Page Title
Editor's corner/ Over a cup of tea
Heidi M. Pascual*
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the
Year for the State of
Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the
Year for the State of
Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
Bad News, Good News
Life in this world -- as people say -- is a journey. It has lots of bad news and good news as well
as things in between, which make living exciting or boring; happy or sad; interesting or plain; colorful
or gray; and any other combination of adjectives you can think about. Wherever people are in this
world, there are lots of challenges which result in either success or failure, depending on how one
defines “success” or “failure.” I guess this is the point where optimism or pessimism comes in.
I read with enthusiasm some reports and press releases from Wisconsin describing how this
lingering recession has been affecting the lives of people in the U.S. There are good news and bad
news, and I couldn’t help but share with you a combination of opposing feeling from within, simply
because I, too, am American.
For instance, there is fear that some jobs in industries that used to thrive may never come back
or if they ever do, it will take decades for them to recover. Bad news indeed. According to 24/7 Wall
Street that examined the Employment Situation Summary of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these
industries include auto manufacturing, home construction (as well as maintenance and repair),
pharmaceuticals, banking, realty, and NEWSPAPERS (emphasis mine). Of course, I have known and
felt the ill effects of the Great Recession for several years now, being a long-time journalist and
publisher of a magazine in Wisconsin. The printed media has slowly been taken over by the cyber
world. Printers have lost a lot of business in the process, and it follows that jobs in the printing
industry likewise disappeared. The good news, though, is that for people who had prepared to be
citizens of the cyber world, the trend for online reading of news and features has opened a new
Life in this world -- as people say -- is a journey. It has lots of bad news and good news as well
as things in between, which make living exciting or boring; happy or sad; interesting or plain; colorful
or gray; and any other combination of adjectives you can think about. Wherever people are in this
world, there are lots of challenges which result in either success or failure, depending on how one
defines “success” or “failure.” I guess this is the point where optimism or pessimism comes in.
I read with enthusiasm some reports and press releases from Wisconsin describing how this
lingering recession has been affecting the lives of people in the U.S. There are good news and bad
news, and I couldn’t help but share with you a combination of opposing feeling from within, simply
because I, too, am American.
For instance, there is fear that some jobs in industries that used to thrive may never come back
or if they ever do, it will take decades for them to recover. Bad news indeed. According to 24/7 Wall
Street that examined the Employment Situation Summary of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these
industries include auto manufacturing, home construction (as well as maintenance and repair),
pharmaceuticals, banking, realty, and NEWSPAPERS (emphasis mine). Of course, I have known and
felt the ill effects of the Great Recession for several years now, being a long-time journalist and
publisher of a magazine in Wisconsin. The printed media has slowly been taken over by the cyber
world. Printers have lost a lot of business in the process, and it follows that jobs in the printing
industry likewise disappeared. The good news, though, is that for people who had prepared to be
citizens of the cyber world, the trend for online reading of news and features has opened a new
And because I am now in a country where computers are
still hardly affordable by the masses but are in high demand, I
saw the opportunity to do something different but related to my
work. I was able to start an Internet Café with a corner photo
studio. Enormous challenges that require hard work and
dedication … but when you’re used to them, they’re no big
deal.
It’s bad news if and when one’s skills can’t transfer to
another job, or if no jobs are available, period. I also
experienced something like that … I mean I got the skills but I
didn’t get the job, for reasons known only to the recruiters. But
no hard feelings here; I found better ways to use my skills and
a better place (of course, I am home!) which actually make me
happier and more accomplished these days. I feel blessed for
having had the opportunity to learn new skills in Madison,
Wisconsin and share them with my neighbors here in Quezon
City.
For many immigrants who lost their jobs in the U.S., I
know it’s bad news and heartbreaking, especially if they have
a family to clothe and feed, and they got nowhere else to go
back to. The good news is, there are many community
organizations that you can go to for help and support. Turn your
Yellow Pages and look under “Social Organizations” or,
simply connect to your local friends who are in the know.
Chances are they could give you referrals, worthwhile
information, and tons of help. Friends abound in Madison,
especially those who are like you and me. Just be out there,
keep looking and grab any opportunity that comes your way.
We have a saying in Filipino: “Daig ng maagap ang
masipag,” which roughly translates, “The early and fast
person beats the industrious one.” Also, look at retraining and
gaining new skills. Madison College is a great place to learn
new skills that easily translate into in-demand jobs in Madison
and beyond. Good news indeed for those who believe that
education is a lifelong journey. Who knows, your journey
could send you to a place you’d actually love to be your home
as well!
still hardly affordable by the masses but are in high demand, I
saw the opportunity to do something different but related to my
work. I was able to start an Internet Café with a corner photo
studio. Enormous challenges that require hard work and
dedication … but when you’re used to them, they’re no big
deal.
It’s bad news if and when one’s skills can’t transfer to
another job, or if no jobs are available, period. I also
experienced something like that … I mean I got the skills but I
didn’t get the job, for reasons known only to the recruiters. But
no hard feelings here; I found better ways to use my skills and
a better place (of course, I am home!) which actually make me
happier and more accomplished these days. I feel blessed for
having had the opportunity to learn new skills in Madison,
Wisconsin and share them with my neighbors here in Quezon
City.
For many immigrants who lost their jobs in the U.S., I
know it’s bad news and heartbreaking, especially if they have
a family to clothe and feed, and they got nowhere else to go
back to. The good news is, there are many community
organizations that you can go to for help and support. Turn your
Yellow Pages and look under “Social Organizations” or,
simply connect to your local friends who are in the know.
Chances are they could give you referrals, worthwhile
information, and tons of help. Friends abound in Madison,
especially those who are like you and me. Just be out there,
keep looking and grab any opportunity that comes your way.
We have a saying in Filipino: “Daig ng maagap ang
masipag,” which roughly translates, “The early and fast
person beats the industrious one.” Also, look at retraining and
gaining new skills. Madison College is a great place to learn
new skills that easily translate into in-demand jobs in Madison
and beyond. Good news indeed for those who believe that
education is a lifelong journey. Who knows, your journey
could send you to a place you’d actually love to be your home
as well!
opportunity and career enhancement – not necessarily a career change. Many of my friends in the media in Madison who didn’t
belong under this category actually went into early retirement or moved to other jobs. The good news for them is, they find new
things to do, strengthen their personal relationships, or get better, less stressful jobs. In my case, though I had to move out of
Madison, I could still work on my online magazine and be with my family at the same time. That’s the beauty of being prepared for the
virtual world. You never know when your new acquired skills can save your career.
belong under this category actually went into early retirement or moved to other jobs. The good news for them is, they find new
things to do, strengthen their personal relationships, or get better, less stressful jobs. In my case, though I had to move out of
Madison, I could still work on my online magazine and be with my family at the same time. That’s the beauty of being prepared for the
virtual world. You never know when your new acquired skills can save your career.