question and answer

I recently attended a seminar for media workers on how to reduce stigma and discrimination in AIDS and HIV. What made the seminar interesting and lively is when Dr. Eric Tayag of the National Epidemiolody Department presented the results of the 2010 Philippine HIV & AIDS Registry. As always, after every press conference reporters would storm in sources for a more personal interview. Of course, a personal interview in reality is not possible as other reporters would join once they see someone getting an exclusive.

Seeing reporters storm in Dr. Tayag reminds me of the days when I was part of that commotion.

I was not always confident of my questions and I would usually rely on other reporters' question in hopes that they would be asking the "right" questions. 

Of course, this is a reversed mindset. Asking questions, even if just for clarification makes the reporter recognizable to the person being interview. Most especially when he/she is of high profile, reporters would usually fight over the source's attention. It seems like a badge of honor to some reporters.

But yes, I left that life. And I am about to leave the media industry. I honestly miss those days. Who knows, I might be back and by that time, hopefully, most likely, I am more confident of who I am, able to ask the questions I ought to have asked a long time ago.