Author: rayannegermia

This is a group output created with John Gherald Navera (UV-3L), Ray Anne Germia (UV-1L), Alexandra Gesmundo (UV-1L), Lawrence Neil Ebueña (UV-2L) and Daniel Mapanoo (UV-1L).

Gloria Therese Eusebio (or Thea) from Batch 2019 is known among her peers as the epitome of “Beauty and Brains”, and after recently competing in the Southern Tagalog Regional Association of State Universities and Colleges (STRASUC) Olympics in Batangas City last November 6 and 7, where she won 2 silver and 1 bronze medals for the swimming event, she has proven that she is also a skilled athlete. In this video, Gloria will share her story on how she got into the sport, her experiences in competitions, her love and passion for swimming, and more.

Interviewer: Alexandra Gesmundo
Videographers: Daniel Mapanoo
Gherald Navera
Members: Ray Anne Germia
Lawrence Neil Ebueña
Editor: John Gherald Navera

Last November 11-15, the Department of Science and Technology-Science and Education Institute (DOST-SEI) had its educational bus called “nuLab” stopped over in UP Los Baños. Students around the area were able to learn from various professionals about space science, mathematics, entomology, and science communication through interactive discussions and activities. Get a glimpse on what the “nuLab” is like in the video.

Videographer: Lawrence Neil Ebueña
Editor: Ray Anne Germia
Members:
John Gherald Navera
Alexandra Gesmundo
Daniel Mapanoo

This is a group output created with John Gherald Navera (UV-3L), Ray Anne Germia (UV-1L), Alexandra Gesmundo (UV-1L), Lawrence Neil Ebueña (UV-2L) and Daniel Mapanoo (UV-1L).

Last November 19, 2019, various people visited UPLB’s Annual Christmas Lightning Ceremony with a title, Pasko Sa Elbi: Isang Pasasalamat.

The Campus’ entrance way features radiant and warm decorations such as the gigantic tree embedded with various christmas balls and ornaments, a lifesize Belen, and the bright and colorful pathway that highlights this year’s theme, Paskuhan sa Barrio.

This is a group output created with John Gherald Navera (UV-3L), Ray Anne Germia (UV-1L), Alexandra Gesmundo (UV-1L), Lawrence Neil Ebueña (UV-2L) and Daniel Mapanoo (UV-1L).

When we started our journey in DevCom, I thought my knowledge and skills were already enough for me to survive my first semester in college. However, they were not even enough to give me my first uno. As time passed by, little by little, I find myself learning and, quite frankly, improving.

If I would assess my skills and qualities as a DevCom practitioner again, here’s how I would rate myself:

After five months of challenges, I think I have improved in some aspects. I guess I improved at being resourceful since I have survived doing some things like video coverage and video editing without even having all the right tools or gadgets. I made use of what I have, which is my phone and my charger-dependent laptop. My rating went from 3 to 2 in being imaginative. It must be because the people around me are imaginative too and I frequently get inspired by what’s happening around me. My other qualities improved too, but some are ratings are still the same. Hopefully, I could improve them too in the future.

In terms of skills, I think that I have only improved in two aspects: organizing information and writing clearly and effectively. The reason why I think I improved in those two is because we have been doing lots of background checking, researches and write-ups during this semester. In terms of the other skills, I still need to improve and to keep up with the skills of my batchmates. Honestly, it’s complicated to become perfect in achieving skills that will be useful in DevCom, but I believe I could if I tried harder.

Overall, I think I quite improved in some aspects given that I have experienced many things during the past five months. I admit it wasn’t easy to do better because of personal problems like laziness or procrastination that slow down or affect my productivity. For the next years of being a DevCom student, I don’t know what’s going to change about me but I am certain that things will be tougher and I need to become more focused and determined.

It’s your first day in college. I know that there’s a lot going on and you’re probably still in shock that you got accepted in your dream school and dream course. Things will change and you should be ready for a roller coaster ride. After leaving your home, you’ll have no one by your side so you have to overcome your fears and start a new journey.

As someone from the present, I know how rough things will be in the next few months. I wish you did things better and kept more positive thoughts than loud judgments.

I hope you will have trust in yourself. Have trust in your skills and in your potential. Remember all the things that you achieved, the footsteps you took and that words you have spoken. All these things made who you are today.

I hope you’ll stay curious. Go on adventures. Explore. Pick up lessons and turn them as inspirations to do better and to inspire others also. As a Devcom student, being curious would help you in your academics and future endeavors.

Be patient and trust the process of growing up. We all live in different paces, so try not to compare yourself with others. Take your time to learn and to live. Breathe.

Always try to improve in every aspect. Although it may seem impossible to become the best all the time, just try. If you can’t seem to keep up with others, it’s fine. You don’t have to keep up always. Think about your growth as a person.

Lastly, please don’t be too harsh on yourself. Block out the negative comments about how you look, how much you weigh, how high or low your grades are, or whatever comment there is. Again, always think on how to improve. Try to love yourself as much as you love your family, fangirling or doing makeup. Eventually, everything will be fine as long as you hold on to the things that you have and always seek for happiness.

Where else would you find a beautiful province with a rich culture, friendly people, and delectable cuisine? Considered the heart of the Philippines and the gateway to the south, Iloilo is much more beautiful than one would expect. Visit Iloilo and experience a culture where the past meets the future and life is in harmony with nature.

Check out the video to see what’s in Iloilo! Dali na sa Iloilo!

Iskolars do not only know how to write an RRL, study for three exams in one night, and handle other commitments, but also know how to breathe, relax, and chill. If someone already experiences too much stress, he/she needs to shake them all off. Anyone might actually know his/her ways on how to recover and spend time for healing. In my case, I do enjoy some activities that help me in destressing. These include the following:

a. Listening to my favorite songs

I think we can all agree that music brings healing and comfort. I usually listen to songs that are suited with my mood at a particular moment. If I feel tired, I listen to Taylor Swift’s country songs. If I feel that I need to gain some energy, I listen to Pinoy hiphop songs and Kpop songs like Twice’s Fancy or Seventeen’s Snap Shoot. Whenever I feel very down, I listen to ballad songs in order to control and ease my mind then I listen to lofi hiphop beats and songs.

b. Talking a walk

Ever since I was young, I really enjoy walking especially when the weather is peaceful and fine. My mood instantly improves if I would drink milktea or my favorite drink at the same time. Aside from the fact that it eases my mind, it also serves as a cardio exercise which is good for my circulatory system.

c. Watching vlogs, movies, or TV series

This is one of my most favorite activities to do especially during weekends or whenever I feel like I have already finished doing my acads. Who says no to binge-watching especially to shows which are entertaining and informative too?

d. Dancing

It might sound weird and ‘not chill’ for others but dancing really helps me lift my spirits up and makes me feel good and confident. Because of this, I have joined a group that encourages me to step up my dancing skills and learn something new while lessening the amount of pressure and stress that I carry. I meet a lot of people who are passionate about dancing too!

e. Ukay shopping

As someone who is interested in finding neat and cheap goodies, I definitely love going to thrift shops or ukayukay shops. The close ones are located within the junction area in Los Baños and display a whole variety of types of clothing and footwear. I consider a discovery of a cute, right-fitting and probably a branded but cheap outfit an achievement and it really makes me feel lucky and contented at the same time.

Looking at my almost crazy ‘chill’ activities, it can still be concluded that at the end of the day, what’s important is that one should find time for him/herself and do whatever makes him/her happy and at ease. No matter who you are and what you do in life, you truly deserve a break and happiness even just for a while.

“Everything is a learning experience.” That’s what Carroll Dacanay, a graduate of UP Los Baños, said when I asked her about the key lessons she has learned in her stay in the university. Ms. Carroll took up BS Development Communication Major in Community Broadcasting and graduated in 2015.

As I asked her about the things that she has learned in UPLB, she has left six key points that us students might consider throughout our college experience.

Everything is a learning experience. Required to watch a play or movie? Learning experience. Required to attend a forum? Learning experience. Invited to a class walkout? Learning experience. It may not always be a “life changing” learning, but you’re bound to pick something from those. Every experience can be used later in life, one way or the other.

There are lots of opportunities to learn more and do more in the university. Grab them if you have a chance then make the most out of it.

There are stereotypes, but don’t let them box you.

Write drunk, edit sober *wink wink* or maybe try to balance acads and social life very wisely.

There will always be revisions & criticisms, but don’t take them to heart, use them to improve. There will be some instructors who may be a bit callous with their comments, so be strong!

As someone who lives away from the family, it helps to have a strong support system in the university too. She was lucky to have high school classmates during high school to college transition and orgmates in the next years. It is important to have people to ground you, keep you in line, and stand in your corner.

by Ray Anne Germia and Janille Berdin

It took much more than sleepless nights, cups of coffee, blood, sweat and tears for thousands of University of The Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT) aspirants to prepare for their big day. Senior high school students coming from different schools flocked the UP Los Baños UPCAT testing centers last October 5 and 6, 2019.

The aspiring iskolars came more than two hours before their scheduled exam time and hailed from different areas around Los Baños like San Pablo, Biñan and Batangas. Some of them even brought their parents along with them to support them throughout their UPCAT journey.

We talked to Mr. Nilo Perez and his daughter, Kyla Perez, who was anxiously waiting for her turn to go inside the testing room and take the UPCAT. They came from Sta. Rosa, Laguna and they were already waiting for almost three hours under the shade of the trees in the CEM area. Kyla wanted to take up BS Biology in UP Los Baños and said that she really wanted to study in UP. In order to prepare for the admission test, for months, she has been reviewing for at least 30 minutes per day.

As a parent, Mr. Perez also feels as nervous as his daughter since he has also experienced taking the UPCAT during his time. Though anxious, he also feels excited for his daughter who’ll finally take the exam after months of hard work and preparation and aside from the emotional support, Mr. Perez also helped his daughter by giving her financial support in order for her to buy reviewers. Despite the pressure and the nerve-wracking atmosphere, the father and daughter hope for a positive result regarding UPCAT and are looking forward for the days to come.

Just like the the both of them, thousands of students and their family members hope to attain the privilege and honor of entering the most prestigious and recognized university in the Philippines. Some say that entering UP is difficult, but surviving and leaving is a lot more than that. However, no matter how hard the journey may get, an iskolar should always strive to do his/her best not only for him/herself but also for others, especially for our nation and its people.