jamilcreado

First Perspectives

Having only stayed in UPLB for only around a month, I am sure I have not experienced everything my university offers. It may not be right to say that everything I write here will be the same insights everyone will get from studying in UPLB.
But, despite all of this, my insights come from me testing the waters of UPLB. Having only dipped my toe into the water, I may not have experienced it all, but I believe it has given me enough experience to have a say in things.

1. You will walk, and walk… and walk

The campus is huge; there is a reason why there are jeeps going left and right. Though jeeps are prevalent, and this might not be the case for everyone, it is a lot more convenient to walk. And for GE classes– most especially those in the CAS buildings– walking is already routine. I find myself walking everywhere I go. Be it Grove, Raymundo, or within the campus. And I think, walking is a trademark of a true UP student! Plus, the free exercise is a great bonus!

2.”The UPCAT is the easiest exam in UP”

Browsing social media, I repeatedly see this on posts or articles. At first, I thought to myself, “Surely, this can’t be true?”, and to my surprise, I find myself believing what they say. Though I have not taken many exams… yet, from what I have experienced, this statement holds true! So, be wary and study well.

3. Umbrellas are essential

Elbi has days na may kinakasal na tikbalang. And sometimes, it is scorching hot. And sometimes, it is dark, gloomy, and pouring. With a climate like this, your umbrella is your best friend.

4.Great food is everywhere

There is great food everywhere around the campus. From budget meals, ethnic cuisine, or street food, good eats are everywhere– you just have to know where to look. If you are in a tight budget, 20 pesos can already be a meal in UPLB! And from what I have experienced so far, food in Elbi is much more affordable than in the Metro. Great food is everywhere! You just have to know where to look.

5.There’s a long road ahead

Passing the UPCAT only gets you on the starting line. And having only been studying for less than half a semester, I am only at the start of what is a long race. There’s a lot of work to be done and lots of things to be read. As they say, UP will break you, UP will change you. But don’t be discouraged, remember why you are here.
There is still a long road ahead, keep your chins high, and enjoy the journey.

Developing Development

Development-oriented is a broad term. To narrow it down, one must take one of multiple perspectives regarding it. Each perspective has its own characteristics on what a development-oriented topic or output should be. Take for example Batch 2013’s Renz Celeridad’s take on this:

For him, being development-oriented is to be: concerned about an immediate societal issue, localized, and critical.

1.Concerned about an immediate societal issue

Being development-oriented hinges on specific issues that influence the, what he says are, “disenfranchised”. These are marginalized sectors such as farmers, youth, and women, among others.

2.Localized

A development-oriented topic is something you can localize from a national-level issue. Be it from agriculture, health, or labor. Being development-oriented, these issues are explored on a local level.

3.Critical

Dominant structures in society are explored in how they shape the people within them. For example, the influence of mainstream media on people, the effect of business-backed laws on ordinary people. These kinds of questions are to be tackled by development-oriented topics.

These kinds of insights are a tremendous help in crafting the essence of being development oriented. Especially for me, as a development communicator in my early stages.

Hopefully, with enough time and experience, I can create my own perspective and provide my own set of characteristics of development-oriented topics or outputs. For now though, I’ll have to let my lectures and other insights hone my perspective on being development-oriented; developing my own sense development.

Big thanks to Ate Faye Sueño for referring me to Kuya Renz!

More and more.

I am inexperienced. And when compared to others who have delved into all things media, I am much more inexperienced. However, with experience, comes more room for growth.
Experience comes with time. And experience really likes taking its sweet time getting to you.

Given the UP grading system, I would rate my qualities as a media writer as the following:

Curious/Inquisitive: 1.5
Intelligent : 3
Industrious : 2
Resourceful : 2
Persevering : 1.25
Imaginative : 2
Puts a premium on accuracy and truth: 1
Loves to read: 2.5
Interested in and loves people: 2.25
Service-oriented: 3

Given the same system again, my skills as a media writer would be:

Gathering data: 2
Validating and clarifying information: 2
Organizing information: 3
Writing clearly and effectively : 2
Proficiency in the operation of communication tools/devices: 2

Among my qualities, the one that needs the most work would be being service oriented. As a development communicator, being service oriented should be a given quality already. However, I haven’t been service-oriented ever since I was little. I didn’t enjoy doing things just for the sake of service to others.
Though I am changing this inhibition of mine. Little by little, I find myself enjoying the act of helping others. Maybe it is the culture of UP urging this change within me– after all, we offer ourselves for the betterment of the country.

And among my skills, I would put the skill of writing clearly and effectively as the one that needs polish. As a communication major, this is the foremost skill I should develop first. What’s the point if I cant get my ideas across clearly?
My most competent one would be my ability to gather data. Whenever I research, I often exhaust all possible leads I have in order to get the most amount of information– most often online. A Google rabbit hole is a real thing; an activity I often partake in, ever since I was young.

I hesitate giving myself a flat one. I believe this is a grade I can’t give myself yet, not until I learn and grow more. Surely I am not as competent as I think I am. Giving myself a flat one would be an overestimation of how I think of myself.
I know I can be better. And until I know I am better, I can’t have the courage to give myself a flat one just yet.

Learn more and more.

Watershed

Waking up in the morning, training, going to school, then training again in the evening. Repeat this for at least 6 times a week; breaks were a welcomed but a rare commodity.

This was the life Jamil knew before he entered the University of the Philippines Los Banos. The, now, 19-year-old, Jamil T. Creado, thought he would be a student-athlete throughout his tertiary life. Up until the point he got into UPLB and dove in, head first, into a degree program he did not have an inkling about— BS Development Communication.

A momentous turn. Watershed.

Dreaming of becoming a lawyer one day, Jamil often aims big. Now, unlike most of his peers and despite him not being in his school’s paper before or doing any kind of media-related extracurriculars, he looks forward to experiencing and absorbing things; both new and fresh— always eager to learn and grow. He hopes for growth in doing things uncharted before to him.

Now instead of training for the physical, he is training for the intellectual. Reading and writing more than he was ever used to, going beyond his comfort zone, and honing the skills he already has. Turning rudimentary into extraordinary.

In spite of doing things he is unfamiliar with, even if he feels overwhelmed, Jamil will face what is ahead of him. Plunged into a wholly different environment, writing and reading, always looking to improve. And in turn, ultimately, learning how to serve the people.

He’s also now growing out his hair. A dream he has had ever since he was in high school.

Eager to grow and learn– but still having fun.

Devcom Survival Kit: The Tools and Implements

Your figurative lifelines!

The Survival Kit

If I had to list down five things that I would consider essential for devcom, a smartphone, a laptop, notes, storage devices, and grits all come to mind. All of these things have been used throughout my stay in devcom, notwithstanding that I haven’t been here long. But most definitely, these things are useful, and to a certain extent, ubiquitous among devcom students.

They won’t be here if they weren’t useful after all.