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, Tech in Asia (September 2024 – Present)

Copy-editing content for the largest English-language technology media company that focuses on Asia.

Publicity and Content Officer, Sinaya Cup (February – August 2024)

I leveraged my knowledge in public relations and my media connections to help boost the startup’s publicity. I also used my expertise in writing, editing, and content management to craft engaging and informative content for the brand, particularly for its website, blog, newsletter, and social media, and to create SOPs that played a crucial role in the company’s operations.

Copy Editor, International Business Times (November 2020 – January 2024)

I edited articles about current events, entertainment, sports, technology, business, finance, and crypto. I made sure each story adhered to the in-house style guide. I also helped 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 Writing
  • Feature Writing
  • News Writing
  • Blogging
  • Copywriting
  • Copy Editing
  • Proofreading
  • Email Marketing
  • Content Management
  • Social Media Management
  • Content Creation
  • Content Strategy
  • Search Engine Optimization
  • Workshop Facilitation
  • Tutoring
  • Translation
  • Voice Over
Tools & Platforms
  • Microsoft Office
  • GSuite
  • SharePoint
  • WordPress
  • Medium
  • Blogger
  • Tumblr
  • Substack
  • MailChimp
  • Brevo
  • Meta Business Suite
  • Chartbeat
  • Adobe Analytics
  • Semrush
  • PowerBI
  • Canva
  • Notion
  • Trello
  • Hootsuite
  • Airtable
  • Slack

Languages

  • English (Native/Bilingual Proficiency)
  • Filipino (Native/Bilingual Proficiency)
  • Italian (Elementary 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

University of Santo Tomas National Writing Fellowship 2024

UST Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies, June 16-22, 2024

Silliman University National Writers Workshop 2023

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

Cordillera Creative Writing Workshop 2021

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 Writers Workshop 2019

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