I’ve dreamed of becoming a writer since I was in fourth grade. I was that kid who always carried a notebook—filling it with poems, short stories, and random thoughts about anything and everything.
Though I didn’t know it then, those scribbles would lead me to where I am today.
Photo: WhenInManila
Years later, I graduated from Lyceum of the Philippines University with a degree in Broadcasting, still holding on to that same dream. My first writing job came in 2014, right after graduation. I started writing news articles for a local independent publication.
Over the years, I moved through different writing paths: business journalism, copywriting, and ad features. I wrote about renewable energy, coal power, and real estate. Then I moved on to topics like software development, artificial intelligence, e-commerce, and branding. While I was proud of my work, at some point, writing became… mechanical. I missed the feeling of it.
Then one day, I saw that WhenInManila.com (WIM) was hiring for a full-time writer post.
I actually joined WIM briefly back in 2020 as a contributing writer, but when the contributor program ended, I told myself that if they ever reopened, I’d try my luck one more time. So when I saw the hiring post this year, I didn’t even think twice—I sent my application right away.
My First WIM Feature | Photo: WhenInManila
What followed was one of the most nerve-wracking experiences of my career: three rounds of interviews—first with the senior editors, then with senior management, and finally with the company’s CEO.
I was a bundle of nerves, worried that I was overexplaining or talking too fast, that my excitement was showing too much. But I didn’t care, because I had never wanted to get hired somewhere so badly. I didn’t care about the salary, the benefits, or the perks—I just wanted to be part of this culture, this community that radiated so much positivity and passion online.
When I got the job, I was over the moon. Immediately, I told my husband, my friends—pretty much everyone who knew how much I wanted this. And when I saw my first article published, I actually teared up a little. It felt like I was coming home to a version of myself I hadn’t seen in years.
Writing for WIM reminded me why I fell in love with storytelling in the first place. Here, I can write about anything—local cafés, hidden food gems, weekend trips, or just stories that make people feel something. After years of writing about heavy topics and strict brand tones, this kind of freedom feels like breathing again.
But more than the creative freedom, it’s the people that make WIM truly special.
When I first met Vince Golangco, our CEO, I was intimidated. He had this confident, no-nonsense presence, and I thought, “Uh oh, this guy’s going to be tough.” But I was wrong. Every conversation with him showed just how much he genuinely cares for his team. He puts people first and encourages rest, mental health breaks, and work-life balance. Vince constantly reminds us that our well-being matters more than deadlines—and that kind of leadership is rare.
That care extends throughout the team.
I’m lucky to have editors like Therese Aseoche and Koji Arsua, who teach me with patience and kindness, never making me feel silly for asking questions. Nicole Chacon-Millan, who got me started. She reviewed my first article, gave me the kind of feedback that made me feel seen and motivated, not pressured. It’s such a healthy, positive space—the kind that reminds you good workplaces do exist.
At WIM, I don’t feel like just another writer. I feel encouraged, valued, and constantly inspired.
Sometimes I even catch myself laughing because it feels too good to be true; I’m literally having fun while working. I’ll be writing about a cozy café or a heartwarming local story and suddenly realize, I love this so much.
I’ve been writing for more than a decade, but WIM made me feel like a rookie again—in the best way possible.
I’m only three months in, but I already know this is where I want to stay for a long, long time. Here, I get to rediscover what storytelling really means—not just writing for deadlines or deliverables, but writing with heart.
If this is what being a “newbie” feels like—hopeful, inspired, and full of purpose—then I never want that feeling to fade.
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