Based on my experience, these are the 3 tips that, I think, a media writer should take into consideration when gathering data:
1. Start your data gathering as soon as possible.
If you start your data gathering earlier, then you will be able to finish your task earlier. Starting your data gathering early will also give you more time to organize and edit your work. If you’ve missed some information, you can easily go back to the place and get the info you need because you have enough time to do so.
2. Always be respectful to the people you encounter and to the people you talk to.
Since you are gathering data from people you don’t know or unfamiliar to you or, basically, strangers, the best way to keep from trouble is to wear your dashing smile and respect every people you encounter and every people you talk to. Others may not seem friendly and won’t treat you with hospitality but you need to bear in mind that they have the data you need so you should be patient with them and you should respect them.
3. Bring umbrella, water, and some snacks.
Nature may not be on your side when you are gathering data, so, you better have an umbrella with you to protect yourself from the weather. And to keep yourself from dehydration and hunger, in case the data gathering takes longer time than expected, always bring water and snacks. Also, be generous enough and share your snacks with your friends or groupmates.
I think I need to work on the most on learning how to love reading because I know that a media writer must seek for information and ideas from their audience. And based on what I’ve learned in the class discussion, reading is one way of knowing the writing styles that is popular and trendy for the audience. In doing so, there will be a greater possibility that the audience will be interested in reading my works. In addition, reading will also help widen my vocabulary.
Given your ratings, what keeps you from getting that 1.00 self-rating?
While doing the self-assessment, I realized that I didn’t possess much of the qualities of a media writer. It’s maybe because I don’t really like to be a media writer before and it’s not really my passion. But now I know that I need to develop these qualities and improve myself.
Among the skills listed, I think writing clearly and effectively is the skill that I’m good at. Because as a Science writer before, my job is to simplify the scientific and highfalutin words for the mass to understand easier the topic being discussed in the article.
Among the skills listed, which skill would be the one that you need to work on the most to develop? Why?
I think the most important skill that I need to develop is gathering data specifically in conducting an interview because it is essential for a media writer to have that skill. I’m afraid to approach strangers and I always tend to forget what I’m about to say when I’m talking to them because of anxiety. But, now, I’m really trying to work on developing this skill.
Department of Education (DepEd) Los Baños spearheaded this year’s “KASskwela: Kultura, Awit, Sayaw pampakwela ng mga eskwelahan” to celebrate various cultures in the Bañamos Festival at General Paciano Rizal Park.
Public Schools District Supervisor Dr. Allan Hostalero stated
that this cultural show served as a culminating activity as part of DepEd’s
curriculum in preserving arts, culture, and literature.
“This event [also] intends to exhibit different talents of
our students,” Dr. Hostalero added.
The show started with an opening prayer, followed by the singing of the national anthem and Los Baños hymn by the Los Baños Brass Band. Dr. Hostalero, along with several government officials, then, formally opened the program.
Different talents such as playing rondalla instruments and folk dancing were showcased by participating schools from the municipality. The schools were as follows along with their respective cultural performances:
Tuntungin-Putho Integrated National High School
– Piliin mo ang Pilipinas
Bagong Silang Elementary School – La Jota
Moncadena
Bambang ES – Curacha
Bayog ES – Pandanggo sa Sta. Clara
B.N. Clara ES – Konan
Lalakay ES – Sinisiki
Lopez ES – Gaway-gaway
Los Baños Central ES – Saguin Saguin
Maahas ES – Pandanggo Rinconada
Malinta ES – Malong Malong
Mayondon ES – Alcamfour
Paciano Rizal ES – Polkabal
San Antonio ES – Lapay Bantique
Tadlac ES – Paseo de Iloilo
LBNHS Batong Malake – Panderetas
LBNHS Poblacion – Pandanggo Wasiwas
Mayondon NHS – Singkil
B. N. Calara Integrated NHS – Dugso
Senior High School – Jota Batangueña
Parents also expressed their support to the event by letting their children take part in the cultural presentations of the schools. “Para madevelop ang kultura natin [at] para malaman din nila yun,” Chona Alcana, parent of a performer, explained.
LGUs, MDRRMO, PNP, and DOH together with DepEd systematized the flow of the program and ensured the safety of the attendees of the cultural show.
“Hangga’t nandito ang DepEd, hindi kami lilihis sa pagpromote ng culture and arts,” Dr. Hostalero promised.
In line with their objective, he mentioned that the faculty department will also be displaying Philippine culture in the celebration of the upcoming National Teachers’ Day.
(Kilay on Fleek Girls)(Judica O. Bisnar, Aryandhi A. Almodal, Elysse B. Bejar)
In the past week, we were given a task of clipping development-oriented news articles for our next exercise. At first, I had a hard time knowing what to look for because I didn’t know what makes a topic development-oriented. After doing some research and observations, I came up with these three guidelines in searching for a development-oriented topic:
RELEVANT TO POSITIVE CHANGE Since development means growth, in development-oriented topic there should be a relevance to positive change. Development-oriented stories or articles must focus on the improvement of economic trends, population, government services, agriculture, industry, science and technology, and the environment.
ADDRESS ANY FORM OF POVERTY Last September 11, 2019, I attended the Research Colloquium of Ms. Rikki Lee Mendiola in College of Development Communication. There, she mentioned that Development Communication addresses all forms of poverty. Based on this, I realized that a development-oriented topic addresses any form of poverty.
ADHERES TO UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS When the topic tackles any of the 17 SDGs then it is development-oriented. SDGs serve as universal call to action to end poverty, to protect the planet, and to ensure that all people live in peace and prosperity by 2030. Being comprised by integrated goals, development-oriented topics are directed towards social, economic and environmental sustainability.
Keeping these three things in mind while looking for development-oriented topics helped me finish my task faster and with ease.
I am fascinated by the fact that I started writing this entry exactly one month from the first day I’ve started my college journey. This past month was filled with a combination of excitement and fun, stress and cramming, homesickness, and lots of learnings.
Excitement and Fun. With the astonishing environment and culture in UPLB, I was filled with excitement to know and explore the things UPLB has to offer the moment I set foot inside the campus. A month is not enough to know everything but in all of my little expeditions inside and outside the campus, I had immeasurable fun with my friends. In the past month, I was also able to meet a lot of people and make new friends. Friends that I could always count on. Friends that put a smile on my face whenever I’m with them.
Anxiety. Not knowing of what to expect and what to do in my classes, I wake up everyday feeling anxious of what might happen. Will my index card be picked by my professor for recitation? Will I be able to answer his/her question? Will there be a quiz/activity/exercise? I always have these sorts of questions every single day in the past month. At first, it was horrendous but, then, later on I get used to it. I realized that maybe my anxiety was due to the fact that I’m unfamiliar with my environment and I’m still in the process of adjusting as a college student.
Stress and Cramming. I could describe my first two weeks in college as “chill lang.” Most professors were just giving orientations and introduction about their courses during these weeks. No formal lessons yet, just a few requirements such as index cards and ID photos. Come the third and fourth week, the requirements all piled up and due day after another or worse at the same day. And because I’m not a fan of late submissions, also, I view it as a crime I never want to commit, I strive real hard to finish my requirements and pass it before the deadline even if I was just minutes away from it. Few minutes away from 11:59 when most of the requirements were due.
Homesickness. Living away from home and my family makes me want to go home and just commute everyday but I know I will be killing myself if I do that because it’s so time consuming and tiring as well. So, what I do is go home during the weekend, unless I have lots of requirements or I have something to do. I also call them every now and then just to hear their voice and to check on them. The dorm where I stay just makes my homesickness worse. I feel isolated. It was so quiet that all I hear was just the opening and closing of doors from other rooms. When I looked at the window, a view of the sky and rambutan trees is what I see. It gives a melancholic feel in addition to my homesickness.
Learnings. Having the privilege to study in one of the most prestigious university in the Philippines means having a world-class quality education. In the first month of being an iska, everyday I felt that I’m the most stupid inside the room. My classmates were actively participating in the class discussion while I was still trying to understand the lesson. They could easily get high scores or even perfect the quizzes and feel like it was no big deal while I was already celebrating when I guessed the answer to one item correctly. Because, I always bear in mind what one of my professors always say, “the lowest scorer gets to learn the most.” The low scores I get pushes me to study more and work harder because I don’t want to keep having low scores. I don’t want to stay at the bottom. I don’t want to remain stupid. In this way, true enough I’ve got to learn more. Learnings that aren’t limited inside the four corners of the classroom. Outside, I learned by seeing and hearing the anger of students protesting and fighting against the social issues and injustices in our country.
In just a month, I’ve met new friends, felt anxious, got stressed and crammed, experienced homesickness, and learned a lot of things. Surviving a month in UPLB physically and mentally healthy is already an achievement to me. I view it as a great start for the more months to come of being an iskolar ng bayan.
Currently in her
Freshman Year as a BS Development Communication student in University of the
Philippines Los Baños, Judica O. Bisnar now aspires to be either a journalist
or a lawyer in the future. Originally, she sees herself as a future engineer.
She prefers holding a pen, paper, and a calculator and solve a math problem or
equation instead of writing essays and articles required in her English class. Ironically,
she was provided BSDC as her degree program which is a communication program
and requires a lottttt of writing.
While
contemplating whether to accept or not her degree program assignment, she
realized that taking up challenges outside of her comfort zone will be
worthwhile and exciting, and will spark up her college life. She wanted to find
things that are new to her and will test her skills so she decided to grab the
opportunity.
One factor that
affected her in making that decision was her background as a Science writer. Being
a grade conscious and an active student in her high school years, she was a
member of quite a few school clubs. She became part of their campus newspaper
publication. She also joined in inter-school competitions as a Science Writer which
provided her set of experiences that benefit her as a media writer. She may not
be the best media writer you can see in her class but with hard work and
determination, she believes that, at least, she will be able to improve her
skills.
BLOG 6050 