FEATURE WRITING CLASS : persOnal experience (remedial work)

THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

By: Maelette O. Masbate

 

             “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit”, the famous Philosopher, Aristotle, once said.

 

            I’m a low-maintenance kind of person, an average student to be specific. Getting a passing grade is more than enough for me. Though I always tried to avoid having a failing mark, I never whine nor agonize about receiving a grade lower than 2.5… but that was long before; back when I was still struggling to become the next Florence Nightingale; and when I was still pompously wearing my dirt-free, all-white uniform going on shifts from one community and or hospital to another.

            But ever since I decided to relocate my search for knowledge and changed my career path from being a ‘life-saver’ to being a ‘life-giver’ like Shakespeare or Marilyn Monroe perhaps, I then began to seek and strive for excellence. After my period of adjustment as a new-comer in the University, I have ascertained that I too can get good grades, better grades in fact, if only I would strive harder and believe in myself that I can really do it.

            I know that it’s not impossible for me to achieve my goals, that’s the reason why I never gave up on my self. True enough, after three semesters of almost reaching the cut-off average, on my second semester of my second year as a Mass Com student, I finally found my name on the ever famous ‘Dean’s List’ (DL). I know for some it doesn’t make any difference or it’s just out of the ordinary, but for me it had been one of my life’s crowning glories. From then on, I never stopped my hunt for fineness and thanks to the guidance of my great man up there, my God; I have been a consistent Dean’s Lister.

            Some people would ask me why I’m doing such, like trying the best I can to stay on top, and without having to think deeply I would answer them in an instant, “This is the only way for me, as of now, to return and give back all the things, material or not, my parents have provided and done for me ever since the first day of my existence.” Although in a way my being a DL gives me self-satisfaction and helps me in boosting up my morale as well, but more than that, the pride and joy that I can see on my parents’ eyes every time I tell them the good news is way better and sweet than any achievement in the world there is. The feeling is like winning a million-dollar lottery times ten!

            There’s this depressing side of being above the average though, sometimes it gets too strenuous and heartbreaking. Since they’ve gotten used with the idea, it seems natural for them for you to get good grades; like you’re expected to be the best because they believe that you’re the best. My parents might not have pressured me through words but the trust and confidence they’ve placed on me is more than enough to shake me and pushed me to finish what I’ve started.

            But then again, no matter how fervent I am in giving back my parents what they deserve; I still believe that what I am going to do with my life solely depend on me. Even though I can get caught up with making sure I have no failing grades at times, but still I know how to have fun and be crazy sometimes. Remember, I was once a low-maintenance person, I can always pay a visit to the old me once in a while (except with the quality of work though, hehehhehe…)!

           

xoxo,


Mae =)

           

FEATURE WRITING CLASS : descriptive feature (remedial work)

AMBASSADOR FRANCISCO L. BENEDICTO MASSCOM STUDIO:

More Than Just A Studio

By: Maelette O. Masbate

 

            The newly-hatched chicks are placed inside an incubator so they may be cared for suitably; plants and or other floral species are enclosed in a glass house, particularly known as the greenhouse in order for them to be cultivated and nurtured accordingly; soldiers on the other hand, are also asked to live in a boot camp so as for them to be trained and molded as they should be. 

Therefore, every life-form, may it be the littlest creature or the most humongous specie, needs a place to stay; not just for them to have a cover over their heads, but also for them to be watched over and for them to acquire, learn and eventually master their skills and talents. Thus, this serves as the main purpose of the Mass Com Studio’s (MS) existence: to be the training ground for future journalists, broadcasters, directors, event managers and media practitioners.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

            According to Mr. Albert Maxino, a Mass Com Instructor in the University, “The old Mass Com studio along with the campus station, the DYAR, was built on 1987 through the efforts of Dr. Milagros Espina, the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at that time. The studio was donated by Ambassador Francisco L Benedicto who happens to be an alumnus of the University and a very close friend of Dr. Espina as well.”

MOVING FORWARD

Just last February 9, 2009 the newly-renovated Mass Com studio was inaugurated and is now named as, AMBASSADOR FRANCISCO L. BENEDICTO MASSCOM STUDIO. It was named after Ambassador Benedicto since he is the main benefactor of the said studio.

As what is stated on the official website of USJ-R, “These state-of-the art TV studio and campus radio station are dubbed as “the first” of their kind in the Mass Communication schools in Cebu.  Dean, Dr. Teoddie B. Dumam-ag believes that these modern facilities provide MassCom students a taste of the on-the-job training prior to their internship to the different media outlets. With its multi-million equipment, the Mass Com studio gives the students more opportunities to become experts in video production and skills in radio broadcasting and management. “

COMPARABLY INCOMPARABLE

            In order to further enhance and develop the students’ knowledge and skills (the Mass Com students to be specific) and to catch up with the revolution of modern facilities, the studio was refurbished and modernized. Thus the once undersized Mass Com studio has now doubled its size and equipments.

To further illustrate the difference of the new and the old MS, I tried to interview some students and some Mass Com alumni who were and are able to benefit and use both the old and new Mass Com studio. Obviously, the innovative recent Mass Com studio was remarkable to all of them, but still let us try to see what they have to say though.

            “The old Mass Com studio doesn’t have any T.V, now it has, and take note, it is flat screen! Another thing is that, the new MS already have lights wherein we can use during class presentations”, Jinalyn Garcia, a Liacom student shared.

            “It is way better than our classroom before because it seems like the room before is close to “ruins”. Now the studio is more ‘techy’ and you can actually say it’s a MASSCOM STUDIO rather than the once we had during our time, and in fairness the studio is now carpeted”, Yvain Elsie, a Mass Com alumna explained.

            “There’s nothing to compare about them! The newly-renovated Mass Com studio is far way better than the old MS. The space is now bigger though I think that the place doesn’t serve its purpose well. The studio must not be used as a classroom, it’s a laboratory. A room there serves as a TV production room, so why held classes there?”, Jynx Chanjueco, a Liacom student and SSC vice-president stated.

            “The MS now is superior to the old one. With the new amenities that can be found in the renovated DYAR in particular, it’s more ‘techy’. During our time, the DYAR have limited audience (students and teachers) inside the school vicinity; while now DYAR has an extensive reach and you can still get hooked with it using the internet, through Stickam. Even if you are not from San Jose, you can still hear the broadcasted shows over the internet”, Clyde Maru, a Mass Com alumnus compared in details.

            “Of course it’s better now. Equipments are improved although the lighting inside the MS is just focused on one side, the front in particular, so the space will not be utilized since we can’t shoot a scene on the other side. But it’s all improved than before, performance and equipment wise, it is a great investment for masscom. However, if you’ll ask us, the alumni’s, I guess what makes the old MS special is what we used to have there, the memories and all”, Cherie Ann Gozon, a Masscom alumna recalled.

            “Compared to the old MS, the new MS is more innovative in terms of technologies and more neat and spacious while the old one was too tiny that the students had trouble walking around without bumping at each other. The facilities were scarce and it did not meet the high standards of the outside stations such as the radio station and the newsroom for they had no budget then”, Lala Llopes, a fourth year Mass Com student sited.

CLOSE TO PERFECT

            No matter how flawless a certain thing or a person appears to be, it is undeniable that they still remain imperfect. Same as with the modernized MS; it may seemed upgraded and updated all the way, but still there are certain features and aspects that were overlooked about it.

As what Jynx mentioned, there are times that the studio doesn’t serve its purpose. Like the DYAR recording booth for example, this is supposed to be intended for students enrolled in the subject Radio Broadcasting and Management, however, there are instances that students who are not enrolled in the said subject would come in the DYAR laboratory to do their recordings and all.

In fact other students old or new have also noticed certain flaws and dilemma brought about by the new studio. Cherie Gozon, a Mass Com alumna even tried to give some suggestions with regards to certain issues on the new MS and its facilities. Here are the things she has to say about it:

 

1.    They still have to improve more the new MS.

2.    Students would have full training regarding the proper use of the equipments

3.    Let the students use the equipments and not just store/display them.

4.    I hope they will not use the Mass Com studio as an AVR, or conduct seminars. It should serve its special purpose as MASS COM STUDIO, not as an AVR or something. It may sound selfish but it was made for it so it should be use for it as well.

BEYOND THE STUDIO

            Although at times it is misused, the Mass Com studio has been serving its purpose to the students and faculty since time in memorial. So it is just irrefutable to say that the MS had not only been a place for learning but it has also been a valued witness to all the memories build and created by its occupants (students and teachers that is).

            Being one of the “tenants” in the MS, I too was able to make tons of unforgettable memories inside it. Some are quite remarkable and can surely put a smile or two on my face every now and then; others may not be so fond; and a few of those memories are in a way heart-warming.

            Now, let us try to reminisce together and find out what are the memoirs, cherished or not, some of the students have had during their stay in the studio.

“It was during our DYAR, all throughout the semester, our batch really helped one another to make DYAR productive. You can visibly see the teamwork”, Lala gladly shared.

“MS became not only the place wherein we can learn, but it had also been the place where me and my batch mates would hang-around and bond together. It’s like a classroom though it’s really not. You can find anything there: drama, clatter and fun”, Yvain cheerfully recalled.

            “Usually, especially if the teachers’ are not around, the studio is transformed into a comedy bar! It’s not like the other subjects wherein we would stay out of the classroom if teachers won’t come. In MS, though there are no teachers, we stay inside because we know that we’ll have a different ‘learning’ encounter with our classmates. Even though sometimes it’s for mere fun but still you can get something out of it as well. We would only stay out of the MS once the READS would ask us to do so. Other than fun, it is also where we were able to learn to be disciplined as Mass Com students with Ms. Bangcong and Mrs. Cerna; two of our Masscom professors who were able to control our batch since there are only a few of them who can totally hush us. There are times that we would convert the Mass Com studio as a comedy bar, dance floor, theater stage, convenient store (since some of my classmates are selling some things), debate room, music room and others, depending on where our imagination, talents and antics would take us”, Cherie gleefully reminisce. “Another thing, there is that certain calendar in the MS before with the large name of ‘MARIVIC TIDALGO’ printed on it. Clyde, one of our classmates, would usually make fun and talk to that calendar until eventually, that calendar became a part of us. We don’t really have any idea if that person is still living or not, and so when Dr. Teoddie heard about that, he told us that Marivic is still alive. During our seminar class, we insisted Dr. Teoddie to allow us to meet Marivic in person; but since she can’t come over she instead send us tons of Dunkin Donuts and everyone was delighted about it. After which Dr. Teoddie called Marivic and we send our thank yous over the phone. Marivic Tidalgo by the way is a friend of Dr. Teoddie”, she enjoyably added.

SPOOKY SIDE

            Since Halloween is fast approaching, let me first share to you the creepy stories I have heard from some of my fellow Mass Com students’, before finally ending my article.

            As what they have said (the previous batch), there’s an urban legend in that studio, the old studio to be exact, about this certain child staying there. In fact, they tagged that child as, ‘BATA SA MS’. They said that the child would usually sit on any vacant chair that is why they don’t leave any sits there vacant. One of them also shared that a classmate of theirs who happens to have a third eye, saw that child roaming around the Mass Com studio while they were having their classes. There was also this instance when some of them made a joke about that child and suddenly, that classmate of them who had a third eye started crying because she saw the child sitting beside those people who made fun of the child.

            My classmate Gerard, who also has this third eye told me that he have seen this child as well. He said that the child is still staying in the MS up until now. As a matter of fact, he would usually go out of the room every time he sees the child. He said that this child loves to play around the room, or hide inside the editing room or under the teacher’s table. He said that most of the time the child would stay under the teacher’s table showing only his/her bare feet.  He added that there are times too that the child would sit beside on one of our classmates and would just stay there staring at him/her.

            …Scared? Anyway, before we all get spooked and scared with that child inside the MS I guess I have to end my article now.

            I think we have to admit that no matter how many flaws we might spot about the MS, still it have been in a way of great help to us, especially to my fellow Mass Com students. We have not only acquired new knowledge and skills inside the studio, but most importantly we have gained friends… we have gained family.

xoxo,


Mae =)