Hi, I just want to share with you that I just finished my vocational course leading to the title of Perito Agrimensor and just passed the final examination! Hehe. I remember my first day here at USTe. I am not sure what course I am taking tho and yet I decided to sign up for Philosophy and Letters kasi ito ang gusto ng erpats ko. I felt a little bit sad because at that time I failed to seek the advice of the rector of Ateneo, my lodi Father Ramon Pablo. :( Padayon lang sa buhay!
Life in college is never easy, but the experience that you’ll be getting from it will help you grow and mold you into the person that is prepared to conquer the wonders of reality. It is a phase in your life where you’ll be meeting new people, and have the opportunity to know yourself better.
Be the witness of my growth as a writer. As I write about my experiences, learnings, and personal reflections about my course. Allow me to share some events and activities which I think is helping me grow as a writer, and as a student.
Becoming a Communication student, I am exposed to the wide array of mediums that are used in conveying messages. It could be through television, cellphone, radio, newspaper, and a lot more. Aside from those, we are also taught on how to maximize or use the aforesaid mediums. Writing in New Media is one of my major subjects right now and with this subject, we, students are being taught on how we navigate our way, write and deliver our message with the help of the new media. This course aims to expose the students with the techniques that are used in writing for new media.
What is New Media?
You might be wondering what “new media” is. Let’s cut to the chase and go directly to the point. New media is the digital technology around us that helps us get in touch or connected with one another regardless of the distance between the sender and receiver. It is a diverse medium composed of diverse audience that are being connected with the help of the internet. Therefore, the audiences in the new media doesn’t have to be located within a specific geographical location.
With the help of new media, it became easier for us to connect and continue with our work and academics during this pandemic. The new media made it possible for us to have our classes at the comfort of our own home. Aside from that, it gave businesses a chance to continue their works or even market their products or services with the help of the online platform. Based on an article by the Carrier Clinic (2019), there are three positive sides when it comes to our exposure to the new media: (1) anonymity, (2) 24/7 availability, and (3) No geographical limitations.
With the help of anonymity, people are able to share their personal problems and vent it to the public. I, myself, can relate to this and I, to be honest, find it therapeutic. Back in 2016, Tumblr became my diary. It is the platform that I use to vent or even rant about whatever that have happened to me. It is also the first thing that I update whenever there’s something good that happened to me. It was a phase where almost everyone was using Tumblr to share their personal dramas and curate a ‘blog’ that has a playlist on it. It was a time where people can confess their deep darkest secrets without getting canceled.
Knowing that people are 24/7 available, is both a blessing and a curse that we’ve been living by since this pandemic started. When the idea of having online classes and work-from-home set-up came, a lot of people forgot to set boundaries. They forgot to have their own personal space. All of a sudden, it was a chaos of events. You no longer have a sleeping pattern, you tend to focus more on your socials non-stop, you began sending emails or even work-related messages in the middle of the night. All of the happened because we thought that the availability of a person is now 24/7 since he/she is just at home.
I actually admire how times have changed and allowed us to communicate with no geographical limitations. As a daughter of someone who is always away from his family, having this limitless access is making it easier for me to connect with my father who is working abroad. Sending a life update or a simple how my day went allows him to witness and feel that he’s with us while we’re growing. We may not see each other physically, but the internet is making it possible for us to connect with each other. Having all these being said, we can say that the internet is making it possible for us to have a network society.
What is Network Society?
In simple terms, it is the process of sharing information within a social network that is made possible with the help of the internet and/or mobile devices. According to Castell, these social networks are efficient for us, humans, because it allows us to be complex, dynamic, and innovative. The evolution of this Network society allowed us to change social dynamics.
An example that I could think of where network society allowed us to change the dynamics of our society is the #BlackLivesMatter movement. This movement wasn’t just a street movement or rally that are composed of African Americans. It was a movement which first started on Twitter due to the death of George Floyd. It was known as a movement which first started as a worldwide trending hashtag. The death of Floyd was then followed by a series of racist acts among these law enforcers which therefore, triggered the majority to rally and use their voices to fight for the rights and lives of the black Americans.
Source: Teen Vogue
The opportunity that the network society have opened for us shall be used meaningfully. At the end of the day, our simple words, posts, or even hashtags could save or even change the lives of other people. As they say, use your platform to serve as a voice to those who are unheard.
For now, this would be the end of my first blog post. I am hoping that these basics will make it easier for you guys to understand my future writescapades. Get to know more about writing for new media and, of course, myself as I unravel more of my learnings, insights, and personal experiences with my next blog posts. Ciao!
Sources:
BBC News. (2020, November 30). Black Lives Matter founders: We fought to change history and we won. Retrieved September 7, 2021, from BBC News website: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55106268
Black Lives Matter: From Hashtag to Movement. (2020). Retrieved September 7, 2021, from Anti-Defamation League website: https://www.adl.org/education/educator-resources/lesson-plans/black-lives-matter-from-hashtag-to-movement
The Good, Bad, and In-between of Social Media - Carrier Clinic. (2019, August 8). Retrieved September 7, 2021, from Carrier Clinic website: https://carrierclinic.org/2019/08/08/the-good-bad-and-in-between-of-social-media/
Introduction to Sociology. (2016). Castells and the Network Society [YouTube Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLF5J8Y5zyg
BBC News. (2020, November 30). Black Lives Matter founders: We fought to change history and we won. Retrieved September 7, 2021, from BBC News website: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55106268
Hi, future Thomasians! Mag-aral ng mabuti! Madali makapasok, mahirap mag-stay. Ang mas malala pa, mahirap pakawalan ang UST. Gaya sa hiwalayan ng lovers, struggle yung pagmomove on. Congrats!!!!!
hell,o. I am currently a grade 12 senior high school student (graduating na ko bes whooo!) and I took the USTET or University of Santo Thomas Entrance Test last December 3, 2017 (last batch). I don't really know if someone will see this (idc tho) I’ll still do this since this day is very special to me. I got to go to my dream school, UST, and hopefully I’ll pass the test kahit di ako nagbuklat maski isang libro man lang.
Btw, the courses that I chose are architecture and advertising arts (puro arts bessywap) The USTET normally just have 4 tests (Math, Science, English, IQ) But since I chose architecture they added an additional test (Space relation) AND since i picked an art course (advertising arts) I had another test again which is the drawing test. The drawing test btw varies on what art course an examiner chose (fine arts, industrial arts...) So overall, I had a total of 6 test :c
TIPS:
1. BRING A BAG FULL OF JACKET
Ang lamig bes! Partida naka-long sleeve na ako nun ah hahaha. Batsa bring a very thick jacket, if you don’t want to, edi wag.
You can eat while taking the exam just make sure not to distract other examinees (mag-share ka oy)
4. STUDY (?)
Actually it’s not necessary to study. It’s your choice. But if you really want to pass the USTET, then study. ( di po aq nagaral hihihi)
5. PRAY
Since dis girl right here didn’t study...
ABOUT THE TEST:
Yung test ko 50/50. 50 hula, 50 hula ule. Charing lang medyo may naalala naman ako sa nilesson ni maam at sir so alam nyo na hahahaha. Yung sa dagdag na 2 test ko, madali lang sya. AS IN. Ewan ko lang sa iba ah. Yung math tsaka science syempre matik na ahirap yun. Wag nyo na kong tanungin. Pero yung English basic lang. Basta wag kayong mapressure sa time uki? Uki. Sayonara.
december 20, 2017 — Paskuhan fireworks at its finest.
I’m super thankful to the crazy people who made the equally crazy ride worthwhile as we mark with a joyous & glorious celebration the end of this roller coaster semester.
I was happy for once. After December 28 and January 1, my life was peaceful and filled with happiness, but being me, happiness is always short lived.
I called up my crush, let’s hide him under the name, Jasper, excitedly. I was so eager to talk to him, and tell him how much I enjoyed December 28. When he picked up my call he asked why I was calling in a tone as if it was the first time we talked. To cut the long story short, he had a case of selective amnesia. He forgot me, everything we talked about, every “date” we went on. poof gone. It made me heartbroken. One day he talks about the possibility of us being in a relationship then the next, he doesn’t even remember his pet name for me. Ouch right? But that’s not the worst part, noooooo, he makes friends with his ex acting like they were good friends after all the terrible things he did to her. Ugh. I guess, it’s better now. For him at least, but him forgetting who I was, pushed me a little to my suicidal line.
I felt so miserable that I got sick. I didn’t have the energy to study, listen to my peers, or even to play games. I just wanted to lie down on my bed and sleep everything away. My birthday was coming up in 3 weeks and I didn’t feel any sort of excitement for it. I talked to my friend, let’s hide him under the name Matt, about my problems, about how my past was haunting me again, about how I wanted to kill myself. I was so near to it too but then that in the latter of my story. I made a mistake of telling him because it made him sympathetic and he took pity on me and said that he liked me. Now this guy admitted to me once before that he did like me, but my suicidal tendencies made him to believe that he was in love with me. Which he wasn’t. Let’s just say that I made several mistakes in a short span of a week, I drank and did things that I knew was wrong, and everything went spiraling down a tube and within the same week, he left. I felt used. So my suicide seemed more appropriate.
Turns out another guy friend of mine, Jacob, not his real name, admitted as well that he was in love with me. Like I would believe him right? So for one week he continuously texted me, while I gave him the cold shoulder. But then my birthday was coming up in a week and texted something so sweet that my heart melted right into his hands. And there I was again! Hooked on to a guy. I made efforts of going to his school in Las Pinas and I came all the way from Manila and then I would go home to Bicutan. If you know those areas you would see how my effort was. On top of it all, I sprained my ankle while walking in my campus. Yup, I am a first class klutz. But even through that injury I still gave my effort to see him because I feel in love. Hard. He gave me his first kiss. But after his intrams, he left me as well. I was reaching my point of no return, yet with every week that passed, I kept clinging on to something that everything will turn out for the best.
Well, the day came. January 23, 2014. It was a Thursday. I hated it. My friends kept saying that it seemed like I resented my birthday. Well, somehow I did because if I hadn’t been born in the first place then I wouldn’t have to be living this life. The day went on as usual. Morning class, lunch, PE, then we attended youth service at Victory U-belt. During worship, I just poured my heart out. I cried like there was no tomorrow. I felt better. Then my friends surprised me with a cupcake which one of them ate. You would think, “What a jerk!” but hey I was feeling better even though he ate it. Yeah sure I was pissed, but I was quick to forgive. Suddenly from the distance, my best friend came out with a mocha roll cake. It was an awesome surprise. It was a first for me and hopefully not the last. I gave some of my friend a mocha icing facial and we had our fun. When I got home, my father bought me a cake too. My grandfather sang me happy birthday and I felt really better. My thoughts of suicide were brushed away again and I prayed that they would never come back again.
At the beginning of the year, I did not expect to have NSTP since my father did not take it during his stay in UST. Our mind was set on the thoughts of paying the tuition fee of students without NSTP, but when I realized that it was required I quickly enrolled the last minute.
The last minute. People these days become so busy and so hastened with our fast paced world that everything has to be done in the instant. No one slows down and appreciates the little things anymore. No one goes on a quiet walk in the park or along the beach line unless they have time to kill. No one reads leisurely anymore or writes for the love of writing. Everyone is busy, hastening, or stressed.
The other day my grandfather died. He was a great man and left not riches or power, but a good name. As his wake was commencing, I noticed that he received more flowers from people I don’t know than the other dead people in the chapel building. I was so touched to see my family reuniting since we haven’t really been there for each other. Christmas last year was very dull and New years was quiet, but our reunion during my grandfather’s despedida was truly something to remember.
I got to think of my experiencing in NSTP where we did our modules, online assignments, and group works. We did them fine, but it was always down to the last minute. Why? Why do people procrastinate and let themselves be stressed out in the last minute? I truly don’t understand, but I think it’s the rush that comes with it. The adrenaline that pumps into our veins as we race with time, but isn’t it more relaxing if we do things ahead of time to avoid rushes and stress?
During my NSTP experience I’ve learned to be responsible. I’ve learned to become a leader and to serve my team and my community. Although it was a stress sometimes to have NSTP because it collided with our other subjects in school, it was a fun experience and I am sure that I won’t forget it.
From the first module to the last fieldwork, I tried my best to serve and do well and attend all that was needed. By the grace of God, I had finished everything until the last minute. I thank Him for letting me have this experience and making me learn that everything has a time and purpose. NSTP has been used by God as one tool to help our community and to help our generation to give back what is needed from our many blessings and as this year ends, to God, forever and always, be the glory, honor, and praise.
