II. Kabanata IV: Personality Profile

Ena De Los Trinos: A Dreamer, A Believer

"A dream is a wish your heart makes." A famous Disney line from one of its classic animated movies Cinderella that every child believed and adored like the young, fearless, and optimist - Maria Ena Coleen De Los Trinos, also known as Ena DLT, an Alumna from Saint Louis University's Bachelor of Arts in Communication, a TV Director of the young People's Television (PTV- 4), the main character of her show.

The 22-year-old Ena DLT believes that she's an introvert as she likes to take time with herself and loves her own company but took a field in the media industry that exposes to mass audiences. This did not deter her from following her ambition, but it did benefit her in overcoming her introversion and becoming more comfortable in social situations.

"I grew up in a household where movies and tv series are everywhere, so Disney, Nickelodeon, and more raised me." Ena DLT said. Growing up watching movies and tv series has always been her way to hang out with her loved ones, and she used to get excited over the weekend to spend her time with her family and friends. She has always been a fan of films and reached the point where they would analyze the movies. This was when she realized that apart from her hobby of writing poetry, singing, and performing, she already knew during her 6th grade, her ambition was to be a director and write it in their yearbook.

Pursuing her dream to become a director, she enrolled herself in SLU's Communication program. Miss Ena's COMM student journey describes it in four words; wild, difficult, rewarding, colorful. Even if she knows that this is her passion, just like other students, she encountered many difficulties and challenges in her life. She deals with a lot of anxieties that make a significant impact on her. It was a daily marathon of overthinking, torture. Anxieties are always present as it hits her in her worst moments that affect her performances. "You have to accept that life can be tough. Life can give you winning moments at times, but you should always expect the unexpected." She overcomes her anxieties by managing her expectations because, in the real world, things aren't always going your way. Her COMM journey honed her to face the realities of her profession and learned a lot of stuff in SLU Mass Comm, even the things she couldn't do. The diversities of her chosen course made her experience colorful and rewarding.

Reaching the climax part of her story, the antagonists enter as many people in her life tried to stop her from achieving her dream. "There is no future in mass comm, what are you doing?.... Hindi ka makakaipon ng pera diyan (you won’t earn money in that field)…. Mass Comm, Mas komportable.” Common criticisms of people around her that she hated made her think, and she wanted to shift to another course like MedTech. She did have a hard time, but she kept her faith and sought guidance from God. She believed that God gave her an epiphany, a flashback of what she wrote in her yearbook, and realized that why would she let go of her dream just because of her doubts? It made her pursue more and believe in herself, just like how her family and friends supported her all the way. She stayed faithful to her dream, faced them headstrong with her humble heart, and finished her degree with all her might.

Because of her devotion and commitment landed her first job as a Social Media Optimizer with Mystech Dynamics in 2019. She willingly shared that she waited for almost three months to get a job and admitted that she had difficulty learning the ropes of her role. She trained herself and claimed that she never saw her profession as a hindrance but rather an experience that would sharpen her skills. Soon after, she was employed in her current position in PTV-4 Cordillera as a TV Director and hangouts with her editors and producers and explore new editing techniques on the computer. She meets many people through her job who have inspiring stories, which makes her realize how fortunate she is to have a job and be a voice for those in need. Still, it also makes her feel a little pressured because she reckons, "It could have been given to someone older or more experienced, but they entrusted it to you." It wasn't easy to manage, but her love for her dream is still burning. She didn't let it affect her. "I get to live out to my childhood dream, meet a lot of people, and it feels like I am playing, but my toys are bigger and better."

Although she is at the peak of her profession, she wants to learn more about the industry, particularly broadcasting. Director De Los Trinos, who aspires to work in marketing and advertising, is thankful to the SLU COMM Program and its teachers for assisting her in advancing her career. She is a potential media professional today because of their ability to engage and immerse their undergraduates in a range of communication areas, as well as exposure through practical activities and contests. Holding back her emotions, Ms. Ena says she owes her success to her Big Three, especially God, her family, and friends, who have always been there for her. “Hindi enough yung thank you, hindi ko alam kung paano ko sila pasasalamatan (Thank you is not enough, I don’t know how can I express my gratitude). Thank you, and I love you."

Given the worldwide pandemic, Ms. Ena remained faithful and unwavering in her commitment to her ambition. Though she experiences anxiety and paranoia on occasion, she believes that these feelings will pass. Director De Los Trinos, hopeful for a brighter future, plans to produce a TV program on student documentaries in the Cordillera and intends to cooperate with her alumni to highlight the potential of students who may one day follow in her footsteps into the industry.

Miss Ena DLT's pieces of advice to students pursuing the same field as her is "You need to be someone like you. To achieve your dreams, be your dream. Believe in what you do and what you love to do." Through her experience, she believes that students need to manage their expectations because it will be something that will humble them in their mistakes and disappointments. They need to accept that life is full of unexpected moments.

As this story has met its happy ending, more seasons and chapters will be told. Another plot, characters, another setting, a new dream; Keep believing and dreaming, just like what Cinderella says "No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing. The dream that you wish will come true."

"Dreams aren't built from fears and doubts. It's built by faith, and that's what you always have to carry with you. Let your life be written not by fear but with faith." Maria Ena Coleen De Los Trinos, a dreamer, a believer.

Screenshots taken from “ A Sit Down with Ms. Ena DLT: An SLU BA Com Interview (October 6,2021)