Resignations

I filed my resignation from NUJP last week. It was obviously something my bosses were not expecting that afternoon. The usual questions when someone files for resignation start pouring in. “Why?”, “Aren't you happy with your job?” “What hinders you here?” “Do you have anything against us that's driving you to resign?” and so forth. I answered each of those questions truthfully, with some of them taking more time to answer as I had to make sure it was a really intellectual and honest answer.

“The truth is” I told them. “I'm changing careers.” Career change or advancement. It has been almost everyone's reason for resignation. I'm taking a career in Public Relations.

So what's wrong with my job? Answer: none. Why leave NUJP which gives me the opportunity to help defend the oppressed media practitioners? Why leave a job that involves how actions help save the lives and professions of media practitioners who send us the truth? Why leave a job that brought me closer to my dream of serving my nation directly through my profession? Simple: Because I just want to follow my dreams. Because I want to make more opportunities for others. Because I want to lead.

Earlier this afternoon, One of my bosses was still requesting for me to stay longer after I decided to extend my stay until the 23rd. “I'm sorry I could not. I also would like to take a vacation before I start my new career. That is something that I have not done ever since I left the academe. Allow me to savor the moments, allow me to enjoy the results of my sacrifices.” I said.

It's not about being selfish. Rather, I request for time to be able to think about what happened. Allow me to think of what I have done and what I can still do. Allow me to think of ways to make my new job a vehicle for social change; a medium for action to build better lives. Allow me to continue the battle I entered in NUJP in another environment.

So have I turned my back on the journalists killed in Ampatuan, Maguindanao? Have I turned my back on the countless of media practitioners harassed in the line of duty? Have I turned my back away from that desire for social change which started back when I volunteered for Aksyon Edukasyon? No. Rather, I have decided to take this advocacy to another field. In a field where I know I am needed more, in a career I know can utilize my desire for social change and slowly make the free world work properly. Allow me to change my battle ground for serving the people, my venue for serving society.

I realized there are decisions to make for growth. I realize I have to turn my back for a while for me to grow. The opportunity came to fulfill my dreams, I see it also as a chance to be that medium for change. I may turn around, but that does not mean I'm not looking back. Because I know in the future, I can still see myself going back to a similar field, whether it may be going up front with various victims of media suppression, rehabilitating public schools or even tutoring kids.

I'd like to thank everyone who helped me get into the career I'm leaving behind. It's because of you guys I took that opportunity, the challenge to fight for everyone's right to speak.