Jam 88.3 KBP Best FM Station 2008

Just recently I found out that my former station, Jam 88.3, finally won the Best FM Station prize at the KBP Golden Dove awards.  

Modesty aside, I think our station should have won it several times over the past few years.  In fact, for a couple of years, I was actually so disappointed that I almost completely disregarded the contest.

The station has come a long way since a handful of us launched it back in 2004.  Finally, the station that we built has been recognized for it's true quality.

One might think that I would feel bad that I'm not there to enjoy the win. But on the contrary, even if I were there I couldn't be more proud than I am now. 

Working only one job now

A couple of weeks ago I resigned from my weekend job at a TV station here in Houston. I wanted to hold down that job and my current position at the Houston Chronicle website, but I just couldn't do it.

The first reason I let go of the weekend gig was my health. Not having a rest day really takes its toll on your body. It's even worse in the autumn when the weather changes back and forth from cold to hot.

But the main reason why I left the TV station was my family. My wife works the evening shift and we hardly get to see each other. With me working on the weekends, our family time was cut even shorter.

I still have some debts to pay and I would've liked to have two simultaneous media jobs on my resume. But some things in life are just more important.

Bittersweet for me: The AKAFellas' "This Christmas" Album

I've been out of the country for a while, so I'm out of the loop when it comes to the lastest news back in Manila. I just recently found out that the AKAFellas will launch their latest album this Friday at Eastwood.

The news was actually bittersweet. I'm happy that the guys, who I've worked with on many occasions, were able to produce what is sure to be another great album. But at the same time, I'm sad that I can't be there to show my support and enjoy their live promotional performances.

It just so happened that my cousin who is coming to visit us in Houston next week is the officemate of one of the AKAFellas' wives. Through her, they've promised to send me an autographed copy of the CD.

I won't be able to hang out anymore with the guys backstage while they practice harmonizing, and I won't have them perform live in the booth with just me as their audience, but at least I'll still be able to enjoy their music from across the globe. I'll take what I can get.

I voted for the first time yesterday

I've never voted before. Not because I didn't want to. I just couldn't. I spent most of my adult life in the Philippines where, because of my citizenship, I wasn't allowed to vote for local officials.

I could have voted for a few US Presidential elections at the embassy in Manila, but that was way too much of a hassle for just one vote for one office.

So for the past years, I've been more or less silent.

When I walked into the polling station yesterday, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. I felt a mixture of pride and a sense of empowerment.

Of course, my vote was only one in a sea of millions, but what mattered more to me was that I was able to do my duty and have my say.

Now, I have the right to complain about the government all I want.