About

I’m Roemina Deocareza-Buenaluz, more commonly known as Mina Deocareza, and I am a professional writer and editor from the Philippines. I live in Makati City with my husband Tim and our two adorable cats, Dubu and Kimchi.

I love to read and write. I also cook, sing, and play the ukulele. I collect notebooks, washi tape rolls, stickers, ephemera, and fountain pens and inks. I am obsessed with coffee.


Work Experience

Copy Editor, International Business Times (November 2020 – Present)

I edit articles about current events, entertainment, sports, technology, business, finance, and crypto. I make sure each story adheres to the in-house style guide. I also help writers improve by giving them feedback.

Editorial Director, Sinaya Cup (April 2016 – July 2022)

I was responsible for anything content-related in the company. I wrote posts for and managed our WordPress-powered blog and sent out our monthly newsletter via Send in Blue. I also helped prepare documents like proposals, press kits, and business letters. I worked closely with our digital marketing team to ensure that our blog and social media posts were relevant and engaging.

Editor, MSN Philippines (October 2015 – November 2020)

I curated content for the news portal using our very own CMS. Besides ensuring that each story adhered to the company’s editorial guidelines, I also measured content engagement using Chartbeat, PowerBI, and Adobe Analytics.

Writer, WhenInManila.com (April 2012 – June 2018)

I wrote articles on the trendiest food, products, services, and events in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Writer, Kasal.com (July 2014 – June 2019)

I produced wedding-related articles for the website, including viral wedding stories, real wedding features, and wedding planning tips. I also did interviews with wedding suppliers and real-life couples for profiles and exclusive features.

Copywriter, AffinityX (August 2014 – September 2015)

I wrote web copies for US- and Canada-based businesses and made sure that both the editors’ and clients’ corrections were properly implemented.

Article Writer, EndlessRise (April – July 2013)

I was assigned to write SEO-driven articles for a wide array of end clients, including home improvement firms and small-scale financial institutions.

Writer, SEO Hacker (July 2012 – April 2013)

I was tasked to write SEO-driven articles about a wide variety of topics, including electronics and home improvement. I was also assigned as the official writer for the firm’s Uratex account.

Report Writer & Editor, Truth Verifier (February – July 2012)

I was responsible for collating the investigators’ findings and writing comprehensive reports to be sent to clients. I also wrote press releases and business letters on behalf of the company’s president.

Writer, CreatiVoices Productions (June 2011 – May 2014)

I wrote scripts for audio and audiovisual productions, as well as web articles about the company and its founder.


Professional Skills

Specializations
Creative WritingProofreadingSEO
Feature WritingEmail MarketingWorkshop Facilitation
News WritingContent ManagementTutoring
BloggingSocial Media ManagementResearch
CopywritingContent CreationTranslation
Copy EditingContent StrategyVoice Over
Tools & Platforms
Microsoft OfficeSubstackCanva
GSuiteMailChimpNotion
SharePointSend in BlueMiro
WordPressKeywords EverywhereTrello
MediumChartbeatHootsuite
BloggerAdobe AnalyticsAirtable
TumblrPowerBISlack

Languages

EnglishNative/Bilingual Proficiency
FilipinoNative/Bilingual Proficiency
ItalianElementary Proficiency

Education

Diploma in Language and Literacy Education, University of the Philippines Open University (2014 – 2018)

I studied the foundations of language and literacy education, taking subjects on language acquisition theories, the reading process, second language teaching, development and evaluation of instructional materials, and reading programs.

Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing, University of the Philippines Diliman (2009 – 2013)

I studied various approaches and techniques in writing fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction and learned from award-winning and established writers in the country. I earned a grade of 1.0 (the highest possible mark) for my undergraduate thesis titled “Loud Voices, Quiet Lives,” a collection of profiles about voice artists in the Philippines.


Workshops

Silliman University National Writers Workshop

Silliman University Edilberto and Edith Tiempo Creative Writing Center, June 26-July 7, 2023

Cordillera Creative Writing Workshop

University of the Philippines Baguio Department of Language, Literature, and the Arts, October 22-29, 2021

Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Writing Workshop

Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights, Oct. 23-24, 2020

University of Santo Tomas National Writer’s Workshop

UST Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies, April 7-14, 2019