Author: lemuelmiko

Ayon nga po, It is the SEASON nanaman. UPCAT season to be exact. One of the most nerve wracking exam before entering college. More nerve wracking if you decided and confident enough to think

up or nothing.

I was a bit hesitant to interview aspiring Iskos and Iskas before and after taking the exam. I do not know, I feel like i will add stress to them because UPCAT ain’t easy, I should say.

Years ago, after I took UPCAT. I decided not to put all my hopes in it because I know that i did not review for the exam, and the exam itself was HARD.

Anyways, this is not about me, but to the aspiring Isko I know all the way from Camarines Norte. He is John Zachary Balteza from La Consolacion College Daet, an SHS student taking up STEM strand.

I was enamored seeing a fellow CamNorteno taking up UPCAT here in eLBi. We have one testing center in the province and a few from nearby provinces in Bicol. So I was kind of surprised seeing his story on Facebook, so I messaged him immediately.

So kamusta naman UPCAT experience mo?

Masaya naman. Parang sobrang welcoming ng mga tao and nung nag lilibot libot ako sa campus sobrang ano di ko ma explain HAHAHAH parang alam mo yung feeling na parang you belong tas sobrang ganda nung environment na parang na kakacalm na ewan kase maaga ako pumunta tas kahit mag isa ako don nag mumuni-muni di ako kinabahan kinabahan ako nung nakita ko na yung mga tanong tas yon mahirap yung exam.

John Zachary

We had few conversations about life, for he was my friend. He really like it here for experience and is an aspiring Veterinary Medicine practitioner.

Bakit ka dito nag-exam?

Kaya ko rin napili na mag exam dito para kahit papano maging familiar na ako sa lugar kase gusto ko talaga na ditp na mag aral, and para kung sakaling di ako makapasa atleast naka punta at pasok ako sa class room ng UP.

John Zachary

With high hopes, we say goodbye to each other. May he pass the exam and be my schoolmate once more. ❤

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I have been inside the university for a year and a month. How am I supposed to squeeze all of it in one entry??? HOW?!

Generally, it is fun. Duh UP?? Not fun??? I met a lot of friends, family I made, friends specifically for parties, acad-mates and all. I met a lot, actually. That is college life, is not it?

But not always it is fun. I have a lot of break downs coupled with break outs. Clear skin who? ERROR 404. Living 9 hours away from home is a hell. I have been solo for sometime in my home. My sisters are way older than me, they went to college when I was little. So, I was alone with my parents. I am: BABY. Few weeks in, I was okay, but sepanx (separation anxiety) kicked in. Every after a call my mom and I had, I cry. Such pettiness, though. But I adjusted because of my roommates. They came from my province too and my former classmates. They became home in an unfamiliar place. I am grateful of them.

I feel so BOBO and unfit for UP. The insecurity is severe. It seems people are way brighter than me, well yes in some ways, but I have come to realize that there are things I am better than them. Not that I am comparing myself to other, but you know, you cannot just think about yourself. You should learn that everyone has strengths as well as weaknesses. You need to acknowledge it because that is when one grow. That is one thing I have realized in my year here in UPLB.

As a former food science and technology student, hard science for me was hard. I was an ABM student as well in my SHS years, so I was SHOOKEDT to core with UP science. Now I am in development communication, I thought it was easy. I was wrong. Like my perception about UP students being better in all aspects, there is this variation of difficulty per person, but I am trying my best because I believe I can be better.

Well, I am kind of amused with freshies this semester, as I am ahead of them but still being my classmates, their freshie energy is so up there. I mean, I was a freshie last year, but the energy was different. Being classmates with them in a large class and being the “marginalized” with my co-shiftees seem to be a cute feeling. We are not the most bibo in the class and they will try to push themselves more. I would like to achieve their energy again.

Anyways, my year and a month in UPLB was a ride I would always reminisce, I will not try to repeat all of it, but I would like to learn from all of my mistakes and improve what I did right. I got few more years in the university, I will enjoy it and try to learn from all aspects that devcom teaches the students.

By: Lemuel C. San Gabriel, Raizza Acuzar, Cedric Katigbak

One of the highlights of the second day of the week-long celebrations for the 18th Bañamos Festival themed “Tagumpay ng Bayan ay Matatamasa ng Mamamayang Nagkakaisa” was the  awarding of the outstanding citizens of Los Baños.

The commemorative program for the 2019 Los Baños Outstanding Citizens and Taxpayers was held at the Multipurpose/Evacuation Center in Brgy. Baybayin. The municipal government recognized the most outstanding teacher, government employee, police officer, and civil society organization, well as the top ten outstanding business establishments for being the most responsible taxpayers.

The awardees include:

1. Outstanding Public-School Teacher: Marlu P. Parot,
2. Outstanding Municipal Government Employee: Irene L. Bautista,
3. Outstanding Police Officer: PSSG. Romualdo B. Esguerra Jr. and,
4. Outstanding Civil Society Organization: Rotary Club of Los Baños

The recognition for the outstanding citizens of Los Baños aimed to acknowledge the individuals’ utmost commitment and competence to their line of work. Parot was recognized for her meaningful contribution to the development of the community, specifically the youth. Bautista, on the other hand, was commended for her dedication for being a public servant and having been efficient beyond office hours. Lastly, PSSG Esguerra Jr. was also recognized for his exemplary efforts for police operations against all forms of criminality which helped the revival of trust and confidence to the whole Philippine National Police.

The top ten business establishments taxpayers were:

1. Los Baños Doctors Hospitals and Medical Center Inc.
2. Waltermart Supermarket Inc.
3. Robinsons Supermarket Corporation
4. Puregold Price Club, Inc.
5. Grand Union Supermarket Inc. (South Supermarket)
6. HealthServ Los Baños Medical Center
7. Sanford Marketing Corporation (Savemore)
8. Laguna Water District Aquatech Resources Corporation
9. Mercury Drug – Los Baños, Laguna
10. Mercury Drug Corporation

These business establishments contributed highly through paying their tax diligently as a responsibility of their line of work. These taxes reflect mostly on the future of the town through different municipal and congressional projects the people ought to see.

Gracing the recognition ceremonies were Laguna Governor Ramil L. Hernandez together with his wife, 2nd District of Laguna Representative Ruth Mariano Hernandez.
In her message, Rep. Hernandez emphasized that “the very key to success ay ‘yung sama-samang pagkakaisa ng mamamayan. Hindi namin kaya alone ang mga challenges na kinakaharap natin, we need the support and contribution of everyone.”

Also present in the event were the different schools, barangays, employees of different establishments, and representatives from the different sectors in Los Baños.

Shirley Labita from San Antonio Elementary School shared that the recognition of outstanding citizens serves as an inspiration for the members of the Los Baños community. She added that “…doon sa mga nanalo na lalong higit pa nilang pag-ibayuhin ang pagiging mamamayan ng Los Baños, (at) mamuhay nang alinsunod sa alituntunin ng Los Baños. At sa amin naman na hindi pinalad na manalo, siyempre pinagpupunyagi pa rin naming balang araw ay magiging outstanding din kami.”

Before gathering data, people with guts might think it is easy. You ask, then you receive. But that is not always the case, good that you have the guts but not every time, you are going to encounter the same type of people. There may be kind and accommodating, some may be skeptic and reluctant about giving information. Well it is not for us to judge, is it?

The basics may be easier to get, but as a writer, you need more information. It is not for you to bluff or makes statements that were not true. Data gathering needs accurateness, curiosity, and confidence.

In this week, we need to get information from the Mayor’s Office, Sanggunian Bayan, Municipality of Los Banos for the collaborative update of the Community Directory of the town. It will serve as future references in our upcoming exercises and coverage throughout our DevCom life.

Our team, Behind-The-Seen (BTS), made use of a convenient way of gathering data. We have asked the personnel personally. It is convenient for there is number of people inside the office and it is easier for us to ask the employees to talk to regarding our intentions in the office.

A problem that we encountered was not having a letter for the request of getting the information that we wanted.

TIP 1. Always bring a letter. You can have a template when it comes to letter so that it is easier to adjust and put something within the letter. More often than not, a letter is needed and also it makes your agendum more professional.

We have assumed that is should be public knowledge because it is a public office, so we have not been prepared with a letter. After some explanation and trying to convince the personnel that we are students trying to comply with our exercise, we have given what we needed.

What if there is an urgent need for the citizens of Los Banos and they needed the office’s number, should they require letter first? Well, we understand that there is a Data Privacy Act of 2012, and we are at fault. But like what I have said, how will their constituents, who do not know how to write a letter, will be able to contact them in case of emergency. Just a thought.

TIP 2. Always be on time or be at slow times. Offices are often busy, so if you are busy, be at the most relaxed hours of office hours.

TIME IS PRECIOUS, Y’ALL. You have your time, and also your interviewee. Both of you got things to do, so come on time or when they are not busy. Save both of your time.

TIP 3. Be ready with your questions.

Come prepared. As a media writer, you do not just come with guns without bullets. We have used a convenient way of gathering data, it is our privilege to question more and gather more information.

These tips may be from our experience, but these things might happen to you as well. So always come prepared, nothing will be taken out of you if you are always ready for a fight! Awooooh!

We are Behind-the-Seen, we hope that as much as we learn from your inputs, you learn from us too. ❤

Well, I am literate. I know how to read and write.

(What I just said screams privilege, though. It is sad, but true.)

Anyway, as a development communicator in training, I should be prime in all the things I am doing. It is not enough to just know how to read and write, I should know what to read and write. I should consider what I supplement people, especially the information I am about to spread. Things should be factual, things should evoke change, things should be relevant. I do not just write, submit. In anything that I do, I should always consider who is my audience, why am I writing this, is this worth their and my time?

As I am writing this and seeing how I rated myself within the qualities and skills a media writer should have, I became slightly obnoxious for these reasons.

First, I am very biased about how I rated myself. As a Leo, we often see ourselves as great, leader of the pack. But as I reflected and contemplated, I know I am not good a writer as I perceived myself to be. I did grade myself last semester and I thought I am going to get UNO’s, but no. I will not trust my instinct on this one. lol

Second, I am certain that I have got a lot to learn in this institution, so grading myself kind of higher means I got no space for learning. Bruh, you are in school to improve, you do not know everything.

“I am the biggest opposition of myself”

Me, 2019

Third, I sure am lacking in every aspect of the qualities and skills of a media writer. Now that I am in college, I seem to not watch television, especially news, for I do not have television at our apartment. I prefer checking my online feed that reading articles from different news companies. I mean, yes sometimes, but I know I was better.

As I am the biggest opposition of myself, I also am my biggest supporter. I acknowledge my mistakes and try to do things to uplift and do empower myself. This is not a vicious cycle, my skills and qualities can be learned and improved.

I guess one thing I am proud of myself is being optimistic. This is not temporary; I am ought to improve and be the best that I can be. This is not just for me. This is for the COUNTRY, for the PEOPLE.

I have been in the university for a year already. I am not saying I know all the shenanigans, but I know basics. So these things mind just end on your list on what to bring during your college stay here in the university and as a devcom trainee.

Development Communicators do not just publish communication materials just for the sake of publishing. These communicators makes an effort to make their work development-oriented and targets specific types of audience.

Let us see how an alumnus of UPLB-CDC sees a topic to be development-oriented.

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John Derrick is not just an alumnus of CDC but a former CSC Chairman of CDC and is currently working as an instructor in LPU-Cavite.

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Done.

Done with the first few steps of attempting to find the path of life. A not-so-young lad finally started the journey he always imagined himself to be, a communicator. A communicator which uses his voice to immense the people with information, knowledge, and idea which can affect the lives of many, to better themselves, and to further the development of one’s place. These. Are. The. GOALS.

From a science-oriented junior high school, to the ABM strand in his senior years, and eventually taking up BS Food Science and Technology after being blinded by passing the UPCAT (the lad basically had other plans) and the university, itself, he finds himself riding on a roller coaster with a couple of 360 degree turns with some 180 degrees pivot. He once thought he was nowhere to be found. Reassessing oneself lead to rediscovering what he believes he is better at, talking, maybe writing. These things, he is certain, do not just stop with knowing how to write and to talk, it is knowing what and why would one write and talk, and to whom it would be addressed. What he will be doing is not just about him but will be concerning the people he sympathized and empathized with, which is the Filipino masses.

People mostly know this guy as Miko as his real name, without any resemblance, is Lemuel C. San Gabriel. Now 20, pursuing BS Development Communication gives him thrill and pressure to prove his own self that he can be great at something. This gives him nostalgia of how fun and competitive his high school was. He used to become a broadcaster, a photojournalist, a news editor, and a collaborative publisher joining his provincial and regional press conferences. But these experiences would not matter when UP slaps him with the reality that he is not at his best and will never be good enough if he will not put his one foot forward and try and try and try.