Ugly Duckling Graduated from College…as a Goddess & a Cum Laude!

Latin Honors – CUM LAUDE
AB Media & Entertainment Management

4 years. I waited for four long & tough years for this dream. Pinakapangarap ko sa kolehiyo ang makitang proud at masaya ang mga magulang ko habang sinasabitan nila ako ng Medalya pang-CumLaude sa entablado ng PICC. Naiimagine ko iyon noong Freshman pa lang ako at kumapit ako sa vision na iyon. Sabi nila, dapat malinaw sa iyo ang tatahakin mong daan. Dapat alam mo sa sarili mo kung ano ang kahulugan MO ng tagumpay — dahil madaling makalinlang ang mundo.

I started out as a shy & timid commoner in 2014, w/ baduy clothes & not-fluent-in-English tongue. I was afraid. Iba na dapat ang branding ko dito. People will have to know me as the ugly, GenMath-perfect-scorer & nothing else. Hindi na pwedeng Sisa from HS or Ankortiz from elementary. I hid. I hid from the eye of most rich kids in my school. I hid my packed lunch or baon in the cafeteria. I hid my insecurities in ALB Library washroom where I am allowed to be me: someone with nothing to prove. 

After 3 bittersweet audition rejections from Dulaang ROC theatre org, 2 embarrassing debate tryouts in Agora, 1 year of repeated disappointments and failures here and there, I decided to stop. To stop holding myself back. What I did after is audition to as many plays, orgs, events, volunteer works that I can join. Working w/ passionate people makes me happy. Making myself grow as a person is my success. 

Thank You Lord at ginabayan Ninyo kaming malagpasan ang mga pagsubok sa aming pamilya. Salamat sa panibagong buhay na Inyong handog sa aking ina mula sa pangalawa niyang kidney operation. Hindi man kinaya ni Mama na siyang umakyat sa stage; ang laking blessing na pinahintulutan Ninyo kaming magsama-samang magkakapatid muli. Ito ang tagumpay na walang kapantay.

 

Thank you to my block 4MEM, 4SCM, all my professors, friends, orgs SABIO, ROC, PEER, KASANGGA, JNS, outside families AFLBS, APYE, Spikes Singapore.

The self-branded shy & ugly during 1st yr became Goddess of Droids ’15, Shakespeare’s Juliet ’16, Orange Amazona ’16, Champion Debater ’17, Pecha Kucha Battle ’18 Champion as MEMflayer. I allowed myself to fail. I allowed myself to learn. I realized if I’ve got nothing to prove, I’ve got nothing to lose. And sometimes, you at your humblest is you at your happiest.

Kulang ang mga salita (at ubos na ang mga luha ko) para sabihing SALAMAT sa paghubog sa Diana/Diyosa na nakilala nyo.

Hanggang sa muli – UA&P, PCSHS, & DCES! To God be all the Glory! 

Watch my Graduation Vlog here: https://youtu.be/fmhQT5X9rnU

JANUARY 2018

“Diana Balingit is constantly in pursuit of becoming the multi-talented artist of today. She is an actress in theatre arts while also being a vlogger; tutored for Korean exchange students and a Peer Facilitator for campus freshmen; performed civic duties as a community volunteer and holding herself as a socio-political activist.

She has explored different roles and opportunities that her university life was able to provide.

Above all else, she is a daughter who strives to make her parents proud, and a friend to everyone – a “Dyosa” to them, as she fondly called.

Her persistence to hit grade targets due to her scholarship inspired her to never settle for less.

She one day dreams to be a broadcaster, casting renowned news anchor Jessica Soho as her role model.

She believes that by being so, she will be able to balance her knack for woke comedy and vlogs with her passion for public service and civic progress, all in the name of creating positive social change.”

 Thank you for my Yearbook Writeup, Andrei Cabangon!!! 

MARCH 2018
“There are things that you really have to say NO to, but there are things that you have to PURSUE because maybe that’s for YOU. Make sure that what you pursue will really add to your development as a person; because if not, it’s time to let go.”

As a Merit scholar juggling 8 organizations, she claims that at some point, she was not able to balance all of it. As much as she wants to be involved in a lot of organizations, she emphasized that one must be humble enough to realize one’s limits as well.

“Know yourself and know your limits. Know where you are good at — start from there.”

She also reminds us to “Never stop surprising yourself. You are capable of so many other things if you just try.”

Even at her last year, she upholds her passion, grit and drive for learning. Together with her perseverance, she strives to have a holistic formation with a liberal and integral education.

Interview by: Shauna Aduca
Write-up by: Nicole Valte

[Graduating AB Media and Entertainment Management (MEM) student, Diana Rose S. Balingit, tells us more about herself beyond how we know her as a Merit scholar, Pecha Kucha 2018 Champion, and a part of eight (8) organizations in UA&P and in her community in Barangay Sta. Lucia, Pasig City.]

Thank you for the feature as one of the Faces of Unitas, MMC!   #RoadToPICC

UA&P, Here Be Dragons. Stay Gold. UNITAS! ✨#GreatnessInTheOrdinary #offeritup

Watch my Graduation Vlog here: https://youtu.be/fmhQT5X9rnU

For more VLOGS, please SUBSCRIBE to my YOUTUBE Channel: Extra Diyosa! 💖
Let me know if you have any request for my next vlog! 🙌 #ExtraDiyosa 🌹 New VIDEO every 4PM 🎉

 

 

Stranger Danger: Breaking the Norm of Street Harassment in the Philippines

            When our group Bravo brainstormed about several causes we are passionate about, we considered tackling mental health, poverty, and social media hypersensitivity before we chose street harassment as our final topic. When I was young, I did not think of it as a pressing issue that needs to be addressed in schools or by local government units. Now that I am seriously contemplating about its effects, it is even more disheartening to face my reality that it is still part of my everyday scenario as a commuter. After hearing stories from my groupmates about personal experiences of their friends and relatives, I am more convinced that this problem should not be set aside as part of the society. Instead it should be addressed immediately and aggressively because it is directly connected to street safety, peace and order of the community, and respect towards one another regardless of gender and age.

Our group came up with the campaign statement “Street Harassment 101: Breaking the Norm through Education and Empowerment of the Filipino Youth” which is a legacy project aiming to reinforce the pressing issue of street harassment in the Philippines. We believe it should not be considered normal in our patriarchal culture as it can lead to serious cases of malicious threat, sexual assault, and gender objectification. Although most of the existing policies and movements are for women and children alone, we understand the importance of the concern to all genders (such as men and LGBTQ) and all ages (babies, toddlers, teens, and adults). Anyone now is vulnerable; that’s why it is most relevant to use platforms measured by feasibility and viability.

Team Bravo wants to launch an information campaign where we spread awareness about the laws, rights, and policies about street harassment in on-ground and online activations while pushing the government and public schools to take sufficient action in their own units. Health curriculum should discuss as early as elementary grade the necessary measures they need to practice defending specifically those who are not aware they are being sexually harassed (like children or mentally-challenged kids). Taking over public places such as transportation terminals, school grounds, and waiting sheds with striking posters and paraphernalia from barangay council is a way to start. Reaching out to specific departments of Senate to make this an official advocacy is important as well.

Though I have been a victim of catcalling countless times already, I admit that my knowledge regarding my rights is limited. I am always scared commuting back home when I need to walk in narrow bridges and streets with no lamp posts – praying there is no attacker that will suddenly come out of the dark. Daylight is not so safe either – when truck and tricycle drivers whistle while one is merely crossing the street or waiting in terminals. I try my best to stay alert when I am out of the house, but it is a shame to say that the only immediate response I know is just walking as fast as I can to avoid the potential harasser. It’s good not to be apathetic about these issues because information can save lives. Let’s use it well.

The Hustlers: Being Media Journalists for a Day at #MIAS2018

It is not my first time covering an event as jam-packed as the Manila International Auto Show 2018 (or MIAS) but I must admit, the event shattered every expectation I had before stepping into the World Trade Center. It was way more overwhelming than what I have seen on videos and articles posted online. All the teasers and highlights video from the past years excited me but none of these research from social media prepared me enough for the intensity of today’s MIAS. Truly, it is not an event one can enjoy sitting pretty on his/her couch watching from a little screen. Yes, the sweat and headache are going to be a part of it, but people definitely have to go there to see for themselves and indulge in the full experience.

Photo from: Hannah Pangilinan

Our Multi-platform Journalism class had a daunting task to deliver press releases as professional as the real journalists coming in the event. Entering the halls not as a students or a mere spectators, but “media people,” I was taken aback by the weight of the job we were sent to do. I thought how I will be experiencing the same if I pursue broadcast media in a few months for internship, so I took a deep breath and geared up as much confidence as I could.

Photo from: Jason Cotaoco

Not only did each of the car brands lined up in the venue amazed me with their own shine and glamour, but the technological innovations intertwined with the connection to the human had me thinking this is more than a car show. The MIAS’ theme for 2018: “Work and Play” has been felt in the venue and I saw how attendees were actually so engaged. In a crowded event like that, I was even surprised that families brought their kids to enjoy the show. Now, I can understand how one cannot help but come back to MIAS every year because of how this industry never ceases to offer the best of the best to their loyalists and fans.

The best part of my experience is having the opportunity to get up close with the big-time professionals and businessmen in the auto industry. We were competing with the other press release (PR) firms and journalists to get even a minute of airtime with the Chief Executive Officers and Managing Directors of these multi-million companies. Every second counts; that is why we certainly had to think through our one ultimate question to come up with a unique story for our feature. Our group, amidst being neophytes in the auto world, tried our best to gather as much valuable data as we can while capturing the cool scenes and uproars inside the venue.

Photo from: Jason Cotaoco

Indeed, there is a huge gap between “Expectation” versus “Reality” and I have encountered a whole new different definition of that in the kickoff of MIAS 2018. It has been more than an event for me – I have started contemplating about my future career and life decisions particularly if I really want to venture in this part of media and entertainment industry. I tried my best to maximize my experience. It has been a lot to take in – not just the size of the venue, the thickness of attendees, or the huge offerings of cars but the hustle to learn, experiment, and explore my potential as a student and a future media practitioner.

Post by: Diana Balingit

Featured Image from: Mique Watson

Evolution of Media and Broadcasting

Broadcasting is the distribution of audio or video content to a dispersed audience via any electronic mass communications medium: known today as either Traditional or Digital media. Journalism in Traditional Trimedia is through: Print, Radio, and Television while digital is through websites and social networking pages via the Internet.

 

Journalism started in the Philippines during the late 1800’s – the early Philippine newspapers played critical role in the nation’s quest for freedom and independence. The print media continues to be an agent of change in the continuing socio-political transformation of our nation. Today, the leading newspapers in the Philippines are: Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, and The Manila Times, which eventually had their online news counterparts.

In the Philippines, radio has one of the biggest audience among all the mass media, along with television and print. The establishment of Philippine radio started at 1924 by an American-Filipino soldier named Henry Herman.  Ever since then, Philippine radio has become a huge, thriving industry with hundreds and hundreds of radio stations scattered nationwide. Compared to other radio stations around the world, the Philippines is one of the few place where radio’s media power is rigorously exercised. Over the span of time, radio has become a platform for broadcasting, entertainment, public discourse, campaigns, and even social interaction.

James Lindenberg is regarded as the Father of Philippine TV who also founded the Bolinao Electronics Corporation (BEC) in 1946 which is now known today as ABS-CBN. In the 1950s, Robert LaRue Stewart founded Republic Broadcasting System which is now known as GMA. In 1960, ABC was founded by Chino Roces which is now TV5 today. At present the three channels have produced different shows and have also adjusted to the fast paced development of technology by having their content available online as well.

Digital media has caused disruptive innovation in publishing, journalism, public relations, entertainment, education, commerce and politics. In the Information Age leading to a paperless society, In journalism, traditional join television, radio and print have found an extension to digital two-way dialogue with consumers primarily through the Internet. Citizen journalism also paved way to democratization of content creation in the forms of blogs, memes and video essays.

The evolution of media and broadcasting — specifically going from print to digital, is an example of the many open possibilities of what technology can do for the future of this industry. It is a good thing for media industries to adapt and stay relevant. With many new technologies emerging, getting the attention of the audience has never been more competitive. Media is ever evolving, and one is bound to be obsolete if they cannot keep up. Amidst the evolution, the content and message you have for the audience will still remain important. The pursuit of truth should not go astray.

 

 

References:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/overview-mass-media-situation-philippines-rene-guioguio

 

https://www.slideshare.net/chrissyustaris/history-of-philippine-mass-media

Respecting the Mould Amidst New Media: A Photojournalism Talk by ABS-CBN News’ Mr. Fernando Sepe, Jr.

Photo by Mr. Ardie Lopez

Many of my friends consider photography as their passion and while I envy their Instagram feeds and Facebook profile pictures, I never really had the will to learn the intricacies behind the said mode of expression. Photos are everywhere – advertising, promotions, media – I see one when I open my eyes in the morning and one before I go to sleep. I did not pay attention as to how great its impact truly is when telling a story or even delivering the news to the nation. Our block, MEM, had the privilege to listen to a talk by a veteran photojournalist, Mr. Fernando “Jun” Sepe, Jr. last Wednesday, February 7, 2018. It did not only give me a fresher perspective on the discipline behind this interesting craft, but I was also able to get tips on how to make it out in the industry and cut through the clutter where anyone with a smart phone can be a “journalist.”

Now that I am thinking about it, the thumbnail or the photo cover of a news article online is one of the vital factors when I am deciding if I should click on the post or not. I learned in this talk that this medium is indeed more than what meets the eye. A photojournalist has a duty to tell a compelling story to the audience about a news-worthy event through his camera. Photography can be treated as an artwork of visual language but more importantly, the better shot, according to Mr. Sepe, is the one when each of the elements in the picture lead to the subject of the captivating narrative. I did not know that a single photograph can even be more powerful than a ten-minute video coverage at times. The timing has just got to be perfect.

Photo by: Mr. Ardie Lopez

As someone who had a long career in photojournalism way back from his college days, I admire Mr. Sepe’s conviction in advocating that one must start in tracing the discipline from their Kodak’s and changing films that may sound ancient today. I remember lining up to develop the negative scrolls of films containing our family Sunday get-togethers but aside from that, I did not have other camera tools to play with when I was young. He did not elaborate much about exposure, aperture, shutter, ISO as well as signature shots in photo essays – but his point was clear: respect the fundamentals of the craft if one wants to be able to go anywhere, especially multimedia in the existing digital technology. Amplified by the quote from Paul Strand, he shares how much passion and perseverance one has to exert in order to sharpen his/her “mould.” It does not make one traditional; instead, a true classic and an exceptional in this media.

Photo posted: December 8, 2013 A rainbow appears over the ruins of the church in Guiuan, Samar. Photo by Fernando Sepe, Jr. forABS-CBNnews.com — in Tacloban City 

Photojournalism is definitely not an easy job where one can turn a switch off and then go back to his/her own reality. After all, the task deals with non-fiction and it may not affect one personally, a news story is the reality of other people, and in Mr. Sepe’s case, of his fellow Filipinos. Above is one of his photographs from the slideshow he made regarding the month after Typhoon Yolanda posted in ABS-CBN News media sites. This particular one struck me because of the irony it illustrates in the image. Open to different interpretations, this can spark opposite emotions depending on the angle one chooses to look at – anger or sadness to those whose lives and properties were taken; or maybe a renewed sense of hope to those believing that they can always rise against this unfortunate event. It may be intentional but the left side of the picture (rainbow in the sky and the religious statue) seems brighter against the right side which portrays the ruins of the church after the disaster. This photo may be implying the narrative that challenges may come to test one’s faith and character, but it is up to the person which side of the reality he/she will want to accept and embrace.

Mr. Sepe said that several people in his field had undergone post-traumatic depression after covering news like this. This is where I agree that post-processing is not only for pictures but also for the people behind the camera lenses. Debriefing with the relevant support system helps them understand the devastating reality and incur as less damage as possible.

A picture can definitely speak louder than words and while one can take a snapshot in a smartphone and be viral containing a critical news story, I learned from Mr. Sepe how it takes mastering the craft to say something, invoke emotion, drive action, and inspire a nation. With great shots complementing a real-time news story, the people offline or online shares a moment with the bereaved or the triumphant; a tragedy or a success. While digital natives can post Instagrammable-worthy photos with the aid of the more convenient technology, it serves as a challenge now as to how one can manage to be most effective in propagating quality content and crucial information to the mass – using pictures.

 

Photo source from “Slideshow: A month after Yolanda” :

https://www.facebook.com/abscbnNEWS/

 

 

Tigers Roared in Protest of Award given to Mocha Uson

Mixed reactions from the internet flowed upon University of Sto. Tomas Alumni Association Inc. (UST-AAI)’s decision to bestow the award called “Thomasian Alumni in Government Service” to Assistant Secretary Esther Margaux “Mocha” Uson last Sunday, Jan 21, 2018 in their Grand Alumni Homecoming. Both the current students and alumni raised their disagreements to the news in their personal social media posts.

The UST-Central Student Council (UST-CSC) has released their official statement in the same day the award was given, citing the UST’s motto of “veritas in caritate” or “truth in charity” that Uson “does not deserve an award that was meant solely for outstanding Thomasian alumni.” It described Uson as the “main purveyor of politically motivated propaganda” against administration critics.

Statements from the triggered Tigers have been also posted in the official publication of UST, The Varsitarian’s website. Among these are the UST Alumni Chapter in Singapore, student councils of the Faculty of Arts and Letters, College of Architecture and Faculty of Civil Law. Furthermore, the UST Arts and Letters Alumni Association is circulating a signature campaign calling to revoke alumna Mocha Uson’s award for government service.

Recipients of the said award in the past years have also expressed their dismay and vow to return their awards. In the statement of Akbayan Representative Tom Villarin, he refuses to buy the association’s justification that the sole criterion for the award is for the recipient to be a UST graduate. Another UST alumnus, Bino Realuyo, now a novelist based in New York City, said in his Facebook post that he was demoralized by the Uson’s recoginition as well as former Health secretary Carmencita Noriega-Reodica who will return the plaque given to her in 1997.
More heat went to Twitterworld when personalities such as a renowned broadcaster, Karen Davila, tweeted, “If I were Mocha Uson I’d surprise them all by returning the award. “Salamat UST Alumni sa pagkilala, ayoko pong mag-away away kayo, higit pa sa papel na ito ang pagkatao ko.”

On the other hand, the medical technology graduate of UST, Mocha Uson, gladly accepted the award and posted in her Facebook page: “Maraming salamat po sa aking Alma Mater na UST sa pagbigay sa akin ng ‘Gawad Thomasian Alumni in Government Service’. Isa po itong karangalan. Inaalay ko po ang award na ito sa aking ina at sa ating mga ordinaryong Pilipino!”

Henry Tenedero, president of the alumni group UST-AAI, said the award did not follow any specific criteria. Awardees were handpicked by presidents of alumni associations of the different colleges and faculties in UST, he said. “We never thought of giving it to [Uson] dahil siya ay controversial or not. Ang amin lang is that you’re a Thomasian graduate,” he told the Varsitarian. “[We are] hoping that this award will inspire you to live [the Thomasian core values] more in your public [service]. Whether you’re living it or not is not for us to say.” The sole criteria is to be a graduate of UST and in governments service whether it be in the House, Senate, Judiciary, and Executive. Among the ones recognized are Sen. Joel Villanueva, Senate Secretary Lutgardo Barbo, and Rep. Lito Atienza, and sixteen more. None of them has been controversial and bashed as the rage directed to Uson.

Even if I am someone not from UST, I believe that as a college student, a service award is conferred to a person who espouses the values and core competencies the award-giving body is trying to uphold, and perhaps more importantly, is trying to impose on its members, both former and current. Mocha Uson from the start of her noise criticized the Catholic Church mostly with false and supposed claims. She criticized the Catholic Church-the very spirit of UST. Aside from that, she became one of the fake news propagators in the country as she initiates the widespread of misinformation and labeling the media as “biased” without actual evidence to prove such claims. Uson was given the Thomasian Alumni Award for Government Service, but we all know that she neither upholds the values that Tomasinos hold dear nor she actually provides outstanding service as government official.

UST-AAI gives recognition to someone like Mocha Uson as a proud alumna of the University while keeping a blind eye to all the grave misconduct she has been doing as a public servant.

Just today, January 24, 2018, it has been another eventful morning in social media as Mocha Uson posted in her Facebook blog page that she has arranged to return the award to UST-AAI. The yesterday’s news was flooded of President Tenedero’s resignation over government service award for Mocha Uson. This afternoon, as of this writing, a photo posted in the Twitter account of The Varsitarian, shows Dr. Robert Sy, chairman of the UST Alumni Association and lawyer Jack Cadtañeda, board adviser, upon the receipt of the government service award back from Palace Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson earlier.

While Uson repeatedly says in her blog that this is a trivial and petty issue compared to Dengvaxia and Mt. Mayon casualties, the roar of Tigers remain to be in objection because of the kind of message it presents to them, the alumni, and to the greater society.

 

Sources:

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/963176/mocha-uson-returns-controversial-award-to-ust-uson-ust-service-award-alumni

http://varsitarian.net/news/20180124/uson-to-return-govt-service-award

https://philnews.ph/2018/01/22/mocha-uson-hits-back-bashers-receiving-award-ust/

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2018/01/23/more-ust-alumni-return-awards-585273

 

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Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton