Being a Busy Bum

My last entry here is dated October 26. That is like not blogging for a decade for most of the bloggers. I even missed a single blog for the month of November!

I admit that I haven't been blogging for a while.I miss my blog, my space, my crib online. I have been busy lately with so many things. My thesis has taken a lot of time from me, and I can't blame it because I am now in my crucial stage in my undergraduate life. Crucial because it is the determining factor if I will gradute or not. As of now, the College Secretary's Office of the College of Mass Communication has not released the list of candidates for graduation yet. I am not excited about it, I am more excited to graduate.

In connection to graduation (or maybe what comes after graduation), before I blog this entry, I was looking at a certain online job searching engine or a website that lets you search and apply for job. It's crazy because until now I still do not know what to do after graduation. I know that I shouldn't thik about this until I am really graduating this April but I think that I have to start searching for a job next month, this is to assure me of a job after graduation.

Anyway, LAE is coming and I am still unsure whether or not to take it this year. I was already convinced not to take it but because I still do not know what to do after graduation, taking it next month is still inviting.

BJ 101 Midterms: Another 'real-world' experience

If there is another thing I love being a broadcast communication student here in UP Diliman is the exposure that I get and the hardcore training that the College of Mass Communication gives to its students. Just like this morning when our Broadcast Journalism 101 class covered a 'not-story-for-journalists' event which is the Quezon City Day.

Last night we received a text message from our professor, Ma'am Mae Anne Los Banos regarding the time that we should be at the UP CMC today for our midterms. And here is here message via SMS:

Guys, lets meet at 7AM tomorrow, CMC. Latecomers will merit (an) automatic 5.0. Goodluck on your midterms! =>maeannelosbanos

Being afraid of getting an automatic 5.0, everyone was already there at the CMC except for Ara who came a bit late, thanks that Ma'am Mae Anne was greeted by her students in the previous semesters.

We were briefed for the midterms and that I expected to cover a market story since she said before that she is not so happy with the QC Day story. So I researched on market news and events on the net upon waking up. Then, during the briefing, she said that we will cover the QC Day and we must be back there at 9:30 AM. We need to finish by 12 or else, the last reporter gets a five.

We ran, and competed for taxi. However my partner Ja, with Mhai and Mark, got the last cab and waited for minutes before having one. We arrived at the QC Hall. We moved to the QC Memorial Circle upon knowing form the guards that all the employees and officers are at the circle for the Wreath-Laying Ceremony.

I saw a lot of sectors offering flowers at the Memorial Circle where the former president is buried. I saw some DeMolays on their robes and dad masons with their aprons.

On gathering the data for my news, I found it hard, really hard to be in a situation or in an event where there are a lot of things to write. But I focues ona certain angle and that is on the security of the event.

I got the chance to see the significant people of the city and some officials in different offices. I just want to thank the police officials for being helpful. To Deputy Police Chief Inspector Richie Claraval.

We got back at CMC at ecatly 9:30. I picked the 12th number over 17 reporters. I was really amazed with my classmates who made great angles on the event. Keith, a sophomore journalism student and a Kule staff, made a unique angle on the irony of the speech of Mayor Herbert Bautista wherein he spoke English where in fact, Quezon is the father and prime-mover of the lengua franca of the country, the Filipino.

I was happy with my news. And I got positive feedbacks from Ma'am mae Anne. She siad she liked my angle.

Internship: First week

Since my bosses are having a meeting right now, I got the opportunity to tweet, to check my e-mail, and also to blog! Thanks to ma'am Grace for letting me use her computer and access the internet. :) Honestly, I kind of happy with my relationship with my bosses here at Weber Shandwick, however the job that I am doing is not what I really expected of doing and I hope I will learn to really love what I am doing here. I am praying that my supervisor will give me more challenging job wherein I can learn broader about the facets of public relations and in return for me to make this internship program an avenue where I can apply the knowledge that I learned in school.

Cheers to UP Web Scholar Ma'am Data

Ma'am Data told me this afternoon while we were walking downstairs that she made it to Fulbright Scholarship! Until now, my heart beats with joy whenever I think how she told me. She liked whispered it to me and she said that I am the first to know because I also applied in Fulbright, and she's on her way then to Dean Roland to tell him the great news.

Stolen shot of Ma'am Data while discussing the 

program for our Interactive Broadcasting class.

MY FULBRIGHT APPLICATION
It was through Ma'am Data that I learned about this Fulbright program offered last year wherein I applied but did not make it to the final round of panel interview. (To read my experience and to check some photos during the interview, please click here.) I also asked Ma'am Data to recommend me to the scholarship program since she has been my professor on that semester. She agreed and I read her recommendation for me and it was really touching. Upon knowing the result of my application, I told it to her and shared my experience during the interview. She told me that she is also applying, and I got so excited for her because I already know that she would make it- knowing her research interest, her background, and her recent researches and even her thesis on the web.

NEW MEDIA LITERACY
I believe that our classes with Ma'am Data like our BC 148 (Interactive Broadcasting) and Comm 150 (New Media Culture) have the first of a kind classes in the College of Mass Communication. It is about the recent developments of the Web as applied in broadcasting and in media. Even the some of the topics were not easy to grasp, Ma'am Data makes it easier for us to comprehend better and to apply these terms in our cases. It is because of her why I would like pursue a program or a curriculum study on the new media to be included in the college.

THESIS IT!
It is also because of Ma'am Data and another Fulbright scholar Ma'am Betsy why I am pursuing my present thesis topic. I love these professors and they do inspire me a lot in my studies. Most professors say that when you select a thesis topic, it should be the one topic that you really love and passionate about. In my case, it's not only the topic that I am in love with and passionate about, but also the people who are behind the wonders of this idea. When Ma'am Data cracked the news to me, the second thing that came into my mind is my thesis adviser. Since Ma'am Betsy will not be around next semester due to her Fulbright research grant, Ma'am Data is the nearest adviser I can choose for my topic because online is her forte. So I told her who will be my adviser for my thesis? She said that the scholarship will be on October 2012 and by that time, I hope, I am already done with my thesis and already graduated, too.

Because she's so cool and awesome, like that.

I wish you all the best, Prof. Data Tolentino-Canlas, Ph.D.!

‘Pay It Forward’ in the Context of Media Profession

            The movie Pay It Forward (2000) is about a young kid who tries to fulfil his assignment in his 7^th-grade Social Studies class. The assignment is for the students to give an idea on how they can change the world and the additional challenge is for them to put it into action. Upon knowing this, and also knowing the title of the film, it gave me already a clue on how the story will revolve but I just kept it myself. I think this idea of their professor is, and I agree to the students, weird. You cannot blame me on this argument- knowing the people in the United States who are very individualistic, and putting it into the Philippine context- knowing the Filipinos who are not far with the Americans on that particular trait, it is impossible to think of an idea that will have a domino effect in the society.

            The film made me realized how important it is to be positive and be faithful in your philosophy or on the movement you want to start. With Trevor’s determination to not only have an assignment but also to really put that assignment into action has created a domino effect- as seen in the society which is presented in the film- and the goodness of people within them has emphasized. My expectation with the film turned out to be untrue. I did not expect that the main character who served as the main catalyst for the movement will die in the end of the film. It only shows that a sacrifice is needed to have more impact on the society which can be likened to a wakeup call for the people.

            As a broadcast communication major and as someone who sees himself in the field of public affairs and public relations industry, I think that it is really hard to be optimistic on creating societal change, but I think and hope that it is still possible. The film moved me in such a way that it made me think that I can use the available resources such as the media which I am into for me to reflect the goodness of people, too and to encourage them to continue the movement of paying it forward.

            I remember some of the insights of my professors here in the College of Mass Communication on their opinions on how to be of service to the Filipino people while being in the profession of media. Journalism professor Luis Teodoro emphasizes that maintaining the ethics in the practice of journalism is a simple move yet it can go way beyond the pages of newspapers and the ink of pens. Broadcast journalist and professor Mae Ann Los Baňos emphasizes that we should always maintain the objectivity of the news we are reporting. Although the official publication of the U.P. Diliman which is the Philippine Collegian, believes that biases are made to unmask the issues faced by U.P. students.

            The U.P. Broadcast Department believes that the Philippine media particularly the television and the radio need an overhaul when it comes to the programming and content. This is what motivates me and inspires me in my course, and that is to changing the system in the current flow of media in the country from within and hopefully reflecting the outcome to the audiences and for them to also continue the crusade; and I see this as my contribution ‘pay-it-forward’ movement to the Filipino people who have in any way funded my education here in the University of the Philippines. 

This is a class requirement in BC 196 under Prof. Angelo Palmones, 1st Sem 2011-2012. This entry has been revised for this blog. No self plagiarism intended.

Happy birthday Ma'am Betsy!

At first I thought that she is another hybrid of terror professor in UP. I used to think that because of her beauty, she has all the rights in the world to be bitchy. But I was wrong. She is the total opposite.

She is this motherly and sometimes kabarkada professor you'll ever meet in UP. She's the only professor wherein she lost her voice for a class lecture, but went through it using a laptop and a monitor- that's how creative and resourceful this professor is!

And to this awesome and great professor, HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ma'am Betsy!

Congratulations Josh!

I just saw Joshua Dalupang's internship portfolio (click here to see it, too) wherein he produced internationally-consumed photos! Congrats Josh! I am so amazed by his photos- as judged by my photojournalism lenses it's because I was a photojournalist way back elementary and high school and I'm a photo enthusiast now, which were used in various international media through the European Pressphoto Agency! I believe he's gonna make it far. Indeed, he's one of the UP College of Mass Communication great students, naks, Josh!

STATEMENT FROM CONCERNED ALUMNI, FACULTY, STAFF & STUDENTS OF THE U.P. COLLEGE OF MASS COMMUNICATION ON TV5’s WILLING WILLY: A Repost

STATEMENT FROM CONCERNED ALUMNI, FACULTY, STAFF & STUDENTS OF THE U.P. COLLEGE OF MASS COMMUNICATION ON TV5’s WILLING WILLY

by Gina Lumauig on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 8:52pm

We, the concerned alumni of the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication, faculty, staff and students, CONDEMN the continued exploitation and abuse of children on television, the continued apathy of sponsors and media owners, and the outright insensitivity of television (in the guise of entertainment), of their hosts, writers, producers.

We are not here to teach our children that it is perfectly fine to take advantage of, exploit, use and abuse them just to be able to earn, without sweat, money from someone who disgustingly brandishes cold cash and material things, to entice audience and viewers, to taunt and laugh at those willing to be taunted and laughed at. We are not here to ALLOW advertisers, sponsors, media owners, to use US, the public and citizens, to enrich themselves by coming out with TRASH television.

Media should be accountable to the public and its citizens, not to the owners and their stakeholders.  Success is measured not by the profits it has earned but by serving the public interest – which is to promote active citizenship through information, education and social integration.

Television audiences are continually being shown a “vast wasteland” of programming, and commercial broadcasting is in effect squandering the public’s airwaves, and we want to put a stop to that.  We are aware that the Market Model in Media is what prevails in broadcast television, where advertisers provide most revenues for the networks, where the bottom line is always profits and where they look at the audience as mere consumers who should buy the products of the advertisers, instead of citizens who should be given quality television. We want to put a stop to that.

We therefore urge TV5 management to re-think their position on entertainment television, to take the high road and choose quality content over crass commercialism, all at the expense of the public. 

We call on the advertisers of this show to pull out their ads immediately.

We call on the public to BOYCOTT the products of the sponsors who refuse to pull out of this show. The temerity of the host to say that those advertisers who pull out will “suffer” is proof that his supposed apology was not genuine and was made only as PR damage control.

We call on the public to be more vigilant both as an audience and as a consumer.

We call on appropriate agencies concerned (KBP, MTRCB, PANA, ADBOARD, DSWD, CHR) to not only slap the guilty parties on their wrists, but to make sure that media ethics and rules are strictly implemented, especially towards the protection of our children.

We adhere to the College’s vision of a society that is egalitarian, participative, and progressive through the development of media that is: -Socially responsible, critical, and vigilant; liberative and transformative; and Free and independent.

We need concrete action from our co-alumni. May those who are in these advertising companies and agencies start by convincing their principals to stop their placements.

Willie Revillame had been, on numerous counts, suspended and removed from Magandang Tanghali Bayan for being disrespectful towards young women. ENOUGH!

Willie was given another break with Wowowee and their greed for more audience and "traffic" led to the ULTRA Stampede. ENOUGH!

Still given another chance and he bit the hand that fed him and threatened the management of the network that gave him his break. ABS-CBN said ENOUGH!

Now at tv5 after another break he abuses a six year old boy. It is just right and about time to finally say that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!

We will make noise and continue to make noise. ENOUGH is ENOUGH!

122: Antolohiya ng mga Teleplay

I bought a 122 anthology this afternoon. It feels good to read such a great book! Inuuna ko pa siyang basahin kaysa sa mga kailangang readings. So worth it! Congratulations to BC 122 class of Professor Eli Guieb III! Ivy Claudio, Duncel Redulla, Rod Marmol, Kiarra Marie Vallido, at Habs Habon! Guys, I really recommend the book. Also, this book makes me more proud of being from the UP College of Mass Communication's  partment of Broadcasting.

Book cover and layout by Mark Rodel Marmol.

Retrieved here.

Kritika: A Festival of Criticisms

Poster made by Ms. Charisse Bayona

BC WEEK Poster

BC Week poster created by Ms. Charisse Bayona

BC WEEK

This is to inform everyone that the BC Dept. will hold its first BC Week on March 15-18, 2011.

On the first two days, March 15-16, we will hold the Student Colloquium titled Kritika: a festival of criticisms, featuring our BC Graduate and Undergraduate students' researches to be presented by members of the classes of Dr. Eli Guieb, Prof. Josefina Santos and Mr. Choy Pangilinan. Respective reactors from CMC, CAL and CSSP will also be part of the colloquium. This event will be held at theCMC Auditorium and subsequent simultaneous sessions at the Media Center BC Seminar Room. This colloquium is the precursor to the envisioned The Cheche Lazaro Lecture Series.

On March 17, the UP Cyberdwende Website will be launched by the Internet Communication Studies (Com 150) class of Prof. Data Canlas at 10.30am at the Broadcast Viewing Room. In the afternoon, the UPTV Online will have its premiere showing of several films collectively titled:Virgins vs. Aliens. UPTV Online is an annual project of the classes of Prof. Jane Vinculado and BC lecturer Dexter Mantes.

On March 18, the BC 122 (Scriptwriting) class of Dr. Eli Guieb will launch the first ever book on scriptwriting by the broadcast students called 122: Antolohiya ng mga teleplay at the CMC TV studio at 2.00pm.

Immediately following this book launch is the world premiere of several videos by the BC 160 (Broadcasting and Development) and the BC 197 (Ethnographic Videography) classes of Dr. Eli Guieb, also at the TV studio.

We invite you, your faculty, students, and staff to these events.

As a culminating activity for the broadcast majors, we hope to institutionalize the Broadcast Communication Week every year to close the academic year.

Please help us disseminate these event to others.

Thank you for your kind attention and assistance to make this week-long event a success.

A REPOST FROM MASKOM COUNCIL FACEBOOK ACCOUNT HERE. 

IT RAINED CATS AND DOGS: My first ten hours at P.A.W.S.

The statue located infront of the office of PAWS.

            When our professor in CWTS-2 Dr. Arminda Santiago announced in class that our 20-hour immersion will be at the Philippine Animal Welfare Society, I doubted my capacity to handle dogs and cats. I was a dog-lover before but when my favourite dog died five years ago, I never had a dog to love so I just ignore some canine in our house, while cats keep on scarring me with their paws so I never appreciated them.

Ma'am Anna of PAWS

            During the orientation held on February 7, Ma’am Anna’s statement “Walang asong gala, kung walang may aring pabaya,” really got my attention. It is indeed true, that no dogs and cats will be in the streets especially here in UP Diliman campus, if we are just responsible pet owners. And she said that Spay and Neuter is one of the solutions that can properly manage the increasing number of pets.

Ma'am Anna as she shows us around PAWS Rehabilitation Center

            I asked her during the orientation about the stand of PAWS to animals used in laboratory for scientific experiments, she answered that they are not against it as long as the 3 Rs are observed: Reduce, Replace, and Refine. She said that if you are going to use animals for experimentation, you are reducing the number of animals, therefore you need to replace it, and to refine it. Just like when cutting trees in forests, to properly keep the balance in the nature you need to replace the ones that you cut. Maybe, it’s just a cycle of life which is observed not only in tresst in the forests, but also to animals.

This is Lala as she gets Kina from the kennel.

            In PAWS, I learned so much about dogs and cats- from proper way to introduce yourself to them, to the proper way to bathe these pets. I never imagined there is such a way and manner to introduce yourself to your pets! It’s a special case since our Ma’am Armi taught me how to please cats, while a senior volunteer in PAWS named Lala taught me how to introduce myself to a dog and how to properly bathe it.

The proper way to bathe a dog: Do not wet its head first. 

           

            The afternoon right after the orientation, I came back. My first task in PAWS is bathing Kina- a dog who just underwent spay, thanks to Lala for the proper guidance on how to bathe Kina! After bathing her, I took her for a walk. She is like any other dog who likes running and playing around, but her condition keeps her some sort of uncomfortable so after 45 minutes of walking with her, I brought her back to her cage.

            After my very first task with Kina, I just opted to clean the garden in front of the place where the names of the dogs and cats who passed away are located. I thought that by doing so will make these pets happy, even in such a very simple way. And after that tiring task, I went to the cattery and saw the food bowls in the washing area, so I just grabbed the opportunity to wash those up.

This part of the PAWS Rehabilitation Center touches me most. Love is beyond life.

            I was requested by the partner of Ma’’am Anna who is an alumna of the UP Film Institute, to scoop some soaps. I did it and I was able to scoop a sack of soaps in just one sitting! Because of PAWS, I am learning so much about myself, even this skill which I also consider as a talent, perhaps.

            The second day that I visited PAWS, another senior volunteer helped me out in bathing two dogs! I am thankful to Joneca for guiding me again in bathing Boogie and Miles. These two dogs are the most energetic dogs that I have ever seen, except for my best dog friend, Chubby. After bathing the two dogs, I played around with the other dogs but I was warned that a certain dog bites so I better keep away from it. I got scared so I just transferred but Ma’am Anna requested me to do something.

            I never thought that I will literally get a headache after doing the task given by Ma’am Anna. She asked me to count cats inside the cattery and kittenery according to their colors. These cats are playful and that it has given me headache counting them. On my first try, Ma’am Anna said that she was disappointed because it was far from her record. I got frustrated so I really observed and counted the cats again. On my second try, Ma’am Anna said that it’s almost correct however her records are also questionable so she can’t really decide if I get the numbers right. So far, that’s the most difficult task that I have ever had.

            I arrived at PAWS minutes before 10 in the morning and that made me happy that I will finally complete my first ten hours and will be able to see my favourite PAWS pets again. The last hour of my first ten hours was more on cleaning and doing some errands posted on the to-do list. I cleaned the back of the Multi-Purpose Hall, the cattery, and also the enormous amphitheatre. I got so sweaty on these tasks but it’s all worth it because these pets deserve a clean surrounding. It’s just saddening to know that Ma’am Anna who served as the administrator who checks me, is absent on the day I finished my first ten hours of internship at PAWS, so I just asked the senior volunteer Kuya John to sign my immersion form.

           

            I will forever be indebted to the Philippine Animal Welfare Society and to my CWTS-2 class for instilling in me and for cultivating the love that I used to have for these wonderful pets. I will take then lessons I learned to our pets at home. I just wish my best dog friend Chubby is still alive so that I will share to him these wonderful learnings I just acquired at PAWS. To Chubby, this is for you buddy, I miss you!

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society. Be a volunteer now!

BC Week!

MARCH 15- 18, 2011

Mark those dates.

The busiest week for BC people is now approaching!
I am excited though, for the colloquium not to present therein but to finish it.
I want this semester to end immediately!
As I write this entry, I am inside my Internet Studies class and I am loving the debate herein.

Dropping no more

Maybe it is not yet my time really to drop an academic subject. I hope I won't drop any. Aside from it's a waste of money because of the tuition fee you paid for that subject, it's also not good to look at a transcript with a "DRP" as a grade, and also, as what my mom told me, my efforts will just be wasted.

This morning, I decided to wake up early and attend my supposed last day in my Broadcast Criticism class, so I arrived earlier than what I used to do in class. My partner Wang called my name as I move towards the Media Center, so I waited for her. She told me that she was already decided and that she was going to drop the subject. I told her that I am not yet sure about it. I told her that we need to wait for our professor first.

Our professor came late. When he arrived, we presented her our the blue form which is the dropping slip. He told us that he cannot convince us anymore because he already talked to us yesterday. He said he will give us another chance because even if he signs the form, the standing will still be a passing mark. He told the class about our plans and that I feel so embarrassed, but on a second thought why would I be if I have a solid reason and I believe that my point is a big argument.

So Wang and I waited until the class ended, which ended at Aldaba Hall for a talk. As we were walking towards the venue, Wang told me that she was unsure but doesn't want to drop. I told her that I also don't want to drop, seeing Sir Eli and also my professor Sir Choy as the lights that can guide me to surpass this academic tunnel.

We told our professor that we won't drop. He accepted it and that he told us that he expects so much from us being the ones who want to quit the journey.

Before today, we already consulted with him. He said that if the only reason for us to drop his subject is because we think we can't do it, then we are already judging our capabilities and that we already belittles our intelligence because as early as now, according to Sir Choy, we are already giving up. He said that if we will quit now, what more when we already have our thesis, and when we have jobs already, will we be able to tell our bosses that we cannot do it and then quit?

Sir Choy does not really know the reason why we wanted to drop. I think it is good for him to know the other reason. And I believe that it is also for our benefit to just keep it between Wang and I. At least, our religious faith is not totally damaged because of our professor.

As Tatay Louie said during our conversation with him earlier today,

 "Iba ang edukasyon dito sa UP. Matitindig ka talaga at masusubukan ang mga paniniwala at prinsipyo mo. Hindi tulad sa ibang paaralan na negosyo lang ang habol sa mga estudyante at papadaanin ka lang nila tapos graduation na. Dito hindi. Kahit na ako, maraming natutunan sa mga propesor dito."

Anyway, I do appreciate my classmates, especially Stan, Camille, Red, Yvan, Jossa, and other friends who encouraged me and Wang to not drop the course. Thanks guys!

USC and CMC-SC Elections 2011

I just casted my vote this morning. First thing I did upon arriving at the College of Mass Communication. I did not vote for a straight slate. I voted for people who I think deserve the position they are running for. Being a person who has been exposed in politics since childhood, I voted for people who really care for the students and not for individuals who just seek the office only to protect their party's name.

I opted to abstain in some positions in the college-level. It's also a mix party for me. Though, it's dominated by a particular party which I prefer not to mention. I just hope the winners for the posts will really serve the students and should not only know the real world outside the university but also the world within the college.

Hot off the Grill: The USC and CMC-SC candidates' face-off

The candidates for this year's University and college-wide elections had the chance to present themselves to the students of the College of Mass Communication this afternoon during 'Hot Off the Grill' a candidates's forum presented by the UP Mass Communicators' Organization.

UNIVERSITY-WIDE
Since I was not able to attend the meeting-de-avanse held at my dormitory, the Ipil Residence Hall, I was craving to meet these candidates. Though I was really not expecting these three political parties to be in there, all the time I thought it was only the college-based candidates who will face it off, so I wore a blue top.

Anyway, it cannot be denied that the CMC is a red-dominated college. Almost all the students herein are active with national and university issues that affect students. And maybe because the STAND-UP has a college-based party in CMC.

Alyansa, Kaisa, and STAND-UP had their own gimmicks in presenting their platforms and their slate. STAND-UP's platforms revolve mostly on the issues and I was not able to decipher their plans straightly unlike the two parties. I just found out their offers by reading their leaflets of GPOA.

Alyansa had most of their councilors present while Kaisa had the least number of attendees to the event. I am still not decided whom to vote for but one thing for sure, my ballot will be of mix parties and I won't stick to only one party.

COLLEGE-BASED
Interdependent Student Activism or ISA and the Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP- CMC have battled it up for the CMC-SC. The debate was great, it was indeed HOTTT!
I already have my Chairperson, however I still do not have a Vice Chairperson just as yet. My ballot for this will include candidates from the two parties and will not stick to one. I believe that some people in the other party deserve to win.

I have to give merit to the both party for giving us a nice show and it was indeed enlightening. I learned more about the politics within the college, the personalities of these peoples, and the college itself.

I just have to decipher more if these people deserve the positions they are aiming to have.



 

What the...

I just read the blog of Ms. Zafra http://bit.ly/fVaibq and I find the column of Robles defaming to the UP CMC Grad Comm 2011.

Official Statement of the UP CMC GradCom 2011

Official Statement of the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication Graduation Committee 2011 (UP CMC GradCom 2011) on the Manila Standard Today column “Convincing Noynoy” by Jojo A. Robles (Jan. 28, 2011)

31 January 2011

To All Concerned:

This official statement is in response to the Manila Standard Today column of Jojo A. Robles entitled “Convincing Noynoy” (http://bit.ly/fpqbZ6) published last Friday, Jan. 28, which the Committee believes to be a defamation of the College of Mass Communication, its students, and its Graduation Committee for 2011. We demand that the Manila Standard Today publish this statement in its entirety.

No actual bidding process, in the strictest sense of the word, took place for the batch’s yearbook photo studio selection. The graduating batch selected its yearbook photo studio of choice between two candidate studios. This number was determined through Committee meet-ups, as well as reasonable and meritorious consideration of objective feedback from the studios’ own clients, previous and current. The Committee declined certain studios because of their failure to meet certain deadlines and standards (professionalism: deliveries, deadlines, accessibility, quality of output) that were set to ensure efficient Committee operations.

As an ad hoc committee organized for the duration of a single academic year, the Committee reserves the right to implement its own guidelines, in this case by presenting prospective studios to the graduating batch for all students to vote upon. Although the Committee considered these studios’ packages, it was primarily negative feedback from their clients that drove the Committee to decline them. The Committee feels these are reasonable and fair standards grounded in the fundamental goal of achieving what is best for the graduating batch in the most transparent and efficient manner possible.

Moreover, the Committee did not engage in such unscrupulous deals similar to the ones it is being accused of. The closest the Committee has gotten to “wining” and “dining” are food and beverage orders that are typical in client-customer meetings and have no bearing whatsoever in the yearbook selection process. “Test shoots” are a necessary privilege, in this case, when one wants to ensure concrete basis of judgment in sealing a yearbook photo studio contract.

The assertion that the Committee excessively abused these test shoots to suit its members’ personal whims and fancies are false. The Committee only participated in three (3) test shoots, necessary to provide the graduating batch ample basis for its choice via a democratic election.

Finally, no studio has promised a car, liquor, food, or any other photo package privileges apart from those stipulated in their respective contracts of agreement that the Committee has vigilantly reviewed.

The Committee is offended by this column and believes it to be a malicious, unwarranted attack on its reputation and integrity. In light of this, the Committee, on behalf of the College of Mass Communication, demands a full published apology and retraction from Mr. Robles, no more, no less.

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF MASS COMMUNICATION
GRADUATION COMMITTEE 2011

I am an Ostrich: When my offline self meets my online self

I find the results of the Web Behavior Test interesting because it did not only narrated some features of my being a Web Ostrich but it also also made me realize that even in real my real life as a person I can say that yes, I am a web ostrich. This is a story when my true self meets my online self. 

I took the exam this morning during the discussion on our project (sorry guys) and it really took me off the discussion because I needed to focus due to an annoying tactic that the exam had- it also tested one's patience. I just got the result by now because the dormitory where I live had a technical difficulty on its WiFi connections. 

The examination results said that I am fast moving, sociable, and specialized. Now let me explain why I find the results interesting and why it really caught me from the time I registered to BBC.

Here are my descriptions according to the result of the test:

Fast-moving - We can tell from your results that you are a speedy surfer - one of the characteristics of the Web Ostrich, whose real-world counterpart has an impressive top speed of 45mph.

Sociable - The web is a social place. You take full advantage of this when you search for information by using social networks and other sites whose content is created by its users. Real-world ostriches are also highly social, even keeping eggs in each other’s nests to share the burden.

Specialised - The real-world ostrich is a true specialist, highly adapted to survive in hot, dusty African grasslands. You might not be at risk from lions when browsing the web, but you are still very focused. From your test we can tell you do best when you concentrate on one task at time, rather than several things at once. (SOURCE)

Here are my reactions to each descriptions wehrein my real self collides with my online self.

Fast-moving - I can confirm that I am this speedy person when it comes to searching stuff online particularly on academics. This is because I am eager to arrive at the results immediately. Though, the Lab Experiment may be true because most of the time I know what I am researching but sometimes, I lack the relevant information needed. In my real life, this is true. I wanted to do tasks as soon as I get them but when my mood changes and I become a procrastinator, I often lose the task given.

Sociable. Yes. This is another aspect of me which I find interesting since whether it be online or offline, I think I am sociable enough. the Lab Experiment says that I tend to spend most of the time in Social Networking Sites -which is true, and that I use the contents made by web users, too- which is also true. I believe that these trust sites are not only significant in connecting with people but also in drafting your career. In real life, I also spend long time with my friends and dorm mates chatting and laughing with them. 

Specialized- Maybe yes, I tend to focus much without even thinking if something might harm me just because of my eagerness to achieve or reach something immediately. In real life, I can also adapt to new spheres and environment, even to people like their behavior and sorts,  just like an ostrich. 

I can say that this Wen Behavior Test did confirm some of my real-person habits and made me realize how the online collides significantly with your offline life. This is more of a self realization examination wherein you will be able to realize the other side of you that you thought did not exist. 

I like this test even though it was long and sort of tested my patience. I almost gave up but I just thought that I needed to finish this badly. I like the way the survey form was made, as the lab said, it's very scientific, very positivist. I wanted to design a similar test like this in the future, but only to focus on Filipinos online. I hope the class will be featured in the next episodes of Virtual revolution. Or maybe, just maybe, we can come up with a similar show like that once we graduate.  Right, Ma'am Data, classmates? :)

See the original post by the author HERE.
No self plagiarism intended.