Sunday, November 25, 2007 The lifestyle section at 25
SUN.STAR Cebu turns silver today and with it, the section I’ve been part and parcel of these past 25 years. Perhaps more than anybody else involved in the lifestyle pages, I am the proudest because I was there from the very start when it was a struggling page called the Woman’s Page.
It has been quite a journey from that single page featuring community events and social affairs to the multi-page section that it is today covering just about every aspect of life. Yes, what started out as a lone flower, so to speak, has now turned into a garden in full bloom. The section now has Kristin Lerin (Travel editor) and Leticia Suarez-Orendain (page editor).
Personally, the learning experiences have been invaluable and the sense of fulfillment truly indescribable. n
(Nelia Garcia Neri)
1. Writing about accomplishments beats probing scandals and anomalies. The latter is part of journalistic surveillance but abets depression. The former inspires. Writing for Live! is a license to mentally, emotionally map Cebu—I love Cebu.
2. The total Live! concept—text, photos, layout—discipline me to make every word count, give way to pictures, reduce the story to essentials to allow the article to visually “breathe.” (Mayette Q. Tabada, feature writer)
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3. The friendship of my colleagues and the people from all walks of life I get to meet make me happy.
4. Being at functions or events, which otherwise I would not have access to and the pats on my back from those I’ve written about, for a job well done give me a high.
(Jenara Newman, feature writer) ***
5. I get the chance to write about what’s new in the community, academe, socio-civic and business sectors, even travel or tourism, and how they touch the lives of others.
6. As a lifestyle writer of Sun.Star, I have realized the value of propriety and accuracy. Every article must be energized with a substantial dose of sense and sensibility. (Mila C. Espina, columnist, In My Diary)
*** 7. Writing has always been my love. I believe I am blessed to be found in the lifestyle section of Sun Star where so much effort and time are spent in coming up with articles which feed the mind and the soul.
8. I enjoy being in the company of writers whose search for truth and beauty can be found in their honest, openness and awareness of what is reflected in God’s eyes. (Evelyn R. Luab, columnist, Light Sunday)
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9. The scope of writing in this section allows access to the exclusive recesses of different subjects—the rich and famous as well as the naughty and notorious; the sacrosanct corridors of power and prestige, of politics and patronage; the world of young innocents, budding teenage sprites as well as the realm of high fashion and elegant dining; and the world of the indigent, the underpriviledged and the downtrodden. And I find it most fulfilling and rewarding when I can make a difference in the lives of this last group.
10. To be a good Samaritan through our powerful pens is what makes writing for Live! the essence of itself. (Chinggay V. Utzurrum, columnist, The Scene)
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11. As a food writer, I go to restaurants and bars and meet a lot of people (from bar and restaurant owners to PR people and other media personalities). I’ve always liked making new friends, and writing for Live! brings out the social animal in me.
12. Writing provides me with a challenge: what may taste good to other people may not taste good to me, and vice versa. The challenge is finding a common ground between my host and my taste buds, and writing about it. (Jigs Arquiza, food writer)
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13. There’s a sense of fulfillment whenever the advice we give helps the person concerned.
14. Writing the advice column helps us to understand the different characteristics of people from all walks of life and enables us to encourage them to exist in a purpose-driven life.
(Dana Ruiz Sesante and Cindy Garaña, columnists, Women’s World)
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15. I have found a medium where I can share my love for fashion, and my motivation is a quote on being a writer by Wide Awake author Melanie Lim: “It’s not about getting it published. It’s not about getting paid for it. It’s about doing what you love to the most.”
16. As a fashion writer, I have the opportunity to work with creative editors, designers, stylists, and photographers.
(Clint Holton Potestas, fashion writer)
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17. I like writing for live! because I think I can make Sunday reading more enjoyable, especially for those who are tired at looking/searching at the classified ads!
18. I like writing for live! because I can write about what women like, think, or want and get my message across to the men.
20. Searching for stories and doing fieldwork gives me a chance to travel and explore.
(Ritchie Quijano, art writer)
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21. I’m given the chance to meet with artists and performers whose statements and actions matter a lot in the local entertainment scene.
22. I am able to regularly update our kababayans abroad about exciting events in Cebu especially concerts, stage presentations and other cultural productions.
(Sam Costanilla, columnist, Spotlight)
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23. It’s my passion to share my knowledge in fitness to people who are interested and willing to learn about proper exercise and nutrition.
24. Through my column, I can open the eyes and mind of every Filipino in the realization that exercise is not only for the young, but also for anyone who is physically able—even if he/she is already in his/her golden years.
(Alex Paquiao, columnist, Fitness and You)
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25. It makes me feel like I’m a family member of Sun.Star, and I earn a certain degree of respect even from people I haven’t met before. It keeps me in the groove of things and events.
