Ready, Set, Go!

The calm before the storm: A photo of me by the main entrance of World Trade
Center for the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) 2019 

When race car drivers head to a competition, they prepare everything beforehand. From their physical fitness and mental a-game down to their racing equipment and ready-for-speed auto, each detail is made sure to spell success when the race ends. In the same manner, reporting about automobiles also entails a level of preparedness so that the finished coverage or article can be considered “Formula 1” material. One has to equip him/herself with the right artillery: notebooks and pen, cameras and audio recorders, not to mention, a full tank of energy and adrenaline. In my case, I went into the MIAS 2019 practically, bare. All ever I knew about motoring were from overheard beer conversations from my uncles. The day before the auto show, I wish I eavesdropped on them more. To aid, I did as much research I could about the brands in MIAS, especially those whose launches people were more excited for. I found myself zooming into Ford and Kia, and well, googling car terms I had never heard of or why this new engine is better than the last. Come show day, I believe l I exerted all efforts to earn my one-day title of “Inquirer Motoring media intern”. Well, that was until the first brand did its opening remarks. My questions, including the back-up aces were all centered on this particular vehicle, but lo and behold the star of the show was a completely different one. Within the few minutes of the launch, I managed to scratch my questions and scribble new ones. Actually, I don’t know how I pulled it off, but I got to squeeze a narrative out of my questions and had a smooth and meaningful interview with Ford’s managing director (who just happened to be French).

4MEM Block turned media interns for a day!

Team Beta

Sure, having a passion for cars could have helped me in that “now what?” situation, I think it would still boil down to mastering the skill of thinking on your feet. Much like in racing, one can only prepare so much. However, it’s what happens in the pit, garage, and track that really matters. Things go wrong, but it’s one’s ability to swerve past that and finish first. If everyone was just as good, no one would lose. As for Journalism, only the tough ones survive and flourish. But beyond mental agility and writing improvisation, I think what really makes a journalist great is when one is able to curate a significant story no matter how unfamiliar or uncomfortable the ground is. Sure, sportswriters can dabble on an NFL feature story, or the lifestyle writer is confident writing an article on a newly opened art gallery. But do they have the nose for news when they are taken out of their fishbowls? I think that’s what truly defines a writer-reporter—flexibility. And thanks to this year’s MIAS, I was able to test that out on myself.