There is no place like home—organization! Navigating "college life" is like paving a maze that leads everywhere, but our starting points will always lead us to our constants.
At the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), the College of Communication (COC) lives up to the news of a thriving "org culture," and these four academic organizations do have varied but catered threads fit for every COCian looking to start and belong somewhere.
Through the Screens and Clicks of PUP AdPROS
Finding your place in the vast scope of PUP's org culture is no easy feat. While we find ourselves conflicted between interests and new doors, oftentimes, what we need is to just look closely right where we stand.
For the Advertising and Public Relations Department, no place elsewhere clicks like home more than the PUP Advertising and Public Relations Organization of Students (AdPROS).
Apart from the established array of skills instilled in the BAPR curriculum, the department's premier academic organization transcends beyond the limits of its handbook. Scrolling through their social media accounts, the first to notice is the colorful aesthetics of even more vibrant events like campaigns, seminars, and competitions.
Current AdPROS president, Mx. Gab Suniga explains how the organization remains alive, “The bond is not centered on online platforms; we meet face-to-face for event production and meetings.”
Among AdPROS’ events are projects like Campaign 101: The ADPR Blueprint last January 25, and the 18th Mini AdClash PEANUTamis na Tagumpay last February 5, and with 2024 still on its way to becoming even more exciting, AdPROS beams excitement to unveil soon bigger surprises for the BAPR and the whole COC and PUP community.
Throughout the semesters, the AdPROS family has made names beyond the academic strata. With continuous honing of skills in their field, it is no wonder how its members are walking advertisements themselves of how creativity with character can truly top like no other.
Moreover, Suniga remains ecstatic with the life-long friendships and networks built among them.
As the academic year reaches bifold, Mx. Suniga's billboard goal for the organization remains, "The organization’s year-end goal is an enriched college life for the Department of Advertising and Public Relations students.”
The Blazing Spirit to Inspire of PUP BroadCircle
Talent. Passion. Arts. PUP BroadCircle is dedicated to excellence.
It is a challenging phase for some to find an organization conducive to fostering talent development and skill enhancement, but not for the students from the Department of Broadcast Communication (DBC).
The PUP BroadCircle is present to cultivate the talent, passion, and artistic spirit of the future broadcasters of the country.
The DBC was built 22 years ago—even before COC was established. They have been producing the future’s finest news presenters, and helping other students who are in line with their program through their extended activities outside their curriculum. Indeed, an academic organization that molds a true “Batang Bilog” full of passion and desire for their craft.
This February, third-year broadcasting students will appear on-screen once again not to deliver breaking news, but to present heart-wrenching, inspiring, and jaw-dropping short films for “Sine at Pagbabago,” a short film festival organized and presented by the organization.
BroadCircle is also set to hold an exciting and fruitful event for Women’s Month this upcoming March.
According to the Chairperson of BroadCircle, Juan Fernandez, they are maintaining and extending the legacy of their organization. There have been no discernible shifts within their organization. The essence of their group remains steadfast; they persist as an academic entity dedicated to organizing events for their student bodies.
The organization is planning to launch and conduct various programs that could make PUPians sensible of what is happening around the campus and all over the country. With their passion to inspire, BroadCircle is ready to ignite the fire within the heart of future voices of the nation.
Inside the Cites and Sights of PUP CORE
Precise and sharp are the usual references as the pages for COC's very own communication researchers are more than what meets the eye—upholding a genuine take on standards. Apart from the competitive curriculum, there lies a second home built as a site for CommRes students with more than one common trait that we can cite.
PUP Circle of Research Enthusiasts (CORE) is the centerfold of the bigger picture in the Department of Communication Research as their premier academic organization.
While one is not wrong to identify their members as skilled researchers and writers, there is much more enthusiasm in the organization's spirit that one must not miss. From dissertations to dedications, from words that seem to not run out, to wills that ask questions outside the box—PUP CORE members carry that productivity culture in a way that sets them apart from the typical with their head-on grit to always know and do more.
Recalling the continuous disposition of PUP CORE to keep unlocking the marvels inside the organization's potential, their president, Ms. Jemima Laurenciano describes their org culture as a place for their members to be aided in pursuit of both their personal and professional growth.
In its trademark shades of blue, indeed cool endeavors blanket what the organization does and takes pride in. With a close partnership with its home department, PUP CORE is keen on producing and hosting its flagship event during Communication Research Month with a series of subseries and also, the fourth installment of ABANKSSLTNTLGAKO.
Laurenciano is excited about their prospects, “We will also be launching another project in celebration of Women's Month that the whole COC community should look out for especially if they are interested in research and films.”
As CORE conquers more stages beyond the COC limelight, Ms. Laurenciano remains affirmative with her term: "As the President of PUP CORE, I have a vision to bring PUP CORE outside of the institution and expand its impact by collaborating with more external stakeholders to help us reach a wider audience and make noise of our advocacy, all for the love of research. The organization is also aiming to successfully implement all the activities that we planned while maintaining the empowering working environment that we have where every member feels valued, heard, and appreciated."
The Drive to Guide of PUP Journalism Guild They just don’t write for the people, they lead the people.
Started as a student-led initiative in 2006, the PUP Journalism Guild (JG) is now one of the premier academic organizations in the College of Champions, built through journalism students’ drive to represent their student body.
Through the years, JG served as a safe space not just for journos, but also for all COCians. It helps the students develop their journalistic skills through various activities such as seminars, workshops, and writing-related practices.
Two of their most successful programs were Journalism Caravan and Salin-Kaalaman, which were launched in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd). These activities were for students who practice journalism not just in PUP, but also in different cities in the National Capital Region like Pasig and San Juan City. The organization was also able to reach the province of Bulacan and embodied its mission to help the students develop their skills.
According to PUP JG President Gerie Marie Consolacion, the pre-pandemic years were the most active time of the organization.
The same with almost everything; a lot has changed in JG because of the pandemic. Activities were held online leading to the abolishment of their Production Committee which focuses on event organization.
However, they did not let the pandemic stop their burning passion to mold students into a solido journo. They launched the PeryodisTalk webinar to adapt to the situation. Now that PUP is gradually returning to face-to-face classes, JG is taking its PeryodisTalk to another level.
According to Consolacion, the speakers for their first in-person PeryodisTalk are indeed, relevant to the celebration of International Women’s Month.
Aside from focusing on restaging their traditional programs, JG will also revive their writing arm. With some amendments to its Constitution and By-Laws, the Journalism Guild is ready to strive as the “Citadel of tomorrow’s finest writers.”
Meeting the demands of college life comes with inevitable challenges, and that is why choosing a healthy environment and a set of people that will surround you is paramount.
Finding a space that could make you feel the warmth of belongingness and safety is not a problem in COC. These four organizations are not just homes, but a sanctuary for every COCian who values friendship, connections, and honing their skills.
From its competent students to its nurturing atmosphere; there is no surprise that COC is tagged as the home of champions.
Article: Rolan Muyot & Sharona Nicole Semilla
Graphics: Ronalyn Hermosa
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