L. Cabajar: What’s it like to be an intern at Village Pipol Magazine

It all started with an article, so it only fits that it ends with one. Three months have gone by so fast. It feels like yesterday when I first emailed Sir Josh Austria, asking if Village Pipol Magazine had any open internship slots. They did – like an answered prayer, thus began my exhilarating journey as a Village Pipol Magazine intern.

I didn’t always know what I wanted to do, but something made me apply for Village Pipol.

I always knew that I wanted to be in an industry that uses my creative muscles. Despite not knowing what I wanted to be, I knew what I WOULDN’T want to be. I just knew that I didn’t want to be stuck in a repetitive, mind-numbing job that would slowly suck my soul’s vitality.

Isn’t that the goal that every one of us used to have?

And, as if the stars have aligned for me, that’s precisely what I got from Village Pipol.

I have to admit, my email body was different from the usual job applications we send every day.

“I am Llana Cabajar, a third-year BA Organizational Communication student at the University of the Philippines, Manila. Currently, I am an aspiring professional looking for internship opportunities as a Creative Writer Intern or a Content Creator. I would like to kindly know if there are any internship positions available at your organization because I would love to work at an esteemed media company like yours.

I have always dabbled in writing and have always found it a deep passion for my soul. My eyes have a hunger for words intricately strung in a mixture of sentences, and I aim to make my life consumed in that fire for writing. I train myself to write in many genres and topics by learning various knowledge of anything under the sun.”

Yep, you can really tell I was passionate about writing! HAHAHA, and I have always been into the title of “Magazine Column Writer,” so I went ahead and sent it. Sending that email felt like an Andy Sachs moment from The Devil Wears Prada. So, when Village Pipol emailed me back saying yes, they could accept me, I went wild!

They asked me to come to the office for an interview. I spent hours trying to find a fashionable outfit, one that can wow even a Miranda Priestly.

When I arrived at the Ortigas office of Village Pipol Magazine, I really felt like I Llana’d BIG TIME.

Llana-ing something means being a huge klutz and an anxious wreck to the point wherein you mess something up.

That’s precisely what I did, and I accidentally barged in a photoshoot with THE Jason Fernandez of Rivermaya. SHOOT. However, Sir Josh was really nice! He proceeded to take time from his schedule to orient me on what I was going to do.

He told me that I would write articles, help conduct photoshoots, edit photos, and establish my own blogger branding. He also said that I could write about anything my heart desires – fashion, celebrities, entertainment, news, and technology. Moreover, he proceeded to show me the company’s reach and some of its projects.

It was during this interview with Sir Josh that EVERYTHING clicked. This was it; this was my dream job – being in media.

I started daydreaming about a media career right then and there. In fact, I got so lost in my reverie I didn’t quite process the rest of what he said when he mentioned that this was an unpaid internship. WHO CARES? I’m in it for the experience, baby!

And boy, was it such an experience. Was it just as fabulous as I imagined it to be? Yes, even though I did the majority of it online. Did I have a Miranda Priestly boss? HECK NO! Our editor-in-chief, Angela Baltan, is hands-down the most caring and most engaging person I have ever met in the world! I will gladly murder anyone who says otherwise.

In Village Pipol, I wasn’t supervised. I was mentored, and there’s a huge difference.

Both Sir Josh and Ms. Angela mentored me. I wasn’t given the “you do this, you do that and pass it during this…” Moreover, I didn’t feel like an outsider. Immediately, I was absorbed into the company culture and environment.

It was easy to learn the ropes around SEO-approved writing, featured image editing, and celebrity-catered interviewing. Not because I was a fast learner, but because I had great teachers. I had great leaders who inspired me and motivated me to do my best because I see them as the best at what they do.

Village Pipol gives you the all-in, no bars magazine experience.

What I LOVED THE MOST about Village Pipol was how they trust you with responsibility. On my second day, I was immediately called to interview Ms. Julie Ann San Jose. BRO, ARE YOU SERIOUS?

The company trusted ME – the shy and introverted me who was ashamed of overdressing on her first day? Me – to represent Village Pipol and interview Ms. JAPS on my second day?

Of course, the pressure was tremendous, so I had to live up to it. Now was the chance to prove myself in this industry. I needed to show that Village Pipol was right to put their trust in me.

When I spoke to Ms. JAPS, everything came naturally. She was such a fun persona to talk to, and the “OMG, I’m talking with a celebrity” anxiety disappeared.

Ms. JAPS was my first interview and she will always hold a special place in my heart. After that, I became more confident and decided to do even better.

From inside marketing to PR releases, I learned everything. Village Pipol Magazine was not selfish about media knowledge.

Both my creative and academic skills were utilized. I got to edit photos for my articles and improve on my grammar and sentence structure. Goodbye, passive voice! Finally, I was doing what I loved and improving on what I wanted.

I have done a lot through Village Pipol, guided by my mentors, together with my incredibly talented co-interns as well. Shoutout to Micah, Ivan, Annefreid, Maddie, and May Ann, who I actually envy for their timely and on-trend topics.

Honestly, I think I’m a boomer in choosing topics, and I definitely know that’s also something I can improve on. If I want to work in media, I should be fluent in its language. I should know all the latest trends and celebrity info. Sheesh, I really should go on Facebook and Tiktok more!

All in all, Village Pipol has given me the work-life I never thought I could have.

If I could go back in time, I would always choose to send an email to Village Pipol over and over again. What I gained from this internship is far more valuable than anything that a salary can give.

Uhm, hello? I got to interview Sam Pinto, Papa P., and Alessandra de Rossi! Plus, I went to my first model photoshoot and received goodies – food and other items from Village Pipol!

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Furthermore, the learning experience I got really helped me grasp the career I want in life. Hopefully, my experience with Village Pipol gives me a jump start on my trade-in media!

You are indeed a special one, Village Pipol Magazine.

Thank you for giving me a voice and for being a platform for me to learn. More power to such an incredible team and company.

I am truly grateful and honored. Till next time, dear readers! I hope that you all enjoyed my senseless rants and witty banters. The lesson here is to take the chance to do something for your growth. Take that leap, do that risk! Every event- failure or not, is an opportunity to discover.