My kind of adventure: Getting lost, finding stories in the field

Adrienne Villaruel

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

A media student who traveled all the way from Iloilo shares her experiences in the office and out in the field as a Rappler intern

I applied for Rappler’s internship program on a whim.

I sent in my requirements on the last day – which was on March 22 – and I didn’t expect a reply.

On April 2, I received an email from Raisa Serafica telling me I got into the program.

I stared at the message trying to let the idea sink into my head.

Then I found out they wanted me to come and start my internship on Monday, April 7. I am from Visayas so I panicked a little, realizing I only have 4 days left to prepare and then I panicked even more because I realized I haven’t enrolled yet.

Nevertheless, I did everything I needed to do and flew to Manila.

I was ecstatic and scared. I knew I was in for an adventure.

The first day

The author with her co-interns assigned in the production unit

I met my fellow interns the next day. We were all shy and timid. No one saw a great bond and friendship coming.

I found out I was the only one from Visayas, which meant I was the only one who was unfamiliar of Manila. 

I have visited the capital a few times but I never had the chance to explore it. I thought this would be a challenge on my part, but the next few days proved it wasn’t.

I’d ride cabs and buses and sometimes I would keep walking for a long time just to get to where I had to go.

In the production unit

The author during her stint as Rappler's floor director

I was assigned to the production unit along with 3 other interns.

We were tasked to transcribe recorded audio and stand in as floor director for #TalkThursday, #AskMargie, and the daily newscast.

They would take us out to on-location shoots and we would gladly tag along knowing we’d learn from the experience.

Being in Rappler’s control room is still surreal for me. Even today.

I got to work with people from the production unit who willingly showed us how they get their job done.

I always trembled at the idea of operating the prompter for Maria Ressa as I was terrified I might screw up. But every single time, I did it anyway.

There was a time when my co-interns and I were asked to go around Manila’s tourist spots to take pictures and video clips. We walked from Quiapo all the way to Divisoria.

We marched under the heat of the sun, watching out for each other’s belongings afraid that a snatcher could just be nearby.

We failed to shoot a time lapse of a sunset at Manila Bay because it rained that day. We also forgot to record the audio. It was a long day, but it sure was a fun learning experience.

Never Tired

There wasn’t a day I felt tired of coming into the office.

I always looked forward to seeing my co-interns whom I eventually shared a bond with.

I always wanted to contribute something for the day in any way that I can.

There were times when it felt like transcribing a recorded audio could take years to finish. I was slow in typing.

Whenever I struggled to beat deadlines, I always put into mind that I am lessening the burden of whoever was working on that particular story.

I’m glad that even though I was assigned to a particular unit, I was not hindered from doing other tasks.

I’ve had a glimpse of the struggle of today’s journalists.

I recall the time I wrote an article which needed both sides of the story. A co-intern and I went through a lengthy process of getting an agency’s statement. It even came to the point where our supervisor had to be involved just so they would entertain us. It was clear that bureaucracy was the issue.

Out in the field

Out in the field. The author during her legwork in Cavite

People in Rappler say the best experiences are in the field where you get to meet different people.

You get to see the truth in the flesh, and it’s amazing that I was given a chance to experience it.

Along with two other interns, I covered a story for the #HungerProject in Cavite, where I learned how schools get out of their way to fight malnutrition. It was a humbling experience meeting teachers who are passionate about their students and their cause.

Rappler taught me hunger is one of the world’s greatest solvable problems, and that people can do something to alleviate it.

I also had the opportunity to cover an event that involved an ambush interview

I was standing next to other reporters from different news networks. I was surrounded by their large cameras as I stood on the side with my DLSR on hand while I try to take a picture.

My co-intern squeezed her way to the sea of reporters who were trying to get their questions answered.

Afterwards, people asked us if we were interns and for what network and with a smile beaming across our faces we said “Yes, we’re from Rappler.” We were proud we were doing the same job as them.

Always thankful

The thing I’m most grateful for is how the people from Rappler gave interns their trust.

They believed in us so much, we felt we needed to do our best in whatever way we can, which was a good thing.

While other internships may constrain you within the walls of its offices, Rappler throws its interns into the field.

They let you see the reality for yourself, they let you write what you have witnessed, and then they give you constructive criticism.

These were only possible because of initiative and risk-taking – something I eventually learned to develop during my internship. I smile at the thought of such experience.

I did tasks in the office. I was out in the field. I met great people working in the media industry. I had the chance of getting to know young people like me –somehow I can say we all wanted to be part of change.

I have come to learn that thirsting for change is one thing. Doing something about that thirst is another. 

I know Rappler will keep on moving and inspiring young people like me. 

I will always be grateful for this opportunity. It was an adventure. – Rappler.com

Adrienne Villaruel is a Rappler intern. She is an incoming senior Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies at the University of the Philippines Visayas Miagao Campus. She got lost a few times in Manila, but she considers it a part of her adventure.  

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!