siyempre pa-biba ako. nagtaas ako ng kamay)
Pia: Yes?
FU: I want to be a news reporter because I want to be an instrument of truth.
(taray ko! actually parang nakuha ko lang yan sa prayer ni St. Francis of Assisi)
Pia: Wow. By the way, you have a good speaking voice.
(siyempre modulated to the nth level ako!)
Right after my graduation, I sent a letter to Pia with my resume (pina-courier ko pa yan ha!) and asked if there was an available slot for me at the ABS CBN News Center. (siyempre pina-alala ko na ako yung sumagot ng instrument of truth sa talk nya!) I thought she would not reply but no! After two months, I got a call from the office of ABS-CBN News Senior Producer Ging Reyes, (na reyna na ngayon ng ABS-CBN News Division) asking me to visit the network. When I got to their Sgt. Esguerra office, one of the staff told me that Ging hired me to be her News Researcher because I was highly recommended by Pia. (lakas ng power ko ha!)
This was my very first job. It also opened doors for me to be in the broadcast industry. Thank you Pia! (na reyna na ngayon ng CNN Philippines!)
FM Radio Boss Manny Luzon
After my stint at ABS-CBN, I got a reportorial job for RPN NEWS. (bilang pamintang durog na TV police reporter) One of the things that I would do if I was not on duty was to host events. I met Manny Luzon in one of the special events I was hosting. He asked me if I would be interested to join his team of radio jocks for 91.5 FM. I never imagined myself to be on radio. (pasang awa lang ang grade ko dyan nung college!) but since I needed additional income, I immediately said yes. (mukhang pera rin ako e!)
Manny: Gusto ko sanang character mo on-air ay bading.
(pamintang durog nga ako that time pero baka kasi naamoy nya ako!)
FU: No Problem Sir! I can do it. ( kahit may hesitation ako nung una!)
I eventually left the news industry and focused on FM Radio which paved the way for me to be on TV Entertainment. (eto yung kasagsagan ng may ganon ko on air!) I am forever grateful to Sir Manny! (na hanggang ngayon, kasama ko pa rin sa radio kung saan ako nambubulabog!)
(MR.FU hosts on 91.5 Win Radio, 9pm-12mn, Mondays to Fridays. Twitter/IG: @mrfu_mayganon. FB: Mr.FU the Star DJ. Youtube/Patreon: WTFu )