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Development Communication links with various development-related issues mostly centered on the marginalized-sector. Buhay Devcom is more about interacting with different kinds of people to know their story, their lives, and their experiences. However, in this field, there are guidelines for choosing a particular development-oriented topic. Not everything applies to development communication.

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I have asked some upperclass devcom students about the characteristics of a development-oriented topic.

Community-centered 

It should cover something that concerns people. Same with the topic which involves and benefits the people. 

Aligned to SD Goals 

Since Sustainable Development Goals are the universal guide for global goals set by the United Nations, it highly associated with the intended topic of a devcom student. It should focus on the 17 goals directed for development.

Adheres to the 4 E’s of Devcom

Environmentalism, equity, empowerment, and entrepreneurship must be covered in a particular topic for development.

In addition, the topic is said to be scientific/research-based.
According to Ricel Banayos, Devcom ’18, “This is ideal in writing articles especially if you want it to be development-oriented. It must feature an event or whatnot that involves scientific or research progress that will produce further development in its field, better if it provides sustainable development for the people.”

A Development-oriented topic aims for human transformation. As Laurenz Cruz (Devcom ’18) said, “Dapat it aims for human transformation -either cognitive, affective, o psychomotor. May call to action dapat ang development-oriented topics”.

All in all, the purpose of Development Communication in general is to provide a solution for a particular development-oriented problem through maximizing the use of communication. It is centered on reaching the people and the community.

We’re all born with different qualities and skills that make us unique. An individual can be skilled on playing sports, gifted in creating artworks, adept in solving equations, or proficient in writing stories. With the qualities and skills you possess, it helps to define who you are and what you can do in life.

For me, I can say that I am a writer according to what qualities and skills a writer possess, but I am not in the point where I can say that I am great in writing; I am still in the process of improving my qualities and skills.

Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.

E.L. Doctorow

Basing from what our professor gave, I rate my following skills with:

Curious or inquisitive – 2

Intelligent – 3

Industrious – 2

Resourceful – 2

Persevering – 3

Imaginative – 2

Puts a premium on accuracy and truth – 2

Loves to read – 2

Interested in and loves people – 2

Service-oriented – 1

The quality that I would like to work on more to develop is on being curious to certain topics. Believing that curiosity sparks imagination, I see that this is the main quality I would work on to help me become more openly-minded upon the topics that may or may not concern me. With the sense of being curious, it would enable me to take a deeper look upon certain things in society.

In continuation, I also rate my skills with:

Gathering data – 2

Validating and clarifying information – 2

Organizing information – 3

Writing clearly and effectively – 3

Proficiency in operating communication tools/devices – 2

The skill that I would likely say I am most competent with is being proficient in the use of communication tools/devices as for my whole high school life, I have been immersed and taught by my teachers and peers on the use of those tools/devices which deemed helpful for me and had greatly given an impact to become productive in my work.

Even though I assume that I possess those given qualities, doubt comes as a challenge; questioning if those qualities truly reflect me as a writer. Doubting myself even becomes the reason why I am not able to regain composure. Doubt blocks me to do my writing skills efficiently. If I were to grade myself with a 1.00 rating, it would mean that I am fully experienced to portray those qualities and apply those skills; integrating them to my personal and professional experiences.

For these reasons, I would say that I still have a long way in becoming a true media writer. By gaining more knowledge and applying them to my work, those unique experiences will by then make me a media writer.

Create your own style. Let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable to others.

Anna Wintour

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There’s no elevator to success. You have to take the stairs.

Author Unknown

The aforementioned quotation is in some way, familiar to everyone. It’s that copy pasted quote from the internet, no one knows who said it, and yet we see it from almost every academic institution or every Values Education module in high school. It can be found in the front door, the classroom walls, the teacher’s table and even in that year book from six years ago. Back in elementary, the teachers would often post even the littlest of any bible verse or school-related quotation EVERYWHERE. Yes, the cafeteria is also given a fair share of the printed motivational materials. Yes, the comfort room is also part of it. (I still remember reading a few whenever I wash my hands. Lol!)

Studying in UP is definitely the perfect term to describe the stairs as the only means to grasp that sweet moment of success. There was never a story in UP that exhibited a participation of a short cut to make it to the finish line and be deserving of THE Sablay. It was always about hardship, overcoming oneself and triumphantly survive a four year or so stay in the university. Unlike my childhood spent in a small campus of a Liceo school under the Diocese of San Pablo, you’ll never come across any type of paper or note with a bible verse or a famous quotation in UPLB. You have to extract that longing for an inspiration to move forward through different symbols and characters found in the campus. Some of which could be Oble, or the building of the College of Development Communication. The professors and upperclassmen could also be a form of a standard anyone could look up to, especially for freshmen.

However, for me these aren’t sufficient to survive the heaven yet hell atmosphere of college. You have to bring with you certain items to undoubtedly exceed one’s limitations and successfully acquire that diploma. As a Devcomm freshie for almost a month, I associated my own version of a battle box through the GEs and foundation course freshmen are currently taking.

Are you ready? Here it goes!

BATTLE BOX ITEM #1

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Associated from DevComm majors keeping us busy every week, a pen and a notebook is definitely a must-have. It is not only vital for subjects requiring students to write notes. It is, too, an essential to every second of one’s stay within the campus grounds. Maybe an announcement, new lanyards and emergency contact numbers to note, this tandem will always be handy. Currently, I am using an old planner and the usual Php 10 ballpen I am a fan of since last year. I have a habit of writing all of the important stuff on my one-semester notebook and transfer them on the provided material or to a separate notebook with the fancy calligraphy.

BATTLE BOX ITEM #2

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Based from STS 1, the next pair I thought of was a phone and a power bank. I think it is rather unnecessary to separate them when most college students always ready their power banks for emergencies. Following the trend of modern learning, UP is not behind. Most professors use to their advantage different learning tools and applications available for free online. This is convenient and satisfactorily helpful on both parties. Sadly, continuous use of a phone often leads to unexpected shutdowns whenever there is a need to employ such gadget. Of course, this is where power banks become the holy grail of students. Additionally, a phone is always the go-to of procrastinating students whenever they disregarded writing an essay the day before its deadline. The power of phones just get more and more stimulating with the last minute skills and creativity of college students.

BATTLE BOX ITEM #3

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Connected to Arts 1 for the reason it acts as means in order to publish different pieces called art from DevComm freshies, a laptop and earphones come together like Romeo and Juliet. Once again, this is another of the must haves any DevComm student should at least own. A phone may come off as unnecessary when you do not occasionally contact someone through network services. However, a laptop have an unending list on how you can utilize it to the maximum. From messaging someone online, writing drafts, editing videos, adding a filter to photos, organizing recent documents plus a beneficial tool whenever a transcription is obliged to be submitted soon, you can never deny how much of a blessing these two are. Can we also forget how someone can chill with earphones on, listening to their favorite playlist while procrastinating?

BATTLE BOX ITEM #4

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With the amount of documents and essays we could definitely hoard within a semester, it is of great importance to keep getting more of these. Storage devices, similar to PI 10, can be a bridge to recall a memory, think about history. It is of no requirement to be eloquent in English or be creative in what you submit in class or write in your free time. Its purpose lives on as a recorder of progress, a keepsake of each Development Communicator. We are all a work in progress and like Rizal, let’s aspire our works kept in any storage device be significant.

BATTLE BOX ITEM #5

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Although not a favorite, Econ 11 reminds me of an umbrella. Usually, I dismiss the idea of these two because I grew not being too fond of them in my bag and in my mind. However, even if I neglect their relevance, they are both advantageous in my everyday. Econ 11 serves the similar purpose of an umbrella. No season could dictate when or how could they be helpful and I just happen to use unknowingly. Maulan sa Pinas, girl! I survived a week without an umbrella and it was so much of a hassle! Every second we make our choices, and kaloka, Economics ‘yon!

BATTLE BOX EXTRA ITEM

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Just an addition, this is just a portion of my blog entry boasting my planner! I could definitely link this to break times and lunch breaks! This is a great way to plan ahead of time. You could never go wrong reminding oneself even if the impression would burden the owner on his or her next to do’s. This keeps me on track and remind me what I need to prepare for the upcoming week. The aforementioned items usually goes to waste without knowing when and how to use them. This is not too necessary because planner applications now exist. Maybe, I just like mine better.

Truly, studying in UP is definitely the perfect term to describe the stairs as the only means to grasp that sweet moment of success. In order to do so, it would be great to keep these items ready and working fine. It may be the first 30 days of my stay, however, I swear to keep it worthwhile as I fulfill the demands of the course through my list of essentials. Laban, gurls and bois!

“Two million seconds went by too fast. All the warnings and precautions were all true. UP will break you down. It will diminish every bit of confidence you used to have and make you question all your decisions and that’s okay.“

600,000 seconds. Fresh, raw, and excited; these are the adjectives upperclassmen and other university veterans would describe new freshmen walking into the university. I won’t say it’s not true because it is better to face challenges head-on with a positive mindset rather than surrendering early in the fight. I think this is one of the reasons why we freshmen seem more excited and more motivated to study in the university. Another thing is that, well, we haven’t really experienced what life is like in UP that’s why we seem naive to some. We haven’t really succumbed to the academic pressure. I can say that this stage is where we’re open to every possibility and to everyone we meet.

1,200,000 seconds. A freshman’s slow and painful realization of university life. I call this stage the adjustment stage. Before applying for the UPCAT we already have a bit of a background about what we are about to get into. Most of these information come in the form of warnings or reminders coming from those who experienced UP themselves. And on the top of that list is how UP will make you realize how raw you are still and that your achievements in high school have somehow become irrelevant. It’s better to discern this early on than to be bombarded by disappointments caused by one’s ignorance of these warnings. Just think of it as a process that everyone goes through. This situation makes you re-evaluate yourself and provides an opportunity to be better.

1,800,000 seconds. There will always be someone better than you. As freshmen, we want to make a good first impression not only to our professors but also to our peers. Accepting this fact will help you grow not only as a student but also a person. Knowing that someone is better than you is the first step to self improvement and besides, it’s difficult to think when you have a full head of air.

2,400,000 seconds. Your greatest enemy is yourself. I know it’s cliche but it doesn’t make it any less true. Anything that involves the word “self” such as self-doubt and self indulgence can sometimes become a hindrance. Self doubt can tire the mind through overthinking. Too much self indulgence can cause idleness and procrastination. However, the word “self” can also be used to combat these hindrances such as doing a self evaluation and developing self confidence. And from my experience, this is a constant battle that you have to fight everyday.

Two million seconds went by too fast. All the warnings and precautions were all true. UP will break you down. It will diminish every bit of confidence you used to have and make you question all your decisions and that’s okay.

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Going to a place you are not familiar with will never be easy- especially if you don’t know the exact location of the place you’re going to. This was the problem that my groupmates and I encountered when we were tasked to gather data from Barangay Timugan, Los Baños, Laguna. Since none of us grew up in LB, we had zero idea on where Barangay Timugan was and how do we go there.

Of course, we can try other ways to gather data so that we won’t go to the barangay hall. However, our group wanted to go there personally so that we will be assured that the data gathered is verified by the authorities of the barangay and that we can establish a connection with them. So, we asked one our classmates, who lives in Los Baños, the directions going to Barangay Timugan. He told us which jeep do we ride on and what landmark was it near to- thus begins our journey to Barangay Timugan.

We followed our classmates’ instructions and thankfully, we successfully arrived at the barangay hall safely. We were immediately welcomed by the officers of the barangay and they did not hesitate to give us the data we needed. So, if I’m going to leave three tips for the next BSDC freshmen, here they are:

1. Don’t be shy to ask around

Whether if it is going to a place you are not familiar with or when you need some information from various sources, it will never hurt to ask. Just be sure to ask them kindly and with respect.

2. Always ask for permission when gathering data/information/sources

Remember, the data/information/sources are their’s and they have every right to give it to you or not. Ask them politely and explain where and how you will use the data gathered.

3. If you’re going by group, assign tasks to the members beforehand

These tasks include who will ask the questions, take note of the answers, take pictures of the venue and the data, etc., so that you and your groupmates will be able to work more effectively and efficiently once you arrive at the venue.

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CHAPTER 1 (ACCEPTANCE)

 As a freshman from high school, I still not digest that I am now a college student. I can’t move on in my old friends, environment, culture, and atmosphere. I cried a lot in the first four weeks. And then I realized acceptance is the solution. I need to accept the reality. I need to accept that “this is my now”. Just like in the song “I’m living in the moment” I need to digest it, swallow it and feel it. Face the struggles and challenges.

CHAPTER 2 ( ALWAYS BE “MORE” PREPARED”)

When I was in high school, I always prepare myself before going to school. I’m confident. But now in college, I learned that it is not enough to be just prepared. I need to be more prepared than before. College is much different in High School. It’s more challenging than other levels. To be more prepared helps me to be confident every time I go to school 

CHAPTER 3 (EFFICIENCY)

The last time Ms. Villar gave us an activity to gather information in assigned offices, my group works out at the last minute. This results in a cramming moment. In line with this, I learned that doing work or activity we need to be efficient. We need to treat the time as gold practically and technically. Managing our time is a must for us to finish our work early and have some time to rest.

CHAPTER 4 (RESOURCEFUL)

As a development communication practitioner, I learned that resourcefulness is a must. Not all the time, resources are available and free. Thus, we need to look always for alternative solutions for a certain activity. 

CHAPTER 5 (FAIL IS OKAY)

As a beginner, it is inevitable to encounter failures and setbacks. Of course, it saddens me and it drives me to degrade my self-worth. But my sister with a strong personality says Failing is okay. It just allowed me to learn and to strive more. We are going to fail at something. It’s OK. We can’t know the sweet taste of success if we have never felt the sting of failure! Thus, I gave meaning to the word fail as “First Attempt In Learning”. 

I just survived my first month in UP! Every Friday , my friend and I would always come to say our week is over again and holla, it’s already been a month.

And so, here are my realizations/ lessons learned in my first month in UPLB :

 

FOCUS ON YOURSELF

My first two weeks in UPLB has been very tough for me. I think too low of myself that I forgot what to focus on. My batchmates are smarter much advanced than I and they have experiences I don’t have but I realised that I am what I am and this is my reality. No matter what, I am an iska–a development communicator-in-training. I am taking my own path. There’s nothing I can do with the past and I can’t just keep on comparing myself to others and end up being hurt. I need to focus on myself because in college, only I will walk myself to sablay, only I will work for my diploma.

DISASSOCIATE YOURSELF FROM YOUR WORKS

I just failed in my first ever quiz in college! I thought about it for the whole week that even in my siesta I think about what I did and why I failed. It was always like that, even in my paper works, whenever I got low scores, I always end up being caught by it—until one of my professors told us in the class that we must disassociate ourselves from our works, that we are not our quiz nor our works. We are not our first draft. And yes, she is indeed true, I cannot change what I just did but I can learn from it and do what should be done next time. I cannot develop if I chained my self to my mistakes. I am my final draft–the taught and the corrected one.

BE YOURSELF

Nothing is more fulfilling than being able show yourself off in academic activities. In one of my courses, we were tasked to talk about something and I am preceded by students who were so good. I am pressured and I cannot come up with something to say in the class the next meeting but while feeding my pet, an idea came up and there, I was able to perform during the class. The lesson here is, I was thinking of trying to do something that isn’t “very me” but all I need to do is be myself. We can always be and do good while not trying to be something we’re not.

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

How can you ever succeed if you, yourself don’t believe in your own ability? For me, the greatest pat on the back is your own pat. No one will ever believe in you if you can’t do it to yourself. UPLB has shaken the very core of me. In just a month of stay, I came to doubt myself, but no, I must not. I can and I will. I can be whoever I want to be, and I will be one in the right time. To be what you aspire, you must believe first in yourself, and then, others will follow.

GIVE JUSTICE

Give justice to yourself. Give justice to your privilege. Make yourself worthy of being an isko/a. Don’t let others belittle you because you are less experienced or that you don’t belong in their class. Do your best in everything you do. Strive to be that development communicator you always dreamed of. My professor would always tell us that we must graduate on time because the longer we stay in the university and take one of the seats each semester, the lesser isko/a apirants will be admitted. I realised that before we seek for other’s justice, let us give ourselves one first. Take care of yourself. I made this the very last lesson for me because this has occupied my mind for a very long time. As a development communicator-in-training, let us seek for our fairness. In order to seek for others, let us seek for ourselves first. We cannot give something we don’t have, anyway.

This is my turning point – – where I realised I am much more than I think I am.

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The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it.

J.M. Barrie

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As the modern technology starts to emerge, gadgets play a vital role in the educational field especially to DEVCOM practitioners. These electronically simplified applications help us to obtain such information in just mere seconds through its easy access and availability of media contents. Specifically, the following gadgets are most needed by a media writer:

• Laptop – As media writers, this will be vital in writing articles, essays, reflections, blogs, editing photos videos, and other paper works.
• Smart Phone- As development communication practitioners, the efficiency of smartphones helps us crucially. The speed with which we can do tasks on a smartphone is almost unparalleled to other gadgets like a computer.  
• Camera- We usually capture photos and videos in every event in and outside of the campus. It is therefore essential to us. The importance of a camera is not in the brand but in what it produces. Photographs and videos have become vital to communication, education, and preservation of current happenings.
• Tripod- Of course, usually if you have a camera, you also have a tripod. It helps us to capture photos and videos steadily and effortless. 
• Earphone- In editing videos, earphones helps us to concentrate on sound as a listener without disturbing others.

Devcomm practitioners exposed in various files that are important to store in different storage devices such as Flash drive, hard disk, SD card especially in case of emergency. In the case of unintentional deleting or formatting files, the backup storage devices save us. 

In conducting interviews and editing videos, recording devices are also essential. It helps us to record the voice clearly and exporting it into an output. 

Just like in a saying “Behind every successful person is a notebook full of ideas. Writing our ideas, concepts, plans, observations, and other notes helps us to organize things and makes us a better writer. Materials for note-taking practice are none other than but notebook and pen. Writing through pen somehow gives us the real presence of a writer. 

Despite being a “media” writer, basic references such as a dictionary, thesaurus, etc. are also crucial to us. Especially, in conducting research. It can provide us general background information (facts, definitions, dates, details), assistance in focusing our topic, factual and statistical information, and references to other sources of information. 

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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.