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Born in a sleepy old town, in what used to be just one of the tiny villages at the foot of the majestic Mount Arayat, my parents had high hopes for me, their firstborn.
I wanted to be a doctor – a common enough dream among children. I was a voracious reader even at a young age. My parents fed my appetite for reading by letting me read books beyond my years. My father bought us a medical encyclopedia which I began reading when I was in second grade. It didn’t matter whether or not I understood; my vocabulary grew because I was allowed that much freedom. My parents didn't really screen my reading, and they let me read the novels they read. I collected magazine cutouts of short stories, recipes and poems I liked. I wrote essays, poems and short stories for my own reading pleasure; even my mom wasn't allowed to read them.
Having excelled in school all my life, it became a shock to everyone when I stopped studying to be a doctor and had a child before finishing my degree. I kept on, estranged from my family; gave birth to a son and graduated. Life became more of a formula from there. I reconciled with my family, worked, got married. Switched jobs. Taught in a university. Got separated. Had another child by another man I ended up leaving. Lost my mom to cancer.
I left for Dubai reluctantly, with very little hope; my youngest hadn’t even turned three yet. But it had to happen. I built my writing career in this foreign city, and made valuable connections. Then, I left the Middle East for good after 10 years.
My life after Dubai left me pretty broken, but I had to keep going. I could not let my brokenness get in the way. I had to stay sane and move forward – which I did.
So here I am, in a place I love. I am now with my kids and our pets. I write, and get to run, run, and run some more. I am happy, and I know this is where I am supposed to be.
Writing Reviewer
Brainfuse Online Writing Lab
271 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016, USA
May 2, 2017 to the present
Signed up to review compositions/research papers and teach the following subjects:
- Elementary Writing (English)
- Intermediate Writing (English)
- High School Writing (English)
- College Writing (English)
- SAT Writing (English)
- GED Writing (English)
- Accuplacer Writing (English)
- Compass Writing (English)
- GRE Writing (English)
- HiSET Language Arts - Writing (English)
- TASC Language Arts - Writing (English)
Freelance Web Content Writer
www.foffer.com/www.rushcube.com
2601 Summers St, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA
April 25, 2017 to June 20,2017
Composed original web copy for various clients in the adventure/leisure industry on project/assignment basis. Wrote the web content published on these pages:
- https://www.parachuting.com/parachuting/providence-skydiving/
- https://www.skydiving.com/
- https://www.skydiving.com/news/2017/skydiving/tom-watso
- https://www.flydar.com/learn-to-fly/buffalo/
- https://www.soaringsports.com/balloon-rides/new-york-city/
Freelance Journalist/Features Editor (On Monthly Retainer)
Ananke Women’s E-magazine (Dubai-based women’s e-magazine), http://www.anankemag.com
September 14, 2014 to the present
In agreement with the executive editor, I edit/proofread articles for the e-magazine as well as contribute at least two articles per month writing as “Claire Dangalan.”
Blogger/Writer/Editor (3-Month Contract)
JETEX Flight Support, http://www.jetex.com/
June 2, 2014 to August 10, 2014
Editing and web content writing work including writing biweekly blog posts as “Claire Dangalan.”
Freelance Ghostwriter/Editorial Consultant/Web Content Writer
Worked with companies into the legal sector, aviation, real estate, events management, HR, interior design, beauty and wellness, music, etc.
November 15, 2013 to the present
E.g. https://www.bospasa.com/ / http://www.emiratesyso.com/
Volunteer Blogger/Writer/Editor
Association for the Children of Mozambique ASEM North America (ASEM Canada) http://www.asemworld.org/
http://www.asemworld.org/about/team/team-asem
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and sister website: http://www.barbarahofmann.org/
September 13, 2012 to the present
- Composing, maintaining, updating blog posts for ASEM North America
- Creating the narrative for ASEM success stories posted on http://www.barbarahofmann.org/
- Editing corporate documents and other web posts as needed
Note: My work is translated into German and posted on the Swiss counterpart of ASEM North America http://www.asemworld.ch/asem/
Freelance Writer
Gulf News Classifieds, Gulf News Head Office, Sh. Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
July 15, 2012 to the present
- Writing articles for the Classified Group of Products including Properties – Commercial & Residential, Freehold, Jobs & Careers and Classifieds, and MyGuide articles on food, health, education, travel, leisure, etc.
Freelance Book Editor
August 2008 to the present
Edited one non-fiction book on risk management, another on dieting/nutrition, and a non-fiction book about a notable Indian leader.
Freelance Feature Writer
Friday Magazine, Gulf News Head Office
June 23, 2010 to July 2014
Freelance Web Content Writer/Editor (5-Month Contract)
Miles Property Management, http://milespropertymanagement.us/index.html
Valrico, Florida, USA
May 11, 2012 to October 2012
- Writing and editing web content including executive profiles
- Assisting in layout design
Freelance Creative Writer/Editorial Consultant (7-Month Contract)
Khazan Meat Factory, Dubai, UAE
September 12, 2010 to April 4, 2011
- Research
- Writing/editing/proofreading of brochures/PR and marketing collateral/web content/press releases
Full-time Employment Experience
Marketing Manager
HarborComms – a Division of Harbor Real Estate
Office No. 1801A, City Tower 2, Sh. Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
July 15, 2014 to November 30, 2016
- Creating and executing comprehensive marketing campaigns based on client requirements and approved recommendations, including SEO and social media marketing
- Coordinating with the PR agency on media plans
- Supervising the art director in terms of material design/layout requirements based on client specifications
- Working closely with the CEO and MD on new exclusive projects
- Overseeing the work of the art director, IT administrator, graphic designer and CRM Executive, ensuring that there is little or no work overlap and that tight deadlines are met
- PR, government and media relations
- Creating ads for company vacancies, i.e. for property management, sales, admin, etc., for posting on LinkedIn, print ads, and online job search websites
- Coordinating with the HR manager in creating detailed job descriptions for all company personnel
- Conducting training on corporate communications, customer service, call handling, etc.
- Reputation management – investigating and directly resolving issues before they become unmanageable, i.e. comments and queries posted on social media including corporate (public) accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, as well as complaints communicated via email, telephone or in person
- Writing/editing copy for the CEO, company website, ads, press releases, brochures, articles, SMS/email campaigns, etc.
- Editing and proofreading corporate manuals, templates, forms, etc.
- Overseeing data collection, market research and analysis
Proofreader
Gulf News, Marketing – Classifieds
2nd Floor, Gulf News Head Office, Al Nisr Publishing LLC
Shaikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
October 16, 2006 to July 12, 2014
- Planning and scheduling of articles for publication
- Receiving, filing, and copy editing of all editorial content for Classifieds products (Freehold, Classifieds, Residential, Commercial, Jobs & Careers) and Gulf News MyGuide series
- Assigning topics to and liaising with other freelancers, and with corporate contributors
- Final editing of articles on InDesign before turning over to pre-press
- Proofreading of all copy
- Picture research
- Training new hires in the sales and marketing department including account executives, call center personnel, data entry staff, graphic designers, and proofreaders on advertising guidelines; providing feedback and giving reports on each new recruit to their respective team leaders
- Coordinating with ad sales team members regarding client specifications and queries about possible ad restriction violations
College Instructor
College of Human Sciences, Saint Louis University, Baguio City, Philippines
June 6, 1998 to May 31, 2006
Taught the following subject areas:
- Cultural Anthropology
- Sociology
- American Literature
- World Literature
- Essay-writing in English
- English Grammar and Composition
- Business English and Correspondence
- Argumentation and Public Speaking
- Principles and Procedure of Parliamentary Practice
- Phonetics & Oral English
- Humanities
Call Center Technical Support Representative
Client Logic, Baguio City, Philippines
July 4, 2005 to April 31, 2006
College Instructor
University of Baguio, Baguio City, Philippines
November 3, 1997 to March 31, 1998
Taught English Grammar and Composition, and Public Speaking
Editorial & Creative Writer
The Marketing + Communications Group
Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines
March 13, 1997 to July 15, 1997
Editorial Assistant/Junior Product Planner
Straight Lines International (SLI)
A Member of the Sterling Group of Companies
Caloocan City, Metro Manila, Philippines
April 1, 1995 to March 30, 1997
Composed "sentiments" or text for everyday and holiday greeting cards.
