Devcom meets Mainstream: The DLSU Student Media Congress Experience

I have always thought that communication programs in various colleges have differences. For example, communication arts tend to be more dynamic; mass communication always has everyone as its intended audience; development communication – the school of thought where I belong – delves in the nitty-gritty of the communication process.

So, I did not exactly know what to expect when I was about to attend De La Salle University’s Student Media Congress which happened last July 25-26. Their theme, Empowering Media Catalysts, sounded very devcom, since it has been my belief since entering college – and devcom, in particular – that media practitioners and communicators indeed catalyze change – whether individual, behavioral, or social change.

In the congress, I tried to absorb everything that I learned and mix it with what I know from my development communication learning to make a hodge-podge idea of making communicators as catalysts. This piece is an attempt to synthesize bits of development communication we are taught in college and the things I have learned from SMC.

But first: Where I am coming from

The development communication school of thought and the schools of thought in other communication courses have a couple of differences.  For example, as argued by development communication veterans Dr. Alexander Flor and the late Prof. Ivy Ongkiko in our introductory textbook Introduction to Development Communication, “[masscom] is media-centric and source-oriented while dev com is message-centric and receiver-oriented.” They also said that devcom tend to have smaller, more tightly-knit audiences than masscom (thus, the term mass in masscom.) The same book also says that communication arts “aims to accentuate man” while devcom “educates man.”

Development communication, we are taught, is always about the people: their information needs, capacity, and the uses of appropriate media for communicating relevant information that shall help their lives. As we would say in devcom’s subfield of community/development broadcasting, “know your audience.”

So, where do they meet?

This year’s SMC theme is Empowering Media Catalysts. Catalysts, scientifically speaking, help in making a new product from a chemical reaction. The congress reminded us, communication people, to listen to the audience, remain relevant, and uphold the Filipino spirit.

Relevance. Manila Broadcasting Company’s Santi Elizalde presented to the delegates the station-listener-station approach; broadcasters should know what the audience wants, what they talk about, how they speak, in order to get in touch and remain relevant to their listeners. The Philippine Star’s Mick Atienza, discussing print media, showed that newspaper as a form of news media can still catch up by utilizing various technologies. These are paradigms about maintaining relevance of their respective media.

Listening. As stated earlier, MBC’s Elizalde takes into paramount importance audience interaction. ABS-CBN’s Carlos Rodriguez, meanwhile, said that ABS-CBN gets to know the immediate audience reactions through “addressing the second screen.”

Upholding the Filipino. The first keynote speaker, the BBC’s Rico Hizon, reminded delegates that as Filipinos, we have the responsibility to make our existence count. The integrity of the Filipino is in everyone’s hands. He also reminded students of media that “we can be world-class.” GMA News’ Howie Severino, meanwhile, asserted that today’s generation – our generation – is the “most empowered generation in history,” as we have control of the information we handle, receive, and disseminate.

That’s me waiting for my cue to ask a question while another delegate asks during SMC day 1. Photo from Ang Pahayagang Plaridel.

Youth, Social Change, and TV. While I have attended four workshops – all about broadcasting – on the second day, one workshop struck me the most as a development communicator-in-the-making: Youth as Catalysts for Social Change through Television, which was led by state network PTV-4’s Robert Tan.

His lecture centered on having a clear plan of making things for the better – from identifying issues to having “definiteness of purpose” to the actual planning stages. However, what struck me the most are these three words: Engage, Inspire, Motivate.

In development communication, we are always taught about how important the information receivers are. But, as communicators, we can do much more than knowing audience needs then addressing them. Those three words should indeed be our aim as communicators, no matter what school of thought we belong to: motivate and engage people to work on their problems.

***

Indeed, empowering people through communication is not exclusive to one communication field or school of thought. It is something that EVERY communication practitioner should be able to do. This year’s Student Media Congress reminds me of my core function not just as a development communicator, but generally as a communicator: we can spark change.

Being part of the change, we must remain relevant, in spite of the overflow of information surrounding every Filipino. We must know what the audience wants, and, most importantly, needs; information needs should be prioritized. We have the power to address issues. In our own little ways, we can raise awareness and spark change.

Those are big words, indeed. But there will come a time when we will be able to make these ideas concrete.

The synthesis boils down to this: Addressing what the people need is where development communication and other communication schools of thought meet.

Well, that’s me holding a Student Media Congress prop. Photo from the SMC Facebook page.

 

Some SMC stuff: Certificates of participation, congress form print-out, and my delegate ID.

 

Working Title: Alpha is Less than Three

The actual manuscript of “Working Title: Alpha is Less than Three.”

A year ago, Elise had been a girlfriend of my classmate. When they were with each other, they had wonderful times and good company. They enjoyed every moment they were together. They were with each other in celebrations of joy, moments of sadness, and in simple times of their lives.

But their relationship had been scrutinized and criticized by various people in school. My fellow students felt absurdity every time they are so sweet in school, especially during vacant times. I even heard one classmate say, “My goodness! Can’t they control themselves?”

In the modern context, they were doing public display of affection. PDA. They displayed and showcased their love, and many were dismayed.

After a year, Elise and her boyfriend called it quits. They were to live separate lives starting the next school year. They would be far apart from each other. They just broke up.

For the boy, it was time for him to go back to the company of his own friends, and to find another girl, perhaps. But for Elsie, it was not that simple. She was devastated. It seemed that the world crashed on her. She was really having a hard time moving on. She could not go with the rapid flow of life. However, she knew that she had to go on. She had to go on, but she just can’t.

*****

The start of the new school year had been good for Elise’s former boyfriend. After a few days, it was like a usual school routine for him to study and to be with his friends. But for Elise, it was a different case. She always came to school wearing a sad expression that seems to say, “I have the world on my shoulders, damn it!”

“Elise is utterly sad and disappointed,” my mind thought.

She goes to school sadly. My mind sighs every time that happens. That cycle went on for days and weeks. Until I became concerned. It was surprising for me to see a school girl with a sad face everyday as if she bore all the problems in the world. For me, her sad expressions were telling my conscience that she needs help, that she is a girl who needs a shoulder to lean on.

When I thought of asking Elsie her problems in an attempt to give an advice, I told myself, “No. She may say I am interfering in her personal life. And anyways, Elsie has so many friends to tell her problems.” But it turned out I was actually wrong. Her friends would just shrug off every time she tells her problems. She indeed had to have somebody who would listen to her.

*****

One day, during our break, I went to Elsie.

“Is everything alright?” I asked.

“No,” she replied.

“”Why?”

“I really can’t go on!” She then starts to be teary-eyed.

“But you have to, Elsie. You have to move on.”

“You see, it seems that he would like to be with me again.”

Right there, I realized that her ex-boyfriend was just covering his pains, that he was still hurt about their break-up. Elsie then narrated to me what she considered signs that he wanted to be with her again.

“In fact,” Elsie said, “he sent a group message to our classmates saying ‘I don’t want to end it suddenly. If only we could be together again.’ You see? He wants to be with me!”

“I have a question. Did you have a proper, decent, formal break-up?” I asked.

“No,” she said.

“So, it was abrupt.”

“Yeah.” She sobbed after that.

“You have to go on, no matter how truthful it is,” I said as I tried to comfort her.

That was the start of what I thought would be a nice friendship.

*****

On another day, I went to her and asked, “What’s happening?”

“I want to talk to him, but I can’t,” Elsie said.

She continued, ” I really want to talk to him. I want to have some sort of closure between the two of us. I want to clarify things, that we should move on.”

“Don’t you like to initiate a talk?”

“Eeeeeeeee!” she exclaimed. Elsie was so hesitant. Right there I knew that the thing between the two of them will not be solved until graduation.

“For me, it should be the fellow male who should initiate the conversation for your proper closure. It would be so absurd that both of you will not be civil to each other before the end of our high school life,” I said.

“It seems, however, that he won’t start a conversation.”

“I think it’s because you are showing your hesitation. You show that you may not like to talk to him anymore, although deep inside your conscience, you want to!”

And so that was the cycle of our everyday conversation in school. She tells her problems about her past relationship, I tell advices. I thought it was quite weird: I had no experience about relationships, I have not even courted somebody, yet I give relationship – in particular, moving-on advice – to somebody. All I had was my favorite advice column and a midnight DJ show I am listening to.

*****

I thought I would just be an adviser only about her past. I was also asked about her friends.

One day, she asked me about the reason why some of her friends would just shrug off every time she needs comfort.

“I don’t know,” I simply replied.

“That’s why I’m always honest when I talk to you. You’re the only person who tells me the implications of what’s happening in my life,” Elsie said..

For me, it was quite a subliminal way of saying thanks.

For months, I have been her counselor. And for those months that have passed, I had a different feeling. Every time we talk, I had this feeling of joy. I enjoy her company. I thought perhaps it was just like the feeling of a doctor when his favorite patient visits him. But I did not subscribe to that idea. Perhaps it was just that usual feeling of having a friend.

But, no. What I was feeling was unusual. Then I asked that crazy question. Have I fallen in love with Elsie?

That question left my brain thoughtless.

______________________

POSTSCRIPT: While trying to search for scratch papers, I found four sheets of paper that contain a story. The paper’s header states “Working Title: Alpha is Less than Three,” which was probably written two or three years ago. I was quite surprised when I saw the paper. But I was more surprised in the contents of the paper. It turns out to be a short story about offering advice and falling in love. I’m not sure if this is fictional or based on true events, but most probably the former. Some parts were revised, if not deleted.

Crash

As I write this piece, I am currently in my hometown, lots of kilometers away from the university town I live in. Going back home is a good and happy thing, but two things keep me from enjoying the long weekend: I have inches of literature to review for a position paper I am working on, and I am looking after my bedridden father.

You see, my father has been a victim of a gruesome motorcycle accident weeks ago. The crash severely injured his two feet and hips, the latter being the most severely affected. His feet already went under the knife, and is currently recovering. By the end of the month, he will again undergo surgery for his damaged hips.

While an investigation was ongoing, while my father was confined at the hospital, I was stuck in my academic world: readings, quizzes, sabaw mode. Only days after the accident was I informed: my mother called me and said, “Anak, ibagak kenka ti agpaypayso: naaksidente ti amam.” [Son, let me tell you the truth: your dad met an accident.] She said she does not want me to be worried, thus, the delay in informing me about the accident.

And indeed she does not want me to be worried. Hours before writing this, everything was revealed to me. It was bothering, indeed.

Motorcycle crash. Photo from http://www.missouriinjuryattorneysblog.com

Weeks ago, while traveling southbound, and while it was raining, my father was driving a motorcycle. Right in front of him is a Manila-bound bus, which stops and goes to pick up passengers. Perhaps because of his impatience, he decided to overtake the big vehicle. However, on the northbound side, an Innova was traveling, too. Then, things happened. Slam on the Innova, slam on the bus, then, my father was lying on the street.

He was brought to the hospital in the adjacent city. A policeman called my mother, saying my father had an accident. My mother said that the policeman did not say a word about his condition: whether or not he is conscious, unconscious, or dead.

**********

There are a lot of motorcycle accidents around the nation, and sometimes, these cause fatalities. Of the 11,414 accidents reported from January-September last year, 2,788 motorcycles were involved in accidents, according to a Tempo news story. And it seems the trend is that the number of accidents is increasing.

Thank God my father is still alive, but it is very sad to see him bedridden, and, at times, in excruciating pain. This seems to be a lesson learned for him; you see, this is a case of drunk driving. For many times, we have already told him that if he is just from a drinking binge, he should not attempt to come home for his safety. Then, the accident happened.

The saying is true, indeed. Repentance always comes last.

This sounds cliche, fine. But, every driver – whether motorcycle or car, van or truck – must always be an alert and defensive driver. If you are going to drive home, better not indulge yourself in an alcohol drinking binge. Finally, drivers must follow traffic rules at all times. I think everybody knows what he/she should do while on the road.

Let me end this piece with an excerpt from sir Herdy La. Yumul’s essay Musings of a motorcycle crash survivor:

But accidents choose nobody, and no matter how good a driver you may be, you cannot expect others to be as careful. Worse, much as  you wish, you cannot always trust yourself to be as cautious as humanly possible. There are times when deep thinking distracts you, and, occasionally, your senses simply betray you. Or it could be the weather. Or the infrastructure. Or the vehicle itself.

Nakaka-asar manood ng telenovela

Andaming natutuwa sa panonood ng mga telenovela. Daytime man o primetime ang slot na iyan, andaming mga kababayan natin na nanonood.

Ngunit habang tuwang-tuwa ang sanlibutan sa mga sabunutan, sagutan at kung anik-anik sa mga telenovela, ako nama’y adwang-adwa.

Hindi naman sa ayaw ko sa soap opera genre (sa katunayan, natatandaan ko na nagagandahan ako sa istorya ng Sana Maulit Muli), ngunit sa bawat pagkakataon na nakakapanood ako ng telenovela, parang may sumasapi sa akin at gusto kong ibalibag ang telebisyon.

Kunwari, sa telenovelang Aryana, kapag naririnig ko yung conyong dalagita na nagta-tantrum o di kaya pag magkakasama silang magkakabarkada, sumisigaw na lang ako nang basta-basta. Pusang gala kayo. Nag-iinarte pa! Akala mo kung sinong maganda. Sa eksena kung saan ang bida ay nasa school paper, ang sabi ko naman, Eh insecure ka. Wala ka sa school paper. Beh!

Ah basta, pag nakikita ko ang mga conyo sa Aryana, gusto kong ibalibag ang telebisyon.

Samantala, sa Walang Hanggan, may isang pangyayaring nuknukan ang predictability. Ang DNA result kay Daniel. Negative daw. E alam naman ng sankatauhan na anak nga ni Emily si Daniel.

Negative. Nakakagulat!

At hindi lang yan. Nung bata ako, napapa-iyak ako sa mga pang-aapi nina Princess Punzalan at Gladys Reyes. Noon, sinasabi ko, Pag nakasalubong ko yang mga yan, patay sila sa akin. [Pero manghang-mangha naman ako sa pagsabog ng bus sa Mula sa Puso. Yun ang epic!]

Lagi na lang, ako’y naasar, naadwa, at nagkaka-hypoglycemic episode   umiinit ang ulo ko sa mga teleserye. Hindi ko alam kung bakit. At hindi ko alam ang lunas dito, maliban sa pagpatay ng telebisyon. Siguro kanya-kanyang trip talaga yan. Siguro, hindi nga talaga para sa akin ang mga ganyang uri ng palabas.

At diyan nagtatapos ang isang pusang galang anik sa aking buhay. I-PBB Teens mo na nga ako.

Guien, Unplugged: How I Spent a Media Blackout, er, Holiday

I’m Guien. 16.  Always on the go when it comes to getting to know the news. Avid news-talk radio listener. Grew up watching Noli de Castro greeting “Magandang gabi, bayan” every weeknight at the 6 o’clock news. Reads the Inquirer or Manila Bulletin at least twice a week. Online almost all the time. Social media enthusiast. Perhaps a news and information addict. Opinionated tweep.

Suffice it to say that I am plugged to information and social media almost all the time. As I type this, I have five Facebook tabs on my Firefox, the Twitter app Tweetdeck is on and running, and I am listening to a letter-sending segment on a transistor radio that was bought in preparation of typhoon Juan a few years ago.

But one day, a challenge came, a challenge that involves my information and social media habits, a challenge that forces me to go away from my Facebook, my Twitter, my copy of the Inquirer, and even to my ever-reliable transistor radio.

This is my story. This is me, unplugged.

Frustrations

I have to admit, I had frustrations on the challenge, which is actually a part of a study being conducted by our college. Unplugged: the 24-Hour Challenge is a part of a research being conducted by the UPLB College of Development Communication where participants must not in any way listen to the radio, watch TV and other forms of video, read magazines and newspapers, text and call, use the computer, play in various consoles, play music in an iPod or any player for that matter, and open social media and internet.

While I can live without social media and Internet (especially during typhoons and academic hardwork nights), I had this one specific frustration. “Okay na sana, e. Bawal ang Internet, bawal ang cellphone, bawal ang TV, okay na okay na yun, e. Pero pati ba naman radyo at dyaryo?” said my raging mind. Yes, it’s fine with me to have no Internet and TV all day long but to deprive me of print media and radio access would perhaps make me insane, for these two things are so special to me; I started reading the papers when I was still a first grader, while it is through radio that I learned Ilocano and where my ambition to become a broadcast journalist came into my mind. Also, newspapers and radio are still considered primary sources of news and entertainment in rural provinces like Ilocos Norte.

Before media holiday, or blackout

The day before the media holiday was great. That day, I just arrived in my hometown, the City of Batac, from Los Baños. My family went to the mall located at the next town, and after the malling experience, I went immediately to the computer to have my final dose of social media and Internet. I argue that my Internet dosage that day was insufficient.

I vividly remember the last video that I watched before shutting down the computer at 11.59pm. It was a teaser for Mister and Miss Devcom 2012. Since the media holiday is devcom-related, I thought that the last thing that I see before 12.01am must be devcom-related as well.

The blackout

It was 12.24pm when I decided to make a memo to myself. I was supposed to write that self-memo in a whiteboard. However, there were still scribbles in the board, which date back almost a year ago. What caught my attention was my English project plan. The board shouts,

Elizabethan Sonnet ending: You should have been my haven; Unfortunately, you are taken.

Cinquains.

Mini-saga theme: No matter what happens, we’ll just be friends. Kasi torpe ako.

I reflected and became bothered. Was I really that emotional? Or was this my first miserable attempt on love-related literary works disguised as an English project? I remember that I have classmates back in high school who were not as good as excellent students when it comes to English and Filipino but were actually able to make good poems about love and heartbreaks. [I had a random-thought post about it before.]

After erasing those scribbles and writing my self-memo, I reflected yet again. I vividly remembered how I was falling for that girl who happened to be a debate teammate back then. I still don’t know why I liked her. Is that love in abstract form? I also suddenly remembered that I attempted to write a novel about my interest to her. I was able to write two chapters. Unfortunately, after a few months, the Microsoft Word file containing the two chapters was corrupted.

I was then tempted to get my cellphone and play After the Love has Gone by Earth, Wind and Fire. But I remembered it was a media blackout day. Sigh. I just sang it by myself. It’s good it did not rain. I then went to dreamland.

I woke up at 12.19nn. I thought it was going to be a lazy day when I suddenly remembered that I have to go to the City Health Office in order for me to have my interview schedule fixed. My mother was also forcing me to have my hair cut. These mean that I have to go to sentro [this is how Ilocanos call what Batangeños and Los Bañoseños call bayan], where I would be surely exposed to media. My mind was asking, How the heck would I avoid media today when I’m going an area where media is abundant?

At 1.02pm, I have realized that I was not able to print the final set of questions for the expert interview for DEVC11. That means I have to use the computer. That means that I have to violate the media blackout. I’m dead, said my blacked out mind. But it’s for an emergency and thus I suppose the reason is valid.

It was almost 1.35pm when my mother and I arrived at the sentro. The hair salon where we were supposed to have my haircut had its telly on. I’m dead, again, my mind shouted. My hair cutter was not around, and so we have to wait for him to arrive. However, since I have to get to my scheduling immediately, we decided to transfer to another salon instead. “Okay lang ma kahit saan, pare-pareho namang naka-on ang TV sa mga yan. Pare-parehong mawawasak ang (no-media day) ko” I told mom.

After having my haircut, at 2.52pm, I went to the City Health Office to have my interview with the city’s head health officer set. After that scheduling, my mom and I decided to have a snack at an eatery.

I arrived home at 3.51pm. I immediately grabbed my no media day diary (which actually consists of scratch long bond papers) and wrote the events that transpired while I was away from home. I also took time to read what I have already written. What took my interest was a self-reflection note about my first love and my attempt to write a novel about it. Right there I decided to write again that novel that I loved to write back then.

Right away, I took pieces of paper and a sign pen and started to write my story. My writing involves lots of reminiscing and nostalgia, for the story happened three years ago. I remembered everything that I had to do just to impress that girl, or should I say, I remembered everything that my classmates dictated in order for me to impress that girl. In fact, I have already written a blog post about it years ago, and that post would have helped me in my writing. Unfortunately, though, I am not supposed to surf the net until the next day. Now the reminiscing went a bit hard.

The whole night then consisted of novel writing. The product was a 10-page, five-chapter draft. Quite a good start, perhaps.

However, writing all night long was quite boring. I had my own deliver-me-from-the-computer moments that night, for I was tempted to turn on the computer and login to Facebook. I would just resist. But later on, the silly me decided to turn on the computer. I just fell and died, my mind screamed. Later on, I decided to shut it off.

Then the clock struck 12 midnight. My mind and heart were shouting joy as the 24-hour challenge had ended.  When the challenge was already over, I immediately watched Family Guy episodes online. Of course, there are still the typical standby Facebook and Twitter tabs. Yes, I do think that facing the computer, getting a glimpse of social media, and watching Family Guy would be a good way of getting back from today’s technology- and information-centered civilization.

Reflections

The whole media blackout day was just like living in the Amish County in one Family Guy episode. No technologies, no media; just plain life.

The 24-day media challenge was indeed a challenge, especially now that we live in a society where news just breaks anytime and is told immediately on radio and even on Twitter, where knowing one’s life can be done simply through Facebook, and where one has freedom to write, post and tweet what’s happening or what’s on his mind.

The turn of the century has been an era of technology; Internet emerged, news coverage became more aggressive than ever, social media became a channel for connection between people, and radio was (and is still) struggling to get its listeners back as they now subscribe to new media such as computers and even smartphones and tablets. No doubt this generation is now immersed in technology, and it seems that every single person in this generation cannot live without a cellphone at one hand and a mouse in the other.

Information can arrive anytime. I remember the news that Osama Bin Laden died; I knew about it through a news channel’s breaking news bulletin. I was aware of the Japan earthquake last March through Twitter. I knew through Facebook that two of my classmates broke up when the guy changed his relationship status to single. The fast pace of information causes us to be attached to various channels that give us information, such as radio, television, cellphones, and the Internet. This attachment will always be the salt that will make the cut with technology hurtful. Thus, the challenge being so hard for me.

I say that in today’s era, a media blackout would be impossible, unless the president declares martial law or all broadcasting facilities, publication offices, and servers are attacked by nuclear bombs and missiles. Now, it really seems that we cannot avoid being exposed in media, for there are radios and televisions anywhere, and almost everything can be seen, read and watched by clicking a few buttons and links. It is not questionable, however, that if you don’t have a transistor radio, you are really immersed in a media blackout during electricity-cutting typhoons.

Not Thinking Before Clicking

GMA News' responsible social media campaign is right: Think before you click. Photo from GMA News.

GMA News’ responsible use of social media campaign said it best: Think before you click.

We have to use social media responsibly. We can’t just compromise our and other people’s dignity through social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. We have to watch the words that we shoutout and the photographs that we tag.

Just this weekend, I have seen social media users who were did not use social media responsibly. They did not think before they click.

On October 23, Nonito Donaire had his boxing fight against Omar Narvaez. Everybody was attached to their television when ABS-CBN’s via satellite, tape-delay telecast was airing. Twitter accounts that bring breaking news are expected to bring the latest about the fight. ABS-CBN News Channel’s Twitter account (@ANCALERTS) broke the news of Donaire’s victory.

ANC breaking the news of Nonito Donaire's victory via its Twitter account.

Being somebody who monitors news regularly, I highly appreciate ANC’s move to break the news. As I was watching via live stream instead of the tape-delay broadcast, I tweeted Donaire’s victory at the same time ANC tweeted the news. Also, being a news channel, ANC has to use various media to being breaking news and developing stories.

However, there are some people who had the guts to criticize ANC for bringing the breaking news, not thinking that [1] @ANCALERTS is a news tweeter, and [2] the ABS-CBN broadcast that they are watching are delayed.

Two Twitter users criticized ANC for breaking the news. One user said, “Spoiler! #boo”. Another user was much worse. He said, “Para kang tanga! Di man lang hinintay matapos sa TV eh. Tanga mo!” Where in the world would you see people criticizing a news channel’s Twitter account because it brought breaking news [which it has to do]?

After tweeting Donaire's victory, two users criticized ANC. One user even went the extra mile.

@ANCALERTS calmly responded to the tweets of these people who did not think before clicking. They told them that Twitter is bringing news real time. ANC even gave them a piece of advice: “It’s best to stay offline to avoid spoilers on any sports news.”

ANC calmly responded to Twitter users who criticized them for tweeting Donaire's victory.

I was very disappointed to see tweeps criticizing a news channel’s Twitter account for bringing a breaking sports news. Being a news channel, ANC, and other news organizations for that matter, have to use various media aside from television to bring the latest and breaking news. A news channel’s Twitter account is useless if it does not break developing stories into its audiences. To criticize them for breaking news is very ridiculous.

Because of this event, I opted to tweet the following.

I tweeted this after criticisms were throwed to ANC.

After tweeting the aforementioned tweet, @ANCALERTS sent me a simple tweet of appreciation. It was good to hear from the ABS-CBN News Channel.

ANC sent me a tweet, thanking me for following them.

Now this one is somewhat personal. On October 22, finalists of Pilipinas Got Talent performed on stage at the Ynares Sports Center. Many tweeps are tweeting about the grand finals using the hashtag #PGTgrandfinals. The hashtag trended number 1 nationwide and was able to reach worldwide trending status.

When it was time for the judges to say what they have to say about Synergy’s performance, Kris Aquino said that she interpreted their performance as the process of cross-pollinization. Spelling check. Yes, there is no such thing as cross-pollinization. It’s pollination.

Many people have tweeted about this wrong remark. I have also tweeted about what the Presidential sister has stated on nationwide television.

My tweet after Kris Aquino said cross-pollinization.

Well, you might say that I did not think before I click in this situation. I do understand that people make mistakes; I make mistakes, you make mistakes, we make mistakes. However, this one would be somewhat controversial because of the fact that it’s Kris Aquino, a very popular celebrity, who made this mistake. Remember, in social media, we are free to air our own opinions, for as long as we do not go beyond the line. The line “#sugodmgaBioprof! Kris Aquino is teaching wrong Biology!” may be used in this context: Kris Aquino is a very influential person in the Philippines. Whatever she says would mark. Magmamarka ang kahit anong sabihin niya, whether it’s right or wrong. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that.

Being a student, I am keen when it comes to scientific or mathematical terms being aired on the television or radio and published on mass media [despite the fact that I do not really like mathematics and sciences at times]. Thus, the tweet.

However, I have received a tweet coming from user Kris Aquino Fan Page (@MsKrisAquino), which is not the official Twitter account of the Presidential sister herself [her Twitter account is @itsmekrisaquino; the former user name is, according to its description, the official fanpage of Ms. Aquino], which, I strongly argue, is very bad PR [public relations].

If the tweet indeed comes from the official fan page of Kris Aquino, then THIS is bad PR.

But wait, there’s more! I have backread the tweets of this user, and it is doing really bad PR.

It was not just me who was attacked; more people were attacked.

I admit, others went overboard about Kris Aquino’s cross-pollinization statement. One user even called her tanga, which, I believe, is uncalled for. However, the case here is that the official Kris Aquino fanpage Twitter account is doing really bad PR. When you are the official fanpage of a celebrity, you still have to be good to supporters and be tolerant about criticisms. There will always be criticisms, but you do not handle criticisms like this. They still have to learn about handling criticisms they see through social media.

I highly appreciate ANC’s calm response to those who criticized their breaking news tweet about Donaire’s win, but Kris Aquino fanpage’s response is something to be really disappointed about.

Now, it is a reminder to all of us: think before you click. Let us use social media responsibly.

***********

EXTRA: Here are two episodes of the very brilliant Word of the Lourd about social networking etiquette. While I somehow disagree on what Lourd de Veyra pointed out regarding usage of Twitter, his remarks on Facebook etiquette hit the bull’s eye.

(Under)Development Essay Series: Si Aling Florsephina

[PRESCRIPT: The (Under)Development Essay Series is my series of essays that will tackle development and underdevelopment from my perspective as a development communication student.]

Kung ikaw ay mapapagawi sa Lopez Ave. sa Los Baños, makikita niyo ang isang matandang babaeng may hawak na payong. Sa twuing may dadaan sa kanyang harapan, iniaabot niya ang kanyang kamay sa nagdaraan upang humingi ng kaunting tulong.

Noong ako’y nag-review para sa UPCAT noong summer 2010 sa LB, nakikita ko siya palagi malapit sa pasukan ng carpark ng Robinsons. Magmula noong panahong iyo, may mga tanong na sa isip ko ukol sa babaeng iyon. Paano kaya siya namumuhay? May mga kamag-anak pa ba siya? Hindi kaya siya nahihirapan sa kanyang kalagayan?

Sa aming DEVC 10 recitation class, pinagdadala kami ng larawan na nagpapakita ng underdevelopment. Isang araw bago ang recit, napagdesisyunan kong humanap mismo ng isang situwasyon ng kahirapan o kakulangan ng pag-unlad sa paligid ng Los Baños, at napagdesisyunan kong kunan ng larawan ang babaeng pulubi sa Lopez Ave.

Matapos ko siyang kunan ng larawan, muling lumutang sa aking isipan ang mga katanungang tinatanong ko sa sarili ko noong nagre-review ako. Kung kaya’t, sa unang pagkakataon, kinausap ko ang matanda.

Ang mga larawang aking kinunan.

Siya ay si aling Florsephina, 74 na taong gulang. Maga-apat na taon na siyang namamalimos sa gilid ng Lopez Avenue. Tatlong taon lamang ang nakalipas noong namatay ang kanyang ina. Bago naging pulubi, tumutulong siya sa kanyang ina sa paglalabada at pagtitinda ng inihaw na mais sa palengke. Ngunit sa paglipas ng panahon, siya ay tumanda; hindi na niya kayang magbuhat ng mga mabigat na gamit. Dahil dito, upang makapag-ipon pa rin ng pera, nagdesisyon siyang mamalimos sa kalsada.

Wala siyang natitirang kamag-anak. Wala siyang asawa’t anak. Ngayon, siya ay nakatira sa isang kubo sa bundok. Kada araw, mula ika-7 ng umaga hanggang ika-4 ng hapon, siya ay naka-upo sa isang poste, humihingi ng kaunting tulong.

Nang aking tanungin kung may nararamdaman siyang sakit sa kanyang katawan. aniya, siya ay rinarayuma na, ngunit kinakaya pa ring tumungo sa Lopez Ave. upang mamalimos. Dahil sa pabago-bagong panahon ng LB, tinanong ko kung hindi ba siya nahihirapan na siya ay sala sa init, sala sa lamig sa kada araw na namamalimos siya. Malambot niyang sinagot, “Nanghihina na ako, anak. Ngunit dahil kailangan pa ring mag-ipon ng pera dahil ako’y matanda na…”

Nakalulungkot isipin na may mga matatandang namamalimos, kahit na alam na nila sa sarili nila na nanghihina na sila. Mapagtatanto natin na ang dahilan kung bakit sila ganito ay dahil sa mahirap sila, at mahirap sila dahil hindi nakarating sa kanila ang mga magandang epekto ng kaunlaran. Kumbaga, (ito ang aking sinasabi kapag pinag-uusapan ang problematique map), it ends up on poverty.

Marami pang mga aling Florsephina sa Pilipinas. Maraming namamalimos dito sa ating bansa dahil hindi sila inabutan ng kaunlaran. Sa susunod na apat na taon ko bilang mag-aaral ng Kolehiyo ng Komunikasyong Pangkaunlaran sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Los Baños, nawa’y matuto ako kung paano makatutulong ang komunikasyon sa pag-unlad ng bawat Pilipino.

At heto ang larawang aking ipinakita sa mga kaklase. Ito ang aking pinili sapagkat ipinapakita nito ang seklusyon ng mga nakaluluwag at mga naghihirap.

PDA, The Office and The Streamers

[PRE-SCRIPT: About the main topic of this post, I do not aim to throw stones about the matters that I am going to say. It’s not criticism, either. Kung may matamaan man, pasensya po. This is just my opinion. If you want to comment, it’s okay.]

You never know when love comes. You never know when the authorities attack.

Ryan, Elsa, Nardo, and Ces [not their real names] are very close, mutual friends. Ryan is a handsome guy and Elsa is a silent yet intellectual gal. Nardo is a computer geek and Ces is a graceful artist. They are very sweet outside the school. They have nice moments together. They listen to beautiful music together. They enjoy together. The fact that they are together make them enjoy together. All of these were quite private before.

Until they started being sweet inside the school.

Ryan and Elsa were usually on the corner of our room, settling there. Since Nardo and Ces are assigned to seat beside each other, they stay on their seats. Right in those places, they do their usual thing. Since January, it seems that their connections become better and healthier and tighter. They became quite sweeter.

The officials and some faculty members of the school have nose for these kinds of things. When it comes to these kinds of friendships, they are meticulous. When they know that there are two people who build connections among themselves, the people involved would go to the authorities [not the police, that’s for sure; I think you know what I mean] and try to explain what happened. Then, life would go back to normal. Like a stage play or any other performance, it must go on.

Sometime in February, a few teachers were starting to notice that Ryan and Elsa were getting closer. Thus, they were called at the office of one of the top officials of the school to discuss this matter. What both sides said? I have no idea.

The same fate also happened to Nardo and Ces, but when that happened to them, Ryan and Elsa were also called. Someone informed the authorities that they stayed in a classroom, doors closed. Since they are very meticulous about this stuff, they went again. This event made Ces quite depressed. Of course, who would not feel comfortable if someone confronts you about it?

One of my classmates raised this argument: it was not stated in the commitment that we signed when we entered in our school that students cannot have mutual or very close friends. Yes, from a debater’s point of view, it’s valid, and it is justifiable. That thing is not stated indeed in the commitment. If it was stated, of course, everyone would follow it.

Here is the bottomline about the case of Ryan, Elsa, Nardo, and Ces. Teenage stage of life is a crucial [and dangerous] one. Friendships and relationships flourish in this stage, and these are private matters. As much as possible, no third party must interfere about it. No one expects a teacher or a high official of the school to try to invade such stuff. Parents may talk about it with their children; however, if this is the case, I don’t know what is. I understand that these four students are in a part of life that they may enjoy or regret. I understand the things about their connections with each other.

High school love my one high school love; Not infatuation or crush; Tunay ‘to s’ya ang buhay ko; Di n’yo lang alam ako’y nagba-blush.

-Sharon Cuneta, ‘High School Life’

The teachers and authorities, however, have a valid point as well. We know teachers as people who have “been there, done that”. They have lots of experience about life, while we are still starting the journey. They guide us to have a better and brighter future. They can tell us that it’s not advisable to have mutual friendships at an early age. They can tell us that we still have much time. They say that we shall put our priorities. We should prioritize studies, they say.

“Donde tu vas, ya yo fui, me sente, me tome una soda, y regrese” (translation: “Where you’re going I already went, sat down, had a soda and returned”).

-Judge Marilyn Milian, The People’s Court

Both sides have valid points. The four students think that no one should interfere with their friendship. The teachers say it’s not the proper time. However, the students are not purely right. The teachers and authorities are not purely right either. The truth, the right is at the middle.

The way to solve this, I don’t know. Consult Charo Santos or file a case on Judge Milian’s court.

*****

On The Other Side: In our school gate, there are two politically-related streamers. At the left side of the gate, you’ll see a congratulatory streamer from a set of politicians. On the other side, you’ll see a story of a known political figure in the province about a candidate. [sigh] Election fever.

I have nothing against these posters. It’s just that the election fever is spreading everywhere, it even reached our school! School gate, to say the least.

Prom: It’s for What?

Many of my classmates tell me that their parents are much more excited for the Junior-Senior Promenade than them. Someone told me that he/she [I’m not going to tell the gender of my classmate, thus, he/she] will try to escape during the prom because he/she does not want to attend in the prom. I am excited for the prom.

It seems that only a few students are excited for this very special and important [according to elderly] event in the school. In the first place, what is this for.

Unfortunately, I still cannot find the definite answer to this, however, I found something that may help in answering the question. “Common prom activities include (but are not limited to) dining, dancing, the crowning of a prom “king” and “queen,” and socializing,” Wikipedia says.

Proms help the juniors and seniors get to know each other. For socialization, indeed. This helps in strenghtening the ties between the graduating batch and the juniors. During the promenade, the juniors and seniors can talk, dance and dine together.

Dancing… [sigh, then smiles] one of the main things in a prom. You get to dance your friends, colleagues, and –  if you want – your crush. A couple can also dance with each other through the night. On a male’s point of view, inviting someone to have a dance is a nice chance to have a wonderful time with her. On a female’s point of view, you’ll be conscious. It’s self-explanatory.

Can proms be places to make the so-called “first move”? It can be. I remember what my classmates said during the sophomore year: if you like someone, the best time to tell it is during the prom. When you cannot say your feelings in an ordinary school day, some say just say it during the prom. However, if you have very strict teachers, probably you can’t.

It’s okay not to be excited for the promenade. If you are thinking that proms are just useless and a waste of time, you’re wrong. With this very special event, you’ll be socializing and dancing together with upper classmen. Quite a good idea, isn’t it?

MMSU elementary, high schools integrated; LHS-Laoag principal heads IULS

[NOTE: This is the news story that I wrote for the school paper of MMSU Science High School The Mahogany.]

The Laboratory High School – Science Curriculum, Laboratory High School Laoag, and the Laboratory Elementary School are now joining forces to form the Integrated University Laboratory Schools (IULS) of the Mariano Marcos State University. 

            Prof. Myrna G. Sacro, LHS-Science Curriculum principal, explains that the integration means that the basic education units of the university will be under one supervisor. 

            “[We are] integrated in a sense that we are under one head and he will supervise two high schools and one elementary school,” Prof. Sacro said. 

            The laboratory schools of the university serve as a training ground for teachers-to-be, or student teachers. 

IUHS existence before 

            The Integrated University High Schools existed before and was composed of Batac, Laoag, Paoay, Currimao, and Dingras campuses, but it was abolished during the administration of Dr. Saturnino Ocampo. 

            In an interview, MMSU’s Vice-President for Academic Affairs Dr. Epifania Agustin explained to The Mahogany the former Integrated University High Schools. 

            “Meron na [ang Integrated University High Schools] before. It was formerly under the direct supervision of one director. Then some of the high schools were turned over to DepEd (Department of Education).The basis for retention of the High School Departments in Batac and Laoag is that they are going to serve as laboratory schools to College of Agriculture and Forestry and College of Teacher Education, respectively,” she said. 

            The Batac campus of the University High Schools served as laboratory school for BS Home Technology students of CAF while the Laoag campus is the laboratory school for Bachelor in Secondary Education students of CTE. 

Under one head 

            Prof. Vicente Trinidad, Laboratory High School – Laoag principal was designated as the director of the new Integrated University Laboratory Schools. He is expected to supervise the elementary and high schools of the university. 

            “[Being under one head] is okay because if we are under one supervision, all activities, rules and regulations, and policies could be more or less the same [for the high schools],” Prof. Sacro said. 

            The LHS-SC principal also stated that there will be more efficient management of elementary and high schools because of the integration. 

            “Common policies would be easier for us because our director is really from the high school,” she added. 

Changes may happen 

            Both Prof. Sacro and Dr. Agustin are not sure about definite changes in LHS and LES, however, they told The Mahogany that there may be changes.  Prof. Sacro said that the LHS-SC administration is trying to revise the retention policies in the school. 

            “So far, wala pa naman, except for competitions. There will be no more LHS-Batac and LHS-Laoag teams,” Dr. Agustin said. 

            She explained that it seemed that the two high schools of the university compete with each other during contests, and to end the “competition” between these two schools, the schools shall send a “University team” – coming from both Laoag and Batac campuses. 

            When asked if there is a possible conflict on the participations of MMSU High Schools, especially during DepEd-sponsored activities – wherein LHS Laoag and Batac are not located in the same DepEd divisions, Dr. Agustin said: “That is a management issue and it shall be solved by the administration.”