Admin censors sex scandal pic in yearbook 2009

"Pasalamatan na lang natin sila sa pagpansin sa ating ginawa. Pasensya na kasi lito pa ako ngayon sa review pero kung ako ang tatanungin mas mabuti nang hindi na patapalan para hindi masyadong lumaki ang issue," said Graduating Class Organization 2009 President Ronel Dela Rosa after the RSC administration ordered to stop the distribution of the 2009 yearbook when it found out the inclusion of an unaceptable image in the book. The image was about the sex video scandal of alleged RSC students that circulated around 3G cellphones, published in local papers and feasted by radio anchors last August 2008.

Golden Harvest 2009 editor Alvin Mariño commented, "Totoo namang newsmaker yun sa sa panahon namin. Wala silang (admin) karapatang ipatigil ang pagdistribute nito sapagkat hindi naman nila pera yun."

Meanwhile, GH adviser Mr. Eddie Fetalvero said that the inclusion of the picture with "RSC Sex Scandal" caption has no intent whatsoever of defaming the school. It was done in good faith. It is just an illustration of these lines (page 24):

"It was a pleasure having this sojourn with you although the roads we went through were packed with bittersweet experiences that helped as rise above tragedies and rejoice over triumphs."

However the school administration insisted that the picture would imply that such a scandal is being done by many RSC students inside the campus because of the malicious use of the word "RSC". According to VPAA Dr. Alice Foja, the one who issued the memorandum, it was never proven that the persons involved in the sex video were really RSC students.

The said picture then was covered with a sticker, and the distribution of the yearbook resumes.

Fetalvero said that the staff's consent to cover it with sticker did not mean that GH is guilty of the administration's accusation. They just wanted that the yearbook be distributed to the alumni on time, and as promised.

The distribution of yearbook is facilitated by the Institute of Arts and Sciences. To get a copy, proceed to the Dean at the IAS Building and present your Official Receipt and clearance.
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Kumuan sa Canteen

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Ay, sa RSC ka lang?

Ni Jeofel M. Almoheda

Huwag daw nating ila-LANG ang Romblon State College (RSC). Kung hindi ila-lang, eh ano lang? Dapat ba ay bonggang-bongga ang pang-uring gamitin upang ilarawan ang RSC?

Ano ba ang nakakaimpluwensiya sa isipan ng RSCians at bakit marami sa kanila ay minamaliit at ibinabababa ang antas ng kolehiyo sa pagsasabing ‘sa RSC lang’? Ganoon ba kababa ang ebalwasyon ng mga estudyante at gradweyt sa kanilang kolehiyong napasukan at kahit parti sila nito, laging kinakabit ang LANG?

Nagsagawa ng surbey ang publikasyong ito at maging ako’y personal na nagtanung-tanong sa kapwa ko estudyante upang masagot ang mga tanong sa taas. Hindi nakakagulat ang sagot ng mga RSCian, hindi nakapagtataka. Ika nga, inaasahan na. Sana magsilbi itong pang-alis tapaludo sa mata ng mga kinauukulan.

May isang estudyanteng prangkahang sumagot ng ganito: ‘Ang RSC ay paaralan ng mga pobre’. Sa interpretasyon ko’y parang sinasabi niyang walang choice ang mga Romblomanon kundi pagtiyagan ang RSC. Kaya sa mga estudyanteng may klase sa VoAg, habaan pa ng konti ang pisi ng pasensiya kung bumabaha diyan, kung parang magigiba na ang klasrum niyo at kung lagi kayong basa tuwing umuulan. Pagpasensiyahan niyo nalang. Mapapansin din siguro yan ng Admin... Anong malay natin, may tinatasa na pala silang pondo para diyan.

Iisa rin ang lamentasyon ng mga RSCian sa nalalapit na konbersiyon ng RSC, iyon ay kulang na kulang tayo sa pasilidad at kagamitan. Kaya sa mga taga-BSBio Dept., subukan niyong magpapampam sa Admin baka sakaling pansinin at masupply-an ng laboratory instruments ang inyong Bio Lab. Kapalan niyo nalang ang mukha niyo kasi nga naman nakakahiya mag-request sa kanila para magkaroon ng mga kinakailangang chemicals diyan sa Chem. Lab. niyo. Sa mga Accounting students, 1997, 2000 at 2002 edition ang latest na Accounting books sa Library natin kaya sa madaling salita obsolete na iyon. Bumili nalang tayo sa Conanan Bookstore dahil sigurado na sa susunod na sem, may 2010 edition na. Napag-uusapan na rin lang ang tungkol sa mga libro, sana ay mabigyan ng sapat na pondo ang pagbibili ng mga updated na libro! Saan ba napupunta ang binabayad naming Library fee? Sa Rsun at Rtext ba? dahil laging may isyu ng dyaryo pero walang updated na mga libro. Tabi-tabi po, pansinin niyo naman ang Library. Kapos na kapos po talaga ang mga libro, obsolete pa! Akala ko pa naman Distributing Outlet ang RSC ng Rex Bookstore eh bakit salat sa kinakailangang libro ang bahay-AKLATAN natin? Parang hindi na aklatan, parang istakan na ng mga lumang libro. Hmmmpp!

Doon sa mga RSCiang reklamo ng reklamo dahil napipilitang magbaon ng uniform kapag may P.E. class, konting tiis nalang, anong malay natin maisipan nilang bumili ng locker. Ingat sa mga instructor na magpapa-project ng speaker, player at aklat. Siguraduhin niyong hindi kayo naiisahan.
Nasaan na nga pala ang Freedom wall? Amoy represyon at inhibisyon na kaming mga estudyante dahil tila binulsa niyo na ang Freedom Wall. Wala na bang ibang maibulsa?

Bongga na raw ang RSC ngayon. May school bus na, malapit nang maging katunog ng MSU, CPU, DLSU at CEU. Kasi nga diba magiging RSU na tayo? Accredited na rin halos lahat ng kurso rito. Kaya nga lang, nakakahiya ang napabalitang instructor na nanghuhuthot ng kwarta sa mga estudyante. Akala niya siguro’y lumuluwa ng pera mga tatay natin. Buti nalang at naisuka na siya ng RSC. At sa mga instructor, propesor at doctor diyan na tatamad-tamad, uminom po kayo ng Extra Joss para lumakas-lakas at ganahan po kayo sa pagtuturo. Iyong iba diyan, pinapabasa lang sa amin ang photocopies. Hindi nila alam, obvious na tamad silang magturo at nagpapainit lang ng puwet sa kanilang opisina. Ikaw nalang mag-initiate ma’am at sir para lumayas dito. Huwag mo nang hintaying sipain ka ng iskol, mas nakakhiya ‘yon.

Resonable naman sila nang sabihing ‘wag ila-LANG ang RSC’. Tingnan niyo naman, may DWRSC at Water Purifying Station na tayo. Kung nawala man sa ere ang DWRSC, eh baka may technical problem lang. Alam niyo naman, kasinlaki ng kubeta ang Radio Station natin. Buti walang nagkakamaling umihi o tumae don. May photocopy shop na rin dito sa kapitbahay ng TH opis at may RSC Agpudlos Campus na rin tayo. Malawak ang lupain ng RSC doon. Malawak din yata ang nabiling lupa ni sir doon?

Congratulations nga pala kay sir Jet dahil reaapointed siya. Siguradong may mamamatay sa inggit nito. Baka atakihin sa puso ang mga ambisyoso diyang maging presidente. Congratulations din para sa RSC dahil garantisado nang RSU na tayo!

Sa kabilang banda, may rason din naman ang iba kapagka nila-lang ang RSC. Ayaw lang kasi nilang marinig ang LANG dahil nga ka-rhyme nito ang kulang-kulang.

Pero improving ang RSC ngayon ah! Kita niyo naman ang streamer ng mga CPA Board passers na laging mas mataas ang passing rate kumpara sa national rate. Ang mga research breakthrough ng RSC. Ang mga top notchers mula sa IET at maraming Teachers Board passers ng IPSTED. Ito ay malinaw na indikasyon na sa kabila ng tumutulong kisame, parang magigibang klasrum, bahang gate at obsolete na mga libro ay masikap ang mga faculty and staff upang tugunan ang pangangailang pang-edukasyon naming mga RSCian. Na sa likod ng tatamad-tamad at bayarang instructor ay may mga matitiyaga’t matatalinong RSCian na nagpupursigeng makaranas ng natatanging liberalisasyon. Na sa kabila ng isyu tungkol sa kwestiyunableng karakter, nariyan at patuloy na nakikibaka ang RSC para maging ganap na RSU. Siyanawa.

Tayo ay bahagi na ng kolehiyong ito. Anuman ang maging imahe nito, apektado tayo. Kung hanggang ngayon ay nananatili ang istigma ng RSC sex scandal, isipin niyo nalang na may second hand bus tayo! Kung naiinis kayo sa mga guwardiya, isipin niyo nalang na kamukha nila si Jun Pyo! Basta huwag nating kalimutang mahalin ang institusyong ito. Atin ito.

Sa huli, ang lahat ay nakadepende kung paano tayo huhubugin ng kolehiyong ito. Kung paano titimo sa ating isip ang mga nakakadismaya at nakakatawang baga-bagay dito sa kampus. Kung napamahal ito sa atin at kung natamo natin ang de-kalibreng edukasyon, isang mayabang na ‘Sa RSU kami’ ang isasagot natin sa kanilang nagsasabi ng ‘Ay, sa RSC ka lang?’.

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Caption Me!

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The Last Journey of Ninoy

Moving. It was worth the wait. After watching tonight’s ABS-CBN special, I now fully understand what is meant by Ninoy’s death for the country and for the world.

I am already 32. My political awareness was developed some time in my primary years when button pins of KBL were items to fight for with other kids. These circular buttons were made of tin cans and delicately laminated for a smoother and glossy effect. Printed on them were the names MARCOS-TOLENTINO and the letters KBL. Owed to our innocence, we made hunches as to what magical words does KBL stand for? Kasal-Binyag-Libing? Kasa-Baril-Lupok? The latter was more interesting, but just like any kids of my age, we never knew what was really going on then.

I knew that Marcos declared Martial Law in 1972. But this did not mean so much to me than a historical date I have to memorize for a quiz. I knew that Marcos lifted it, too (thanks to the internet, in 1981). But tonight, I was amazed (yes) to discover that I was born during the Martial rule. I was born when Ninoy and the unsung others were fighting for democracy and for their lives. Yet, there was not a distinct mark of it in my childhood. Life was normal.

My Uncle Gary owned a yellow shirt with a face of a man in spectacles sketched in black. According to him, that was Ninoy. It was not a big deal again for me since faces of other people could also be etched on tees.

These were the recollections that flashed before me in between the special. I was trying to figure out, where was I, how old I was when all these ordeals of Ninoy were happening. I was six when he was shot, but I couldn’t recall any memory about it. Maybe I was still busy playing patintero, suyod-bayod, lagsanan, tumba lata, luksong tinik, habuyan, bong-lata, barilan, and many more .

I was in the third grade, when the EDSA Revolution broke out and successfully overthrew the Marcos government. Coming from a very lowly family, I was unfortunate my widowed mother was busy looking for a living than discussing this significant event with me and my siblings. The only thing she told me was, “Mabarato ron ang bugas.”

Watching the documentary was like joining Ninoy and Cory in their fight. They spoke to my heart (yes, Ninoy and Cory were the narrators) and showed to me how evil their years were. I joined Ninoy in his last journey, from America to Singapore, to Malaysia, to Hongkong, to Taiwan and to Manila. I empathized with the unbearable pain and sorrow… the feeling that he was left alone in the battleground. Yet Ninoy knew the worth of what he was fighting for. And to these, I became a part of him, of his advocacy and of his undying faith. I have nothing but deep veneration for this man, I only knew before by name and by face. But now, Ninoy will be a part of me.

Thank you… Marcial Bonifacio!

“To be willing to march into hell for a heavenly cause.” Read more...

An Act Worth a Smile

"Honesty is the best policy." Yes, it is and none else.

I remember those teenage days when I used to weave fabric of black and white lies in order to get my way and attract the interest of those around me. Countless were the times when I uttered magic spells so that I can be freed from the consequences of my folly.

Perhaps, that wisdom goes with age is true to me. Since I started building a family, one thing that greatly changed was the taming of my deceptive tongue. I thank my wife for easily spotting my inconsistencies which often left me entangled in the web of lies I fabricated. Though clash of words followed such encounters, I have learned to value the virtue of honesty. Petty or severe made-up stories whatsoever, my wife’s strong detecting power did not spare me.

Last summer, my wife’s five-year old nephew stayed with us. Just like any other kids, the boy wanted to make stories when he wanted to entertain us and get our attention. As his surrogate father, I was expected to exercise greater responsibility over him since his parents were out. So I told him my house rule: HONESTY, violation of which meant five spankings.

One time, he was telling a story about a worker who was reprimanded by his mom. He related the story to me with amazing facial expression and exaggerated enunciation: "Pinaluhod s’ya ni mommy! Sabi ni mommy, ‘Luhod! Luhod!" I was caught in disbelief knowing my sister-in-law as a very cordial and amiable woman. I asked him the second time if what he was telling were true. He answered yes. Disturbed by his revelations, I gently grabbed him in both shoulders, bent on his level, looked straight to his eyes and asked the same question again. He stooped down and in a gentle voice replied, "Sorry po. Nagsinungaling po ako!" I gave him his five spanks.

From then on, every time I asked him something, his answer has always end-phrases as these: "Totoo po talaga, hindi po ako nagsisinungaling!"

One of my closest friends related a story of a classmate who in her desperate effort to land a stable job ended up losing thousands of pesos in a flawed investment. She finished a prestigious course but failed in the licensure exam. Her father, however was a respected politician in the province. Due to her traumatic experience in business, she decided to go abroad. She was perplexed and confused which way to take because she has a kid and husband to support. Until she made connection with a care-giving placement agency through her husband’s kin. The agency, knowing that she didn’t have any background in care-giving, only demanded a certificate of training from a clinic or a hospital so that she could go. Nowhere to look for help, she requested her politician father to ask such favor from the doctor turned Congressman who owns a clinic in Manila.

The worried and concerned father, sorry at his daughter’s helpless state, requested such favor from the congressman. That although, his daughter hasn’t work at all in the doctor’s clinic, she be given that certificate of training for the sake of her employment overseas. The doctor-solon smiled and told the father to send his daughter to the clinic on Tuesday.

The following Tuesday, the politician’s daughter was expectant for that last grain of hope she had. This visit was all she needs to restart her dream of a good life. As she stepped inside, her mind feasted on the days ahead after this short visit. Moments passed and she got out of the clinic. Apparently, she was happy. She called up her father.

The doctor-congressman refused to give her the certificate she badly needs for this one chance of leaving the country.

But what made her smile despite such disappointment? What happened in the clinic that caused such glow on her face? What was it to celebrate in losing one’s last hope? What was in the clinic that is worth a smile?

Based on the story of my friend, when her classmate was relating the purpose of her coming, the congressman-doctor gently yet boldly said all these: "Never tell your father about this. I have never falsified a document in my entire life!"

She didn’t tell her father about it but she told this to her classmate who happened to be my friend. Now, I am sharing this with you because that doctor is our congressman. Read more...

A Quarter Before Six in Santa Maria

I took a break from the tiresome editing of graphics and images in my computer for the news magazine. Looking for anything that entertains and relaxes, I took from the rack a disc and ran it in my computer.

I hardly realized that it was our wedding’s until the names of the entourage appeared on the screen. I then savored the moment of reminiscing one of the happiest days of my life. I remembered how my wife played on my face to reduce my pimples. Cucumbers, mashed banana, facial cleansers she bought in Quiapo, and yes, toothpaste. Only to no avail. I laughed at the dark spots on my face which were vividly caught by the video cam, courtesy of the toothpaste that almost burned my cheeks.

I was able to watch our wedding video for several times already but it was only that time I sensed that the camera purposively rolled around the venue and captured the beautiful arrays of flowers in full bloom. The crack of the dawn made it even more picturesque and dramatic. It was quarter to six in the morning. The venue was at the magnificent facade and scenic garden of Santa Maria Municipal Hall. There again, I have been falling in love with this small yet beautiful town.

It was during the Fiesta of 1998 when I first stepped on this municipality known for several names: Concepcion, Imelda and Santa Maria. According to stories, the name Concepcion was a misnomer since there was an island municipality that bears such name also. Correspondence and mails missed the recipients. To fast track the change of name, the local officials opted the name ‘Imelda’ after the President’s powerful first lady. True to their expectations, the town got a new name and the first lady herself, came over to christen it. After the EDSA Revolution in 1986, and when President Corazon Aquino swore into office, traces of the Marcoses were gradually phased out. The town was named Santa Maria.

Santa Maria, previously part of San Agustin, is a small fifth class municipality composed of six barangays: Concepcion Sur, Concepcion Norte, San Isidro, Paroyhog, Santo Niño and Bonga. Concepcion Norte, the town proper is not as vast as other towns in the province. It just has three major streets running from north to south intersecting four paved roads running from east to west. Going around the town is not that tiring though.

Small as it may seem, the first thing that impressed me was their well-landscaped municipal garden in front of the majestic town hall comparable with Baguio’s Mansion. The building was painted white and embraced by the towering columns and thick metals securing the entire area. Flowers in full bloom were diligently taken care of and pruned by the utilities to maintain the pleasing ambience of the surrounding. The gate led to the doorstep of the municipal hall through an aisle about 50 meters long. The aisle cut the lawn into two. In each side were carefully landscaped box of flowers and pathways. On the far south of the town hall was an elevated rest house called the Palaisdaan. Its posts were elevated by about a meter. It was surrounded by concrete dikes which enabled it to hold water. Tilapia and other freshwater fishes were cultured there. Visitors usually took an afternoon nap in the bamboo-made resthouse.

In 1999, Santa Maria was named as the cleanest and greenest town in Romblon.

Perhaps, no other auditorium in the province would be more desirable than Santa Maria Sports Complex. It was the first covered court in Tablas and could accommodate thousands of spectators. It could also be used as venues for big celebrations like wedding, parties and etc. The comfort rooms there were one of the best.

People coming to Santa Maria were wondering why such a small town could ably support the erection of skyscrapers (a third storey building was already a big deal here). Add to that was the well-maintained public infrastructure like the barangay hall that was often construed as the town hall, the tourism building which probably was the biggest, and the Recreation Center.

What actually made the town more attractive were not the buildings but the variety of flowering plants blooming everywhere: in schools, children paradise, houses, river banks, etc.

Two years ago, the Hinugyawan Festival was born here. People dressed like natives, colored their bodies black and roamed around the town chanting, shouting and making noises, hence, hinugyawan. It was a crowd-drawer.

The town was also home to natural and unspoiled scenic spots among them were the Bil-at Cove, a hidden sea few meters north of the town proper; Madrona’s Beach Resort in Paroyhog; Ese-Ese steps in Talamban; imposing promontories in Naabang; and the Triple Peak where telecommunications relay towers stood.

For the past two years, there were several beautiful things I couldn’t forget about Santa Maria. More to buildings, landscape and yes, people, it was in Santa Maria where I experienced for the very first time the beauty of the sun rising from the sea. I never asked why our wedding was at dawn. A quarter before six.

Lifted from: http://www.sanrokan.com/news/2005/dec/feat1.htm
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Looc's Old Houses and Hermana Mayor

I have never gone (well, not yet) to Looc’s Marine Sanctuary nor felt the refreshing breeze of the famed Poka and Roda Beach Resorts in Kawit. I haven’t stayed long enough to rediscover the town’s beauty and explore the natural wonders hidden behind its age-old caves and rocks. I didn’t get the chance of bathing into its celebrated waterfalls and river nor I did have an opportunity to see with my very own eyes the treasures thriving in the bosom of its bay.

But Looc is a town I frequently pass by every time I pay visit to my in-laws who are staying in the northeastern coast of Tablas. Looc has a very clean and well-maintained public toilet, so every time the jeepney stopped over the place, I usually dismount to respond to nature’s call. The utility woman there was very accommodating, kind and friendly.

One time, my wife and I visited Looc. She was an alumnus of Looc National High School though she is from Santa Maria (Imelda). Her landlady back in high school, Lola Bading, died and we decided to stay there until the interment. There were several good stories told of the old woman - her selflessness and her devotion to church activities; her being a strict and organized landlady. My wife once told me that Lola Bading used to keep all the empty tin cans of sardines they had for meals. She placed this in a sack and kept outside the house. In 1993, when my wife graduated, Lola Bading gathered all the sacks of tin cans and muttered, “Nakakapa-valedictorian man gali ang sardinas.”

My eyes just got tired of looking around while my wife was busy chatting with friends she hadn’t seen for some time. The following morning, just before breakfast I asked her to join me stroll along the streets of Looc. It was also an opportune time for us to rebond as couples since our little princess was left to her lola.

My wife began to narrate the funny experiences she had on the familiar structures and streets we passed by. She began pointing here and there, her classmate’s house, their hide-out, etc… until I noticed something. Looc is a big town, the center of commerce in the south, they say. Not only the area is big but the houses that lined up are mostly of Hispanic style, bigger and more splendid than other old houses in Odiongan. These were pre-war structures and some date back during the Spanish regime. I was awed at the sight which I ignored for so long in my passing to this town. I got my cam and started taking pictures of these houses. An old woman told us that several houses are still standing in Sitio Barosbos which is a few walk east of the public plaza.

True to her words, Sitio Barosbos might have been once a village for the rich. The pictures above tell so much how fascinated I was to this little discovery. I saw several houses. I wasn’t aware of their styles and designs. All I know was these are landmarks of the town’s past.

Passing by my wife’s friend’s house, I couldn’t keep my excitement but ask for any fiesta souvenir program of Looc or any flyer. I was suddenly interested to read the town’s history. I did. But unlike other souvenir programs, I noticed that the one I’m reading was different. I got a hunch actually that Looc has something which other towns don’t have. Passionate to discover what it is, I asked my wife’s friend why such big attention is given to the town’s queen - a fully colored picture covering the entire page with a feature article on the other side plus the design of the gown she’ll wear on the coronation night. Queens here must have been very rich!

My wife laughed. She knew it. She told me I was precisely right. In Looc, they don’t conduct search for so and so. Becoming a queen depends on the bidding. The queen’s family will shoulder all the expenses during the coronation night and prepare a banquet for all the visitors. I overheard her friend saying, “ala Hermana Mayor.” I didn’t understand it though.

As we approached Lola Bading’s place, relatives had already gathered preparing for the necrological service. We prepared ourselves as well. While the procession began, I couldn’t keep out of my mind the possible significant link between Looc’s old houses and the ‘a la hermana mayor’ culture that is still in practice today.

Lifted from: http://www.sanrokan.com/news/2005/nov/feat1.htm Read more...

Should Campus Paper Go On-Line?

By Nica Margarette Tomines, Roehl Niño BautistaPhilippine Daily Inquirer
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/you/2bu/view/20081017-167009/Should-campus-papers-go-online

MANILA, Philippines—Campus papers, ranging from colored broadsheets to monochrome tabloids, are a distinguishing mark of an educational institution. The medium is supported by the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, which states that the State should undertake various programs and projects aimed at improving the journalistic skills of students and promoting responsible and free journalism.

The role of campus newspapers as the voice of the students still holds value to this day. “Our role [as a student publication] is to form and inform the community on various issues in the community, as well as balance what the student public needs and wants to know,” Anna Bueno, news editor of Guidon, the official student publication of Ateneo de Manila University, says.

“Campus newspapers should always bear in mind that their primary constituency is the university. Hence, they should focus on covering news and issues relevant to such constituency,” says Atty. JP Colet, former editor in chief of the Philippine Collegian.

Connection

However, many students do not feel emotionally connected to their campus newspapers, according to a study by the Department of Communication Research in UP Diliman on campus newspapers. Students only read their campus papers whenever it is convenient for them to do so.

“I am not that interested in reading our campus papers kasi parang hindi naman siya nakakaapekto sa buhay ko [because the campus paper doesn’t seem to affect my life],” Shaddai Solidum, a fifth year UP Music major, says.

The study also noted that there seems to be a problem with the interaction and feedback aspect of the campus papers. Students are not motivated to comment on the articles using the existing mechanisms for feedback. The study suggests the problem can lie in the content of the campus papers in general.

The same study found out that students preferred reading the feature and entertainment sections of the paper more than the other sections.

“I would say that is natural. However, that does not mean that other sections do not have their purpose in a newspaper. It does not mean students don’t read news,” says Bueno.
Anthony Valenzuela, editor in chief of Adamson Chronicles, thinks that reality should serve as a challenge to “introduce, write and execute the feature and entertainment sections in such a way that it would bring student readers to relate with the other sections significantly.”

Web versions

Today’s student population is tech-savvy. They are more familiar with reading from a computer monitor than a printed page. In fact, based on the same study, 6 out of 10 students spend their time online, while only 1 out of 10 spend their time reading newspapers.

With students as the primary audience of campus papers, editors have to find ways to reach the majority who are “always online.” As mainstream newspapers turn to the power of the Web, the on-campus counterparts should follow suit.

Some campus papers already have their own websites, like the Lasallian of the De La Salle University and the Varsitarian of the University of Santo Tomas.

“Online campus papers na lang para di sayang sa papel. Students are bound to go online, anyway, so it is more convenient,” Micha Reyes, a senior says.

Online versions or even a website of the campus newspapers, can be a great venue to reach out to more students, while also saving on paper.

“The Collegian has a circulation of 15,000, and 1,000 goes to other UP campus. The 15,000 is not enough to reach the 20,000-plus UP Diliman students,” says Larissa Mae Suarez, editor in chief of Philippine Collegian, the official publication of University of the Philippines Diliman.

Accessibility

However, there are those who still believe the old-school print version of campus newspapers is much better than any digital counterpart, for reasons of accessibility and readability of format.
“I would still prefer the old and handy paper style over an online version, because one doesn’t need to have a computer to access [the campus paper],” says senior Iñigo Rudio.

Kim Carbon, a sophomore, says, she also prefers the print format of campus papers, because “hindi siya [campus paper] masakit sa mata pag binabasa.”

And what about the capability of campus paper editors to maintain an online version?

“I think it would be a challenge for student newspapers to actually maintain an online site that updates itself, let’s say, everyday. Since we are student journalists—with papers and oral exams and other activities to do—I think that would take more effort and more time from us,” says Bueno.

People behind campus newspapers do their best to be of service to their school, and will continue to go through stressful days and sleepless nights to bring the most relevant news to students.
Whether they’re packed in stacks of paper or posted on the Web, articles that matter cry to be read, and it’s up to us to heed the call. Read more...