Author: Axcel Beltran

My first semester at UP thought me nothings

It was six in the morning of July 14 when I learned that I passed BS Development Communication program in UPLB. It was the last degree program I included on my second campus option. To be honest, I did not know why I even put DevCom in my list of choices; maybe because I saw that it has “communication” in it. 

The moment I knew that I passed the program, I was not happy because this was not the plan. This was not the place that I am supposed to be at. However, now that my first semester in BS DevCom is nearing an end, I learned nothing but nothings. 

DevCom leaves no one and nothing behind. 

Unlike other mass communication courses, DevCom has a special lens to see the inequalities and atrocities that others cannot. DevCom offers different perspectives as to why such things exist in our society. It informs people of the truth as it is hence, helping the community to decide and make sound choices.

When I had my social awakening years back, I saw an ailing society worsened by oppression and administrative mishaps. Looking now in a hindsight as a DevCom student, DevCom tries to create, deliver, and advocate sustainable solutions to aid the social illnesses that we are currently facing. This is where DevCom thrives and fulfills its essence as a public service: it doesn’t leave anyone and anything behind. It utilizes my skills and talents to fulfill and serve a bigger purpose.

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The truth is DevCom fails, and here’s where

When I saw on my UPCA result that I didn’t pass on my dream course in my dream school, I thought I failed. It was six in the morning of July 14 when I learned that I passed BS Development Communication program in UPLB. It was the last degree program I included on my second…

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by Axcel Beltran
Our talents are not given for nothing; they should be sought, showcased, and nurtured. 

When I was hailed as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Journalists of the Philippines last 2020, I admit that it gave me so much confidence in the craft that I have. I almost thought that I already knew everything but entering UP and passing to an unfamiliar program reminded me that I still have many things to learn and so much to improve. 

In one of our Weekly Writes entries, we were tasked to rate and assess ourselves regarding our skills and qualities as media writers. Almost all of my ratings were close to the highest which is at five. I based my ratings on my experiences, and not solely on my skills. 

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If I were to reassess the ratings that I gave myself in that particular Weekly Writes entry, I would still rate myself with the same numbers. I believe that it should not be the numbers that must improve, but the experience, the caliber, and my standards. I decided to neither raise nor decrease the numbers that I input because the lens that I used in assessing myself back then has been refined and improved, so do I and my creativity.

Nothing beats creativity.

I would say that I have enjoyed almost all of the activities in our DEVC11 class, especially our Weekly Writes. In fact, this article is the epilogue of my Blog 6050 entries. 

Weekly Writes enabled me to do things I did not know I can until I try them. It convinced me to go beyond my comfort zone and strive to be unique in order to create my own identity. Within the 15 entries, I was able to create a podcast, a vlog series, a talk show segment with one of the DevCom alumni, a cover song playlist, write a script of a news package, a trailer-like AV plug, and articles that I know I put my heart into. 

Doing all the activities in our DEVC11 class has helped me hone my creativity, talent, and passion for telling stories. I am grateful for all the comments and feedback that have been given to my works for I am assured that I can do more and better.

In a nutshell, this semester has been filled with a crazy rollercoaster ride. I know that this is not the end because this is the beginning of crazier rollercoaster rides. So I gotta take my seatbelts in and prepare myself for the ride. As I have said with one of the episodes of my “To Whom It May Concern” series, fire refines gold, and in all of us, there is gold. We just have to seek and mold them even if it entails fire because all will be worth it in time. 

SEE THE VLOG HERE:

Someone asked me where do I get all this energy from. And it made me question myself too because, to be honest, I do not know where. It just comes out of me and I can’t explain how and why. And if you’re going to ask me what can possibly hinder me from doing what I do and stop me from striving to be better, I would simply answer–nothing.

RELATED POSTS

To Whom It May Concern S01E03: We are not yet the best we think we are

Take your time in the shower. Half of the best and unique ideas, I think, ay nacoconceptualized ko while taking a bath.

For the third episode of “To Whom It May Concern”, here are my five tips about the activities and exercises in our DEVC11 Lecture and Laboratory class.

“To Whom It May Concern” is a series created and conceptualized by yours truly.

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To survive UPCA, expect the worst and hope for the best

Unlike the UPCAT where you are required to take the entrance exam, the application process for our batch only needed your Form 1 or your basic information, and your Form 2 that contains your academic grades in high school. These forms will dictate your application fate and you gotta do nothing but expect the worst and hope for the best. 

I have this vivid memory when I was a child about the University of the Philippines (UP). I was at elementary when ABS-CBN’s  primetime series “Ina, Kapatid, Anak” debuted in Philippine television. There was this one episode when a probinsyana girl named Celine, portrayed by Kim Chui, passed the UPCAT. UP Diliman was her dream school, so she ran towards the Oblation and passionately shouted, “UP, heto na ako! (UP, here I am!)” That caught my interest as a child because I was wondering why was she so ecstatic to enter the university. Then, she graduated as a summa cum laude of their batch. 

WATCH IT HERE:

The series introduced UP to me, and it made me dream to be a UP student as well, to be a UP Diliman student to be specific. I remember myself having this small notebook where I would be sketching a graduation portrait of myself, and writing under it “Jhon Axcel G. Beltran, UP Summa Cum Laude”. Looking in hindsight, I can’t help but laugh because I do not know if it was me being so delusional or overly innocent.

Fast forward when I was filling out my Form 1, I was cautious with every detail that I input because a mistake can ruin my future. It made me reflect on my grades in junior high school at the Regional Science High School of 4A-CALABARZON for they were not that high but not that low. I was not sure if they were enough to give me a passport to UP. Nevertheless, come what may. My experiences have already taught me to always expect the worst and hope for the best. 

Then, the results day came. It was six in the morning of July 14 when I learned that I passed BS Development Communication program in UP Los Baños. It was the last degree program I included on my second campus option. To be honest, I did not know why I even put DevCom in my list of choices; maybe because I saw that it has “communication” in it.

Due to its unfamiliarity, I feared taking it at first. This wasn’t the plan. The plan was to study BA Journalism at UP Diliman, create networks, and live my life to the fullest. DevCom was not part of the plan. I thought I failed, and I found myself lost. There were no “UP, heto na ako! (UP, here I am!)” moments. 

The truth is DevCom fails, and here’s where

However, I realized that there are things beyond my control. There are things that no matter how thoroughly I plan them, there will always be something that will come unexpectedly. The only thing that we can control is ourselves. The way we handle the things that come unexpectedly is the only thing that we can manipulate.

To be honest, I do not know how I passed and survived the UPCA because there are a hundred thousand students who may be more deserving than I do. But that’s the point. We should not be competing with quality education. It’s a basic human right. Nonetheless, I am beyond grateful because I am living and building my dreams. As I go forth on my journey as an Iskolar ng Bayan, I will hold onto nothing but to always expect the worst and hope for the best. 

Lalaya Tayo sa Bailen, Cavite

Nakabibingi ang ingay ng katahimikan ng mundo. Nakakapagod kahit hindi tumayo. Pero may lugar kung saan tayo lalaya at tatakas sumandali.

This is a one-minute audiovisual (AV) plug about Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, more commonly known as Bailen, Cavite. This plug aims (1) to showcase the liberating beauty of Bailen, Cavite, and (2) to promote the agri-eco tourism of the town.

VIDEO CLIPS USED

  1. Lumipa, Bailen, Cavite Drone Shot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iAOaLDq3PE&t=73s
  2. Sunrise Time-lapse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9Tjxl39vgc
  3. Bailen, Cavite Town Fiesta Marching Band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYsNfFiNhU0
  4. Tala River Bailen, Cavite: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgCjEOm4sMw&t=40s
  5. Malibiclibic Falls Bailen, Cavite: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mzs3mMi74OA

PHOTOS USED

  1. Community Pantry photo from Renz Camille Mojica
  2. Clean-up Drive photo from Municipality of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Facebook Page
  3. Gulayang Bayan photo from Mayor Nelia Angeles Facebook Page

BACKGROUND MUSIC USED

  1. Crying Alone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMvCfm_AjYo
  2. Inspirational and Uplifting Background Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiO8eUCco1U&t=77s

[COVER SONGS PLAYLIST] A X C Ξ L

“A X C Ξ L” is a five-song playlist that speaks everything that I want to say to myself. It includes “Leaves” by Ben&Ben, “You Will Be Found” by Sam Smith and Summer Walker, “Blue Sky” by Hale, “I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz, and “With A Smile” (DevCom Version) by Eraserheads.

1. You Will Be Found by Sam Smith and Summer Walker

You’ll reach up and we’ll rise again. If you only look around, you will be found.

2. Leaves by Ben&Ben

All will be alright in time.

3. Blue Sky by Hale

There will always be a blue sky waiting tomorrow full of hope.

4. I Won’t Give Up by Jason Mraz

God knows we’re worth it.

5. With A Smile (DevCom Version) by Eraserheads

You’ll get by one step at a time.

Talks Mula sa Puso: The Accidents That Made Samantha Javier

DevCom is life. Because it will really require you to use that particular mindset 24/7. Hindi siya natuturn on and off. Sa lahat ng gagawin mo, makikita mo siya because it’s a curse. It cannot be “unseen” once mulat ka na and ginagamit mo na siya.

In this video, I interviewed one of the UPLB DevCom alumni Ms. Samantha Javier about her journey as a DevCom student and practitioner and the accidents that made her the woman that she is today.

“Talks Mula sa Puso” is a talk show conceptualized and produced by yours truly. I was inspired by Tito Boy Abunda’s “The Boy Abunda Talk Channel”.

To Whom It May Concern S01E02: Hindi kasalanan ang magpahinga at sumandaling huminto

Hindi kasalanan ang magpahinga at sumandaling huminto. Ang kasalanan ay ang sumuko nang walang ibinibigay na laban.

For the second episode of “To Whom It May Concern”, here is a short tour of my learning space, and the list of things that I do within my break times to survive this online learning set-up.

“To Whom It May Concern” is a series created and conceptualized by yours truly.

All rights reserved 2021

[PODCAST] The Soundbytes: Maki-Beki! ‘Wag mashokot!

“Kahit noong una, hindi ko alam kung development-oriented ba ito, basta ilalaban ko ‘to.”

Here is a podcast episode I made to explain and share why I chose my development-oriented news beat. I believe that this topic is timely since the May 2022 Polls is underway. Most importantly, this is to empower the people who are being marginalized because of their gender and sexuality.

“The Soundbytes” is a podcast conceptualized and created by yours truly.

A Parlor’s Tale: How a ‘chismis’ can lead to a news story?

One day, I decided to have a haircut at a nearby parlor salon because I felt like I wanted something new. When I reached the parlor, I saw that there were women letting their hair dyed so I had to sit and wait for I while because the gays were occupied. For an hour, the polarizing odor of hair chemicals was piercing all the way through my nose. But it wasn’t only that, the gays were also enthusiastically sharing a piece of chismis that suddenly gave me a light bulb over my head moment. 

When it was my turn to get a cut, I secretly recorded the chismis on my phone, which is unethical without consent by the way so don’t do it. Even if I did not record it, I got the gist of the chika: there are disputes among gays caused by love life and business rivalry. And this is saddening me because, in our municipality, where the gays have been stereotyped mainly as parloristas and the LGBTQIA are underrepresented, it is also us who fight against each other. 

At home, I was still processing the observation that I had in the parlor. It was more than just a chismis. While confronting this epiphany, I suddenly thought that I could actually make this a take-off point for my development-oriented news story hence leading me to the Womanity campaign of my mentor and Miss Trans Global 2020 Mela Habijan. Womanity aims to uphold humanity through uniting women, transgender, LGBTQIA, and allies. Then, my professor told me to connect this campaign to policymaking hence my current news story—the role of the Womanity campaign in the immediate passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill. 

With this topic in mind, I made sure that my data gathering would emphasize two points: one is why the SOGIE Equality Bill needs to be passed and the second is what is the role of Womanity in policymaking now that the 2022 Election is underway. The first point of my data gathering was answered through document searching. I browse through the Internet to look for articles and studies that can justify the immediate passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill. I used the triangulation method to verify and ensure the authenticity of the data I gathered. I found out that earlier this year, three bodies of LGBTQIA individuals were found in Tagaytay City, Cavite, and up until today no justice is served to their families despite the existing Anti-Discrimination Ordinance in our province.

While doing a document search, I couldn’t help but be disheartened by everything that I read and see. It has been 20 years since SOGIE Equality was filed. It has already faced numerous revisions, yet it is still languishing at Congress. How many lives have to be slain and discriminated to finally enact this bill?

A protester is holding a placard that calls for justice for Jennifer Laude after President Rodrigo Duterte granted his murderer an absolute pardon. Photo by: Aaron Favila

The second point of my data gathered was answered in the interview. Miss Mela Habijan stressed the importance of her campaign to unite women, LGBTQIA, and allies in amplifying the calls for the immediate passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill. She said that this unity must manifest in the May 2022 polls. She urged women, LGBTQIA, and allies to unanimously vote for candidates who can champion the longest-running bill in Philippine history because in this way can we uphold humanity. I realized that what Miss Mela mentioned is indeed crucial because most of the candidates are manifestations of patriarchy, bigots, and human rights violators. One of the presidential aspirants even denounced the LGBTQIA Community as worse than animals. Therefore, there is a dire need to unite women, LGBTQIA, and allies in the upcoming elections not only for the immediate passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill but also to prevent us from living the next six years in fear and horror.

My data-gathering process is both disheartening and empowering at the same time. From hearing that my LGBTQIA sisters and brothers here in our town are disputing to knowing that we have to unite, especially now that the 2022 Elections is underway, in order to pass the SOGIE Equality Bill, gives me more reason to write my news story. I will write not because it is a requirement for my course, but because it is a story that everyone needs to hear. 

Today, as I write this article, I will have a haircut again at the parlor salon nearby because I want something new, newsworthy. Stories are out there. We just have to constantly seek them. 

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