CvSU BAJourn Community lauds Saltiban's triumph of being the youngest comedy writer of GMA Network

September 10, 2020-- GMA Network conducted a virtual graduation ceremony through Facebook and YouTube to welcome its new 20 comedy writers. Included among the graduates is John Lester L. Saltiban, a 3rd year Bachelor of Arts in Journalism student. 

Saltiban successfully passed several elimination rounds (Level 1-3) for the network's comedy writing workshop, which began last December 2019 and ended this month. He bested other 1000 auditionees and became part of the Final 24 who went through rigid activities by submitting concepts, scripts, gags, and sketches with tests and interviews. 

It all started when he watched the Bubble Gang TV show in GMA. Saltiban had first seen the announcement of Michael V. "Bitoy" for the audition of aspiring writers who wanted to be part of the network and become future writers for their comedy shows. 

By submitting the requirement of 3 jokes and one funny story through email, Saltiban passed the first phase of the audition and has been invited to the GMA Building for an orientation to know the workshop flow. He was with the other 64 auditionees who passed as well. 

The auditionees were also invited to witness some tapings of the network for their comedy shows. However, Saltiban has barely attended some tapings due to his schedule of classes at Cavite State University. He has even thought of giving up since there were many technical things that they need to understand and master as they write and submit scripts. But, he felt motivated along the way and looked for inspiration. 

The workshop was held every Saturday. He has admitted that he and his family had a hard time for the transportation fee and other expenses needed to attend the sessions since he was also studying. During the lockdown, the sessions continued through online. 

Saltiban and the graduates will be now part of the BDD2, a Comedy Unit of GMA Network, designated to write concepts and scripts for the comedy shows such as Bubble Gang, Dear Uge, and many more. 

He would like to thank God, all his friends, and family, who has supported him along his rough journey.  He is also grateful to Ms. Nini Matilac, the assigned project manager, and the other directors and GMA writers for passing until the Final 3 with his presentation entitled, "Lugaw with Egg."

Also, he believes that "What you think is what you'll become," and as a writer, he has the power to create something, and everything he writes with his pen will be influential because writing comedy is a serious thing and is not that easy.

Watch the graduation ceremony of GMA Network here:

Video Credit: Youtube Live Uploaded by: YoüLOL