Jun Veneracion: Expecting the unexpected

As someone who has literally had to dodge bullets on the job, Jun Veneracion knows better than anyone that sometimes a man has to take risks to reach his goals.  At 8:00 in the morning, in a dimly lit cafeteria at the GMA Network Center in Quezon City, Veneracion prepares for another day in the field. He has to be ready for anything. “Ganyan talaga ang buhay na nasa field. Akala mo tapos na ang araw, ‘yun pala hindi. Akala mo lean day, ‘yun pala malaki. Palagi mo na lang isipin, ‘Expect the unexpected,’” says Veneracion. Veneracion is comfortable with the unpredictability of news reporting. After all, he’s been with GMA News since 2003. After covering military stories for several years, today Veneracion belongs to a small pool of senior reporters that GMA assigns to hostile areas.  Just last week, for example, Veneracion was in Maguindanao covering the filing of Gov. Toto Mangudadatu’s certificate of candidacy for the 2013 elections.  Not exactly kids’ stuff, considering that in 2009 over 30 journalists were massacred in Maguindanao. Passion and perseverance Veneracion’s solid track record eventually opened the doors for him to co-anchor the weekend newscast “Balitanghali Weekend” and co-host the men’s magazine show “Best Men” on GMA News TV. But it took time and hard work for Veneracion to get to where he is today.  Two decades ago (“My conservative estimate,” he chuckles), the then-rookie reporter almost gave it all up. His first coverage wasn’t supposed to be difficult. He can’t even remember what it was in the first place, but for some reason, the words wouldn’t come. “Kapag pine-piece ko together,” he explains, “line by line, hindi ko siya ma-stitch up. ‘Ayoko na yata,’ sabi ko, ‘quit na ako.’” He ripped out sheet after sheet from his typewriter in frustration. But still, he persevered and got over the hump. “Sabi ko, sige, pangangatawanan ko na ‘to,” says Veneracion. With this attitude, the months turned into years, and he realized he found his calling. It’s a weird calling, he says. Few would understand, and even fewer would follow in his footsteps. “Nagkakalokohan nga kami na, sino ba namang matinong tao,” he says, “na kapag nagkagulo, lumalapit imbes na lumayo? Lumalapit tayo kasi gusto nating makita ang story firsthand.” Veneracion knows what he’s talking about. In 2007, his team was pinned down in a seven-hour firefight between government troops and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. That story, titled Engkwentro, won an award at the New York Festivals for Television. “Many are called, but few are chosen,” says Veneracion. “Kung wala kang passion, umalis ka na sa trabahong 'to.” The ordinary man Hosting “Best Men” was another unexpected career turn for the reporter.  Veneracion says that hosting “Best Men” is how he distances himself from the “uptight stereotype” of news correspondents. “Ang palaging perception sa aming mga journalists ay napaka-seryoso. ‘Di nagsa-smile, napaka-uptight.” ^{Away from the spotlight of primetime news, Veneracion lets his personality shine through on the show, "Best Men." (Photo by Best Men)} He recalls how the opportunity to join the show presented itself in 2010.  One day, flyers made their rounds in the newsroom calling for reporters to audition for a male magazine show. “Sabi namin we’d give it a try,” remembers Veneracion, who’s always up for a new challenge. “Tingnan natin kung anong mangyayari doon.” “I would say kung ano man ‘yung nakikita sakin sa ‘Best Men,’” he says, “maski papano, halos ganoon ako in person.” In a way, then, his “Best Men” viewers know him better than his Balitanghali audience. In “Best Men,” he feels more at ease when his witty remarks can just fly off the cuff.

A few good men Hosting “Best Men” may seem far removed from death-defying news coverage, but beyond its laugh-out-loud antics and challenges, the show also recognizes unknown, ordinary men who live exemplary lives. For a more recent episode of the show, for example, Veneracion interviewed Jaime Mayor, a simple and honest Luneta kutsero or kalesa driver who returned 4,000 euros to a French tourist.  Veneracion says it takes a real man to cast aside the temptation to take the easy way out. “Yun ang ‘matuwid na Adan,’” he says. “Walang nakatingin, ang daming pwedeng dudahan pero ang pinili parin ang tamang gagawin.” Family man While he may have earned his reputation as a hard-nosed reporter, the gloves come off when you ask him about his family.  For all his professional success, he is perhaps most proud of being a husband and father. “I’m a cool dad, a loving dad,” he says proudly. “I-criticize mo na ako sa lahat, but I’d say I’m a good father.” He has a daughter, 13, and a 9-year-old son whom he says looks like a “far, far better version of me.” Despite his busy schedule, he always makes time for his family. “Malls and grocery shops are our usual weekend destination. And during summer, I always make time for our out-of-town vacation.” Doing his “best” Veneracion understands that hosting “Best Men” also means being a role model to other guys. When he auditioned for the show, Veneracion remembers being quizzed by the producers about what he would do in ‘awkward’ situations commonly faced by Pinoy men. “Anong gagawin mo ‘pag tinutukso kang ‘under de saya’ ka?” he remembers them asking. “Paano ka iiwas nang mapatagay sa lugar na maraming nag-iinuman?” While these situations may not be as hair-raising as conflict reporting, many Filipino men do find themselves grappling with such everyday tests of character. In his own way, Veneracion just wants to help viewers navigate that challenging path. “Na-e-expose kami [ng mga reporters] sa kung anong tama, anong mali, kung anong bulok at kung anong hindi.” he says. “So kung ano ‘yon, nata-translate ko at nasha-share ko.” What else would a “Best Man” do, really? -PF, GMA News