Ever since I was a child, I live my everyday in such an ordinary way -- no branded clothes, no party schedules, no glitz, no glamour -- and yes, you are right, its a boring life.

A simple and naive young woman comes to Manila and who just graduated with a degree in theater arts and started to work as an administrative assistant in a marine engineering company -- had worked with some male technical engineers, government officials and below minimum waged workers.

In Sept 2006, a friend of mine told me that MEGA Magazine was in need of an editorial assistant and he encouraged me to apply so that I could practice my degree. I took the chance. I applied. After a week, I got a text message from one of Mega Magazine editors, Ms. Annie Nisce, who told me that the editor in chief wants to see me as soon as possible for a job interview. That was Friday, and I still have a lot of work to do in my current company. With closed eyes, I left my area -- escaped from the office and ran away going to my "mega" job interview.

While waiting at Mega's grandeous lobby, I was just wearing a black leather school shoes, blue denim flare pants, pink ruffled plain blouse and black office blazer (a living evidence of a casual dresser, and pathetically brainless in fashion trends). I was extremely intimidated by the presence of the gorgeous girls who were in their signature outfits passing in front of me, entering the Mega's office. I was about to question myself, thinking that I was a primitive creature.

When it was my turn to be interviewed by the Mega's EIC, Ms. Carla Sibal, I seated stiffly waiting for her arrival. Oh Mah Gad! I was star-strucked when I saw her! She's a stunner! A beautiful, gorgeous, lean and strong woman was standing right in front of me. I became speechless and got nervous during the interview. Her first question, "Do you read fashion magazines?" -- for me that was intense, because I never had a chance to read any fashion magazine before that interview. My common reading stuff are tabloids, daily newspapers, gossip magazines and fictional comics. For me, buying fashion magazines was just a waste of money for a below minimum wage earner like me. That was my way of thinking before, really.

I confidently answered Ms. Sibal's question. "Yes Ma'am. I am an avid fan of Preview Magazine and I read Chalk too." So stupid of me, I didn't know that those titles were direct competitors of MEGA!!! I only remembered those magazines that were displayed in 7/11 convenience store near my place and I didn't know what am I thinking when I said that. Ms. Carla just beamed a smile at me upon hearing that statement coming from  my clumsy mouth. Then she asked me another couple of questions about my work background and the said interview lasted for only five minutes. I was in full of frustrations and ended of blaming myself for my stupidity as I went my way out.

After a week, I didn't receive any update regarding my application -- and I am aware that it was because of my failed job interview but I tried to following it up and luckily, I was once again asked to come over to the Mega office and take the employment exam. I was hired to work as the editorial assistant of the powerful and sophisticated Carla Sibal, Editor-in-Chief of the Philippines' best fashion magazine, MEGA Magazine.

My dream is to become an actress and a news field reporter. I faced the opportunity being an editorial assitant as a temporary professional challenge. During my first day of work, few people in the office advised me about the behavior and preferences of all the editors that who I'll be working with. Luckily, I was able to use those advises in order to serve my dear editors at my very best.

I enjoyed having my own working cubicle and doing stuff that I am familiar with. As an editorial assistant, I was in charged  to monitor the over-all production flow of the magazine. Coordinating photo shoots, pull outs, transporations, contributors' payment, article and photo submissions, magazine pagination -- anything and everything that the editor requires me to do. Though I may not the one who is "next in line" to the EIC, I was able to accomplish all the tasks that the managing editor usually do. I am also confident that I was able to gained the respect and trust of my editors and co-workers.

 

My working cubile in MEGA office

 

The weekly percentage board This was the thing that all of my editors hate to see inside the office

 

The schedule board All of us were so excited to check this out



The Spark Office



My sleek yet ergonomic area at Spark


My former editors, helped me to beautify and dress more adequately for the new environment that I was in. In short, to fix my old-fashioned self -- an overall self improvement. Vicky Tensuan, the beauty editor, gave me some beauty products and make up cosmetics to try on (also in line with her tried and tested review section). Ms. Carla, gave me clothing gift certificates so I could buy more appropriate clothes for myself. Ms. Annie, (associate editor) usually grabbed me to join her during food photography shoots and eat with her so that I could be familiar with the different cuisines. Ms. Karen Vera, (managing editor) invited me to listen to her music so I could identify to every genre. Camille, (fashion assistant) pacifies me whenever I am in a hurry. Patrick Ty, (fashion editor) exposed me to the fashion world -- from editorial photo shoots up to attending the most fabulous fashion events and parties like the seasonal Fashion Week and Gala Balls. He even introduced me to some of the top models and fashion designers of the industry. Maia Reyes, (art director) taught me how to work toughly and Bianca Salonga, (features editor) taught me how to copy edit. They were my mentors--the people who I look up to until now.

with Bevs former fashion editor of Girlfriend magazine



with Mherlitz





from an ugly duckling



to a new improved swan



with Ms. Carla Sibal, Victor Aliwalas, Tony Quach and Benjo Billones



MEGA people tagged us as The Pantry Girls Me, Honey, Van, Grace and Thel (because we were so noisy whenever we have our lunch at the pantry)



My fellas in Spark Reena, Byron, Jona and Francis



with Tessa Prieto Valdes




My first encounter with Tim Yap during the MEGA Fashion Awards



My second with Tim Yap during the SPARK Launch

  

with my idol, Ms. Jo Ann Bitagcol



with Pitoy Moreno, the renowned "Fashion Czar Of Asia" and country's National Artist for Fashion Design

     

with Marikina City Mayor Marides Fernando (wife of the former MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando)

   


with fashion designer Chris Diaz

 

with fashion designer Eric delos Santos

 

with fashion designer Joey Samson



with the famous Ms. Saigon, Lea Salonga

  

with ABS-CBN news achor Karen Davila



with the controversial Bebe Gandanghari (my heartrob actor crush Rustom Padilla)



with Binibining Pilipinas beauty queen Abbygale Arenas-de Leon



with Ms. World 2nd Princess and actress Ruffa Gutierrez



with VJ model Joey Mead



with actress Angel Locsin



with hunk actor Luis Manzano



with actor Ian Veneracion and his kids at Fully Booked



with model Mia Ayesa



with model actor Victor Basa



with female car racer Gabby dela Merced



Celebrity heartrob and Ateneo Blue Eagles' Chris Tiu (and of course, he is the son of MEGA's President, Mr. Jerry Tiu)

  

with model JC Tiuseco and hunk actor Diether Ocampo                      with musician and vocalist, Clemen Castro




with Becky Nights' Buern Rodriguez, in-demand make up artist Leo Posadas, Camille Mathay and Zac Moran



with PJ Cana, 80's pop music icon Rick Astley and Alora Guererro



with actress Ara Mina




with singer diva, Rachel Alejandro



with VJ Steph Henares



with inventor Illac Diaz



with Becky Nights Jake Galvez, Buern Rodriguez, Ampy Corpus of Procter & Gamble Phils. and Isabelle Daza (daughter of former Ms. Universe Gloria Diaz)



with the talk of the town blogger, the chuvaness, Cecile Zamora Van Straten



with famous painter, RM de Leon



front row seat at Philippine Fashion Week



BTS of Anne Curtis' cover shoot




BTS Katrina Halili cover shoot



celebrity sisters Claudine and Gretchen Baretto



with the young bloggers during the Estee Lauder product launch event