We kick off the new year with Neil Bie, an Abu Dhabi-based Assistant Editor and Reporter for The Filipino Times. He shares with us his experiences covering the Filipino community in the Middle East and how PRs can help him with his stories.

You joined The Filipino Times in 2018, how has the publication and the team evolved since?
The publication continues to be a website dedicated to Filipinos based in the UAE. It is where they can get reliable information and news related to their host country, as well as updates from the Philippines. We have been focusing on stories that strike the attention of OFWs here in the UAE and the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. These include news about flights, repatriations, and stories of everyday Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) dealing with the persistent effects of COVID-19. The team has remained intact since and is planning to expand more this 2022!

Tell us about your day-to-day as an Assistant Editor. What’s the best perk?
My daily routine starts off by checking the latest news to find and prioritize which stories would grab the attention of our readers the most. I also track down trending stories that concern Filipinos on Facebook and Twitter. We also keep in touch with the local Filipino community here in the UAE who regularly share inspiring stories of achievements. This is to boost the image of Filipinos here in the UAE. The best perk to this job is the opportunity to rub elbows with ranking officials and decision makers who work above and beyond to improve the lives of OFWs.

What stories grab your attention as a journalist in the Middle East?
Stories driven by emotion and those that strike a chord within the hearts of OFWs get top priority. We also love to cover stories that relate to OFW nostalgia such as the simple lighting of parols at the Embassy, caroling at the Expo world stage, or even the performances of our Filipino hitmakers at Expo 2020 Dubai or other similar huge stages.

Speaking of stories, what’s a favourite one you worked on and why?
This is a hard one. There have been many inspiring stories I've covered to date. But if I had to choose one, it would be a rare opportunity to cover the Pope's historic visit to the UAE. This marked a first for any Pope to visit the Middle Eastern region. We found out that many Filipinos worked behind the scenes (e.g., participation in the Papal Choir, many Filipinos at the venue of the Papal Mass, and other striking stories revolving around this historic event), I still have fond memories of this event that touched the lives of many Filipinos who got to see the Pope that day.

I also loved the opportunity to witness the opening of the Philippines’ pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai – the largest participation to date of our country in any World Expo. I loved the vibes of Filipino pride that exuded not only from our officials, but more importantly, from our fellow Filipino visitors at the Expo. If you’re planning to visit Dubai, be sure to drop by! It’s here until March 2022.

How can press materials be better?
The Filipino Times centers on stories that relate to OFWs, particularly those living in the Middle East. What we're looking for are stories that feature the accomplishments of Filipinos worldwide (especially in the UAE) that promote a positive image of Filipinos to the world. Also, PRs that attach huge files and photos almost always get ignored. May WeTransfer na. Links would be better.

What would a successful pitch look like for your team?
A story that would touch the hearts of OFWs without seeming like it's a hard sell of a specific company or service would hit the spot. Do relate your material to Filipinos, especially OFWs, if you want better chances for your story to be picked up.

If you could interview anyone in the world for a story you’ve always wanted to write… who would it be and why?
Somewhere down the line, an ideal interview for me would be a Filipino who would put the Philippines on the map with their historic discovery or milestone. Maybe something like the first Filipino woman or man on the moon, the first Filipino pope, or something like that - hopefully we'll witness these in our lifetime.

Telum Media gives journalists a platform to share their experiences in the newsroom and out in the field. If you would like to share your story or nominate someone to be featured, email us at philippinesalert@telummedia.com