Whenever I sit in front of the PC nowadays, I cannot resist the urge to read the many interesting blogs online. I am fascinated by people who have the ability to stir emotions with the flick of their pens, or should I say, a stroke on their keyboards. I admire those who can argue a seemingly impossible stand on a pressing issue without losing their readers to boredom. These opinion leaders have mastered the art and logic of combining the proper words to convey what they mean. The wit and the depth they inject in their entries are like synchronized pyro techniques organized to sustain the oohs and aaahs in the entire firework display of written words.
I am not much of writer. When I was in high school I would convince myself that I am and thickfacely join essay writing contests. Sometimes I win but most of the time I don’t. I must have lost a lot of writing competitions that I ended up winning poster making contests instead! I tuned out of writing and focused more on sketching and drawing. When I entered UP the gap between me and the written word took a ballerina split. I totally lost it. For the first time, since elementary, I dreaded essay exams and term papers. I would envy the likes of Sharon, an excellent writer and a good friend, for her skill in such kind of exams. I remember her coming to class unprepared for an exam because she was running for vice-chair in the student council at that time. I can see on her face the sincere uneasiness when the professor announced the quiz. But that was totally reversed when I learned it was an essay exam. I looked constipated the entire time I was composing my piece. Despite Sharon getting the highest score I still considered myself ‘luckier’ than her because, yes, I passed (talk about low standards).
I gained a bit of confidence when I started working. I took an exam at this research firm with a publisher of computer magazines as a mother company. I underwent the standard logical, psychological and math exams. Since it was the HR of the publishing house who conducted the exam, a couple of essay questions were thrown in. I must have performed well in the essays because when the HR called me for an interview, she told me that they are considering me for a writer position. Me? Allan, write? Professionally? They must be kidding themselves. They should fire the HR if they want growth rates for their business.
Thankfully, I didn’t get the writer post but I was hired to be a research analyst for their company. Had I known the writing requirements the position requires, I would have opted for the writer vacancy instead. Reports were generated fast, often very long. I must have written in one busy month the same number of pages I have written in my entire college life. There was no room for error and vague declarations because reports cost thousands of dollars a piece. I also had to learn a specialized of set of words during my stay with the company. We were expected to speak and write in perfect business English using words like ‘leveraging’, ‘strategic growth’, ‘compound average growth rate’, ‘value proposition’, ‘forecast assumptions’ and ‘business case’. I exploited phrases like ‘in terms of moving forward’ and ‘…took a two pronged approach’ in my reports.
It was stressful and mind draining but I still manage to recharge whenever I get emails from our Singapore office commending me how good my reports were. When I get praised with what I have written I seem to forget all the frustrating things that happened before that. Brains cells would die containing the names of people I will wanted assassinate for bugging me while I write the report. It’s just pure bliss and the world around is rosy and peaceful.
Just when I was about to regain the my confidence, opportunity knocked at my door. I packed my bag after two years of research work and transferred to the ‘client side’. I join a group of companies owned by a filthy rich guy with a mistress dangling Bulgari necklaces like they cost three for 100 pesos in Divisoria. When I boarded, I stopped writing and once again reunited with my interest with visual arts. The only writing I did was, at the most, a two page memo or 40 slide powerpoint presentation (30 of which are field with photos or tables).
I was already set to join another company when I learned about blogging. It was love at first sight. Although I was at first concerned about how my blogsite would look like, having been a graphic design person, I am now slowly appreciating it as a place where I can unleash my pent-up emotions.
I look forward to writing more. I’d probably settle first to writing ambiguous blabs everyday. From there, my plan is to move towards creating sensible and effort-worthy entries. I hope my plan will work. Adios for now.
