Statement of Purpose

I just thought of posting it. I am honestly not so sure if I got it right, but hopefully I did. =)

When I was filling up my application form for UP some years ago, just like most high school students, I couldn’t decide which course to take. I was in front of the television that time watching the news, and I suddenly thought I wanted to be a newscaster. I wrote the following courses as my choices: BA Broadcast Communication and BA Speech Communication; BA Development Communication and BA Communication Arts. I honestly didn’t have any clear idea of what Speech Comm and Dev Comm were. I just wrote them down because they were communication courses. I didn’t know where my interest on communication came from that time especially that I knew that during my younger years what I wanted was to be a teacher. I ended up taking BA Speech Communication as my undergraduate program. During the first semester, it still wasn’t clear to me of what Speech Comm really was. When I took my first major subject in Communication, I learned how broad my chosen program was. It was like a little of everything about communication. Many think that communication is just about “talking” and that there is not so much about it that should be or could be studied. I often received comments like “Anong pinag-aaralan nyo dun? Anong trabaho nyo after?”  Because of these, my interest in the study of communication got deeper. I thought that as a communication student, I should seek answers to these questions. I was able to look at the deeper sense of communication, not just the speaker-message-receiver concept. I was able to see and examine the complexity of its process. Towards the end of my college years, when I was asked the same questions again, I answered, “Madami. We study the relationship and importance of communication in arts, science, psychology, sociology, anthropology, linguistics, economics, history, management, and politics and vice versa. We can be teachers, managers, writers, call center agents, newscasters, and many more.” The answer might be broad and superficial for some, but this is what I got from studying communication.

My desire and love for teaching still didn’t get suppressed. I thought of shifting to an Education course but I thought it was too late. Besides, I knew that I could still fulfill my dream of becoming a teacher even if my degree was in the field of communication. In fact, I thought that being a communication student would be a great help for me as a teacher soon, and it really is of great help in my current job as a college instructor, at the same time, it also helps me cope with the new job I am assigned to do – as Human Resource Personnel. My knowledge in interpersonal communication, intercultural communication and organizational communication has helped me in performing my job as an HR personnel well.

As an Instructor, I want to be of help in elevating our people from poverty through education and I believe that my knowledge in communication and other related fields can be of great help in the fulfillment of this dream. The use of communication effectively for the development of our society and country as a whole is something that is worth focusing on. This is why I want to enroll in Master of Development Communication. I strongly believe that through this program, I can gain more knowledge and understanding, at the same time more skills in using communication as a tool for development. I would want to focus on the use of communication in education as well as the educational system of our country. It would be worthy to look at the role of communication in the betterment of our current educational system.

I believe that the University of the Philippines Open University is an ideal place for me to continue my education. The promotion of distance education as an innovative way of learning helps in receiving quality education despite the distance.

After completion of my Master’s degree, I plan to pursue a Doctoral degree. Because I am currently in the academe, my eventual goal is to be a professor where I can continue doing researches on communication, and at the same time help my institution in delivering quality education to students.

O Val Tin . . .

The Owl. Ovaltine.

It's been almost a year since this "logo" or picture? whatever you may call it, was drawn by my no. 1 fan (Well,, my lovelife's no. 1 fan actually), Gummy Bear. Out of randomness, he suddenly thought of a name of a "fans club". Ovaltine sis a combination of O (which, according to Gbear, is his reaction when he sees me and tin), Val (from my first name) and Tin (from his name). Funny, really funny, but i thought it's cute. I have already forgotten this thing. I don't know exactly where this tissue paper is now, but at least we've got a souvenir of it, this picture, which reminded me today of that thing I decided to forget. =(

Personal Leave

Saw some familiar faces, and a lot of unfamiliar faces who definitely made my one-day-leave really worth it. =)


1. Kuya with Gray contact lens sa LTO Makati
He definitely made my day by telling me that they couldn't process my application for a Non-Professional License because I didn't have the receipt of my Student Permit. (sarcastic of me) But in all fairness, this Kuya was so accommodating and so nice to us. Check lang. =)


2. Kuya sa Customer Service ng LTO San Juan
At first I found him really annoying, irritating, and unaccommodating (comparing him with the Kuya from LTO Makati). He did not smile, he was talking to people as if telling them, "Hey, you're so stupid, can you just read the instructions posted around this office before you ask???" But when I passed my filled-up application form, upon seeing that  I am working at BSU, he changed (at least to me. hehe) the way he talked. Still kinda serious, still not smiling, but, we had a small talk. He said he was from BSU Lemery but he was residing in Taal. Okay, something in common. That's nice. He was asking me why I was applying in San Juan and not in Tagaytay. And other things. At least, "tropa na kami ni Kuya". Hehe. =)


3. Doctor Bernardo (still from LTO San Juan)
He was maybe in his 60's, but he knew how to mingle with the young ones. As he wrote my name on the paper, he was like, "ang ganda ng pangalang Valerie". Of course it gave me a smile on my face and knowing the ever "sira ulo at palabirong" me, I answered, "syempre po maganda din ako,eh" (chos!) When he was about to write my civil status, "Single no?" "Opo." "hanggang kelan?" "Pag-iisipan ko po." And when he found out that I was only 22, he was like, "Ah, single pa nga dapat, bata ka pa." I really liked him. Not just because of his compliments and his funny "hirit", but because he reminded me of my lolo. =)


4. Kuya and Ate from the PhotoSig window and Approving Window (LTO San Juan)
Okay, I thought I would be given a reviewer because those around me had reviewers for the exam. But OMG! I took the exam without any review! Of course I did not have any idea of what the exam would be. Neither did I have any idea of what the correct answers were. Some were, well, common sense. Most were about the rules on the road. Err. Passing was 30. I got......29! Partida. Hehe. But still, I failed. Ate from the PhotoSig was the one who informed me that I failed by 1 point. Ouch. But it was totally okay with me. The thing is, sila pa ang mukang nanghihinayang. Even Kuya from the Approving window told me na "Isa na lang!". It felt good somehow that these people, though we didn't know each other had that sympathy for me. Hehe. =)


5. Kuyang Jeepney Driver
"Itago mo Ineng yung cellphone mo." I was shocked when he suddenly talked to me, and I immediately kept my phone in my bag. He said that he had one passenger before who had his cp snatched while inside his jeepney. He told me to be very careful specially that I'm a girl. I felt his concern. We had a small talk about traffic rules (things mentioned in the exam) and stuff about life. When I was about to get off, he reminded me to look at both sides of the road before I get off. Or when I cross the street. I smile and thanked him for that very short moment that we had, where I knew, somehow, he was really concerned. =)


6. Ate in line after me at Cahier 5 of Landmark, Trinoma
I was the next in line to be served. But suddenly, an old woman broke in the line and gave her things to the cashier. The cashier did not notice that the woman broke in the line so she still served her. Then when it was already my turn (again) the lady, (around 40's) next to me told the cashier, "Alam mo ms, sumingit lang yung matanda. Dapat sya (me) na, pero biglang pinatong ng matanda yung bibilhin nya." The cashier, sincerely apologizing to me, said that she did not notice. It was not a big deal anyway. After that I thought, not all people can actually say what the lady next to me said.  I mean, we have opinions, and when we see something wrong, even a simple one, we become reluctant to say it especially that we know that its just a simple matter. That lady was reluctant at first so she just let the old woman be served first, but at least, she was able to give a reminder to the cashier not to let it happen again.


7. Sir Robert Go
I was a bit hesitant and, it was a litle awkward for me to say, "Si Sir Go po?" to the instructor who opened the door of the faculty room. He was not there so I just sent him a text message telling him I was at his faculty room. It's been a while, as in a while. I have always been so proud of Robert's achievements. I have always been one of his "fans". Anf seeing his name on the door of FC 3001 was really something that made me smile that afternoon. We did not have much time to talk because he had a meeting but at least, we were able to, even for a very limited time, catch up a little. I was really happy to see him again. =)


8. Ma'am TP de Luna
O,well,she's still the ever pretty Ma'am TP. It's been two years since I last saw her but it felt good that she still remembered my name. She gave me a hug and a "beso" and asked me where I was working. When I told her I was teaching, I saw this big smile on her face as if telling me, "I am so happy for you!" (or maybe that's just my interpretation. hehe) Well, whatever that smile meant, I"m still very very very happy to see her. =)


9. Kuya Lem
The legendary Kuya Lem of the Department of Speech Communication and Theater Arts. Wen I went to the Radio Lab and didn't find him, I was a bit disappointed, at the same time, sad. But! He saw me! We bumped into each other and I was very very very happy! I was so excited to tell hims stuff, just like  what we used to do during our college days, when I couldn't find any place to stay in. I liked it when he excitedly asked me, "Kumusta ka na,teacher?" .. And catching up on the two years that we didn't see each other. When he learned that I was applying for a driver's license because I had a motorbike, he was like, "Bakit ka nagmomotor? Baka naman kaskasero ka,ha. Dapat hindi ka nagmomotor, delikado." My heart kinda melt (yayks) feeling the concern and kindness of a kuya, of Kuya Lem. I really really really missed him. And I still do. =)


10. Natasha aka Twinkle
Well, she was on my birthday party last month, but I always miss her still. We had this loooooong conversation about what has happened, and what has been happening to my life, my family life, work life, love life. I had a very long story to tell, and she just listened. I so love her. =)


Strangers some of them may be, but definitely, even strangers give a great impact in our lives. It was only a one-day leave, but  it was a loooong day, indeed. We made memories. =)

Tatak TIBAK

TIBAK - Tibak is a play on the Filipino word, aktibista (activist), and generally refers to activists and street parliamentarians. (http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Tibak:_University_of_the_Philippines_Activists)

Activism, I believe, is not what most people think it is. When we, UP students try to express our thoughts and opinions on matters that are socially related, or even in simple discussions and we try to defend some points that we think are right, we are almost always quoted as “tibak”, with matching line, “taga-UP ka nga, aktibistang aktibista,eh”. If you come to think of it, it’s kinda offensive for us UP students, or UP people that we are called activists just because we came from UP. Yes, we are activists, but not the activists that they think we are. There is a misconception that activism is just about going out on the street, marching to Mendiola or Malacañang, holding placards and shouting their complains against the government. I remember when I was in first year college, one of my professors, (Philosophy 11), who admitted that he was a “hard-core” activist (who joined rallies every now and then), told us that if we want this country to be better, (just like what most “raliyista” want), we should study well. He told us that instead of going out on rallies, we should just give focus on our studies. In that way, according to him, we were already helping the country to be better. I could never forget that.

After that day, I thought I wanted to be an activist. I started being more vigilant and more socially-aware and concern. I shared my opinions and stand on issues in and out the campus. I started gaining information on matters that concern not only our university but the entire country as well. I started reading materials about society. I started having a “say” on what’s happening. I started to be critical. I started to be an activist. I never went out on rallies though. I never shouted on streets. I never held placards. I never marched to Mendiola or Malacañang. What I did was I finished my studies. I worked to earn money for my studies. I performed on streets. I delivered speeches in class. I shared opinions on my advocacy on quality education. I graduated without distinction but I still graduated without failing any subject. I was an activist in my own way.

Now I am teaching in a University. I am still an advocate of quality education. I try my best to give my students the best of me. I give them whatever I am capable of giving just to ensure that they get the kind of education I believe they should have for them to succeed in life. I fight against hunger, poverty, illiteracy. So I teach. I am an activist.

The term “tibak” now has a deeper sense to me.  It’s simply, generally about fighting for what you believe is right, in any way you can. It’s about being aware of what’s happening around you and doing something to solve it and not just complaining about it. Those prominent and ordinary people who go out on streets to express their protest against the government are activists. Students who study very hard to help their families afterwards are activists. Reporters and media men who give their time and risk their lives just to deliver the news accurately are activists. Doctors and medical practitioners who dedicate themselves to ensuring good health to the Filipino people are activists. Agriculturists who spend their days ensuring the quality and quantity of food supply for the country are activists. Janitors who clean the surroundings are activists. People who give alms to street children are activists. Those who turn off the light when not used to conserve energy are activists. We, in one way or another, are all activists.