Can you even imagine how challenging it is to work in the media industry while pursuing graduate studies? What more if you are also working as a teacher all at the same time? Three different roles but it all requires a lot of hard work, dedication and patience.
But Jaerold Marc Ramos was wide awake when heaven poured out all the versatility, time-management and multitasking skills. It may seem unimaginable, but he has proven that it is possible.
“Ang klase ko sa masters ay 5:30 pm until 8pm. From there, pagkatapos ng klase ko, babalik ako sa TV station para makapag-post production ako. Mayroon din akong live newscast ng gabi which airs at 10:30pm. ‘Yung schedule ko naman for teaching is usually weekend pero meron ding mga weekdays ako nagtuturo. Challenging pero kinaya.”
Sir Jaerold, an academic scholar from UP Diliman and a Magna Cum Laude graduate from Polytechnic University of the Philippines admitted that juggling all of his tasks wasn't a walk in the park at all. He also had to deal with struggles along the way but despite all that, it was all worth it. Far from what he imagined, God really worked wonders to help him ace all of his responsibilities.
“Nung nagwo-work ako sa GMA and TV5 kasabay yun na nagma-masters ako. Doon ako nagkaroon ng opportunity for me to teach dahil mayroon akong colleague sa UP CMC na nag-offer sa akin to teach at Kalayaan College. From there nagkaroon na rin ng offer from other schools, like Mapua, IAcademy and now sa Manila Tytana Colleges.”
“I teach theories, research, and production subjects. Sa film production, subjects under film like production design, film 101 and other film-related subjects.”
As a film teacher for almost nine years, Sir Jaerold has always been true to his purpose on why he decided to pursue teaching. His goal has always been after the welfare of his students whom he considers as the future of the media industry.
“Noong una, ang pagtuturo ay leeway ko, parang stress reliever. Same with my masteral studies, kasi toxic ang industriya. Ang ginagawa ko sa klase, nagkukwento ako ng aking experience. Experiential kasi akong magturo kasi hindi mo matuturo ang Comm at Film ng libro lang. There are some theories na applicable but then, it’s really more on practice. Kailangan updated ka sa mga nangyayari sa paligid mo. Nakikita, naririnig, nararamdaman, naamoy at nalalasahan. ‘Yung industry kasi is very broad and sobrang bilis niya magbago.”
“Gusto ko kasi na bukod sa pagtuturo, gusto ko na mas magaling ‘yung mga estudyanteng tinuturuan ko kaysa sa akin. Plus another thing, I want to see them to see the real world kaya practice yung itinuturo ko. Minsan kasi yung ibang nagtuturo na media practitioners, hindi talaga sila nage-explain ng kung ano ba talaga ang nangyayari sa industriya. What I did, I’m sharing my experiences kung paano yung totoong nangyayari sa industriya. The ins and outs of the industry na hindi lang puro positive. Very challenging ang industriya."
"Tinatanong ko sila, sigurado ka bang papasukin mo ang mundong ito? Kasi pag pinapasok mo siya kailangang sobrang tatag ng loob mo kasi kapag may sinabi lang sa'yo, aalis ka na agad. Sa industriya, pag mahina ang loob mo, hindi ka talaga tatagal.”
“Ang nagpapatagal lang sayo is the passion and dedication to do things na hindi lang para sayo kasi hindi lang siya for ‘me, myself and I’. It’s for your audience, upang maipakita kung ano ba talaga ang gusto mong sabihin kasi doon nanggagaling ang boses mo. Ano 'yung gusto mong iparating. Ano ang gusto mong sabihin?”
Being the seasoned media practitioner that he is, Sir Jaerold has an extensive experience in the media industry namely: ABS-CBN (Star Music), GMA7 (News and Public Affairs) and TV5 (Local Entertainment and News Department), in various capacities and responsibilities: as a producer, creative consultant, assistant director, segment producer, guest liaison, location manager, media entertainment researcher, production manager and head writer. With his experience, he surely knows as a film teacher, what is bound to happen to his kids who are also aspiring to enter the industry. He firmly believes that those students also deserve to see what's really happening behind the camera aside from the facade of glitz and glamour of the media industry.
"Sinasabi ko nga sa students ko, saan ka ba pupunta? Are you going to play safe? Or dapat ang pelikula mo may sinasabi? Kasi, kung play safe ka lang, what’s the sense of doing things or making films without you being strong of your argument on what’s the real issue behind your storyline.”
“What I experience, I share with my students. At the same time, I let them experience what I experience. Sinasama ko sila kapag may projects ako. Recently, when I shoot a film, sinama ko yung mga estudyante ko and I let them immerse in what is happening doon sa pagsu-shoot namin. Hindi ako nagtuturo, hinayaan ko silang makaexperience kung anong ginagawa ng mga prod staff ko doon sa pelikula. “
“Kapag nasa TV naman, isinasama ko sila sa stations and sa radio stations. Mostly, I let them immerse what’s really happening in the field. Kasi, kapag di nila na-experience, sobrang hirap.”
“Nakikita mo din na nagkakaroon sila ng boses like you. Makikita mo rin sa mga estudyante mo kung sino rin ang may adbokasiya. Nakikita mo sa mga pini-pitch nila na nakukuha mo or nakikita mo kung sino ang mga may potensiyal. You got to inspire students at masasabihan ka nila na, sir natuto ako from this experience kasi you allowed us to experience it first hand.”
Indeed, what makes teaching even more fulfilling is the ability to impact the lives of the students. And Sir Jaerold is now reaping the rewards of his hardwork and dedication. It is no easy feat to juggle different responsibilities all at the same time, but he is lucky that his students are living by his example.
“Andami pa rin problema sa industry na kailangang ma-address. Kailangang magkaroon ng mga estudyanteng mare-replicate na lumaban sa maling practices and exploitation na nangyayari sa industriya. Kaya masaya ako na I am in the academe because I am able to inspire students."
"Kaya ako nagtuturo hindi para magmagaling ako, kundi para magkaroon ng mas magaling pa sa'kin.”
Even if getting a degree in Communication wasn't really his original plan before entering college because he really wanted to become a doctor, the path he chose to take would have probably been what's really destined for him. For almost a decade of his teaching career, he also learned valuable lessons from his students that also inspires him to become a better media practitioner, and a better storyteller.
“Sinasabi nga ng mga kakilala ko, paano mo ginagawa ‘yan? Nanggaling ako sa GMA7 then pumapasok ako sa school then bumabalik ako sa station tapos magtuturo. Usually, ang sagot ko talaga, passion lang din talaga na makapagturo at makapagshare nang mga nangyayari talaga sa industry. Ang gusto ko makita ng mga estudyante ko yung mga mali, na pwedeng itama. If these explotations and malpractices are still happening in the industry, magpapalipin ka na lang ba sa ganoong sistema? Prinsipyo o pera, saan ka doon?"
Sir Jaerold Marc Ramos is truly an epitome of a film teacher who is brave enough to tell stories that speak volumes of messages. We just hope and pray that everyone also gets to realize to speak up against injustices, to continue fighting for what's right and condemn what's wrong. While you still have a voice, use it.
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