An Interview with a Sports Writer- His Untold Stories of Pursuits

MR. FRANCIS SANTIAGO(Manila Bulletin Sports columnist)

Mr Francis Santiago has been a sports writer for four years. He was finishing his Bachelor in Journalism in University of Sto. Thomas and was currently having a part time job at a cement company as a PR writer when he got bored in the office and decided to apply to Manila Bulletin.  Fresh from graduation, he became a one of Manila Bulletin’s pride.

Mr. Santiago declares that he has no plan to be journalist.  He never joins the school organ but his mother urges him to pursue journalism.  He then wrote for UST's The Flame and got an On the Job Training on Philippine Star with beat Sandigan Bayan, opening him on hand on the Estrada plunder case.

He then started in Manila Bulletin as news writer but his mentor at that time did not focus on teaching him and published his works as his mentor's works. He questioned that system and told the main chair and got pulled out to Bulletin to be at Tempo as a sports writer. The publication noticed him and pulled him out again to be still a sports writer in Manila Bulletin.

Becoming a sports writer for Manila Bulletin had been though job for Mr. Santiago at first,  but he later on fell in love with the job because of the adventure he gets and the fact that becoming a sports writer led him to places abroad with all expensed paid.

He writes emotionally, making the readers feel that his work is different from other writers. He is more significant in quotes and starts his lead with striking lines.

The youth in Mr. Santiago’s blood became his source of inspiration to fellow aspiring sports writer.

The Proper Interview        

The exclusive interview was took place in Manila Bulletin Main Office inside the Intramuros, Manila. It is nearly hitting 5:00pm. Intense downpours were occurring outside that’s why Mr. Francis Santiago didn’t come on time as 4:00pm. He just dropped by that time to the office for his daily reports and took our interview on him. He first familiarize us on the different departments we passed by and we see how busy employees are because that was the time of their deadlines for their articles to be published. And finally, he invited us to come in on an isolated room for his interview. The interview falls with this:

(We first asked him on his background…)

Interviewer: Sir, what is exciting about Sports Journalism?

Sir Francis Santiago:  Tours! (He directs to the point) When you are writing for sports coverage you always assigned by your newspaper company where the big sport event being held. Actually, I was sent in Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam where some intercontinental sports event like SEA Games took place. I hope I can also get to Singapore. Actually, since my current beat is Philippine Azkals, I was about to go to Kuwait but due to some circumstances, the company told me to have broadcast coverage instead.

Interviewer: What is difference between news and sports news article?

Sir Francis: Well… we can see it with the right choose of the words and also in their writing format. In Sports, we are always using some flowery adjectives to describe how extreme the action happened since this is a sport filled with actions. And off course, the sports writers are always bringing their readers to the event though the game was already happened. We are always tickling the imagination of our readers.

Interviewer: What is your sports coverage waterloo?

Sir Francis: I’m getting a problem on covering the Bowling and Chess because I’m not familiarized with these Sports. In Sports writing, it is important to be knowledgeable on the sports you are covering. You know the rules and some widely used jargons of it. That’s very important.

Interviewer: What can you say about Envelopmental Journalism?

Sir Francis: (He’s in a moment of thinking)… It is natural to the Sports event organizers to give gifts to the reporters who are on coverage for their event as part of their token of appreciation. Yes, I have received shoes and gift checks but I didn’t mean it as a bribe or envelopmental journalism. The organizers didn’t give me gifts to go against somebody by defaming their critics. As long as you are not laying your foot on one’s dignity that is not Envelopmental Journalism I think. Well, it’s up to you guys on your conceptualization on this.          

Interviewer: Actually Sir our professor didn’t miss to remind us on that that’s why we asked you to clarify this. Ok… moving on, what is your advice to our aspiring Sports Journalism Enthusiasts?   

Sir Francis: Read! (He said directly) Always reading any kind of publishes write ups will help you to enhance your vocabulary and also the way you write your news articles. Actually, I was started copying the styles of other writers until I develop my own style. According to my editors, my style in sports writing is really unique. I used to put emotion when it comes to write. That’s my own trademark they told me. So, you must create your own style as times goes by.

Interviewer: Sir that will conclude our interview. Thank you for sharing us your knowledge we truly got an insight on our future career.

Sir Francis: Your welcome, I hope you have learned ha.               

The interview last for almost 30 minutes and it was ended by taking some pictures for documentation.