Slowly Finding Our Pace as Interns at FPS Media PH

There are moments in this internship that feel like a test we didn’t quite study for, moments that push us out of our comfort zone and force us to grow, whether we’re ready or not. Our recent assignment at the Philippine Mental Health Association’s seminar was exactly that. On July 7, 2025, FPS Media PH conducted the livestream for PMHA’s seminar regarding the Cognitive Behavior Therapy via Zoom. And my task was to oversee the powerpoint presentation and ensure that every participant can see every bit of information presented.

Lost in Translation, Found in Experience

It’s one thing to prepare for the event and set up our gears; it’s another to try and communicate properly with foreign guests, stumbling over words and worrying if they can even understand us. Especially as I was the one manning the powerpoint, they rely on me to have a smooth presentation for both in-person and online participants. I guess all those communication lessons paid off. The pressure was on, and I constantly had to keep up. I reminded myself that this is what real-world media work looks like. You don’t always get to pick your comfort zone. So for us interns, we listened, and found that even when words failed, a genuine smile could break the language barrier.

Learning from the Best

Dr. Monica O’Kelly’s talk on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy was the highlight of the morning. She spoke with clarity and warmth, breaking down complex ideas into stories that made sense even to those of us new to the topic. As we listened, it struck us that in the fast-paced world of the media industry, we also need to remember the importance of slowing down. Dr. O’Kelly’s talk reminded us that taking a pause and caring for our mental health isn’t just helpful, it’s necessary if we want to keep telling our stories.

Interviews and Insights

After the talk, us, as interns, had to step up. Interviewing the seminar’s organizers and participants, we felt the pressure mount again. Would the questions land? Would the answers make sense? Yet with every interview, we found our rhythm. The organizers shared their passion for mental health advocacy, and participants opened up about what they learned and why it mattered. Their stories reminded us that behind every event are people, each with their own struggles, hopes, and reasons for being there. 

With these interviews, we also gained valuable insights into becoming effective interviewers. We learned to listen actively, find and squeeze the exact words we needed, adapt our questions in real-time, and create a safe space where the interviewee can feel comfortable sharing with us. 

Growth in the Toughest Moments

By the end of the day, we were exhausted but proud. We faced the pressure, navigated the awkwardness, and came out stronger. Because it’s in these high-pressure moments that we discover what we’re really capable of.