The DZUP Experience

DZUP Internship (3 weeks)

Working in DZUP for almost a month was a worthwhile experience. At first I thought that it would be better to work in a larger radio station but I was wrong. Working as an intern in DZUP was more that I have expected, it was worth it.

I volunteered to be assigned in the program Kwentuhang Pets atbp. :) because I felt that this program suits me well. While it was not yet airing, I helped out in the pre-production of Simulan Mo.

From all my experiences in DZUP, my favorite is the brainstorming sessions we had with our Executive Producer, Melba Estonilo. I enjoyed it very much. That, for me, is the ideal set-up for concept development. The great thing about a brainstorming session like that is you get to learn your weak and strong points. You get to critique other people’s works and know what you can do to improve yours. In fact, just when we were asked to write scripts for the OBBs, CBBs, and stingers, have I realized that I badly need to improve on my writing skills for radio. Ma’am Mel pointed out the mistakes and suggested ways on how to improve it. It’s great to have that kind of opportunity because I know in the real world, not everyone’s going to critique your work and help you be better.

I also got a great opportunity of producing the OBB I wrote for the program. Since I believe that editing is my forte, I knew I could make it sound good. I even became a little obsessive compulsive about it that I made four versions of the OBB and it was a real bliss for me when my material was chosen by Transparency International. :)

After doing pre-production for Simulan Mo, I already focused on the preparations for the airing of Kwentuhang Pets atbp. It was not really that hard to write scripts and research for the program since I really have the heart for animals. The biggest challenge I had in the program was the task of co-hosting Professor Rara. I never had experience in hosting a radio show and I was a bit worried that I might talk nonsense on air.

My first time in hosting Kwentuhang Pets atbp. was nerve-wracking, there were a lot of dead airs and I said a lot of unnecessary comments. Since it is also Prof Rara’s first time, it took us some time to warm up and sound natural on air. I know we sounded really tensed but we tried our best. As the program progressed we got to manage sounding natural and make the conversation with the guest more fun. Jumping off from an average start, I prepared more for the second episode aiming to make the program sound a lot better. I am definitely learning so much from Professor Rara and our guests. I am able to learn, experience and share my passion for animals at the same time. Because of this, I am planning to volunteer for DZUP for the rest of the next semester. Moreover, it never felt like work to me. Ma’am Mel was right, I should grab the opportunity to serve in DZUP because I wouldn’t receive a training like this in other radio stations.

So magsasama-sama pa rin tayo tuwing Huwebes, ala-una ng hapon sa Kwentuhang Pets Atbp.! Dahil di pa ako aalis dun haha :)