Thanks to the motivation and incentive of this platform, we have faithfully documented years of our lives, especially the last one. So many people have rallied around @manujune's case that one of her videos from the cancer treatment room went viral and got the attention of one of Venezuelan's most known and respected journalists: Esteninf Olivarez (@esteninf). Yesterday, she honored her word and visited us for an interview.
I had followed/watched Olivarez's work since her years in Globovisi贸n, Venezuela's first news channel. She is a celebrity for me, the kind of influencer young people should look up to. I always admired her professionalism, her incisiveness, and her courage reporting the news and interviewing politicians.
She quit Globovisi贸n in 2019 and, although my wife argues I was just trying to flatter Estenif, I stopped watching Venezuelan television ever since. My detachment actually started in 2013 when the channel was sold and the new management drastically changed the editorial line.
She now works as a correspondent for Univision's Primer Impacto (@primerimpacto) and other media like Union Radio (@unionradionet).
We were all very nervous because she had not given us any script or hints at the kinds of questions she would ask. So, we decided to go along with her. She came with her husband (@lenin_cook), who happens to be her work partner. They were super nice and made us feel comfortable.
We still hoped they would focus the interview on @manujune, but after she told her story, played and sang, they wanted to hear some of the story from the parents' perspective.
That's how my wife and I ended up doing what we dreaded 馃槀
After they got the information they wanted for the story, we just chatted informally, offered them some cookies and orange juice and accompanied them on their way out.
It was an amazing experience. We were honored just by their visit. It's not every day you get to know a famous journalist, especially one that is so respected and who has told incredible stories for international audiences.
We hope @manujune's story, as told through nervousness, does her justice and that whoever sees it feels inspired by her resilience, faith and will to live and do good.
We will keep you posted and let you know when story comes out.