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JEFF CAPARAS OPENS HIS DOOR FOR AN INTERVIEW

The person who usually interviews is being interviewed. In the afternoon of August 24, 2015 at the busy TV5 Headquarters, Jeff Caparas trades places as the interviewee opposed to his usual field, as a reporter, which involves him being the person who asks the questions. Today, he opened his door for an interview.

Jeff Caparas, an AB Communication graduate of De La Salle University – Dasmariñas back in 2007 and now a reporter under the TV5 Network. Before he was a part of the “Kapatid” network, he worked as a researcher of GMA7’s “Imbestigador”.

“Noong natapos ko na yung thesis, nabigyan ko lang ng kopya si Sir Howie Severino, by the way yung thesis ko about sa documentary niya, na nanalong “Best Thesis” by the way, bago ako grumaduate.” He shared. “After ko maipasa sa kanya yung thesis ko, yun yung nag-open ng window sa akin sa media.”

Being a part of the world of media is hard. It requires one’s full time and effort. Since Caparas then worked as a researcher, his job consumed great amount of his time and when a large drawback came along, he chose to sacrifice.

“Tapos ‘yon may nangyaring personal problem, ‘yung nanay ko is diagnosed with cancer so sabi ko, parang hinahatak ako sa media so kailangan ko munang magpahinga kasi 24 hours ako halos nagtatrabaho noon.” He said.

After his six month stay as a call center agent, he realized that it is not his calling. He realized that he is not made to work inside a box but he would rather work where he can explore and push his limits. Caparas then applied for a job at the TV5 Network.

“So nag-apply ako sa TV5 kasi boss ko from GMA lumipat sila ng TV5, so nag-apply ako sa TV5, natanggap din naman.” He continued. “Nag-open naman ng window sa akin para maging reporter, si Sir Erwin, kasi may operation kami that time sabi niya ‘bat ‘di ka mag-reporter pare, so ‘yun doon na. Tapos history na.”

He knew that he was in the right path as soon as he entered media. He enjoyed being a media practitioner because he gets to have different perspective of life since he gets to talk to and relate to different people of different walks of life.  Also his willingness to teach and inform people around him also made him stay as a reporter despite the great risks and difficulties it comes with.

“Alam mo, kapag lagi mong ginagawa yung isang bagay, ‘pag lagi mo siyang ginagawa parang magiging normal na siya sayo.” He shared about overcoming the fear of being a field reporter. “Which is minsan hindi na maganda, pero yung nga ‘pag paulit-ulit mo na ginagawa yung bagay na ‘yon magiging parte na siya ng sistema mo, so mawawala na yung takot tska minsan hinahanap mo narin yung takot.”

Despite his full love for his career, when asked if there came a time where he wished he was on a different career, he said yes. At the time Caparas became a married man, he did wish at some point that he is on a different job that pays better since a media practitioner’s starting salary won’t cut it. Even so, he stayed since it is really his passion. Then he moved on answering questions on his views of what makes a story newsworthy.

“’Pag may pakielam lahat – ‘pag lahat ah… ‘Pag nakakapagpabago siya ng perpektiba ng isang manood mo.” Caparas continued. “’Pag nag-create siya ng argument feeling ko newsworthy siya. Parang… parang may pagbabago, parang binuksan mo ‘yung… ‘yung certain need ng change.”

Reporters have covered numerous stories but there will be certain stories that will stand out to them. When Caparas was asked what was his favorite story he said that it was when he covered the aftermath of the earthquake in Nepal which let him release his adventurous side.

“Masayang experience siya, masaya in a way na may bago kang natutunan tapos makikita mo sila kung paano sila bumangon, makita mo sila kung paano nila i-handle ‘yung ganoong klase ng trahedya.” He said.

He continued in discussing some of the stories he covered, one where he found it difficult since he was needed to use a different style to properly explain the story and keep it ethical. Then he also shared stories where he found it outrageous. Then he was asked to share his own say of advice for future media practitioners.

“’Wag kayo magsawa na matuto, ‘wag din kayong magsawa na magbigay ng info, parang paikot-ikot lang ‘yun parang ikaw yung mage-extract nung gusto mong matutunan nila since ikaw yung iintindi, kaya nga media diba.” He answered. “Ang iisipin mo palaging audience mo yung mga mabababa, mga Class C and D na parang sila yung mostly na naabuso kasi eh – kasi uneducated sila. Television lang yung way nila para matutunan ang simpleng bagay at challenge do’n, papaano maitatransmit sa kanila ‘yon na madali.”