Author: crmlbt

Is it really  the season to be jolly?  Finally BER-months, here we go!

However, it is also the first semester’s exam season. It is true, UPCAT is the easiest exam you would take in the university. Some even say, it’s the only exam they’ve passed. It may be exaggerated, but I’m telling you, exam season would really shake your emotional and mental stability. What’s important is you’ve come prepared in every battle you would take.

As iskolars ng bayan, we should be responsible enough to prepare ourselves before taking the exams. It’s not just about acing it and getting our desired high grades; it’s all about assessing if we really learned something throughout the lectures and discussions. With that, as a devcom freshie, here are five tips that you could follow in order to ace those exams:

Everything you do would be a lot easier if you have a purpose ̶  the drive that  would always give you the urge to keep going. With that, setting a certain goal would help you review wholeheartedly and passionately.

Yes, I know, there are times wherein you’d just prefer sitting down, pretending to be attentive during lecture. However, listening actively and having a complete set of notes would step-up your game during exam season. You’d be able to understand more and look back to all the lessons tackled during the lecture meetings. It would also help you in organizing the most important terms and concepts mentioned during the discussions.

Yes, memorizing is a lot easier if you’d answer objective test types. However, understanding its concepts will help you familiarize and actually get the point of the lessons you’re trying to review. If you’d just memorize the terms you encounter, there’s a huge possibility that you’d throw away the essence of the lessons after taking the exams. On the other hand, absorbing  and understanding it, would help you attain and actually use it in the future as a devcom student.

Some people may not want to hear that line, but in taking devcom exams, it’s the other way around. Set breaks while reviewing to avoid overloading in information. With this, you can also set the healthiest and most effective studying habit that would help you review easier. Having a healthy body, mind, and emotional stability would definitely be the way in acing those exams.

The most famous line we hear after taking the exams is, “Ano, kaya mo pa?”. Well, yes, we still can! We may feel drained or anxiety attacks may be there but you should have enough trust on yourself. You will definitely get the grades you deserve. All those sleepless nights full of caffeine, will definitely be worth it. No matter what the result is, what’s important is the fact that you’ve tried, and will still continue trying.

Cliché as it is but, yes, grades will never define you. It would just give us labels, however, the lessons we’ve gained is what’s most important. We should always keep the fire in us  ̶ burning.

Until the next season of exams, tuloy lang!

by: Mia Bueta, Christine Casido, and Catherine Uy

Amidst the gloomy weather, the General Paciano Rizal Park was still jampacked with people on the night of September 19 at 6:00 in the evening. The people were patiently waiting for the annual Bailamos Dance Contest: Make Your Move, which is one of the most awaited activities in the known Bañamos Festival, in celebration of its 18^th year anniversary, held in Los Baños, Laguna.

The main goal of Bailamos is to showcase the different talents not just of Los Baños locals but also other towns around Laguna as well. However, this year most of the contestants were from Calamba and Los Baños only. Top priority of this event said by Mr. Jonathan Natividad, OIC in Los Banos Tourism, is the safety of the contestants, so as much as possible death defying stunts are prohibited.

The group should have at most 15 members with the age range of 16 years old and above. Each group should not exceed to five minutes and must showcase street style, hiphop, locking, etc. Dangerous stunts are strictly prohibited. Moreover, dance, steps, body movements, choice of music are signs of morality and good conduct, stated by Mr. Natividad.

This year’s set of judges are Mr. Pinch Araneta, Mr. Jayson Lagrada and Mrs. Jocelyn Ann Luna. Expectations from this year’s contestants are higher as Mrs. Luna said, “last year judge rin ako dito, so dapat mas level up ang performance nila”, and the contestants did not disappoint.

There are a total of 10 contestants who joined this year’s competition. But among the groups, only three have met beyond the judges’ expectations, namely: Nazty Boys (2^nd runner-up), Scammaz (1^st runner-up), and G7 (Champion).

Having the least number of members, G7 still managed to win the judges’ heart through strictly following the criteria. Clean dance moves, safe stunts and facial expressions are what made them stand out. Bringing home 20,000 cash prize and certificate, half of this will be given to their parents to give back as being their inspiration, stated by Mark Justine Likayman, one of the members of G7. Their win was unexpected for they are just newly formed last March and it was their first time joining the dance battle.

After all the performances, a unity dance was presented showcasing the 10 groups in one dance number. A special award was given to Scammaz, the group who won 1st runner up, as the Dancer of The Year.

In celebration of the 404th founding anniversary of Los Baños Laguna, the annual Bailamos Dance Contest is a great opportunity for the youth to showcase their talents in dancing as stated by Mr. Natividad. The event have highlighted the culture of the people of Los Baños as their supportiveness and loud cheers were evident throughout the evident.

“Ano nga ba ang Devcom?” ̶ a question usually received by development communication students. The validation each student has to gain by explaining thoroughly what is this course really about.

The goal of development communication is to make progress and reach out to the marginalized sectors, mainly through effective communication. It is about knowing your audience; to know, to identify, and to address the community’s needs. More than just studying the societal issues, it is communicating effectively onto one central goal: development of each individual’s well-being, in order for a collective and aggregate betterment of the society.

What does it take for a topic to be considered as a development oriented? Here are three characteristics I’ve observed and learned from the courses I’ve been currently taking:

Goal – oriented

A development – oriented topic must have a certain goal to achieve. As communicators, it’s a must to have a vision of the society we are trying to build.

Dynamic and Progressive

It must be able to have progress. In this dynamic world we live in, a development – oriented topic has multi-dimensional angles wherein the progress may fluctuate depending on the current state of the society and how the problems are addressed.

Focuses in the community.

It should revolve around the people’s problems that needs to be addressed. It concerns their benefits and rights that should be given action by the society in terms of different sectors such as health, agriculture, education, and many more.

Moreover, I was fortunate enough to interview a BS Development Communication alumna, Chelsea Del Rosario Inton – Class of 2018, on what are the characteristics of a development – oriented topic:

Lastly, she put emphasis on how important is the role of people in these development – oriented topics. She stated, ” People should be at the heart of development – oriented topics.”, with that, it will always lead to the goal of the betterment of the well-beings of the people – ika nga ay mass communication with a heart!

The blurry path was struck by lightning ̶ somehow enlightening. Frightening, but at the same time, exciting.

                The series of spirals has somehow calmed for a while. It was the beginning of realizing the real purpose; finding that ray of sunshine in a gloomy day. It’s been a month, and a lot has changed. Being an ‘Iskolar ng Bayan’ is a hard title to prove and work on. It’s not about being academically excellent in all fields, it’s about the passion and determination, to learn and to serve as well.

                Some people might still question the relevance of the course I took up ̶ “Bakit Devcom?”. Before, I honestly don’t know what to answer. Why did I? But then, it’s more than just a path. It’s a path onto something; a way to a certain goal. Looking beneath the surface of being a communicator is a goal into the betterment of not just an individual, but as a whole. In a short span of time, I’m learning to love the craft; to appreciate the essence of being an ‘Iskolar ng Bayan‘ who wants nothing but a better society for everyone. With that here are the top five lessons I’ve gained in my one-month of being an iska:

Play time’s over, college will never be a game you’ll be winning if you don’t set your priorities. Inclined with setting your priorities, is having an effective time-management skill. Learn how to balance things, know what must be finished, and still, have some time for yourself to breathe. Knowing your goals and having a certain vision will keep you motivated onto that goal ̶  ‘sasablay ka rin!’.

Cliché as it is, but yes, patience is a virtue. You’ll never achieve something just as easy as you’d like it to be. The hardest struggles, gives you the biggest triumphs. You might be confused of the path you’re currently taking, but time will come everything will fall into place. Just have enough patience and perseverance in doing your craft and everything will follow.

You’ll never go wrong with trying something new. College is all about free trials and taking risks. It’s where we could explore more of ourselves ̶ what we can do more. Spread your wings and find something you can be passionate about. Things that could help you shape yourself into someone you’re trying to build even before. It’s time for you to show a side you haven’t tried showing before. Meet new people and make connections. Especially as a communication student, these interactions will help you develop your skills in communicating with different kinds of people, in different kind of situations.

Failures will never define us as a person. Going into the University of the Philippines ̶ or even other universities, is definitely a gateway in a struggle of maintaining a healthy version of yourself in all aspects ̶  physically, mentally, and emotionally. There will always be a downward sloping that would happen, but then, it wouldn’t be called a downward slope if there’s no chance to stand up and rise back. Set a healthy mindset of having a goal that is always onto the positive perception of things. Take things as challenges and never dwell on these temporary failures. By then, you’ll come back stronger and braver in facing what college has to offer.

This doesn’t only apply in communication students, but to everyone as well. What makes us an effective individual is when we know how to listen and absorb what must be indulged by our minds. By then, we’ll be learning how to establish healthy relationships with people we meet. Miscommunication will be prevented, thus, a more positive learning environment will be developed. A clear mind who knows how to listen, will definitely produce an effective writer ̶  with a purpose.

There’s a lot more to learn in the next few weeks, months, and years. We must never get tired of learning and exploring. Remember, life’s a series of fluctuating slopes, either upward or downward. But surely, determination will give you what you’ve fought hard for.

Barangay Maahas was definitely not a usual name for a place. Thus, the crazy adventure begins!

In order to gather information, we interviewed the contact person we have reached, which is the barangay’s secretary. Since our group is still unfamiliar about the certain policies and flow within the barangay, what we did was to reach out to a person in their barangay, to ask some questions in getting their profile. We were lucky enough that the person we’ve had contact was approachable and willing to help as with gathering the data we needed.

The interview went well because we were lucky enough to be accommodated by a very willing and approachable barangay employee  ̶  Ms. Krystal Alvarez. With her help, everything went smooth-sailing as she provided us the data we needed. She even showed us the different office heads for us to be familiarized. This experience was not a first time for me, however, it was quite refreshing as we go on to our first data gathering activity as Development Communication students.

Tip # 1 Familiarize

First, it's an advantage if you already have a background of the place you are going to. In here, it would save time from searching and asking people in finding the place you're going to. You can search in google maps or ask guidance from people who may know what you're looking for. In our case we asked the guards in the UPLB gate, and they willingly helped us with the directions. 

Tip # 2 Have Courage!

Second, you must always have the courage to speak up and develop your communication skills. In our case, it was a lot easier to reach out and ask people information because we had courage to approach people. Thus, Being a Development Communication student, we must nurture these skills which will be used not only in the data gathering process. 

Tip # 3 Connections, connections, connections!

Lastly, keep tight connections with the people you've reached to. The next time you would be needing information, it will be a lot easier for you to interact and even ask for more connections from them. Just like any other relationships, it is a must to let your connection with people grow. As a Development Communication student, we will be exposed to different kinds of interactions, especially data gathering processes. Thus, keeping connection will not only make data gathering easier, you'd develop a healthy relationship with experts or specialists as well.

There’s no easy way in achieving something that is worth it. We should treat the data gathering process as something really important, for it builds the foundation and connection of an accurate and a good story.

I need to be more resourceful when it comes to exhausting in searching and gathering for information. Being a shy person, it’s a struggle for me to find connections and interact with different kind of people. However, as I go through the journey of being a BS Development Communication student, it will definitely nurture my skills especially in terms of interacting and socializing.

My confidence is what keeps me from getting that 1.00 self-rating. I’ve been having hesitations on myself that’s why it’s a struggle for me to believe in my own capabilities. Nevertheless, I am willing to continue learning and if I’m fortunate enough, I could build my self-esteem and finally claim a 1.00 self-rating.

I could say that I am somehow confident with organizing information. Since then, I’ve been into note-taking and it helped me to prioritize and rank the data I’ve gathered in terms of their relevance. I may still have some flaws into this skill, however, among all of them, it’s one thing I could confidently say that I am knowledgeable about.

I think I would struggle with writing clearly and effectively. As a writer, I’m still discovering what my writing style is and I’m still exploring the technical aspects of writing. I need to widen my vocabulary as well as familiarize myself with the different writing techniques that would help me construct a smooth flow and transitions of ideas and sentences.