DJ Barbie Q of 106.7 Energy FM

I was working on a blog post last 2014 on how I was able to get back on the airwaves. You know, I have this 'on and off' relationship with this career, but as soon as I signed the contract with 106.7 Energy FM, I told myself I am very much blessed to be picked by a respected and established radio station and I need not to waste it. So then, I chose to stay and wanted to keep it for good. I went busy with juggling three (or more) jobs and missed out on finishing the blog I started, until today! Excuses! I know! Haha! 

Hello 2015! Yes! It is a new year! And I have yet shared photos from our recent photo shoot as part of the radio station's relaunch campaign that (in fact) started last year! Let's have it as a teaser for now while I go back to finishing that old-new blog post.

Of course, I won't forget to mention these people with magical hands who helped us achieve that 'oomph' look! Special thanks to our fabulous Glam team! 

Make-up Artist: Moonrise de Clarin

Hair Stylist: Bubhey Bautista

Wardrobe/Stylist: David Baky (for my clothes)

On Energy FM, they call me Barbie Q!

Here are your DJs! :)

There you go! Let's make 2015 even more awesome! And oh, please remind me to finish the 'blog' before the year ends! Cheers! #AngSarap

Moving Forward

Sometime long ago, I was in deep hurt. That kind of excruciating pain you couldn't even barely imagine. Today, I couldn't even remember how I got into it up until how it broke me into pieces. I knew to myself my conscience was clean. I kept on asking myself why I should be experiencing it when I never wanted to hurt anyone. Until now, I am looking for answers.

I am finally letting go of the past; deciding to leave everything negative behind. I stumbled across an old note in my phone and found myself smiling while reading it. I felt proud of myself, that during the darkest days of my life, I was optimistic to move forward.

Here's a short letter I've written way back. No edits were made to preserve the emotions felt during the time I wrote it.

Moving on is least like "starting all over" but more of "continuing without". ~ Mitch Albom

I am getting well. I know I am.


I was hurt badly by the past but I am healing now. There are times that I still feel a bit of tingling in my chest but I guess its part of the process.


I am very much excited to wake up to that day that he, his memories, his voice, not even the sound of his name will affect me no more. Not even the littlest pain you could ever imagine. That day when I get to see him in a crazy crowd, I will be able to smile and nod at him and walk away without any regret nor pain; feeling proud, free and fearless. And I know, that day is coming.

The wounds are drying. The scars will forever be there. But what matters most is how I stood up after a hard fall. Soon, I will no longer miss him. I will be able to forgive him. Yes, I will.

They say experience is the best teacher, and he was such a good one. Someone who taught me what love really meant and how pain is just bluntly part of it. It was quite a tough and painful subject to learn. But I made it. Thank you for the lesson. I've surely learned a lot from it.

I will be okay. I am on my way.
I am... Almost there...


I am sharing this to everyone who is experiencing pain because of loving. Its okay. Its normal to get hurt. Just breathe. It will take a lot of tears. And heck a lot of time. But things do happen for a reason, right? You'll find true happiness soon. Everything's going to be okay. Trust me.

Loving and Letting Go

There will come a time that you need to give up something you’ve wanted so much to set things straight. You’ll surely get hurt in the process but giving up doesn’t mean you lose the battle.

You bleed alone to let that someone be strong.

You weep alone to save the tears of others.

You break your own heart to let that someone find his own happiness.

And you give up that one reason you smile each day, to let others regain their own.

Give yourself a good pat on the shoulder, you just made the right yet one of the hardest decisions in life.

This is why LOVE is called SACRIFICE.

It wasn't, it isn't and it will NEVER be fair but it's worth it.

Ang first time, sadyang hindi madaling kalimutan.

Madilim..
Malamig..
at Malakas ang buhos ng ulan...

Sabi sa balita, wala naman daw bagyo o low pressure area sa loob ng bansa, hanging habagat lang daw ito na pinagiibabayo ng Bagyong Haikui na kasalukuyang nasa bandang Taiwan.

Madaling araw ng Martes, August 7, kailangan ko pumasok sa trabaho. Pahirapan ang pag-aabang ng masasakyan. Sa sobrang lakas ng ulan, may ilang bahagi na ng daan na agad nang binaha kaya bago pa makarating sa tapat ko ang taxi, nakikita kong umiikot na sila pabalik para hindi na tumuloy sa baha. 

Desidido akong pumasok. Naisip kong tawirin ang baha pero hindi ko masyado na-convince ang sarili ko kaya lumapit na lang ako, para at least makita ng mga taxi drivers na may babaeng kawawa at kanina pa nag-aabang ng taxi.

Pagkatapos ng boardwork ko, bandang 8am, medyo humina na ng ulan. Madiliim pa rin ang langit, parang mag-aalas-sais pa lang ng umaga, pero medyo humina na ang ulan sa may bandang Ortigas.

Pahirapan ang pag-aabang ng masasakyan. Sinabi ko na 'yun kanina, sequel ito.

“Manong, sa Galas po.” Sa bilang ko, walong beses ko ito nasabi dahil walong taxi ang pinara ko na hindi ako sinakay. Matagal din ang pagdating ng susunod na taxi,kaya medyo naubos yung pasensya ko sa mga sumunod na taxi drivers na tumangging isakay ko.

May isang mabait na taxi driver na nagsakay sa akin.

“Manong, Galas po.”

“Sige po.”

“Galas po.”

“Tara po.”

“Ows? Di nga Kuya?”

Sabay sakay agad sa taxi. Baka mag-bago pa ang isip ni Manong. Dinagdagan ko na rin ang binayad ko kay Manong, maliban sa siya lang ang nagsakay sa akin, nabanggit niya na nasa ospital daw ang apo niya kaya napilitan siyang mamasada kahit malakas ang buhos ng ulan. Maliit lang naman yung inabot ko, pero may kalakip na panalangin yun para sa agarang paggaling ng apo niya.Hindi ko nakuha ang pangalan ni Manong pero nagpapasalamat talaga ako sa kanya, driver siya ng World Taxi TXK382.

Wala gaanong trapik at baha sa mga dinaanan namin. Pero hanggang sa may Araneta Ave. na lang ako naihatid ni Manong dahil doon na nagkaroon ng malalim na baha at hindi na talaga kayang daanan ng anumang sasakyan. 

First time ko ma-stranded. Ito na ang ilan sa mga eksenang nasaksihan ko.  Parang mababaw lang sa picture, pero parang beach yan. Habang lumalayo, lumalalim. Hehe.

Paano ako nakauwi? Edi lumusong sa baha! May choice ba ako? Hahaha!

Una. Kinailangan ko tumawid sa concrete barrier na ito hanggang sa makarating sa SM Centerpoint. May mga taong tumutulong para umalalay, aabutan mo lang sila kahit P5.00.

Buti na lang, to the rescue si father dear. Thanks Dad!

Pangalawa. Kailangan sumakay ng raft boat na itinatawid ng mga taong nakalusong sa tubig. Apat ang kayang isakay nito. Standing ang eksena at kailangan ng bonggang talent sa pagbabalanse ng katawan kung ayaw mong mahulog sa baha. Itatawid ka nila hanggang sa entrance ng LRT V.Mapa Station para makatawid ka sa kabilang side. P20/head 

Pangatlo. Pagkatawid mo ng LRT, may toda ng mga balsa. Makeshift ang mga balsa mula sa itinaling mga empty plastic gallons bilang floater at nakabaligtad na batsa sa ibabaw bilang upuan. May medyo sosyal na version, yung bangka na gawa sa steel tub. 2-seater amg parehong style. Hindi ko na nakuhan ng picture yun. Matindi na ang pagkaka-kapit ko sa batsa! P40/head.

Kung pwede lang maiwasan na ma-stranded. Sino ba naman gugustuhin ma-stranded diba? Una nakakatakot, pangalawa, magastos!

Pwera biro, nakakatakot talaga. Kung hindi ka malulunod o makakasakit dahil sa tubig baha, yung ibang napanood ko sa balita, nakuryente naman. Buti na lang nakauwi pa ako ng ligtas sa bahay. Thank you Lord.

Napansin na natin si Habagat. Sumama yata ang loob na kahit madalas silang binabanggit ni Amihan sa weather report ay hindi naman sila napapansin. Naging malupit ang hagupit nito, pero 'wag natin isisi sa kahit kanino.

Ang matinding baha, maliban sa kalokohan ng contractors ng DPWH at DPWH mismo na matabunan ng aspalto ang 600+ na manholes, epekto rin yan ng basura natin!

Itapon kasi ng tama. Nung elementary naman tayo, tinuruan naman tayo magbulsa ng mga kalat natin diba? Kahit na yosi lang yan, itapon mo ng maayos. Kahit balat lang yan ng kendi, itapon mo ng maayos. Kahit balat lang yan ng butong kalabasa, itapon mo ng maayos.

Haay. Ondoy, tinalo ka ng experience ko kay Habagat. Sana wala na kayong mga kalahing sumunod pa.

How to do Home Facial

Experience a clean and clear skin without leaving home! Here are a few steps on how to do facial on yourself.

Step 1. Cleanse. Thoroughly wash your face with warm water and facial soap or facial wash. Remember not to apply the product directly on your face. Lather first on your palm before starting. Do not use hot water as it my cause drying of the skin.

Step 2. Exfoliate. Use a facial scrub to exfoliate stubborn dirt stuck on your pores. Massage it on your face in circular motion avoiding the eye area.

Step 3. Steam. You may avail facial steamers or saunas in the market. Otherwise, here's a good alternative. You may use a washcloth instead. Soak the washcloth into warm water then press it on your face. This helps to unclog and open pores.

Step 4. Prick. You may use a facial pricker to extract black heads and white heads. It is important to get rid of blackheads and whiteheads as it may develop into acne sooner or later. Disinfect the pricker with alcohol before using.

Step 5. Tone. Apply a thin layer of toner on your face to shed off residues.

Step 6. Mask. Facial masks are available over the counter. Apply the one which is best for your skin type. If you are prone to acne, use an anti-acne mask. If you have oily skin, use a mask that may prevent it. Let it dry and peel it off.

Step 7. Moisturize. Apply a moisturizer to hydrate the skin. To let the nutrients be absorbed by the skin, do not wash your face with soap and water for about 6-8 hours.

Back in the Airwaves

I was born to be in radio.

Kidding! I just thought I needed a strong phrase to start this blog. Haha!

I wrote about my previously posted blog sometime during the first week of April but it took me sometime before posting it here. It was about my first radio job and the ropes of getting in and out of it.

Absurdly, just this last April too, while I was actually reminiscing my radio days,  I received a call from an unknown number.

I remember I was having my taping then for Personalan (GMA News TV 11), in which I work as a segment producer. I got a few chats with our Celebrity Uzi, Papa Dan of Brgy LS 97.1 Tugstugan Na. We started conversing about our co-jock Maan Panganiban who passed away just this January. Papa Dan, Ate Maan and I were all part of Campus Aircheck, from different batches.

I was part of the last batch, Campus Aircheck Batch 5, after which Campus Radio reformatted and transferred to 99.5 RT. I guess it was during 2007 or 2008 when I auditioned and luckily got the chance to be part of it. Campus Aircheck is a group of student jocks from various universities who are trained to board on air. It is basically the same with Magic's Junior Jocks and RX Radio One.

Campus Aircheck Batch 5. (2008)

Throughout our conversation, Papa Dan asked me if I was able to pursue radio professionally and I said yes. I was able to mention him my work experience in a "masa" radio station. He asked me if I missed working in radio, and I said yes again. But not necessarily everything about it. Maybe, I miss using the console or talking with the mic on, or maybe thinking of a good topic to discuss or maybe reading the responses and greetings via textline and/or social media. Oh boy, I guess I missed a lot everything about it. A lot.

I went out the studio to get some fresh air. I was sitting with some friends at the GMA Gazebo when my phone rang. The caller from the other line introduced himself as Joshua Ylaya a.k.a. "Boy Dale" of 103.5 Wow FM. Yes, I remember him. I remember auditioning in their radio station before I auditioned in iFM. He explained me that Wow FM is now under new management and that they are currently rebuilding the team. He asked if I am still open to working in radio. I just thought how ironic it is to receive a call after my talk with Papa Dan. This might be a sign, I supposed! Hahaha!

I visited their office to talk with the boss. We talked about everything needed to be discussed. Schedule of work, deals of both parties, sample TOAs, etc. A day after, I was asked to visit their office again, and guess what, they told me to start Monday the following week. It happened too fast.

I started boarding April 23, 2012 with my new airname, "Aya". I went crazy with the console and software because it is way different from what I used before in my former radio station. Anyhow, I am now getting the hang of it. Right now, I am currently working on three jobs. I work as a DJ, a segment producer and a tv writer.

You may listen to me Mondays to Fridays, 5am to 8am on 103.5 Wow FM.

My First Radio Job

I was supposed to blog something two months ago about my radio days in 2011. But I was too busy with work that I missed out posting it. I was supposed to blog this last March because it was the same month last year when I got hired. Its sort of an anniversary (almost) to me. Lol.

Let’s time travel.

It was February last year when I heard over the radio that ‘this’ station is looking for new DJs and is open for auditions. I was in the midst of career issues that time that I was very eager to try everything. I immediately contacted my college classmate who works in that station as a radio jock to ask for the requirements and schedule of auditions. I then tried squeezing it in my, not to mention, very busy and messy schedule in work (that’s how TV life goes), all the preparations for the requirements and practicing. Yes, I did practice! I practiced while in the shower. Haha!

The audition was basically an impromptu. You just need to adlib / discuss something in a very interesting, entertaining, funny and most hyper manner. There’s one thing I wasn’t able to do during the auditions, I was asked to give a joke and guess what I answered, “Wala po akong alam na joke.” Stupid enough. Haha. The audition piece is recorded and is forwarded to their bosses.

A few weeks after, I got a call back from the station manager for an interview. I remember I was in Fashbook's taping back then (as they needed a model with long hair), when I got the call from the station manager. I was then scheduled for a week of training for adlibs and technical stuff. I then started as a weekend jock. They then baptized me with a new airname “Lucy” (which I really didn’t like). Haha.

For four Sundays, I was DJ-ing during lunch time. (Then I have to run back to my mother job, for a live telecast of Showbiz Central. Imagine how hard was that? I’m a mutant. Lol)

By mid-April, I was re-scheduled to DJ at midnight (1am to 5am) in a daily basis. Yes, that was like a graveyard shift from Monday to Saturday. Surprisingly, there really were a lot of listeners still at those times. I still get an amount of responses in our textline and social media. I even get calls from random listeners here and abroad! I remember reading greetings from California, Singapore, and a lot from Middle East.

By June, I was moved to be part of their highly-rated morning program (which airs 5am to 9am) together with two senior jocks. I truly found a brother in them. They were honest, funny and nice.

I lasted in the job only up until the first week of July. I had a rough exit though. The question raised to me by the boss is that if I were happy. I was being true and honest when I answered “so-so”.  It was more of me trying to escape and them letting me go. Mutual, I supposed.

I couldn’t (forever) give up my work in TV -- the wisdom I learn from working in a TV industry is priceless. Also, compensation is way better in it. Lol. Well, you may re-arrange the reasons if you want to. Haha. I told you, I was under serious career issues that time.

Here are a few treasured moments in that Radio Station.

1am to 5am Shift

Kamote Club

Darlings

Hostings and On-ground Events

Wearing Blazers

I guess a blazer and/or cardigan is a must in every girl's closet. So here's a mix and match photo I made in Polyvore. Any outfit would look instantly fab and glamorous as soon as you top it with your palette or just plain black cardigan.

Your inner shirt could be a loose simple tank top, a plain v-neck shirt or to a more feminine top like a corset. For your bottoms, you can go with either denim pants, leatherette leggings, high-waist shorts or a pencil skirt. Also, choose a bag and a pair of classy shoes to go with your outfit. And, don't forget to accessorize yourself! Voila, you're more than ready to rock the day!

Sincerely, 

Tj

Flawless: Pimple Injection Side-Effect (Update)

I already had a check-up and recommendation on the side-effects i got from Flawless Aesthetic Center's pimple injection. If you may remember, I posted a few pictures on the parts of my face that shrinked from which i had some KI. (Read here.)

I had a few e-mails sent to Flawless, and luckily, they accomodatingly responded to it. I wasn't able to capture some screen shots of the emails, but here's a screenshot of Dra. Michelle Cruz's recommendation to me via SMS.

Last Feb 29, I decided to visit Flawless SM North Branch to "claim" the treatments recommended. I got it for free through complimentary basis since I am a complainant.

I had their regular facial treatment of my choice, then they had me undergo the powerpeel treatment. It uses crystals to eliminate dead cells which according to the doctor would help stimulate the growth of collagen that would fill up the sunken part of my skin. Then, they asked me to put tretinoin cream on affected areas every night. Tretinoin cream is said to be helpful in treating acne scars like mine. However, it makes the skin more sensitive to heat which may result to darkening or burning. So they did asked me to "avail" a sunblock cream to protect my skin. I am required to put sunblock everyday and double the usage if I'll be more exposed to the sun.

Below are the photos of the products and their prices.

Powerpeel Treatment P2,530 (Complete with Regular facial and mask)

I wasn't able to take a photo while I was having the treatment.

Above is a Googled picture of the machine itself.

Tretinoin Cream P440

Sunblock Gel P290

The doctors told me that the dents on my face are not permanent. It would normally be treated by time as soon as the skin is able to produce enough amount of collagen to fill the spots. It usually takes 3 to 4 months for the skin to get even, naturally. What they recommended me would just help fasten, at least, the healing process.

NOTE:

It was Dra. Castillo of Flawless SM Sta. Mesa who had me injected Kanolene. I met up with Dra. Andaya of the same branch for my first check up. After my e-mails, it was Dra. Michelle Cruz who processed my complains and had her recos, then another doctor from SM North Branch who had me last checked before i had the treatment.

Leave a comment! :)