The campus press was tested once more this past year with the country still grappling with the pandemic, worsening economic inequality and the return to power of a notorious political dynasty. Yet as always, even despite a lack of support and outright threats to their safety, student journalists rose to the occasion.
Wrapping up 2022, our editors sent in their favorite stories, designs and multimedia output from our fellow student publications. In the third edition of our appreciation list, we tip our hats to the work of our pals in the campus press.
To our colleagues, we thank you for your work. And here’s to a freer press in 2023!
Tinig ng Plaridel
Pilar Fernandez, Multimedia Editor
Top pick: Moxie: Big Girls Do Cry
by The GUIDON (Ateneo de Manila University)
Produced by Tatiana L. Maligro, Andrea Mikaela Llanes, Beatriz C. Reyes, Neil R. Reyes, Alissa Evangelista and Abigail M. Chua
Directed by Lou Del Rosario
Narrated by Iana Luis Padilla
Shot by Fran Enriquez, Lou Del Rosario, Jake Calingasan
Edited by Jake Calingasan
Content warning: The video contains sensitive content, discussing sexual harassment, mental health issues, and self-harm.
Big Girls Do Cry is the third installment of Moxie, The GUIDON’s opinion documentary series. The video narrates the story of a domestic abuse survivor. She recounts her experience of sexual harassment and its aftermath, detailing her struggle to process and act on what happened to her. Through her story, which spans from childhood to the pandemic, she points out the societal ills that underlie her personal issues and offers support to other victims.
As the COVID-19 lockdown caused a spike in domestic violence, the video is a stark reminder of the hidden battles faced by women and children every day. With creative and heart-wrenching visual storytelling, Big girls do cry sparks discourse on the Philippines’ internalized misogyny and lack of mental health aid for victims. Ultimately, the short documentary underlines that healing for domestic abuse survivors is possible and, however hard, human but must be accompanied by societal justice.
Bonus picks: Langkap ng Memorya, Deka-dekadang Pasya by Philippine Collegian; Axis Season 3: Episode 1 – The Church’s Power over the National Legislative Process by The GUIDON; The Leadership Standard: Dissecting #Halalan2022 Presidential Platforms (three-part series) by The Lasallian
Aly Lampano, Graphics Editor
Top pick: Noise Vol. 66 No. 4
by The Spectrum (University of St. La Salle)
Layout & Graphics Editor: Mikey Vincent T. Vicente
Illustrator: Jaziel Ann V. Seballos
Layout & Graphics Artists: Gerico T. Guanco, Perlyn Joy L. Suganob
The Spectrum’s Noise, their award-winning 80-page digital magazine, is a work of wonder on every level. Boasting a wide range of relevant beats and timely articles, this gorgeous piece stuns electrifying visuals that speak volumes for their creativity and determination as a student publication.
Their strategic use of fonts and colors creates unique pieces that are visually sound; and their striking illustrations speak the truth of their words to power. With a display of diverse but cohesive art styles, this evidently inspired zine conquers deafening silence.
A well-deserved kudos goes to this well-produced zine and the team that poured their creative juices into its production.
Bonus picks: UPLB Perspective Vol. 48 Issue 5 by UPLB Perspective; Set in Motion by The Central Echo; The Forum Tabloid and The Forum Newsletter by Forum-Dimensions; International Day of Persons with Disabilities by The LaSallian; Munting Yapak by The Work
Guinevere Latoza, Photography Editor
Top pick: Mga mag-aaral ng CDC, hirap transisyon pa-F2F classes
by Neil Andre Tallayo and Dan Alexander Abas of Tanglaw (University of the Philippines Los Baños College of Development Communication)
Entering Academic Year 2022-2023, the transition was the name of the game for the University of the Philippines. For most students, it meant having both online and face-to-face classes. But when facilities cannot capacitate a hybrid learning set-up, learners are bound to struggle. This is what Tanglaw’s story starkly captured through words, graphic and well-composed photos.
Through Abas’ images, the reader is transported to the reality of students on the ground who are forced to carve learning spaces out of rooms and hallways that have an unreliable internet connection — a phenomenon also felt in other UP constituent units. Eventually tracking down the issue of the policies that have allowed the existence of students’ suffering speaks of Tallayo and Tanglaw’s brand of critical writing — something that all student journalists have to possess as they head on to another semester full of uncertainties.
Bonus picks: Silang nawawala, hinahanap at inaalala: by UPLB Perspective; The Waves of Corporate Waves of Aggression in Coastal Communities by Pacesetter; Ang Paglabas sa Pamatasan ay Pagbawi ng Kapangyarihan by Philippine Collegian
Karl Agbugay, Sports Editor
Top pick: Streaming in rainbow colors, queer gamers narrate experiences in esports platforms
by Therese Genota, Mikaela Vallesteros and Koby del Rosario of The Lasallian (De La Salle University)
Moving in a community that still generally thrives on gender biases and stereotypes, local queer gamers continue to endure some of the severest forms of online harassment on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Celine and Paula are no strangers to this sad reality.
The experiences they recounted in this piece give readers an idea of just how discriminatory the gaming landscape can be for queer gamers such as themselves. Their sentiments remind us that the fight for a safer and more inclusive gaming environment among many other spaces persists.
With the collective efforts of online platforms to improve their policies and of the gamers and streamers to nurture a culture of kindness, significant changes may just be within reach for the queer gaming community.
Bonus picks: Getting to know more about DLSU’s loudest voice in the arena, ‘Lolo Derecho’ by The Lasallian; Examining the PBA’s culture of violence against women by The GUIDON; Kung Nabubuhay Ang Mga Alaala by UP Baguio Outcrop
Chelsea Visto, Features Editor
Top pick: Getting rid of the blindfold: A profile of an ex-Marcos apologist
by Angelo Mari Cabual of Atenews (Ateneo de Davao University)
Family members are bound to influence each other’s worldviews in one way or another, including political stances. Conservative Filipino traditions are often unwelcoming of dissent, allowing certain political narratives (sometimes problematic) to thrive within the family.
While it’s tough to outgrow beliefs that have prevailed for generations, “D” is proof that you can eventually develop stances independent of what others think.
However, as long as Marcos’ disinformation machinery operates in full power, more people are destined to fall victim to lies.
Bonus picks: Kalbaryo sa sahod at presyo by The Manila Collegian; The internet has been and will be bad for eating disorders by The GUIDON; Baga ng Pakikibaka sa Silangan by UPLB Perspective
Coleen Mendoza, News Editor
Top pick: Unmasking urban ills
by Clayton Dejillas and Justine Ramirez of The GUIDON (Ateneo de Manila University)
The past two years have been filled with stories of the pandemic – how it affected the academe and more so the community outside it.
In this story from The GUIDON, the effects and challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic were examined through a different lens: the people’s homes and the physical environment where the virus thrives. The story addressed how pandemic protocols such as physical distancing, handwashing, and home quarantines are infeasible for households in informal settlements and in congested cities. Not only that, but it also raised the issues that come with the living environments of those in higher socio-economic classes – how ventilation in high-rise buildings such as condominiums are still susceptible to the virus.
Kudos to the publication for sharing these pandemic stories.
Bonus picks: Tough Situations Dampen Christmas Spirit As Bicolanos Grapple With Inflation by Bicol Universitarian; Shedding light on the hidden aftermath of surviving COVID-19 by The Lasallian; How has the Covid-19 pandemic affected Thomasians’ interest in campus politics? by The Varsitarian
John Mark Garcia, Managing Editor
Top pick: Sa Laro ng mga Hari’t Reyna, Atin ang Huling Alas
by Hannah Andrea Valiente of Outcrop (University of the Philippines Baguio)
This intricately crafted feature story ahead of the 2022 national elections unpacks the country’s longstanding political narratives and bares the administrative power play of administrations past, all of which were proving to be remarkably vital ahead of a polarizing electoral season with the future of the Filipino people at stake.
As card games go, each player must make the most of what they are dealt with. What this critical piece from UP Baguio Outcrop offers is a fervent and resounding reminder for every Filipino to play their strongest aces—their all-important votes in the elections and their liberating voices to ultimately break free from the shackles of oppressive rule and reclaim the power that is, and will always be, for the Filipino masses to have and hold.
Bonus picks: Pahina: Ang pagsupil sa espasyo ng progresibong literatura by UPLB Perspective; Hindi natural ang sakuna by The Manila Collegian; Crossing civil hurdles to urban sustainability by The GUIDON; Breaking the silence surrounding intergenerational trauma by The LaSallian; Paglisan sa Probinsya: Byahe Patungo sa Pangarap by FEU Advocate
Julienne Espinosa, Associate Editor
Top pick: How to handle political convos during holiday gatherings
by Chalssea Kate C. Echegoyen, Eduardo G. Fajermo, Jr. and Niña Angelica M. Rodriguez (University of Santo Tomas)
During the first holidays following the heated national elections, it is inevitable that every Noche Buena and Media Noche will be colored with political discussions. Varying political leanings are the main ingredient to affect the holidays – and the Varsitarian published something that shed light on this dilemma. This is a reminder that despite differences, intact family values and mutual respect between members remain to be keys to successfully making others understand what each one is trying to say. That despite adversaries, holidays can still be happy as long as discussions like this have a goal of understanding and not victory over the other.
Bonus picks: To serve in life and death by The GUIDON; Oh, costly night by The GUIDON; Fireworks manufacturers reel from high prices, stricter regulations by The Varsitarian
Jason Sigales, Editor-in-Chief
Top pick: Banta ng inflation, nagpapait sa panahon ng pasko
by Neil Andrew Tallayo of Tanglaw (University of the Philippines Los Baños College of Development Communication)
Founded just this year, UPLB CDC’s Tanglaw came out swinging and ended 2022 with a human-interest piece on the holidays. Despite insistence from the trade department that a Filipino Christmas can be celebrated with only P500, lantern makers and vendors like those featured in the piece can only bring less food to the table amid a 14-year high in the inflation rate. It is a bitter but needed reminder that even during the season to be jolly, not all can be bright and merry.
Bonus picks: Ateneo community calls for action on Katipunan and campus traffic by The GUIDON; Students’ test scores drop ‘significantly’ in F2F exams – UST professors by The Varsitarian; Burnouts and shunt wires by The Flame
