Does Arnold Clavio have time to sleep?

Arnold "Igan" Clavio's crossover from radio to television came in 1992 with his first on-camera break in the GMA news magazine program "Brigada Siete." He bagged an exclusive interview with Abu Sayyaf leader Bharhana Sali, who had taken captive several civilians in Basilan in 1993. His exclusive interview with the victims, mostly teachers, became the talk of the town and was awarded the "Best Reportage on a Crisis" by the Asian Broadcasting Union.

Fast forward 2005, Igan is seen in GMA programs "Unang Hirit," "Saksi Liga ng Katotohanan," and "Emergency." Aside from these programs, he also anchors the radio program "Dobol A sa Dobol B" with Ali Sotto in DZBB. Because of his numerous engagements, many often wonder, including this writer, if he still has time to sleep. For Free Talk this week, Igan spared some few minutes of his time to share with us some life's lessons. Here are the excerpts of the interview:

Do you still have time to sleep?

Oo naman. Wala naman ako sa Eat Bulaga (smiles).

What is work for you?

It is a therapy. Pag natigil ako sa trabaho para akong nanlalata. Habang may ginagawa ako hindi ako nakakaramdam ng pagod, salamat sa Diyos na ganun ako.

What was life like before you became a familiar face on television?

I acquired the habit of working hard at a young age. Nagtratrabaho ako habang nag-aaral ako ng college. Nasubukan kong maging waiter, bus boy at cook. Balancing school and work taught me how to manage my time and resources.

How did you start in this industry?

My first job after graduation required me to report to work at 4 a.m. I started as a news writer for DWIZ in 1987. Among my mentors is veteran anchor Bobby Guanzon, who later on invited me to join DZBB in 1989.

What are your unforgettable experiences while on the job as reporter?

During my first few weeks in "Saksi" I did a live news coverage of a hostage-taking incident in Tondo, Manila. Eksakto nung pagtawag sa akin sa ere ay nagkabarilan. Takbuhan lahat ng usisero tapos yung monitor ko gumugulong. So, hindi ko alam kung on-air na pero ang sabi ng cameraman on-air na. Basta salita lang ako ng salita. Tapos hinimatay yung misis nung hostage taker. Sa akin bumagsak hawak-hawak ko sya sabi ko: painumin nyo, painumin nyo ng tubig. Pero ang pinainom sa kanya ay beer. Nang malasahan niya yung beer kusa syang gumising (laughs).

What were your most challenging experiences as a broadcast journalist?

I consider my interview with Captain Villaroel during the NAIA Tower crisis as my challenging experience as a broadcast journalist. Na-feel ko na lang ang impact ng interview nung ni-replay ang interview sa DZBB. Nung narinig ko yung interview, naiyak ako. Sabi ko, bakit ganoon? Parang na-overkill. Pag andun ka sa situation na 'yon inuuna mo ang responsibilidad mo as a broadcast journalist. Sa tingin ko, kung hindi ko sya na interview baka iba ang naging istorya nila. Baka naging number one head ng Al-Qaeda. Pero hindi ko sinusuportahan ang ginawa niyang take-over. Sana may ibang naging paraan na di humantong sa kanyang kamatayan.

Many people are not aware that you write the "Good News, Bad News" segment and the songs for the "Boses ng Masa" segment of Unang Hirit. Di ba mahirap?

Kapag araw-araw mo ginagawa 'yan, masasanay ka na rin. During gaps ko siya ginagawa. Minsan magugulat ka na nag-ma-match ang mga salita sa kantang ginagawa mo. Nakaka-ganado kapag ganun.

What are the lessons that you want to share to the Free Talk readers?

Hindi hadlang ang kahirapan. Kung nakaya ko, kaya rin nila. Malaking advantage kapag naabot mo ang status na ito na galing ka sa ibaba. Alam ko kasi ang mga tantrums ng mga nasa ilalim kasi napagdaanan ko yan. Sinasabi ko lang sa kanila na sige magtampo ka sakin pero naiintindihan kita. Ganun din kasi ako noon. 000

Encantadia stars join Singgit Cebu. GMA Network brings the main cast of the top-rating primetime Encantadia to Cebu City. Telefantasya stars Dingdong Dantes, Karylle, Bobby Andrews, Polo Ravales, and Cindy Kurleto will join the gang of GMA's local variety show Singgit Cebu on Saturday, August 13, 2:00 p.m. at the SM City Cebu.

Application forms for StarStruck 3. The StarStruck registration forms will be distributed at SM City Cebu on Saturday, August 14. StarStruck applications are open to showbiz hopefuls aged 15 to 18 who can sing, dance, act, are good looking, have the "X" factor, and preferably have no managers. StarStruck audition schedules and locations will also be announced in SOP this Sunday.

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