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Interviews. Research. Field Works.

These are some of the components of a development communicator’s daily routine. Aside from exhibiting the qualities and skills in processing information to come up with a media input, one must also have basic essential tools to perform such task.

And as a development communicator on training, here are my top five “must have(s)” weapons to help me finish my exercises effectively:

No. 1

This a degree program where “writings is life”, so you MUST not ever forget to secure these things in your bags. Memorizing in mind everything you will gather is not reliable. Having these tools is not only applicable to DevCom but as a student these are our basics.

[p.s. newspapers, books and journals are also paper]

NO. 2

As we practice multi- tasking we MUST also have a tool that can perform many tasks and this is our mobile phones. From voice recording, taking videos and pictures, virtual maps and notepads, calling and texting, and updating ourselves about the current events within our communities— all of these can be done in this portable device.

NO. 3

After gathering the needed data for the exercises, one MUST have this device to edit and finalize the output that will be submitted or presented. In a communication course like DevCom, it is not easy if you don’t have a computer.

NO. 4

In gathering data like interviews we will meet different unknown people to talk, to ask for our needed information, presenting yourself is not enough for you to be trusted by your interviewees or in searching to libraries like in UP where an ID is essential to get in. Wearing your ID is also an act of formality for a media writer and a sense of pride that you belong in that institution.

NO. 5

Since day one of my stay in UPLB, I have actually experienced how unpredictable Los Baños’ climate is and how extreme every weather. In a degree program like DevCom, which has a lot of walks and outdoor activities, you MUST have these basic tools to avoid getting sick during fieldwork. Umbrella against both scorching heat of the sun and the drops of the rain. While drinking water is also suggested to ease the hotness and avoid colds.

To perform more efficiently on DevCom exercises, there are actually a lot of tools we need to utilize, but these things I have suggested are the most basic in accomplishing our tasks.

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August 28, 2019. It was a busy day for me as I jumbled every task I need to accomplish for the day. Passing of requirements for a scholarship, follow up for a refund, a visit to the Municipal Office, it was an endless to-do’s. I had to go back and forth that day in order to fulfill and merrily mark a check on every item written in my planner. Luckily, there was enough time to check out Brgy. Lalakay.

As a Lagunense, I have never roamed Los Baños nor was I familiar with the best places to be. I have only allotted enough time and effort to visit the go-to cities not too far away from Liliw and not as expensive to hang out for a few hours. With the time spent in Brgy. Lalakay’s barangay hall, I wish to narrate our group’s experience through a list of tips on data gathering hoping to be helpful not only for the latter but for traveling in Los Baños as well.

Be prepared always. This is the most essential tip of all time. From the amount of money you should have kept in advance for emergencies, a ready made letter for a request, your identification card and even an array of documents if possible to prepare ahead of time. It is of utmost encouragement, to not waste time, to bring the vital materials whenever data gathering season starts. The group’s visitation didn’t go as smooth as everyone else’s. Frequent questions were asked to the jeepney driver because none of us were familiar where in Los Baños was Brgy. Lalakay. With insufficient information where it might be, we also forgot to at least check announcements or photos in relation to the baragay we’ll be in for a few minutes. I felt shameful and guilty when the Barangay Secretary told us not to pay a visit at an unexpected time without a request letter in hand. “Kaya sinasabihang bargas ang mga taga-UP dahil bigla biglang dumadating.” If possible to contact them, the better. To not be thrown with a little offending remark, it is of great importance to properly implement rapport, know what is necessary to bring if not allowed to receive requested information. (Disclaimer: She was a UP graduate and was a little considerate to give the information without a letter.)

Listen and be patient enough. Usually, social workers or members of a small barangay office aren’t as young as college freshmen. The person we were able to talk to was actually a little old for her assigned job. She was quite approachable and yet, you can still see signs of the mood swings older women experience as they age. She was a little reluctant when asked of our request, and a little grumpy when we unintentionally hinted we were quite in a hurry due to our next class. “Masyado kayong nagmamadali. Hinay hinay lang, ibibigay ko rin naman.” Even though we were sweating so hard, nervous if we will make it back to UPLB in time, we sat in peace painting a smile and listened intently to whatever the Barangay Secretary is saying. Respect is always a must. even if there’ll be uncontrollable hindrances.

Smile and be at your best self. No matter what the situation, see to it you are presentable and well-dressed. Of course, this is an indication of your intentions the moment you arrived. With nothing planned, we went straight to the barangay hall with the clothes we wore on the first subject of the day. With little less attention on our attire, we were quite shocked when I was called out. “Ah, estudyante ka pala sa UP. Akala ko nagtitinda ka ng kung ano.” I didn’t know if I should be offended but I definitely denied I was a mere seller of what-not! I just plastered my best smile and apologized to whatever she found disappointing in our 10-minute stay in her office. (I am very sure I wore something casual and presentable…I didn’t know how come she assumed I was a random tindera of some sort whilst wearing my ID.)

There are many other tips out there, but to sum up our experience, I found these three as the most essential! Never forget these and for sure no matter how long your stay might be, may it be for data gathering or a hang out session in Los Baños, it would guarantee stress free and satisfying moments! Remember, you could never go wrong with respect!

Beginning mostly as a Facebook essayist, budding writer Gerald Diola is a freshman at the College of Development Communication. Having witnessed firsthand the effects of Typhoon Nina (2016) on Bicol, he has since felt a sense of urgency to write for the affected and afflicted. This experience inspired him to someday write a play about typhoons in the Philippines, and through this dream, he has started transitioning from a sheltered dreamer to a citizen more conscious of society.

These days, Gerald writes mostly personal reflections, but developments in the wrestling world easily get him latched back onto the keyboard. Among his favorite promotions is the Manila Wrestling Federation, which brands itself as a satirical performance art that mirrors Philippine society.

While his background in science and professional theater has motivated him to communicate in creative ways, Gerald has yet to experience writing for journalism. But as with serving the people, it is a challenge he accepts with open arms.

Into the ring — and out of the comfort zone.

View this post on Instagram

Hindi kulob ang hangin sa labas ng comfort zone

A post shared by Geráld Diola (@gkdiola) on Aug 28, 2019 at 6:15pm PDT

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“The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself.”

Albert Camus

Albert Camus perfectly depicted in his quote the distinction of a Development Communicator among the many other existing kind as it guises in diverse looks to compel the demand of informing the kind truth. Media continuously holds the power to influence and to persuade whichever party poses their superficial intentions or pure aspirations to the public. It is a modern tool in which a writer’s word and promise create a complex pool of positive or contrasting issues affecting the masses’ perception. In this case, with such a responsibility, what makes one qualify to be a media writer? Is it the glamour, the trophies, the well-spoken persona? Is it the creativity and admirable proficiency? Is it the mixture of the aforementioned, or a few of the selected? If an opportunity arrives and in the future the pursuance of media writing comes to be the resolution, how can someone be worthy of the title? Perhaps a DevComm freshman, recalling Ms. Candy’s list made her own remarkable version.

What does a DevComm graduate has yet to unveil in finding out the best route to carry the duty of media writer? Imagine a signboard “Media Writers Wanted” is displayed outside the veranda of a grey building. The glistening hope landing on a job complements the arousing scent of willingness of the applicant as she entered. It was white and neat and the immaculate representation of the workplace she wants to embrace. Merrily flaunting her outfit, she sets forth to search the department tasked to accept her. Believing she was qualified for the job, with competitive credentials and achievements, it was a devastating she was awfully rejected. Hence, blinking twice, she forwards her disappointment to the manager. Calmly, the head replied with ease and gentleness, “You have to be PICKY for us to accept your application.”

First and foremost, being a media writer must and always ignite the passion to realize, inform and assist the masses with the information they should know. The accountability to support and be the right hand of many is not feasible without a desire to move forward and grow while practicing the craft. One must be filled of willingness to continue whenever duty calls for it. In all fairness, without passion no one would have the audacity to even portray other qualities. Some of which, when heard, comes out as unfamiliar and extraordinary in nature. Nonetheless, without this drive, the enumerated others from class won’t be of any value.

Second, a media writer’s passion isn’t as effective without the intellect to manage skills, and juggle tasks. Whenever unexpected situations arise, and the need for abrupt planning and production comes off to be the last resort, an intellectual person knows how to start and end the whole project in a logical manner. Passion is not self-sufficient. A lone emotion isn’t similar with a pole standing on its own and can sustain oneself as time progresses. With intellect, every step is a decision made thoroughly, avoidance to possible flaws such as misinformation, and unessential news dissemination.

Third, a media writer is ceaseless. They know no fear and are bold enough without giving a good fight. An aspirant of such occupation tends to have loud minds and large hearts; an active expression of media writers’ urges to stay intact, and not back down. The never ending list of deadlines and the possibility of a toxic workplace always comes off as a person’s reason behind sudden raise of the white flag signifying defeat. However, if one wishes to put their passion and ceaseless attitude makes any plan attainable and breeds a worryless mindset. Both aren’t limited to be beneficial only in the media workplace. A strong personality oozes more of the significant professionalism and diligence.

Fourth, being knowledgeable is more than enough characteristic to be qualified. Never ending interest and learning only hinders time spent for irrelevant activities. It is of great help to be a source and bridge of facts and facts only. As media writers, whatever field one wish to spend his days, knowledge can be of great help as it constitutes majority of what we make and what we believe in. Fiction and creative writing are beautiful versions of their own and yet, they won’t be shining as is without extending a fantasy to something realistic and still true. In this juncture, knowledge suggests all possibilities and is in a way, vital to the creation of either real or fictional to provide meaning.

Lastly, a media writer yearns to be of service. In this age, most love the idea of being a writer because of the spotlight and the profit they could earn from writing a mainstream love story with a predictable plot twist. Following the same formula, they wish to see themselves get featured for creating fantasy and an interestingly entertaining piece of biased implications. This is in turn, doesn’t talk much about a try on using talent for service. It is correct to do so for personal wants and yet encouraged to be tools for serving the public. Hoping this quality would be more dominant in the creation of novels, poems, and articles to impart messages for social change as words become important key elements in the formation of a mass-oriented change.

“Ma’am in order for you to be accepted, we hope for the next few days you would come back with a smile confidently flaunting you have practiced being PICKY. In the same way we are being PICKY of our employees, the similar way we wish our employees to be PICKY in order to continue being significant in society, not just only mere channels of mass public message distribution.”

What does a DevComm graduate has yet to unveil in finding out the best route to carry the duty of media writer? Imagine a signboard “Media Writers Wanted” is displayed outside the veranda of a grey building. The glistening hope landing someday on the job complements the arousing scent of the applicant’s “to change for the better” as soon as she left. It was white and neat and the immaculate representation of the workplace she now yearns even more to embrace. Merrily flaunting her outfit, she sets forth to be the media writer the company would want to accept. Believing she was qualified for the job, with competitive credentials and achievements, to be PICKY was a challenge she was never late for. 

DevCom life isn’t easy but surely, you’re going to enjoy it, so here’s my hacks that can be yours to!

1. Phone

One with a good camera, audioaudio recorder, and large file storage  will save your life in your DevCom journey. Also, with UPLB’s free wifi, researching is just a click away.

2. Laptop and Earphones

There will be lots of paper works and transcribing, so suit yourself with an armour. A pair of earphones or headphones is also a must, it will help you get the exact words in doing a transcription, or you can just have one if you just wanted a life of your own. Sometimes, it takes peace to come up with good ideas.

3. Flashdrive / External Storage Files

Backups! Always play safe, you never know when your phone/laptop will betray you so get yourself a catcher. Surely, there’ll be large files so better get them a good house.

4. Notebook and Pen

Note taking, for me, is one of the best ways to learn and also, a development communicator is a good observer, writing your observations will help you in journals and exercises of your courses.

5. Umbrella

This, I think is for every isko/a, weather in UPLB is so unpredictable one second the sun’s scorching hot, another second it’s raining heavily. A development communicator often goes to the field so better be prepared. Protect yourself and your things as well, you cannot afford an absence or a wet paper works.

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It’s best to have your tools with you. If you don’t, you’re apt to find something you didn’t expect and get discouraged. 

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Deprived of a good childhood, locked up in a room, learning only street games during elementary physical education classes, it was difficult for Dara Miracle Montiel Montalbo to find out who she really is. “Tanga” was heard when she failed to kick the ball to the goal on a friendly , childish soccer match. “Clumsy mo kasi”, from when she broke plates from the compartment. “Inggit ka lang sa’kin”, was heard from someone when she badly wanted to fit in. Being herself never brought her good memories, only moments no one wanted to make friends with her.

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“Napansin nga namin noong bata ka pa, wala kang kaibigan. Lagi mo lang gustong mag-isa.”

“Wala namang lumalapit sa’kin noon eh. Kailangan ko pang bumuntot sa iba para lang may makasama ako.

My Nanay and I’s conversation, nonverbatim, about my childhood.

With how the world perceived this girl born under a strict and conservative household, she decided to be different. She was urged by her father to do things she never imagined she’ll be doing. She prayed for her best self as she joined various competitions and tried new activities. A youth leader, performing artist, self-acclaimed director, a lazy online author, an inconsistent blogger, calligraphy artist and occasional painter, that’s Dara, our depressed college freshman.

Not knowing what role to pursue for a lifetime, a year ago, she settled for Bs Psychology, as an aspirant of Oncology, Radiology, and Cancer-related stuff. However, faced with financial difficulties and an unstoppable urge to be a lawyer, she made it possible to transfer to the University of the Philippines and pursue her first love: Development Communication. Dara has been writing the moment she thought of a fantasy-themed story on friendship when she was merely 10. From then on, she has been writing online novels and unfortunately, never had the will to finish them. Despite this, three of her theatrical scripts made it to the big stage along with an amateur movie she recklessly directed. Writing was her safe haven, her place of serenity, a passion for a lifetime.

Kept an eye on the Law, she found her truest desire to share the same fate of the great Miriam Defensor-Santiago planning to make her undergraduate degree her pre-law course. Not too confident labeling her mediocre skills in the English language as her forte, she couldn’t deny the kilig she gets from the presence of codals, highlighters and coffee. In the back of her head, though impossible, she treats this “UP student” phase as another challenging role she must successfully overcome. Judging from the kind of life she lived and the portrayals she confidently managed to do, what other words can she say when a mantra of hers exist:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Philippians 4:13

It has been a month since we all started college in UP and the university life hit us all with a truck full of surprises. Most of us feel what ‘Teddie’ (Four Sisters and a Wedding) felt. Some of us feel that no matter what we do, how hard we try, it’s just not enough. That’s just one thing out of the many emotions and realizations we have come about during our 1 month stay in UP.

Although isn’t it funny and euphoric? In those 30 days that we felt like giving up, where we thought we won’t be able to make it through the day, in a blink of an eye, there you are, in the tomorrow you were just yearning for. We are in the moment we thought was never going to come. Deadlines we thought we would never meet. Here we are, writing our weekly writes number 5 when we thought that 1,2,3 and 4 would not come to a finish.

In those 30 days, I adapted to the changes in my academe life. In those 30 days, I learned new things. Things that I am opening up so that it can guide others. Others who will venture into the same life in the future. Others who are with us during that 1 month in UP to say that they are not the only ones who felt what they felt.

Go beyond your comfort zone

In your comfort zone, you can do many things. You can do them greatly even. But beyond your comfort zone, you grow. You can do things you have never done before. You will do things not just greatly but differently. It’s an insight to a world you never knew you would see. You don’t have to do it hastily. Do it at your own pace. It doesn’t matter how slow you’re going to your goal, what matters is you are.

Water your own lawn

Grass is always greener on the other side some might say. That’s because the other side is left to wilt, I reply. Focus on yourself. Focus on what you want to achieve and how you will achieve them. Do not compare yourself to to others because they have their own battles to fight. Plant your own garden and see your self bloom while reaping the fruit of your hard earned labor.

Honor and excellence

Keep in mind that you’re studying in the university that upholds these values in the highest regards. Know that what you’re doing and learning is not just for you but also for the people of the country, especially the marginalized. Do everything with dignity and honesty, in success or even in failure.

Pass, you learn. fail, you learn.

Not all the time your life in UP will be full of rainbows and butterflies. Be ready for storms too. Despite what outcome of every challenge brings you, what truly matters is that you learn from it and you become a better person. You become more prepared and stronger than you were before, which I might say, is still an achievement.

a shoulder to lean on

Something important I learned in UP is to open up myself for people. People who are genuinely there to lend you a helping hand or even just be there with you. Univ life is easier when you have friends you can vent out to or even just have connections with because you know that there are faces in the crowd you can look for. Your circle of friends doesn’t have to be big. Quality over quantity of friends will help you in your journey through college.

It takes a lot of effort, perseverance and wit to be an effective development communicator. Some tasks require more work than the other. With that being said, there are tools that every DevComm student must have to make loads easier without putting too much stress on their overall being.

SMARTPHONE

Scoops can happen at any given place and time. We need something handy that can take a photo,video or notes in an instant. A smart phone is one of the essentials that every DevComm student must have because it provides most of the basic needs in writing news or articles like a camera,audio recorder and a notepad. In addition, it’s also efficient to have something that you can use to communicate with peers and build connections with people who have expert insight in a given area or field.

LAPTOP

Writing requires a lot of researching, typing and printing. Laptop is a great help for anyone who wishes to produce a quality article output because it can provide the applications that are not accessible for mobile phones or applications that are more convenient to be used in front of a larger screen or with more capable specs. Plus, based from experience, there are some online sites that are hard to access or maneuver into using smartphones.

PEN AND PAPER

Phone not working? or maybe didn’t have enough time to charge it and you’re currently in the middle of an interview/news-worthy event and the warning of low battery is enough to make you sweat and nervous all throughout? Then write everything down. It’s important to have these two everywhere you go so you don’t miss out on the significant details. Plus, if an idea pops up in your mind out of nowhere, you can write it down and come back to it later when you have time to sit down on your laptop to write an article.

Storage Devices

It’s better to be safe than sorry. Storage devices allow you to have backups of your outputs or data so if any unfortunate instances happen to your phone or laptops, you still have external storage to run to so could still pass your outputs completely and on time. We all know deadlines rarely adjust to our comfort.

Water and Snacks

Doing tasks on an empty stomach takes more of your energy than it should. It is advisable to always keep snacks and water inside your bag so you have something to munch whenever you need the boost. Moreover, always stay hydrated.

Things mentioned above are just some of the things that a DevComm student should have. They are great helpers. But of course we shall also not forget that in any task we are about to do, it will be easier if you put your heart and mind into it.

From the development communication courses that I’m currently taking, I learned that there are several characteristics of a development-oriented topic/ output so I ranked them. And here goes my top three!

1. It should have an orientation.

An orientation towards progressive change. This orientation will be the guide to executing the activities of development planned by students, organizations, government, and such.

2. It should have a goal.

I’ve observed that the topics or most kinds of outputs are required to meet development goals like Millennium Development Goals, Sustainable Development Goals, and CDC Values and Guiding Principles (4 Es).

3. It should have a progressive change.

A development-oriented topic/output makes the previous development the basis for further development. Enhancing capacity within communities and empowering the belief that solutions to problems are needed to be addressed from the ground up.

But what I learned is still not enough, I need to learn more. So, I thought of asking Ate Loren, a CDC alumna about what she thinks. Ate Loren gives the best advice in both academic and extra-curricular activities and I always appreciate how she makes time to answer my questions, like this one, even with her tight schedule.

Now, let’s view the pictures and read the content.

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I am so grateful that she helped out, not only me but the readers of this as well. I am glad that I asked the right person. Another realization is that I should not be afraid to ask questions. I should learn to be passionately curious and ask. For a development starts with learning, and learning starts from asking.

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Is this a dream? If it is, please don’t wake me up.

It was my longtime dream to study here in UP. Until now, I still can’t believe that I’m living the dream. I feel so lucky because I know that a lot of people wanted to study here, but only few are chosen. I belong to that few, and I’m sure as hell that I’ll do my very best to deserve this privilege. My first month here in UPLB was already a blast! It is true that academics here can be really stressful, but the university vibe can be a stress reliever. Of course, it wasn’t just rainbows and sunshine during my first month. There were struggles, but I learned a lot from them. Here are my learnings/insights so far:

1. Kailangan makapal ang mukha – This doesn’t mean that you have to be “bida-bida” or “epal”. Just the right amount of kapal. In UP, bawal ang mahiyain. You should learn to get along with other people of different age, gender, race, religion, etc. (Especially because you are a Development Communicator in Training). I learned to approach people, make friends, and express my truest self. They said that “mayayabang ang mga taga UP.” Well, aren’t we proud because there’s something to be proud of? (An example of pagiging ‘makapal ang mukha’)
2. You’re here to learn – My first week was a sad one for me. I felt like everyone is smarter than me. But I realized that I shouldn’t worry that they are better than me because I’m here to learn. As long as I’m open for criticisms, I can improve myself to be as good as them or even better than them. You shouldn’t compare yourselves to other people because it will only make you feel insecure about yourself. Don’t try to be like them either because it’s better to be the original. Remember, practice makes perfect.
3. This is survival of the fittest – I realized that only 13.07% of 90,426 examinees passed the UPCAT. This means that this 13.07% is probably the best of the best. As I look at my classmates in every class I attend, I realize that each and every one of them is smart. Just like what they always tell me, “Mahirap makalabas ng UP.” But bear in mind that college is no competition. You should focus on your own progress, because success is not a race. College is like a game of “Matira matibay.”
4. Push yourself to your limit – Quit telling yourself “Eto lang ang kaya ko e.” Don’t be contented on what you are because there’s always room for improvement. To know what you are capable of, push yourself to your limit. When you’re tired, rest then keep going on. It’s fine to take breaks once in a while, but remember your goals and your responsibilities. Be the best version of yourself because you are in the best university here in the Philippines. Remember, it’s better to be tired but successful than energized but unsuccessful.
5. Honor before excellence – This is a phrase that I always hear from my professors whenever we take a quiz. As I think about it, I realize that it is really accurate. What are you going to do with your success if you cheated to achieve it? You don’t deserve the honor. Honor is actually more important than excellence. This made me think of what I heard from UP graduates. “Pinag-aral ka ng bayan mo tapos magtatrabaho ka sa ibang bansa.” Graduating in UP is not the end, it is the mark of the start of your service to your nation. Everything you learned in UP must be used here in our country, to make our country a better place. Success is not measured by how rich you have become. Thus, it is measured by how great you have served the people.

Just a piece of advice, don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Embrace failure because it is the start of success.

PADAYON ISKO/ISKA!