It’s that time of the year again! *insert Jose Marie Chan*

Dahil papalapit na ang Pasko nagkaroon ng bonggang Christmas Lighting ceremony ang University of the Philippines Los Baños noong ika-19 ng Nobyembre. Ang pagbukas ng Paskuhan sa Barrio ay sinalubong ng mga estudyante ng kolehiyo at pati na rin ng mga pamilya at magkakaibigan sa siyudad.

Tara na’t alamin natin ang mga kaganapan (at ang dahilan kung bakit wala pang outfit change ang tatlong ito since Episode 2) sa Christmas Special na ito!

Merry Christmas, mga ka-bidet! We hope you enjoy the holidays and we’ll see you very soon. Sa ngayon, nagtatapos na ang masayang usapan sa mainit na balitaan. Maraming salamat!

HOSTS:
Evangeline Lucille Ortiz (UV-3L)
Jerome “Zawadi” Atangan (UV-3L)
Nikki Gatchalian (UV-1L)

HEAD WRITER:
Danica Salcedo (UV-3L)

DIRECTOR:
Vincent Balawen (UV-4L)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/198RNffjrWUbu_UQb9cERd4VfNH2hnxzY/view?usp=drivesdk

by Nikki Gatchalian (UV-1L), Vincent Balawen (UV-4L), Evangeline Lucille Ortiz (UV-3L)

I try to look back at everything that has happened in the past few months and at the top of my head all I could think of were the doubts and the shortcomings I had to overcome.

Starting with a clean slate it took me quite a while to get used to the environment. When I started getting a hang of the activities in devcom I was pressured, but at the same time challenged with the endless work we have to do to fulfill requirements. Going out in the field and covering live events did enhance some parts of me that helped push myself through the semester.

qualities

Curious or inquisitive – 2
Intelligent – 2
Industrious – 2
Resourceful – 2
Persevering – 2
Imaginative – 1
Puts premium on accuracy and truth – 2
Loves to read – 1
Interested in and loves people – 2
Service-oriented – 2

skills

Gathering data – 2
Validating and clarifying information – 2
Organizing information – 2
Writing clearly and effectively – 2
Proficiency in the operation of communication tools/devices – 1

I can say that my industriousness and resourcefulness improved over the months. Finishing devcom-related tasks requires a lot of hard work and can’t just be done all willy-nilly, especially when you work with a group. You have to have the grit in making your articles or materials, because we should work with great detail and attention. Because of hectic time schedules I also learned how to manage my time more wisely, along with other resources that affect my performance.

Before I admitted that I lacked the skill to write, but after the rigorous activities I’ve gotten less rusty and the words come to flow easier. This skill is still a work in progress, but comparing it before, I can say it has changed a lot not only to my outputs but to myself as well.

This semester hasn’t even begun showing me the UP life and I have yet to experience more ups and downs as a development communicator in training and as a simple college student. Despite of it all, with the slow but steady progress I’m making, I might as well push through.

Let’s what happens next semester. For now, it’s been a worthy five (and a half) months.

Oras na, oras na!

Para bumanyo. Charot!

Narito na naman ang inyong B a n y o C o n y o s i s t e r s upang maghatid ng mga bonggang chika na hindi chaka, chika ng bayan, at chikang makabuluhan!

Now, let’s get in to sports!

For our third episode in the series, we get to talk about the recently concluded CDCiklban and the Southern Tagalog Regional Association of State Colleges and Universities or STRASSUC. Who knew devcom people can be sporty din, diba? Get to know the details and the winners in the events by viewing the video up top. Happy viewing, mga ka-bidet!

HOSTS:
Evangeline Lucille Ortiz (UV-3L)
Jerome “Zawadi” Atangan (UV-3L)
Nikki Gatchalian (UV-1L)

HEAD WRITER (uwu):
Danica Salcedo (UV-3L)

DIRECTOR:
Vincent Balawen (UV-4L)

Maogma. Mahigos. Tultol.

Joyful. Hardworking. Peaceful.

Nestled between the foots of Mayon and the ocean lies Tabaco, a city in Albay home to its well known padyaks and local bolos. Founded on 1731 and established as a city on March 4, 2001, Tabaco has been home to over 130,000 people.

Urban legend in the city says that during Spanish colonization, Spanish soldiers arrived at their shores asking the name of the place in their native language. The Tabaqueños at that time did not understand them, so instead raised their bolos, yelling “tabak ko!” to which the Spaniards mistook as Tabaco. This was how the city name came to be, and up until now bolo making has been one of the major industries.

Also known as the “Padyak Capital of the Philippines”, Tabaco has padyaks (pedicabs) as the most common mode of transportation in the area. Padyak production is also part of the city’s industry, as these products have been shipped locally and in other countries.

Tabaco also takes pride in being Bicol’s Siyudad in Pagkamoot, or the City of Love. It’s easy to feel peacefulness in the area and the friendliness of the people. It’s also hard not to fall in love with scenery for you can have one of the best views of Mayon Volcano’s perfect cone shape in its quiet grandeur. You can always catch a glimpse of her everywhere you are in the city.

Whenever I’m outside the city I always find myself going to back to its familiarity. Growing up in Tabaco as my hometown, I will always find pieces of home that you can’t find anywhere else wherever I go. As the Tabaqueños say… sa Tabaco sana an! (sa Tabaco lang ‘yan!)

Clips used in the video:

1. https://youtu.be/yneoB8SY6hA (TC Aerial Shots)
2. https://youtu.be/G778gkuPsA8 (Tabaco City Timelapse)
3. https://youtu.be/OynO_LPxHGM (Inquirer)
4. https://youtu.be/LnO44Mp1u0A (Tabaco City Street Dace Exhibition)

HI,

You never liked to sugar-coat things, so I’ll tell you this directly: you will end up in UP. A bit hard to believe, I know. Trust me when I say that it’ll be one of the best things that ever happened to you. And trust me even harder when I say these next few bits.

Don’t be complacent, for a start. College is only the beginning of the episodes of hardships you’ll encounter in your years, so best if you get off that couch. Don’t begin to think that your study habits in high school are still going to be with you once you step into UP because believe me, they’ve gone out the window a long time ago. You’ve only started building these habits, I know. You need to start molding yourself again because everything is going to be different.

Second, keep focus. With all honesty, you will be as unmotivated as ever if you don’t set your priorities straight. For weeks you will completely have no drive to finish requirements and go to classes, because day after day you will be tested and no one else is to blame for that if you didn’t come prepared for it. Remember the people who sacrificed too much to bring you here, okay? What would they think if you gave up on your own?

Another thing I have to remind you of is your self control. No one is going to be there to stop you once you leave home, and it holds all the things you’ve ever wanted and the all the ones that just aren’t good for you. You like saying no to almost everything but to yourself. Try to silence that voice inside your head while you can so won’t wind up broke and frustrated like me.

All that aside, you’ve really done good. As self-depreciative as you are, give yourself some credit for making it this far. You’ll be doing many things you’d never imagine to do and it’ll be fun and at the same time challenging. You’ve always wondered how it’d be like to step out of your comfort zone so let me tell you right now: it’s not that bad! You’ve always been a tough woman, so be tougher. The last thing I would want you to do is hold back, and you’ve already been doing that all your life. Learn to love the process 🙂 Everything really just falls in to place 🙂

The year has blessed you with too much, right? It’s still overwhelming up until now. But don’t be a dumb-dumb like me; go and pray more 🙂

Every single thing that you have dreamed for years back is all here. All I ask now is that you keep that smile on your face. It still looks good on you. Even when you end up crying, there’s nothing wrong with seeing the bright side of it.

I really hope you won’t end up like me after these reminders. Get them through your head. You won’t like feeling palpitations at 3 AM with barely anything in your stomach. And I don’t want you regretting not studying because you have to take the finals, because that’s definitely me right now. So I have to go.

The year will be great, don’t worry. No regrets like you always say, diba?

All the love,
Moi

Back at it again with another episode, mga ka-bidet!

Sa ating pilot episode, napag-usapan natin ang kahulugan ng development communication at ang tulong nito sa ating komunidad. Ngayon naman ay dumako tayo sa isa sa mga proyekto ng Department of Science and Technology (DOST) na bumisita sa UPLB: and Science Explorer ang nuLab! Bakit ba nila ito inilunsad at ano ba ang kinalaman niya sa development?

SKRT! Panoorin natin ang video down below!

HOSTS:
Evangeline Lucille Ortiz (UV-3L)
Jerome (Zawadi) Atangan (UV-3L)
Nikki Gatchalian (UV-1L)

HEAD WRITER:
Danica Salcedo (UV-3L)

DIRECTOR:
Vincent Balawen (UV-4L)

Isang napakagandang araw sa inyo, mga ka-bidet! Narito na ang (very, very, very late) launching ng aming pilot episode para sa Banyo Conyo, ang videocast na puno ng masayang usapan sa mainit na balitaan.

What better way to start this show talking about none other than – you guessed it – development communication! Ano nga ba talaga ang devcom, at paano ba siya relevant ngayon sa ating society?

Let’s start debunking some misconceptions and let’s hear personal stories by clicking the video above!

Hosts:
Evangeline Lucille Ortiz (UV-3L)
Jerome (Zawadi) Atangan (UV-3L)
Nikki Gatchalian (UV-1L)
Head Writer:
Danica Salcedo (UV-3L)
Director:
Vincent Balawen (UV-4L)

The christmas trees are out. If you know what I mean.

The calm has passed and now the storm rolls to flood us with deadlines and activities desperately needed to be done just before the semester ends. Even SAIS registration has begun ringing its bells. But before you back to that essay you’re writing, or before you add those classes to your cart, learn to take a break!

We have our ways to relax and destress but let me share some of my own methods that just might help you.

find your groove.

One simple thing I can say about music is that it hits differently. Especially for music lovers like me, I always find myself listening to my favorite artists because they never fail to calm my nerves. Be it hard rock or classical, as long as its according to your preference it’s sure to help you. Music is a great mood booster, too. So if any time you’re in need for inspiration, just plug in you headphones and let the creative juices flow out of you.

share a laugh.

Loved ones count, too. There’s nothing more satisfying than having a good conversation with people most special to your heart, especially when you’re already miles away from them. And you don’t have to always talk about the good stuff. Sharing your problems work, too! In my experience, I feel a much better and less tense when I get to talk about the things I’m going through. But it’s definitely better to forget about it every once and a while and just laugh your heart out. Can be with a few drinks, or two. Your choice.

pamper yourself.

Wanting to order that dress you found online since last month? Go. You deserve it. It’s not that bad to spend some things for yourself if you know you’ve worked hard enough to earn it. (If not though, I think you should back to what you were doing.) Pampering yourself from time to time gives you the chance to put yourself first and keeps the endorphins high. I like to buy my favorite sweets after and enduring week because it’s somehow rewarding, and it does keep me up working harder so that I can treat myself more.

rest.

Sleep as much as you can! Because you never know when you won’t have time for it again. Getting a good solid rest relieves your physical and mental stress, also to regain all the energy you lost while pulling off all those all-nighters. Ever since I started studying her in UPLB, I slept a lot. Not because I had the time, but I frequently panic over all the things I have to do for class and I need a way to calm my nerves. Sleeping is also essential, so whether you’re doing it to relax or not, do your best to not be deprived of it.