My internship experience is such an experience I would definitely cherish. From the time I started doing my resume and started applying in the different companies, now I know how it feels like to have your first interview with a certain company. And now I know how hard and at the same time happy it is to work especially if you really love what you are doing. My boss said to always aim for “the best don’t be afraid to explore and try something new.” This is something I would carry as I continue my journey in life. And because I worked for a magazine creativity is a must! I believe I would love to work at a magazine. I enjoyed meeting new people, going out for shoots, pulling out items from different shops and the like. What I’ve noticed is that they really treat each other as family and so that’s why they create such exceptional output. And as I write the article assigned which will be published in the coming issue of their magazine this July I learned how editors really polished my work. Every little detail is important for them.
During my internship I am proud to say that I am lucky to live here in the Philippines. Our country has so much to offer because Sidetrip features off the beaten track about the Philippines. And you will be amazed and astonished that the Philippines have something like wonderful beaches, mountains, exotic and delicious food.
Moreover, my internship is a long and exciting journey. Now I can prove that I am more on the feature type of writing. I would love to say thank you to the people behind Sidetrip as what I’ve said I learned a lot and at the same time enjoyed my stay at Sidetrip. You inspired me to always go for the thing you really love to do. And for the friendship which started at Sidetrip thank you.

Sidetrip’s office is located in Palanan, Makati. It was just a little cute office. Sidetrip is a small market based magazine under Pico Integrated Marketing Agency. They admit it that not everyone knows about their magazine. Moreover, the maiden issue was released on December 2007. It is quarterly publication which costs Php 45 only. It features destinations in the Philippines and smaller than mainstream and travel magazines, measuring 4.75 in 8.5 inches only. The people behind Sidetrip are as follows:
 Managing Editor : Sol Racelis
 Creative Director: J.r Felipe
 Editorial Assistant: Bea Beluan
 Publishers: Joanna Montoya and J.r Felipe
 Marketing Officer: Edmond Baniqued
 Administrative Officer: Melinda Valencia

Can you believe that? There are only few people behind this wonderful magazine. Upon staying at Sidetrip how each and everyone work under pressure. They always go for the best and will always give their readers excellent output. Sidetrip’s favorite words would be PROFITABILTY and MARKETABILITY. Sidetrip’s affordability is still an advantage even if some competitors are distributed for free because Sidetrip gives a different approach.In terms magazine sections, SIDETRIP has fewer sections but jam-packed with information.Travel Tales is a good section, as it offers a comprised version of what other magazines offer. Providing a comprehensive write-up about one or two places is much better than making short articles on various places. Food trip is also a good section as it features new and old establishments. Although it currently has small market base, I believe Sidetrip will boom in the near future if it will explore other opportunities to broaden its reach.

It was around March wherein we are told to start thinking on where we will have our internship. Of course the fact that we are going to finally start my internship in a short span of time I felt very excited. So I started submitting to different companies I am interested and that is in-line with my minor track. Until I got a text message from Ms. Bea Beluan the editorial assistant of Sidetrip travel magazine saying they are considering me as one of their interns so ask me to come at their office for an interview. The moment I received her text message I already felt very excited and nervous at the same time to finally have my first interview for my internship. So I went to their cute office and had the interview. During the interview my hands were really shaking I just don’t know what to do or say but they made me feel very comfortable during the whole interview. It seems we are just having a simple conversation about my experiences, goals and plans etc. And so after few weeks, I received again a text message that I can have my internship with them. After reading it .I screamed out loud, jump because of too much happiness. I really don’t know what to do during that moment it was something I dreamed of and now it is here.:))

I’ve been figuring out the exact date when Ms. Bea Beluan texted me regarding my internship. I reminisce the moment when I am screaming out loud at home because finally I have an ojt site. FINALLY! I am very happy, as in VERY HAPPY upon reading Ms. Bea’s text saying “Congratulations! You can have your internship with us.” I am speechless! I dream of working in a magazine and now my dream has now turned into reality. Plus! it is a travel magazine. I always wanted to travel and wanted to try something new. So here I am at SIDETRIP TRAVEL MAGAZINE! Giving me glimpse of the real world where I wanted to be at future. And I admit it, it’s not easy!

It’s already my 3^rd week here at Sidetrip. I am really having fun and gaining so much knowledge from them. The editorial team had a meeting yesterday April 27, 2010 regarding the upcoming issue which is the ROADTRIP issue. The editorial team consists of Ms. Sol Racelis the managing editor, alumni of St.Scholastica’s College Ms. Bea Beluan the editorial assistant and the newly hired travel essentials head Ms. Mia Enriquez. Every little detail or information is discussed during the meeting, the angle of the article, format, and even the advertisements that would be pitch in each section of the magazine. At the back of my mind saying, oohh,its such a long process! But it is such a good experience to sit down with them in a meetingJ

SIDETRIP is the Philippines’ premier handy travel magazine that features new and exciting destinations in the country.

SIDETRIP features everything hip, useful and new — from unexplored destinations and updated travel info to new restaurants and fashionable must-haves — because Filipinos need to be in the know.

With their latest issue featuring Camsur adventure and many more. Their 9th issue will be out this month which is a Special Summer Issue. Summer vacation is the perfect time for buying travel magazines. You know you need help in deciding where is the best place to go for vacation. Sidetrip is here to guide you all the way!