Solitary Confinement

From July 20 to July 25, I was indoors. Food were just served so as I won't have to get up and go out. Only few hours of sleep. A lot of hours in front of the computer. My arms hurt. My headache is unbearable. I thought it was just for a few days. But come July 27, my agony is prolonged. I will be doing the same process but now, up to 10 more days... until August 6. Would I be able to get through with this?


I saw the ad in the internet about a need for a transcriptionist and Ilonggo translator. I grabbed the opportunity and applied for it. At first, I had not very hopeful that they would consider my application (as with the many applications I sent through the net.) But I was very glad when they contacted me. I went through a "test". I passed. I made some transcriptions for them.

I am very glad that ARKEOFILMS had given me this chance to experience transcribing and translating for them. (But sadly, I couldn't reveal what's the film is about since it is, as they say, strictly confidential.) I finished transcribing 17 hours of interviews and clips. Whew. It was rather very tiring, but interesting. It's like looking forward how the story unfolded as I transcribed the stories of the interviewees.

This is a very different experience for me. Where would it lead me? I don't know. I just know that it was given to me for a certain reason. I just don't know what it is yet...

A quick glimpse of Mt. Banahaw

I was very lucky to be included by the Department of Foreign Affairs to go with them to Mt. Banahaw. It was like a dream come to true for me. I've heard a lot about the Holy Mountain. Now, it is the high time to explore it.







Mr. Bibiano Fajardo (we call him Sir Boy) gave a lecture about healing. Because of exhaustion and lack of sleep, I was able to fall asleep in the last part of the lecture. Later during the day, I found out that the research position that I applied for(in which I got no reply) was by Mr. Fajardo. We exchanged words after the lecture. Then he invited me to visit the office of ATHAG or Association of Traditional Health Aid Givers, Inc. in Guadalupe, Makati.

I ended up, attending the lessons for the "manghihilot" of the center. It was fascinating. I've learned a lot from Sir Boy.

Who knows what the future brings. If the journey would bring me to become a "manghihilot" or "albularyo", so be it. When I left the seminary about 8 years ago, I told myself to always seek for "His will"... for "His will be done."

Psychic Festivals

Late last year (2006), I was able to meet fellow psychics. I journeyed with them. They were able to include me in different psychics festival. There was some difficulty on my part, since I am the youngest in the group. But I managed.

The first time I participated in a psychic festival, I was juggling my schedules. There were two festivals which was simultaneously held in diffirent venues. One festival, from 9AM to 5PM was in ABS-CBN and the other festival is in Eastwood, Libis from 7PM to 12MN. I had little sleep. I had some complains. But I was happy. This is because I am earning from those festivals.



I could never forget the ABS-CBN festival because I come to meet a lot of people who I just watched on TV. In fact, I had some slight exchange of words with Mr. Ogie Diaz, because they were a bit disappointed with the organization of the festival. (By the way, this is the first time that ABS-CBN had organized such festival, so they have no clue how to run it.) One time, I was about to go then suddenly, a beautiful girl was running towards me, begging to have her fortune read. She refused to give her name... but later we found out her name was Ginger. (I think she's Ginger Conejero of the TV Patrol.)

Eastwood festival was a lot nicer. The pay is good. There were a lot of clients. I think I was able to read the Tarot Cards to almost 50 clients, including Ms. Lovi Poe. And due to public demand, the Eastwood festival was repeat. There were only few clients. But still it was good.

After those festivals, clients began to call me up. Wanted to have their fortunes read from time to time.

The psychic festivals had helped me a lot. Financially, it provided me with a good (unstable) income. As a Tarot Reader, I was able to practice my skills more often. I was able to help a lot of people. Even became friends with some of them.

Some people would not agree for us to collect fee for a reading. But somehow, they must understand that not everyone have jobs, have money to buy food and to pay for rents. A Tarot Reader (or psyhic) is also a person. We still need what all other people need. If we collect certain amount for our services, this is because we also give out effort to earn them.

Much is learned in living as a psychic. And yet, it is just a mere phase in the life of a person living the magickal life... much is still need to be discovered. And it is good to know that along the way, you grow as a person... becoming one step closer to the Divine.

Through the storm

After Nginiiig closed in Studio 23, I was really affected. I felt as if everything that I've worked for just went down the drain. I tried hard not to give up. Yes, I admit. There are several times that I wanted to go back to Mindanao. Life there would be easy for me, since it is a familiar territory. But, here, I need to adjust to almost everything. But people around me kept giving me hope. They never wanted me to give up. It gave a lot of strength to continue.

I tried applying to different agencies for a job. I got series of job interviews. But later realized they are looking for somebody else. I did what I have to do. I have all the reason to hope for since I am qualified in positions I am applying... But series of "bad luck" seem to be on my way. I don't want to blame it to anybody else. And I definitely don't want to blame it on "Somebody up there". I just think that it wasn't the right one for me. I was choosy. This is because I wanted to do what is meant for me to do. And I am still thinking that things might get better for me.

I am grateful that my friends in ABS-CBN didn't forget me. They referred me to the different shows that they were in. So, I was interviewed in different shows. I was featured in Us Girls (Studio 23), Shop Talk (ANC), Rated K (ABS-CBN), SAPULSO (Qtv), 100% Pinoy (GMA).

I also auditioned for different films. To tell you, I don't know what disaapointment and frustration feels like anymore. I felt rejected over and over again. I was lucky, I was selected to act in "Retaso" ( a short film by UST students) and also extra in Bitoy's Funniest Videos. Until now, I am still trying my luck to pursue on films (since one of my greatest dream is to see myself reviving another character in a movie). I think my greatest attempt was to audition for Pinoy Big Brother Season 2. I was selected during the first round audition. But was rejected during the second round since I don't know how to dance.

To sum it all, it was really a storm. Various things were thrown at me. Much of my resources were exhausted along the way. Several times I wanted to give up. Few moments I cried alone when I reminisce what I'm going through. All of the time, I never really gave up. I am still hopeful that someday "makikita ko rin ang Ngiti ni Bathala" in my life.

The Nginiig days

I have regrets that I only got hold of computers only this year. All of the things that happened in my journey is only written in my journal. I wish to share it with everyone but since it is lengthy, I will just post some important elements on it...

Way back in Mindanao, I was a researcher. I study culture. Yes, culture... I usually go up in the mountains where our Indigenous People dwell. I live with them for days. Then, write about them. Some of my papers where shared mostly to the people in the academe. Some were also published in the local newspaper where I am also a correspondent. Life there was easy. It was stressful since it is a combined office works and field work, but it was rewarding (although the compensation is not that "rewarding").

But late 2005, a friend from Manila texted me about the audition for a tv show in Studio 23. It was a huge opportunity for me. Then, I decided to take on this route. I wrapped up everything. But I never got the guts to tell it to my boss. (Only the secretary knows of my plan.) When December 2005 came, my sister came home from Manila. I told her about my plans. She agreed to "adopt" me in Manila.

January 2006, I just filed a one-week vacation leave. I went with my sister to Manila. (I only got 20pesos in my wallet during that time.)

When I arrived in Manila, I contacted my friend. Then he hooked me up to be interviewed by Ms. Pier Pastor about coffee cup reading. (Somehow, I don't know what happened to that taped interview. I wasn't able to watch it in TV Patrol.)

I auditioned for the tv show, Nginiig Paranormal Investigation in Studio 23. The audition went well. There were at least 25 psychics who auditioned for that show. After the audition, I waited and waited. Finally, my one-week vacation was over. The office is constantly calling me because I have so much to do. Then, I decided to go back to Mindanao.

When I arrived at the General Santos City, I called my secretary to tell everyone that I won't be working today. This is because I am tired and a bit frustrated. So I just reported the next day.

The next day, I reported to the office. As usual, a huge pile of papers awaits me in my table. Early afternoon, I received a text message from the staff of the tv show that I made it to the 11 psychics to be interviewed by the Executive Producer. And my interview will be tomorrow at 3o'clock in the afternoon. I shouted... then got worried. How the heck am I going to be in the interview tomorrow in Quezon City when I am in Mindanao.

My secretary supported me. She had booked me for a 10AM flight for the following day.

When I arrived at the airport, I was shocked to check my ticket. It's not the airline that I used to take. Airport officials told me that instead of a one hour flight, my flight would be three hours because it will stop over to Cebu... I was growing worried. Finally, I got another ticket, chance passenger for the airline that I used to ride. Luckily, I was able to get the flight. I arrived around 1Pm in Manila.

The interview with the Executive Producer went well. I was not on time, but still I was the 4th one to arrive. After the interview, I waited again for the result...


The result... only 9 of us were selected by the Executive Producer for the elimination rounds. We were put on a series of tests, including the investigation on a haunted hospital, haunted house, finding missing persons, etc. After all the text votings and testings... I was selected as one of the three Junior Psychic of the Nginiig Paranormal Investigation... (You can check out my Nginiig Profile in www.studio23.tv/npi-rene.aspx)

But the show ended September 2006 when the primary sponsor of the show didn't renew its sponsorship... I was left devastated.

I had learned so much about this phase in my life. Yes, I had some difficulties. I left everything for an option where I am not sure of... but that's the beauty of life. We all must take a risk. Through this we are able to grow as a ... magickal being.