Jazmin Reyes

You all know her as the new Ateneo Courtside reporter (after years of having Jessica Mendoza represent the Eagles) and one of Magic 89.9's Junior Jocks, but do you really know the real Jaz Reyes?

The DTF team met up with Ms. Reyes last Thursday, February 2, and asked her a few simple questions in order to find out more about Ateneo's newest UAAP courtside reporter. (the conversation between Ms. Reyes and the DTF team have been summarized)

Q1: What made you decide to become a courtside reporter and then a junior jock?

"Well I have always wanted to be a Junior Jock, ever since high school. So this was really a no brainer for me. As for being the courtside reporter, I wasn't even aware of this. In ICA, there were a lot of restrictions, especially when dealing with the media, so we weren't allowed to be on TV or on the radio or in print media (I was a writer in Chalk magazine and they reprimanded me for it) so I didn't really know anything about "courtside reporting" (or basketball for that matter). I had never heard of reporting, Jessica Mendoza, or the fact that Ateneo was a champion team in basketball. To me, courtside reporting was just a stepping stone to becoming a Junior Jock.Getting into courtside reporting,after months of auditioning, was so helpful in preparing me for becoming a Junior Jock because it made it easier for me to become comfortable in the situation. Also, being a thespian back in ICA helped me out a lot. It's all about confidence!"

Q2: Has life changed for you, being a so called "celebrity"? Have people been treating you differently?

"Nah. Everything's still the same. Well, school wise, it is but on the outside, it's changed. Because of these activities I have a job now, hosting and it has been great. Earning my own money has felt so liberating. It's more hectic but at the same time it has been so great an experience."


Q3: What advice can you give those who would like to pursue these extra activities (being a courtside reporter and a Junior Jock)?

"It's all about time management. You must know your schedules, from your first class up until your last class. Before you can manage your time very well, it's very important for you to have a planner or calendar that will help you remember dates. I don't have nstp which means I do not have Saturday classes and I made sure my schedule was somewhat relaxed (my first and only class today, Thursday, is at 430). It's all about having a good sense of time and managing it properly. Also, you have to be very confident and have an infectious personality. You may not speak good English, but as long as you have the confidence, it's all good. Hindi naman ito pagalingan mag-English, it's all about how you present yourself through radio. 'Pakapalan ng mukha dapat."

Q4:What's next for Jaz Reyes?

"Well, it's really hard to predict what's going to happen in the next 5 years or so, but now as i finish college, i'm really thinking of getting a masteral degree in communications abroad. I feel that it would help me do a better job in hosting for both tv and radio. Sayang naman kung hindi ko ituloy, diba? Haha! As for Junior Jock, hmm, i really dont know because after this, it will be up to them if we're going to stay and become regular DJ's already. But i dont expect anything naman, i'm just enjoying this great opportunity at the moment."

The interview was only supposed to last for 10 minutes but because of her infectious, easy to talk to and bubbly nature, that interview turned into some sort of informal conversation. It was a great experience and it opened to our eyes to who the real Jaz Reyes is: someone who despite the things happening in her life, has remained down to earth and someone who is easy to get a long with.Jaz, is also a very driven person, not only focusing on extra/outside of school activities, but has remained very much engaged in the Ateneo with her work in Sanggu and in her various organizations.