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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.

Maahas is not a usual name for a place. And as a probinsyana from Isabela, I am not familiar to the barangays here in Los Banos. But I’m not alone, because I am with my team, the CCM.

We bravely came to the so called Barangay Maahas. But first, we asked someone the whereabouts of Barangay Maahas to gain information and to know where to go.

As we reached the Barangay Hall of Barangay Maahas, the employees approached and asked us to what were our concerns and kindly lead to us to Bb. Krystal Lizza M. Alvarez, the secrectary and contact person in the barangay. From there, we politely interviewed and asked her about the information of Barangay Maahas.

Method of interviewing was used to gather data because we really came to the Barangay Hall of Barangay Maahas to have the information needed and we thought that interview would be the most effective method of gathering to be able to have the information first hand and also because we don’t have any contact to the Barangay Maahas.

And for the next batch of BSDC freshmen, here are my tips on gathering of data:

Tip #1 : Know your assigned location

Make sure that you are knowledgeable on the place where you will go for you to be not lost on your way and to save time.

Tip #2 : Be patient

Have always with you your patience to wait for the officials to accommodate you because they might be busy.

Tip #3 : Be polite

Have a kind and polite attitude on asking questions towards the official or your interviewee.

Tip #4 : Be prepared

Don’t forget to have papers and pen or audio recorder with you because it’s your weapon/tool in data gathering. 

A media writer takes a lot of skills and qualities to be considered as such. Some may be innate but some can be developed as time goes by.

I highly think that Development Communicators are brave people. But for me, sometimes I do get shy too. It takes a lot of courage and time for me to develop the skills and qualities I have and should have as a development communicator.

Knowing myself more and discovering the skills that I have keeps me from getting a 1.00 self rating. Whenever I fail on something, I’m thinking that I’m not good on that, so as a result, that failures challenged and motivated me more to improve.

But among the qualities of a media writer that I need to work on the most is being loves to read because it’s really hard for me to easily digest all the information that I’m reading and also I easily get bored when I read but I need to make an effort to improve my skills in reading.

However, the skill I’ve developed the highest competency is the gathering of data because when I am in junior and senior high school, our teachers exposed us on researches. And it requires to be inquisitive on gathering data/information. So through the years of doing researches, I developed my skills in gathering data.

And I think the skill I need to work on the most to develop is organizing information because sometimes I have difficulty on weighing the importance/relevance of information on a certain topic. So, I need to learn more on how to organize the information needed in terms of relevance to the topic.

A girl who’s been living in the world of pageantry has entered a new world for her to have a new crown. From the Queen Province of the North, Isabela, there she lives by the name Catherine Uy, who travelled so far for 15 hours to reach and explore her new stage.

Reading and writing were not really her thing before. She usually gets bored whenever she read and gets lazy whenever she writes. But because of journalism workshops, her appreciation to writings ignited.

Since she’s an elementary student, she tried so hard to find her field where she can bring out her full potential and skills. But not long enough, she made a place in the field of broadcasting where she enhanced and nurtured her talents in news writing and radio broadcasting. Little did she know that she also has talents to other fields of journalism. So, after 3 years of being a broadcaster, she moved on being a photojournalist which she learned to appreciate more the beauty of everything even in small things. But one time, her teacher required their class to make a feature article and as days passed, she gained a lot of interest in that field which made her realized one thing – her passion in writing.

Discovering more about herself gave her the courage to try some other things and there her journey on pageantry began. Her learnings from journalism helped her in how to properly communicate with other people and on how to formulate her answers to the questions. And the most important thing she learned was to be an advocate of journalism through pageantry. She uses pageants as a way to give good influence to people and be an epitome of a civic-spirited shaper of community.

But her journey will not end there. Now she is a freshman student taking up Bachelor of Science in Development Communication at the University of the Philippines Los Baños where she hopes to find her new crown, crown for serving the nation. It might be a new environment to her and still in the process of adjusting, but her passion in writing and making big impact to people will still remain and continuing to grow. And for 5 years that she’s been yelling her name to the crowd, she is now ready to yell and serve her nation as ‘Iskolar ng Bayan’.

As a student from the province of Isabela, this year’s Bañamos Festival is my first experience to see on how the people of Los Baños celebrate their heritage and culture. As part of the festival, we attended the Mr. and Ms. Los Baños Festival of Talents. Through this photo essay, it shows an account of what I’ve experienced and witnessed during the event.

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.

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Entering the University of the Philippines Los Baños still feels like a dream for me, and I cannot believe that it has already been a month since I have been here. During the first month, transitioning to this school is not easy for me, but I sure did learn a lot. So, as a new freshman, from my first month in UPLB, here are my top 5 insights/learnings:

UP is a place for you to grow and learn. There will be a lot of people who will flourish in college even though some of them don’t really do well in academics back then in high school, and some people don’t do that well in college even though they have done really well in high school.  The thing is, where you came from doesn’t really matter. What I learned in Up is that it is normal to feel small among the sea of people who may seem to be greater than you, smarter than you, and has more experiences than you. Either you passed the UPCAT, a transferee, a recon, or a shiftee, each one of us has a reason why we are here, and we all deserve it. 

Being at a top university is hard. Sometimes you need to sacrifice time for sleep because of an upcoming exam or project, or sometimes when we don’t really care much about we eat anymore, as long as it fills out stomachs. With no one to provide a decent meal for me every day because I live in a dorm, I tend to end a lot of processed and oily food. With this, I started to value my health a bit more and really thought about what should I eat every day. If you have the budget, try ordering a meal plan or just allot a meal in your day where you have a vegetable as your main dish. And also, I sleep whenever I can! Usually, I sleep during the afternoon after classes and make time for the weekends for a long sleep to make up for the time I can’t sleep during the weekdays. I swear, your body will thank you.

As an only child, it was really a hard decision for my parents to let me go when they found out that I was accepted to this university. Just so you know, the first month will always be a month of adjustment. If you feel like crying during the first few weeks of being alone in a big university, it’s perfectly normal! I mean, I cried during the first because of homesickness. But soon, I got used to it. You will really know what kind of person you are here because you are going to live by yourself. Sure you’re going to be with dormmates probably, but most of the time you are going to make choices for yourself. In here, your values are tested, you will encounter a lot of peer pressure and stress. You will discover who you really are and your morals and values will be tested. You learn to be responsible, or you’ll learn things the hard way. I don’t know if some of you have already done this before, but I can finally manage my monthly expenses! Back then, I wasn’t even able to do a lot of these things, but I can now finally do them here, alone. I guess I am finally living up to the standards of a #strongindependentwoman.

Entering the College of Development Communication really gave me a push from the back to move forward and step out of my comfort zone. You must always rise to the challenges that your professors give you. Some people like me who have no experience in writing news or diving into the world of journalism in elementary and high school, everything is new. You must always be ready for what lies ahead, you’ll never know what happens next. So, you always have to be strong.

One of the things that I regret the most when I was in senior high school is that I wasn’t able to get really involved in extra-curricular activities and was scared of joining because I was really shy. The thing is, extra-curricular activities help you gain experience. If there are doors open for you, don’t be afraid to accept them. The experience you gain from them will help you grow and improve.