It's been nearly 3 months since i've been living in the Philippines. Trying new food, meeting new people and learning a new language. What was supposed to be another holiday to this beautiful country turned into many job offers and me eventually deciding to stay on for a while more.
Do You Believe In Magic?
I arrived in Manila in the first week of April. After a lovely Holy Week spent in Subic, I got a text saying that a meeting with the Station Manger of Magic 89.9 and another man was being set up for the following night. Remember, this is 2 weeks into my holiday.
We met at the amazing Sofitel and discussed the possibility of me working as a radio dj. Had I ever done radio before? No. Had I ever wanted to be a dj? No. Was I interested to try out? Most definitely!
After a delicious dinner with my newly made friends, I went home thoroughly thinking through the possibility of me extending my stay in the Philippines. I didn't have any work in Singapore which required me to go back after 3 months of holidaying. I thought, "Why not?". I've been looking for the next adventure in my life. The next challenge. The next obstacle. "Okay" I said. "I'll give this a shot".
Mind you, I didn't get the job immediately. I had to 'audition' or have a 'tester' period. 2 weeks with CJ the DJ on his 'The Big Meal' show which was 12pm-3pm. He taught me the ropes. How his show works. The games and contests. It was a crash course. Adding on to the fact that I didn't know ANYONE, I was learning a completely new skill. Very much like joining an office for the first time after graduating from College.
You've Got The Magic!
After 2 weeks the big boss calls me into his office. I'm worried. Have I done something wrong already? I promise i'll get better. I've just started. No. Quite the opposite really. The Station Manager tells me how happy they are to have had me for the past 2 weeks. That they feel I could really be a great addition to the wonderful team of DJ's they already have. I'm blown away. Sure I wished they would really like me and want to make something permanent of it, but I always knew, realistically, I was here on holiday and my life was in Singapore. Am I willing to drop everything I have in Singapore, my family, my friends, and move to a foreign country where I don't even speak the language to do something I have never done before? I thanked the boss profusely for being pleased with my work so far. I gave a tentative smile and said I would think about it and give an answer by the end of the week. I left the station feeling empowered yet unsettled. Lots to think about.
God's Magic
I spent the next few days really praying about my situation. It was a great opportunity which was being offered at Magic. Many people would dream of a job like this. I knew all the positive aspects that this platform had to offer, but I still had human doubts. Worries about leaving my family and my friends. This would be the first time i'd be moving to a foreign country alone. I prayed. I prayed hard.
2 days later I woke up with a surprising peace. As though during my sleep all my worried and fears suddenly seemed like a dream. That it wasn't the reality of the situation. I knew for sure there and then that nothing bad would happen to me. That all I had to do was take that leap of faith and trust that everything else would be provided by God. That he would sort my housing, my finance, my health, That he would care for everyone back home for me. All I had to do was trust Him. I texted the Station Manager. "I would love to be a part of the Magic Family".
The Magic Carpet Ride
The following week I was assigned as Boom's new partner for On Demand, which airs 9am-12pm Mondays to Thursdays. We didn't know each other. We literally got to know each other on the first day of our show. Like any new relationship, we stumbled, fumbled and acted silly. Still trying to feel each other out. The type of jokes we could handle, what were the boundaries. What were our interests and what were our pet peeves. Needless to say, the maiden show was awkward. But nothing is impossible. With each passing day, the chemistry slowly built. We got to know each other better and we started reading the response of the listeners. What did THEY want. What did THEY enjoy about our tandem. After all, the show is all about the viewers. Boom has since become a very good friend of mine and the flow of the show is now as easy as riding a bike. We know the jokes. We know the punchlines. We know what grosses each other out and, of course ,we know how to laugh at ourselves. This move to Manila has been blessed with a great working relationship with my on air partner. I couldn't ask for more. I can only imagine what it would have been like if Boom and I hated each others guts. Would we just have to 'play' nice on air and be fake for the rest of our working days? Oh the horror! But thank God, we clicked. I believe i'm the man and he thinks he's the woman. It's a perfect match :)
Magical
It's still a process. I'm still learning new things on a daily basis. At no point would I want to think that i'm the best at what I do and that I have no further enriching to do. No. When the learning stops, you start to die. You learn more about the people you work with. Not just your partner on air, but the entire Magic Family. You learn how much everyone cares for one another. That they would go out of their way to help you settle into the country. That they dine together outside of the station and just enjoy each others company. From the interns to the djs, the big bosses to the helpers, everyone has such an important part to play. But the best part, everyone RESPECTS one another. No one is less of value. No one is a diva. This is a team that has got it right. I feel so very honored and privileged to be able to call myself part of the Magic Family. It makes missing Singapore a lot less sad. :)
I'm excited for what the future brings. New country, new job, and now new language. It's only getter better. So yes, I definitely believe in Magic :)
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