“It’s a struggle to find a development-oriented topic around your school’s area and a specific angle to write on.”
Karen Terese Rojas
Her statement on her 10 Things Only a Development Communication Major Will Understand is really true and I had a hard time finding one. We were given a task in DEVC 11 to find 3 development-oriented topics based on our news beat to be submitted next meeting and I was still asking myself, “Ano ‘yun?”.
So, I browsed the internet and read some articles and journals written by DevCom students. Based on their works, a development-oriented topic is:
GOAL-ORIENTED. The topic should have goals and clear objectives. Why do we need to address this kind of topic? What’s the purpose of this?
CONCERNED WITH MDG’s or SDG’s. As a development communication student, the topic should be related to development issues.
COMMUNITY-CENTERED. It should concern the community – our audience. We are serving the people so our topic should be on how to help them especially the marginalized sector.
It’s difficult to find a development-oriented topic in a specific area but as a DevCom student, we should know what is a development-oriented topic. Well, it should answer the question – what is the purpose and for whom?
Some people say that once you get in the University of the Philippines as a college student, you are seen as a person with many profound characteristics such as hardworking, highly intellectual, no weaknesses when it comes to studying, extremely talented and etc. Well, in some cases that might be all true but for me I’m just a student with some strengths and a lot of weaknesses.
When I saw the survey, I felt insecure about having to rate myself because I know when I read the list of qualities of a media writer, definitely I am not all those things. To give some perspective, these are the Qualities and Skills of a Media Writer and how I see myself with all of these:
QUALITIES OF A MEDIA WRITER
Curious/Inquisitive – 3
Intelligent – 2
Industrious – 3
Resourceful – 3
Persevering – 3
Imaginative – 2
Puts a premium on accuracy and truth – 1
Loves to read – 3
Interested in and loves people – 2
Service-oriented – 3
SKILLS OF A MEDIA WRITER
Gathering data – 2
Validating and clarifying information – 3
Organizing information – 3
Writing clearly and effectively – 3
Proficiency in the operation of communication tools/devices – 2
As you can see, there’s a lot of 3’s going on about my qualities as a media writer. There were not a lot of 1’s that I can see because I know that I’m not perfect on some certain areas. I know that if give myself a high rating on a certain aspect, I would be lying to myself. Among the qualities listed, I think perseverance is the quality that I need to work on the most because I think it’s one of the most essential skills that a writer should have. Having a mindset that everything will be okay and to keep moving forward is important to solve problems even if everything becomes filled with obstacles or hindrances.
I’m not perfect on most of the qualities listed here because I know for myself that I’m not completely fond of being a media writer. I have other things that appeals me more and procrastination always visit me in my room that keeps my productivity as low as possible.
Although, in some skills as a media writer, I am well-experienced when it comes to communication tools or devices. In the previous years, I have developed my skills in operating communication tools, devices or softwares like Photoshop and Cyberlink. I also became a tech-geek when I was a kid especially when I played video games.
Also, I think I might need to work on writing clearly and effectively because when I pass a homework like essays in High School, I always get commented on my writings.
Into some extent, UP students have a lot of quantifiable characteristics and experiences. However, we should not disregard the flaws that revolves around ourselves and accept them even though we want to not have them in our lives. Though, it doesn’t mean that we should not improve ourselves in the future. I have to give credit to the people who helped me all over the years especially in high school who developed me piece by piece and turned me to the person who I am today. Sometimes, when I try give up on trying to improve, there were a lot of people who didn’t give up on me and inspired me all over the years to be the best version of my past self.
Knowing that I have a lot of flaws even throughout these days, it’s a lot better than being perfect because I know that I will always have room for improvement.
“You are too concerned with what was and what will be. There is a saying: Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.“
Master Oogway (Kung Fu Panda, 2008)
Life just got way more serious for Mark Genesis C. Topinio when he entered in UPLB as a BS Development Communication student. It’s like a bag of lemons with a small hole at the end that just keeps getting bigger and bigger when life gave him more lemons for him to make more lemonade.
He was overwhelmed by the thought of leaving his home for the first time to study at one of the most prestigious universities in the Philippines with no one else from his school because he was the only one at his class who luckily passed the UPCAT exam. All of that pressure has been going on in his head and he never really knew what to do. However, he never wavered and never hesitated to go to UPLB as he went to church almost every time and pray for these kinds of successes to come true.
Mark Genesis C. Topinio, an 18-year-old teenager, dreamt of going to University of the Philippines Diliman when he was in high school. But the course of his fate changed when instead got into the University of the Philippines Los Banos. He never really foresaw that Development Communication would be his priority program in UPLB as he was formerly a STEM-strand student at Phlippine Yuh Chiau School.
Writing was never really his forte but he developed his skills as he progressed his studies in high school. Once, he exhausted all of his brain cells into his group research paper in Junior High School as his group mates never really helped him in writing. Since then, his brain cells never recovered but still managed to finish his work. From that experience, he continued to flourish it during Senior High school and relatively gained other knowledge that he never thought that would be useful in the aspects of Development Communication.
Reading also never took interest for him as he is more entertained by moving pictures and playing videogames. He was more involved with tech-stuff, mobile or PC. However, he tried to changed his habits when he knew that he was going to be a DevCom student. He needed to be selfless and start filling into other people’s shoes.
Being at this kind of university, Genesis was too paranoid at the past and the future. He never really knew what he wanted from the start as he struggles to find his aspirations in life, especially at this kind of university. But a wise turtle reminded him that the past and future does not matter since every present is a gift. He is still grateful regardless not being at UP Diliman. He hopes that DevCom would unravel his true potential and attain his goals with flying colors.
Now, in the next pages of his journey, Genesis is a freshman student at
the University of the Philippines Los Baños who will pursue BS Development
Communication. His goals are broad at this point however he hopes to narrow it
down as he progresses through his college-life.
It is easy to choose a topic and write out of it, but it is not worth it if done without a purpose.
Writing comes naturally, unfortunately, not all writers have the initiative to use their talent or skills in making something useful. Therefore, most of their written works focus only on their field of interest, overlooking numerous issues or problems concerning our well-being and our country’s as well. As such, in writing, we should consider its orientation and its focus to make our written work ‘development-oriented’ in nature.
According to Nur Lemuel Castillo who is part of the upper-class development communication students, the top three characteristics that make a topic development-oriented are:
It promotes any of the 4E’s of Development Communication.
It deals with stories of marginalized communities.
It tackles open ended issue.
Through these conditions, we can assimilate that a development-oriented topic commits to bring awareness, solution, and most of all to influence the people to move for the betterment of our lives. Also, to give meaning and knowledge to the continuous cycle of problems faced by our world. As such, it embarks upon issues which concern not just one, but the whole nation for the greater good.
Indeed, through writing development-oriented topics, we can end these problems and fulfill our ambitions and dreams of having a developed country. That is why having a development-oriented nature is important to create change and bring peace and enjoyment in our lives.
“There are only two powers in the world; the sword & the pen; and in the end the former is always conquered by the latter.” – Napoleon I
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.
As development communicators-in-training, we are bound to encounter the words “development-oriented.” Devcom revolves around such – news stories, topics, thesis, etc. So to have a further understanding of what makes something development-oriented, here are the top 3 characteristics of a development-oriented topic I summed up with the help of an upperclassman and an alumna of CDC:
It is Purpose-driven
Development-oriented topics exist because of developmental issues within the community. Therefore, such topics should be able to help communities or individuals by providing alternative solutions to problems. Its existence is linked to its purpose.
“Tipong may pinaglalaban that goes beyond what is seen on mainstream media.”
Nica Zarate, CDC Alumna Batch 2016
It is Empowering
It must empower the marginalized – those who are treated as insignificant. Development-oriented topics can either give those people a voice through participation or educate and guide them through communication. However…
“It should still be highly aware of the opposing sides but tipped towards the grassroots.”
Faye Marie Sueño, Batch 2017
It should aim for empowerment and progress without stepping on the rights and welfare of communities and people in the process.
It is Catalytic
“Development-oriented topics are driven by the needs and concerns of communities/individuals.”
Faye Marie Sueño, Batch 2017
The topic should be geared towards the betterment of currently neglected situations – those deemed unimportant. However, one must identify the specific audience that he/she wants to bring about change.
Special thanks to these people who didn’t hesitate to share their knowledge despite their hectic schedules:
A media writer does not simply write, he writes because of a purpose and that is to instill knowledge to the people of the world. However, being a media writer is difficult because there is a required set of qualities and skills. For this reason, he must satisfy these conditions to be able to produce better outcomes.
I have never seen myself as a writer, more so a media writer. Most of my childhood experiences were spent on working in the background, never reaching out unless I was called for it. I lived as a shadow and I loved it. But then, I was suddenly removed from my comfort zone and I was afraid. Afraid of the changes, afraid of the life to come, and above all, afraid for my being. It is strange, the feeling of living in the world you never knew and yet, why does it make me feel alive? Herewith, I contemplated, and I learned that being in this new world is not as bad as I thought it would be. So, I started living for it.
I do not have all the terms of being a media writer, but I have the means to be considered as one. Yes, it is not enough, then again, through these means I know I will be able to foster these conditions in the long run.
Therefore, among the qualities of a media writer, it is being imaginative that I need to work on the most. It is odd considering that I have a passion for art, but being an imaginative writer is not the same as being an imaginative artist. For me, it is easier to think of a concept or ideas in making art because I have a standard that I follow. However, I do not have the same circumstances when it comes to writing. As such, most of the time, the outcome of my written work is indifferent to its goal.
Intrinsically, the main reason that hinders me from having this quality is I am having difficulty interpreting my ideas into words. I always depend on what is on my mind whenever I am creating my artwork and from there, I can produce my desired outcome. On the other hand, due to lack of experience in writing, I cannot exactly deliver my thoughts into words. It is much easier for me to pour out my emotions and ideas in drawing because it does not have a definite shape or structure unlike in writing. Thus, the words that I used does not match what I am thinking, so it ended up not being imaginative enough. Besides, I always run out of ideas when it comes to thinking of ways that will enable me to perfectly present my thoughts that is why I need to work on this for better results in the future.
In contrast, among the skills needed to be a media writer, I have developed the highest competency in proficiency in the use of communication tools or devices. At a young age, I already have an experience when it comes to using technology because it has been a practice to integrate technologies in our livelihood, especially in our learning. Such advancements in our world caused changes and these changes are the result of what we have today. With its various usage, we were able to communicate our findings or discoveries that lead to awareness and development of our nation. For that reason, this skill has been my companion in communicating and sharing my knowledge and understanding to other people, in which it also helped me in keeping up with the rapid dissemination of information that is being established today. As such, I became open to a new way of analyzing things and a new way of communicating.
Conversely, writing clearly and effectively has been the main reason that stopped me from clearly communicating my ideas to others. One factor that contributes to that is my lack of experience in writing as mentioned earlier. Due to that reason, I did not meet the required conditions, which leads to unorganized output. Thus, this dilemma has still been my number one concern throughout the years of my academic experiences.
I know it is a long way to take, but if this is what it takes then I will conquer it.
On a windy day of August 30th, a group named “DZAI” navigated their way to the community of Baranggay Tadlac, a place unknown to them, to gather necessary information about its officials. Without any surprise, the group went off the wrong stop and got lost and confused for a second. They rode the jeep again and finally got to the right stop, next taking a tricycle heading the baranggay office. Upon entering the office, he employees gave a welcoming vibe to the group and soon prepared the information they are asking.
The whole experience of data gathering in the baranggay office turned out great and smooth and with that encounter, the group concluded helpful tips to anyone who will also be doing a data gathering activity:
Prepare the necessary things that are needed for the data gathering, such as a list of information required to be obtained, the address of the place to be visited and its availability, and its contact information. One must also be prepared to answer any questions that may be asked by the informant.
In gathering data, more often than not, one will not be familiar with the places it will be visiting. In most instances, you can get lost along the way. Do not be afraid to approach someone and ask for directions. In that way, you can also be immersed with the people of the community and you can acquire extra information about the place or person you are visiting.
As you communicate with your informant, never forget to be polite at all times. Start your encounter with a greeting of a good morning or good afternoon. The next thing to do is introduce yourself and state your intentions in a courteous manner. If the language you are using is Filipino and your informant is older than you, never forget your “po” and “opo”. A thankyou every time you ask for something is also encouraged. Lastly, be in your best behavior during the process. In those ways, you will not have a problem with your informant and the whole experience will be smooth.
As a Development Communications student, there will be numerous times of data gathering activities in different places. Keep in mind to not be always critical of the process and enjoy the whole experience. Enjoy the sceneries of the place you are visiting, immersed with the people, and think of it as another fun adventure that you are going to be experiencing.
“Ano nga ba ang Devcom?” ̶ a question usually received by development communication students. The validation each student has to gain by explaining thoroughly what is this course really about.
The goal of
development communication is to make progress and reach out to the marginalized
sectors, mainly through effective communication. It is about knowing your
audience; to know, to identify, and to address the community’s needs. More than
just studying the societal issues, it is communicating effectively onto one
central goal: development of each individual’s well-being, in order for a
collective and aggregate betterment of the society.
What does it take for a topic to be considered as a development oriented? Here are three characteristics I’ve observed and learned from the courses I’ve been currently taking:
Goal – oriented
A development – oriented topic must have a certain goal to achieve. As communicators, it’s a must to have a vision of the society we are trying to build.
Dynamic and Progressive
It must be able to have progress. In this dynamic world we live in, a development – oriented topic has multi-dimensional angles wherein the progress may fluctuate depending on the current state of the society and how the problems are addressed.
Focuses in the community.
It should revolve around the people’s problems that needs to be
addressed. It concerns their benefits and rights that should be given action by
the society in terms of different sectors such as health, agriculture,
education, and many more.
Moreover, I was fortunate enough to interview a BS Development Communication alumna, Chelsea Del Rosario Inton – Class of 2018, on what are the characteristics of a development – oriented topic:
Lastly, she put emphasis on how important is the role of people in these development – oriented topics. She stated, ” People should be at the heart of development – oriented topics.”, with that, it will always lead to the goal of the betterment of the well-beings of the people – ika nga ay mass communication with a heart!
As a writer, it is imperative that we are familiar with our community. And as development communicators it is our way of understanding the situation in the community in order for us to truly serve their needs.
In a group of three, only one hails from Laguna but honestly, even he was not familiar with the barangay assigned to them. It was a totally new experience for them to travel to a small barangay near the the beautiful lake of Laguna. Barangay Tadlac is a small barangay along the border of Calamba and Los Banos along with other small barangays.
In order to provide the following data, the group decided to use the method of a face-to-face interview. It was way easier to get the information in that exact manner. The assigned person of Brgy. Tadlac was also accommodating and welcoming. She even gave us a printed output of all the information that we need. Additionally, unlike the other groups, we were not required to provide a letter. That is why we didn’t have much difficulty gathering the data. Aside from the data required, we also found out about upcoming activities of the barangay for the community in which will be helpful for us to identify the needs of the community through those programs. This activity also served as an opportunity for us to observe the community and determine where it’s at in development.
Here are some tips to effectively and appropriately gather data from your local barangay:
Research. Before going to the barangay, make sure you know how to get there and where to go in order to get the information you need.
Documents. Provide the necessary papers, letters, or requirements if the office requires you to in order to provide you with the information you need.
Tools. Bring the necessary tools for data gathering such as a pen, notebook, audio recorder, camera, and such.
Manners. Be polite and have the confidence enough to ask questions or for clarifying information. Also, be patient and flexible enough to adjust to the office policies because sometimes they would ask you to schedule an appointment to maximize your visit and gather the needed data.
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