MOJO, the multimedia journalist

I was happy to be part of the the Multimedia Journalism Workshop at the Ateneo last week. I saw a lot of my classmates, still juggling their time between classes and work.

Though I wasn't able to finish the workshop because of a deadline, I still picked up some interesting points. (Ofcourse, all of these are subject to debates, with purists on one side who still refuse to embrace the advancement of technology).

Dr. Stephen Quinn, a multimedia journalist and author of several journalism books said:

- Every journalist should be a MOJO
- You already own the mobile phone, maximize it
- Be prepared with a reliable internet connection
- Make sure to ask permission in filming or documenting subjects
- Newspaper reporters have to develop digital skills

queen of the jungle

Mamma Mia!

So I wake up with a flurry of text messages greeting me "Happy Mother's Day!"

The messages just kept on coming. There were phone calls, too.

But seriously...I'm thinking...Oh C'mon...What is Mother’s Day but just an opportunity for businesses to make more money out of women's emotions and supposedly extraordinary role in this world.

One message sender put it this way: "Happy Mother's Day to us super women of the world!"

I almost dropped my cellphone after reading the message.

Are mothers really super women? For sure, my loyal friend, keeper and tyrant -- my one and only mom -- is one super woman but not me. No. Ofcourse not. I'm not a super woman. I know I'm not. I wasn't cut out to be a mom.

Really.

So, no way! I'm not a super woman. Maybe other mothers are.

As for me, I’m just trying to be a mom. I’m not good with children but I love my child. My relationship with her is the only relationship that I was and could ever be faithful to.

Besides, I have no choice, because as a politician I once interviewed told me, mothers have no choice but to be mothers because they gave birth to their children. I agree. There lies the difference between faith and knowledge.

A woman will always know that she is the mother of her child. Men can only hope. They will never know.

Maybe that’s what makes mothers different. And the difference is a period of nine months. And terribly agonizing labor pains.

But I still believe, Mother’s Day isn’t really necessary to celebrate this amazing gift from the universe. Everyday with my offspring is mother’s day. The magical moments are endless.

So I’m thinking…really, there’s no need for Mother’s Day anymore.

Oh but all these thoughts just vanish into thin air…when…as the day almost comes to an end…(perhaps she was saving the best for last)…the little miss comes storming into my room…pauses by the door…holds her breath…

and shouts with glee:

“HAPPPPYY MAH-DHE-DAY MAMA! HAPPPPYY MAH-DHE-DAY MAMA!
I WAV YU WEWY MUCH!”

My little heart melts. Wow. I so love Mother’s Day.