Author: Taj Samuel Lagulao

DOST recently revealed the successor of the Science Explorer – an educational bus filled with scientific equipment for elementary to highschool students. This one, however, is much more high-end. It’s bigger, better, and also apparently encourages students to take the DOST Scholarship Exam. Huh, anyways here we find out what UPLB’s very own students think about it.

For an org activity, Redefy attended a conference about ‘Freedom of Information’. Due to unforeseen circumstances the event was moved MANY hours later. Without much else to do, I decided that I might as well do my Weekly Writes and answer the three most common questions about DevCom: Why DevCom, what jobs can you get from it, and what even is it? Being productive in a snazzy place, why the heck not?

So here, enjoy!

Gloria Eusebio is one of the CDC freshmen to look out for. Not only is she the 2nd highest-scoring student at the UPCAT and the representative of the F1 bloc, she is also a varsity of the university and a representative for the STRASUC meet! Let’s get to know more about this girl who has got it all!

We are well aware of the festivities that took place on November 19: people gathered, the choir sang, dancers danced, and speeches were given. It was a fun time to be a resident or student, with orgs publicising themselves while the people entertained themselves by appreciating the well-done decorations.

Covering the event by the tree itself was an overdone approach. So, I ran around UPLB the moment the program started, seeing what I would find happening everywhere else. I was surprised, there actually was a lot happening at the same time.

We’ve reached the end. Let’s get right down to it.

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Obviously, no skill has degraded during my first semester in Development Communication, and I’ve been surprised by my own improvements in the more technical aspects of the course. Admittedly, some of my behavior haven’t changed, but when I see how resourceful I was at the beginning of the course and how resourceful I am now I see that some things really have improved. Definitely, there’s still some more room for improvement, but that’s always going to be the case, isn’t it?

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Not much to say here other than the data speaks for itself. I remember my Lab Professor complimenting me on my writing abilities, something which I think about fondly. Still, I am well aware of my other shortcomings. I am able to write good articles, I believe, however I tend to half-ass information gathering when I don’t have time. That… will definitely need fixing.

Moving on from that, let’s talk about the things I still need to improve on further. So far, I’ve been further reminded of the importance of not procrastinating. I also learned that I need to level up my technological expertise, as I very obviously lag behind my peers in that department. Speaking of, I still need to sharpen my friend making skills, but that’ll come in time.

Adios Development Communication 11 and thank you Professor. It’s been a very tiresome journey, but I’m sure I’ll look back on it content and accomplished.

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WARNING: WALL OF TEXT. NOT THAT LONG BUT LONGER THAN CAN BE LASTED BY THE AVERAGE ONLINE READER WITHOUT VIDEOS OR IMAGES TO HELP THEM.

It’s been a wild ride of a first semester. In approximately 5 months I accomplished substantially more work than I have for all the years prior. Was it a drag? A bit. Was it a taste of reality? Of course. I did put Development Communication as my first choice, so now I face the difficulties that are to be expected with what I’m supposed to be doing in the future. So far it seems I can still manage things, although looking around I see others have put in a lot more work than I have, and have subsequently accomplished much more.

I’ve spent the past few blog posts half-heartedly filling space, mixing in my humour to create something I think others would enjoy reading. It’s more attractive, I reckon, for the readers who might wander around and see what I’ve created. For once I think I’ll actually write something a bit more meaty, even at the cost of viewership, if there is any. Blog6050 as an exercise of media writing has proven to be one hell of an exercise, but even now I’m still convinced that, aside from your blockmates, only a few others actually see the things you’ve written. That’s fine, I don’t expect anything else. Still, at least one person has to be spending their time reading these things, and as a distant message from a student I hope you don’t lose interest.

If I could tell myself some advice, with what I’ve learned so far, I’d like to tell myself these.

Firstly, I’d like to tell myself to be more active. I can’t stress enough how much I notice how fast my batchmates have adapted to the environment, churning out work for the UP Website and the Los Banos Times while I’m stuck here twiddling my thumbs, shouting this and that as excuses for why I couldn’t do what they did. I’m sure they have their own excuses too, ones more worthwhile and legitimate than the reasons I can come up with. Regardless, they accomplished something, and I didn’t. When I see their works, I feel disappointed in myself, partly because while inspecting their creations (aside from the Filipino articles, bless their souls because I can’t make text like that) I find that I could have written those. I’m good at writing, I believe, but so are my peers. What use are my talents if I can’t even use them productively?

Secondly, I’d like to tell myself to be less shy. Connections, connections, connections. Christ, I haven’t even made an effort to actually know my fellow DevCom practitioners. So many opportunities to introduce myself, to make friends and acquaintances, missed because I couldn’t be bothered to overcome my social anxieties. Imagine if I did though. Would I be working with other people creating articles? What memories, experiences, and opportunities have I missed by taking this route of mine instead of that? We will, quite literally, never know.

Thirdly, I’d like to tell myself to be more hardworking. Pardon me for what may seem like a humblebrag or a display of arrogance, but I have confidence when I’m say I’m at least a bit smart. Not supremely intelligent, just smart. The examinations that the Professor gave us were a test for our memorisation abilities, and I know I could have done better. It’s just grade on a paper, I suppose, but when others are excelling I know that these excuses don’t hold up. Even though the Professor herself said that these grades don’t add up to anything in the long run, I know that this doesn’t justify not reviewing days in advance.

Fourthly, I’d like to tell myself to be less hard on myself. Did you know the activity I hated the most was the Man-on-the-street interview? Jesus Christ, being rejected sucked. That happened at the beginning of the sem and I’ve been a bit wary of approaching people in public (though the Expert Interview went as smooth as it could.) I made an article for Banamos that could have been published at the LBTimes. I sent it and everything, only to realize days later that I had missing information. Needless to say I was incredibly disheartened. You have one opportunity to accomplish something substantial and you mess it up? That’s the thing though, it wasn’t one opportunity. I need to have thicker skin and handle these problems like a pro, not like a little bamboo stick that bends according to the wind. There were countless other opportunities afterwards, and I didn’t take them for… reasons?

Lastly, I’d like to tell myself to have a bit more fun. I’m not sure if it’s really something I can do, per say, than as something I should try to do. The semester so far has been a struggle, but maybe with a bit more push and enthusiasm could have made it just a little bit less bothersome. If I could put in as much interest as I have in other things into this, I’m sure I could have been an excellent student. Instead, I end this semester as another face in the pool of students that Devcom 11 UV had.

Life goes on still, though. You’ll see my face around.

Now to think of it, these generic advices could be given to anyone, in any field, at any time. Not to mention, I’d probably be a little hypocrite and not apply these learnings to myself right now.

You reached this far? Awesome. The lecture class thought me that online viewers have little to no patience for online content with minimal pictures and videos. For having had the perseverance to survive my ramblings, the least I could do is hope you have a nice day reader. We all could use a little more happiness in the world.

Peace out.

Jonathan Natividad at the HimigSikan event

As the 18^th Banamos Festival comes to a start, we were able to interview Jonathan Natividad, the tourism officer-in-charge and coordinator of the Bailamos event, and ask him some questions regarding the management and development of the festival itself.

Ano yung mga responsibilidad na nakasalalay sa inyo?

As a tourism officer in charge, tourism talaga yung may hawak sa monetary evaluation and correction, kasi hindi porket kami yung sa tourism kami yung lahat humahawak. Kada event meron kaming committee chairman. For example, sa Mr. and Ms. Los Banos. Ang in charge sa kaniya is si Ms. Karen Lagat-Mercado na head ng Gender and Development office, and then, sa Balye sa Kalye, ang in charge naman siya kay Family department kay Maam Twilya.  Kada event may mga corresponding na chairman, pero sinusupervise parin namin sila. Pero me particularly, although in charge ako sa lahat, sa Bailamos ako talaga yung pinili ni mayor kasi it’s a dance contest. So hindi lang buong effort ng Tourism office, effort ng buong munisipyo talaga ng dangal Los Banos. Siyempre, headed by our honorable mayor Caesar P. Perez.

Ano yung mga problemang inyong hinaharap?

This year, kung ano yung mga nangyari nung past years ay mangyayari ulit ngayon, pero we will make sure naman na may bago. For example, yung mga singing contests namin ,yung mga dance contests namin, hindi lang siya yung basta competition. Parang, icinoconnect parin ito sa thema namin sa founding anniversary namin na  ‘Tagumpay ng Bayan ay Matatamasa ng Mamamayang Nagkakaisa’. So yung unity dapat nandun. And then, in connection with that, yung mga singers namin they will have this big production number. Na parang aside from their place during the competition itself meron silang parang performance na sama sama sila lahat. So maipapakita nila na although they’re magkakalaban nandun sila sa isang layunin na magbigay ligaya at maishowcase kung ano yung meron ang mga talento dito sa bayan ng Los Banos.

This year, meron kaming search for Palengke Queen, at Toda Queen. Gusto kasi ng Mayor na hindi lang concentrated yung Banamos festival sa mga estudyante, dun sa mga dalag at binata. Gusto niya lahat ng residente ng bayan ng Los Banos ay makaparticipate. So, yung Palengke Queen is yung mga tindera sa palengke natin, particularly sa Poblacion saka dito sa Batong Malake public market, ayun kasi yung dalawang, pangunahing palengke dito sa bayan ng Los Banos. Yung mga tinderang babae dun, sila yung magpaparticipate sa search for Palengke Queen. At sa Toda King naman, is mga tricycle divers.

Ano-ano yung mga inaasahang maganap dahil sa mga bagong aktibidades na inyong sinama sa Banamos 2019?

Masmalaki yung market ngayon talaga na inaano ng Banamos, na before nasanay lang sila sa mga singing contests, dance contests, yung pageant ng most awaited na Mr. and Ms. LB. Ayun yung dinagdag natin, ‘Search for the Palengke Queen and Toda King’. At syempre, layunin talaga nito is yung mga activites na makiapagbigay kaligayahan, tas yung mga experience baga, maipakita talaga natin ng mga mamayanan ng Los Banos na may talento silang tinatago, na matatalino sila, ganun.

Meron din kami kaieskwela. Parang, kanta, awit, sayaw na papasigla sa mga eskwela. Ang magpaparticipate naman dun is yung mga estudyante. Mga estudyante dito sa bayan ng Poblacion elementary, highschool, ganun. Pati mga teachers nila mag peperform. So, ang Banamos festival ay para sa lahat.

Circumstances lead us to where we are. For me, the circumstances bring up mixed feelings. Regardless, I am where I am: Los Banos, the city of Science and Technology. While I have familiarized myself with the streets and shortcuts, I find my peers travelling to and fro their hometowns and the university. While I find myself bored, they find themselves constantly back to the road.

There is little I can do for them, but maybe a little sneak peek at what the city holds will be something that will suit their fancy.

You’re stressed. You’re preparing to be stressed. You’re bored and realized that examining the coping mechanisms of Development Communication practitioners (some of which may be your friends or even classmates) is a good waste of time. For one reason or the other you’re here reading this, and your attention and time is a valuable thing.

With that in mind, let me proceed with this short, misleading, and hopefully entertaining guide on how to manage stress. Pictures may not be fully representative of what I am trying to say, heck some would say they’re completely unrelated, but it’s all up to interpretation.

1. TRAVEL AROUND!

One often neglects to pay attention to their physical needs. The body is a temple, after all, and one’s mental state is directly influenced by their physical state. When I had a rough time, I would go out at night and jog around UPLB, specifically through Pili Drive. Losing yourself in the pleasant ambiance of the surrounding rice fields is a surefire way to help relieve at least some of your stress.

2. DO WHAT YOU LOVE MOST!

I’ve got no idea what you’re into, but if you’re anyone from anywhere I’m sure you’re into something. For me, those things would be video games and board games. When playing something like League of Legends I can lose myself to the experience and forget some of the stress that’s been affecting me. Of course, this won’t really help for a more intense problem. It’s a distraction, and not a very healthy one at that. Still, it’s one hell of a good distraction, and sometimes that’s what we need.

3. BOND WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

When in times of trouble, nothing helps more than a good old support system. People or animals or whatever, anyone and anything that’s willing to help you out when you’re struggling is a boon that cannot be undermined. Protip: Be sure to return the favor when they need it too!

4. STOP PROCRASTINATING!

Stop! Procrastinating! You’ll have to do these things anyway, so just do it as soon as you can! You won’t believe how much unnecessary stress is caused by YOU putting something off. You can make all these excuses and reasons why you couldn’t do it, but at the end of the day you’re the one that’s going to be paying for it.

5. CALM DOWN!

Finally, all these tips and tricks are only there to help you remove your stress. At the end of the day, you will still have to actually calm down. This is up to you now, and all the things above may be all you need, but then again it may not be enough. You’re a smart person. Go figure it out.

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Regarded as one of the most difficult entrance exams in the Philippines, the University of the Philippines College Admission Test took place at various venues in the UPLB campus this October 5 -6.

In this video we see what the UPCAT takers and their parents have to say, in regards to their dreams, reasons, and expectations for the exam.