UJP-UP NEWSLETTERTHE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE UNION OF JOURNALISTS OF THE PHILIPPINES-UP DILIMAN

UJP-UP Celebrates Silver AnniversaryBy CLAUDINE COMPLATIVO & ROLEEN DELOS REYES

A series of events marked the 25th anniversary celebration of the Union of the Journalists of the Phil-ippines- UP Diliman (UJP-UP). With “Padayon Unyon” as the overarching theme, the yearly forum ,Grand Pakain and Mulat Manini-pat to name a few were launched in separate date this September. The theme, according to UJP-UP’s Chairman Marlon Nombrado has been conceptualized summer this year but the preparations were started last academic year. He also said the primary reason for this year’s theme was to establish the nature of the organization with un-ion-like activities in addition to the fact that there were the only student group with the word ”Union” in their name. “Una, maestablish for this year

UJP-UP kiked off its Anniversary Celebration with a launch of its literary folio, TINTA, June 11, at the Media Center of the College of Mass Communication. Photo by JIRU RADA

WHAT’S INSIDE?

SolIS fACT-fINDINg CommITTEE SUmmoNS UJP-UP

By DARLENE CAY The university-formed fact-find-ing committee sought help from the Union of Journalists of the Philip-pines – UP (UJP-UP) to aid in the investigation of the plagiarism case of Mark Joseph Solis. Graduate student Solis has been under fire for plagiarizing the photo, “Neptune, King of the Sea,” owned by Brazil-based photographer John Smith. The photo won him $1,000 and round trip tickets in a photo contest organized by the Chilean Embassy. Some people have argued that Solis might not be held liable for his actions because the contest was held outside the university. But it was during these times when it was discovered that he entered the pho-to as his entry to UJP-UP’s Mulat Maninipat Photojournalism Con-test (MuMa) 2012.

UJP-UP RElAUNCHES JoURNAlISm WoRKSHoP

After 6 years since last holding its last journalism workshop, the Union of Journalists of the Philippines- UP Dili-man (UJP-UP) relaunched its Journal-ism Summit last September 14. Hundreds of students from various

high schools attended the workshop held at the Vinzons Rooftop. UJP-UP opened the event by discuss-ing about media awareness to heighten the studet’s media literacy at an early stage. After the media awareness discus-sion, students were split into smaller

High School students attend UJP-UP’s Journalism Summit held at the Vin-zons Rooftop, September 14. Photo by UJP-UP

By AnJon GAlAURAn

Although he did not win the con-test, he may be held under universi-ty grounds because the contest was organized by an organization within the university. The committee reached out to UJP-UP last week and asked them to send a statement proving that So-lis entered the contest. “UJP-UP denounces the act of plagiarism committed by Mr. Solis,” the organization said in an official statement, “We share the public’s outrage. As his fellow UP students,

The image above shows the photo that Mark Joseph Solis entered in UJP-UP’s Mulat Maninipat.

2 7 WhAt hAs Become of UJP AlUmnI?4-53 emBoDyInG

leGAcy eXhIBItmAGUInDAnAo mAssAcRe commemoRAteD

JoURnAlIsts’ leGAcy RememBeReD

vol XXV No. 1 OCTOBER 2013 8 PAGES

cont. on page 6

cont. on page 6 cont. on page 6

2 UJP-UP Newletter OCTOBER 2013 OCTOBER 2013 UJP-UP Newletter 3

As part of its 25th anniversary, the Union of Journalists of the Philippines- UP Diliman (UJP-UP) launched of its Org Gallery and kicked off the celebration with a Grand Pakain September 11. The opening event was held at the Press Freedom Hall of the College of Mass Communication. The Org Gallery featured the legacy of journalists throughout history, dating back to the era of precolonial Philippines. Photos of UJP-UP members re-eanact-ing the most notable epitomes of journalists were evident during

the event. Among the featured journalists included the umalohokans, the first propaganda movement dur-ing the Spanish era, the dark days of press during Martial law, and the unforgettable killings of jour-nalists during the Maguindanao Massacre. In line with its theme, “Em-bodying Legacies,” the exhibit was a the organization’s form of commemorating the evolution of journalists, but the unchanging role it has served since the early times, reporting the truth about the society.

ExHIbIT REvIvES JoURNAlISTS’ lEgACyBy ANjON GALAURAN

UJP-UP’s Organization Gallery and Grand Pakain would also like to thank the Office of the Vice Chan-cellor for Student Affairs (OVCSA), for supporting the event.

Students flock the Press Freedom Hall September 11 in line with UJP-UP’s Grand

Pakain and Exhibit Opening. Photo by: mARlon nomBRADo

UPCmC CommEmoRATES 45TH moNTH of mAgUINDANAo mASSACRE

It has been 45 months since 58 people, including 32 journalists were killed in the infamous Magu-indanao Massacre, yet justice has yet to be seen. To keep the fire for justice ablaze, a candle lighting ceremony was held August 23, at the Veranda of the College of Mass Communica-tion. The National Union of Journal-ists of the Philippines (NUJP), together with student arm Union of Journalists of the Philippines spearheaded the commemoration activity. During the program, NUJP

Secretary General Rupert Mangilit and College of Mass Communica-tion Associate Dean Danilo Arao addressed the crowd of students about the culture of impunity in the country and the vital role that media practitioners play in society. Apart from solidarity messages and speeches, cultural perfor-mances were also held. A gallery about the Maguindanao Massacre was also simultaneuosly on display at the College’s Lobby. The exhibit aims to raise awareness on the issue for the next generations of students and future media practitioners.

By AnJon GAlAURAn

UJP oRgANIzES foRUm oN lITERATURE AND mEDIA

Students and media practitioners join the candlelighting program (left).

Performers dedicate performances to victims of the Maguindanao Masscre

whose families have yet to find justice. (below)

Photos by: mARlon nomBRADo

By AnJon GAlAURAn The Union of Journalists of the Philippines - UP Diliman (UJP-UP) hosted a forum last Septem-ber 10, at the College of Mass Communication Auditorium. Themed as “Panitikan at Pa-hayagan: A forum on shaping the narrative of the nation,” the event invited notable speakers in the field of literature and in media. Speakers in the event was Dean of the College of Mass Commu-nication Prof. Roland Tolentino, who spoke on the role of media in shaping society. Also preesent were notable scriptwriter and

Palanca Hall of Famer Prof. Re-uel Agila and reknown author and multi-awarded artist Prof. Jun Cruz Reyes. The speakers engaged the crowd of high school and college students to relook back at Philip-pine history and critically dissect the stories which are presented and taught. Speakers not only taught attendeees of media, lit-erature, or film’s role, but moreo-ver, taught the crowd to be criti-cal. Participants were challenged to learn the Philippine society in a more in-depth manner.

(Above) Speakers Dean Rolando Tolentino, Prof. Reuel Aguila, and Prof Jun Cruz Reyes (left to right)

(Right) High School Students were invited to attend the forum: “Paniitikan at Pahaya-gan”

Photos by: PADAy-on Unyon

THE EDIToRIAl boARD:lEAvINg SomETHINg bEHIND “Everyone must leave some-thing behind when he dies…Something your hand touched some way so your soul has some-where to go when you die, and when people look at that tree or that flower you planted, you’re there.” – Ray Bradbury It was only last year when the senior members realized that they will be the ones who will be responsible for the 25th anniver-sary celebration of the organiza-tion. When it dawned on us, we were thrilled. Hundreds of ideas came pouring in. Needless to say, we wanted the celebration to be extremely successful. Now, the first semester of aca-demic year 2013-2014 is almost over. But the 25th anniversary celebration the Union of Journal-ists of the Philippines – UP (UJP-UP) is only halfway done. Yet, so much has happened. For several months, everybody has been busy with preparations for the activities and events that we have planned for the 25th month. Our goal is clear. We want to leave a legacy to the or-ganization.So far, we have welcomed the biggest batch of new members. We launched Tinta: the Official Literary Folio of UJP-UP. We held the organization’s first ever Grand Pakain in recent history.

We revived the Journalism Sum-mit, a workshop for high school students, after six years. But apart from that, we were able to continue our past ac-tivities such as MulatManinipat, Tambuli and forum. However, aside from being able to continue activities and events, perhaps what the resident mem-bers can leave the organization is the ability to surpass expecta-tions and to have the drive to do the impossible possible. As UJP-UP’s Chairperson Marlon Julian Nombrado once said, it was highly impossible to achieve what the organization has achieved for the past four months. We were dealing with a lot of internal struggles. But we still managed to do our tasks – and more. Looking back, maybe we were able to do all these possible be-cause we have one clear goal. We knew where we wanted to go and we were determined to get there. When the senior members – who comprise about half UJP-UP’s ac-tive members – finally graduate from the university, our hope is that the future members and of-ficers of the organization can live by the essence of our name. We are – and will always be – a un-ion.

4 UJP-UP Newletter OCTOBER 2013 OCTOBER 2013 UJP-UP Newletter 5

Padayon UJP-UP ! Photos by: UjP-UP and ANjON GALAURAN

This photo essay aims to present the story behind the exhibit of the Union of Journalists of the Philippines (UJP-UP), the organization’s motivation in the creation of the art installation, and to what ends the artistic creation stands for.

UJP-UP showcased a series of exhibits at the Press Freedom Hall of the College of Mass Communication and the Faculty Center Galleria 1 respectively, in line with its 25th Anniver-sary celebration this September.

The organiza-tion’s month-long theme, “Embodying Legacies,” serves to com-memorate the role that jour-nalists have served over the decades.

Through a collage of photographs shaping the name of the organization, the exhibit installation was a reminder that the or-ganization continues to pursue the same goals that earlier journalists once lived and stood for.

Among works that UJP-UP put on display, were its collection of publication, the Tambuli (UJP-UP’s official newsletter) and Tinta (UJP-UP’s official literary folio).

The exhibit also traced the early roots of journalism in the Philippines, dating back to the Umalohokans of the early

times.

Proudly, the organization flaunted its current roster of members, aspiring me-dia practition-ers who would adhere to the tenets of a true journalist.

Beyond having members that will promote the role of advocacy journalism and press freedom, UJP-UP aims to serve the people

through writing and reporting stories about the true plight of the Filipino masses.

In its adhereance to this genuine call does the organization thereby carry its theme for its 25th year, “Padayon Unyon!”

6 UJP-UP Newletter OCTOBER 2013 OCTOBER 2013 UJP-UP Newletter 7

SoliS fact-finding coMMittEE ...

we believe that what he did tar-nished the image of the university that holds the ‘honor and excel-lence’ motto dearly.” Along with screenshots of the entry from the organization’s e-mail and MuMa’s official Facebook page, UJP-UP stated its commitment to participate in the investigation. Chairperson Marlon Julian Nombrado and MuMa 2012 Project Head Antonio Jose Galauran signed the official statement.

UJP-UP RElaUnchES...groups, where students were allowed to choose their respected writing work-shop of interest. Among the workshops included news writing, feature writing, editorial, and sports writing. The forum was launched as part of the organization’s celebration of its 25th Anniversary themed as “Padayon Unyon.” Attending high schools were from Rizal National Science High School, Rizal High School, Pasay City Science High School, Casimiro A. Ynares Sr. Memorial National High School, Fal-con School, Marikina Science High School, Don Alejandro Roces Sr. High School.

yung unyon na feel ng org, so tata-wagin s’ya na unyon, hindi lang org,” he said. Also, the use of native words was not accidental. “Feel na feel mo yung pagiging tagalog nya, yung pagiging tunog-progresibo,” he said. Unlike members of other organi-zations, Nombrado said the silver anniversary celebration under his term in office has been welcomed. In fact, he also said, they were look-ing forward for the said celebration. “Lahat- lahat yun patong-patong na reasons. May mga personal na reasons din, mga seniors gustong makapag-iwan din ng legacy sa org,” he said. With this, the idea of having a year-long celebration was put into practice. “Ang peg kasi ay dalhin ang buong anniversary sa buong taon, kasi ang org usually nagse-celebrate lang once a year,” Nombrado said. Activities for the next semester are not yet clearly set as of the mo-ment.

UJP-UP cElEBRatES...

bC STUDENT bAgS fIRST PRIzE IN mUmABy DARLENE CAY

A senior broadcast communica-tion student won first prize in the MulatManinipat Photojournalism Contest (MuMa) 2013 organized by the Union of Journalists of the Philippines – UP (UJP-UP).Shane David received P3,000 for her winning entry entitled, “Sa Magkabilang Banda.” “Saksiang riles ng PNR samag-kabilangdulong ‘kaunlaran’. Sa isangbanda ay angmga home along da riles at sakabila ay konstruksy-onng ‘condo’ along da riles (PNR’s train tracks are witnesses to both ends of progress. On the other side are homes along the railway, while the other side is a condominium construction site),” she said in the description of her entry. The judges were Dennis Saban-gan from the European Pressphoto Agency and Kenneth Guda of Pinoy Weekly. The winners were announced via Facebook on Sep-tember 27. The other winners were CheTagy-amon from Film and Jong Pairez from Fine Arts. CheTagyamon, who won second place, submitted a photo entitled, “BuwisBuhay.” In the description of the photo she said, “Kung tunayn-gangmaginhawaanglahatsagani-tongsistema, Bakit may [naghahan-

apbuhay] nagbubuwis-buhay pa sagitnangkalsada (If it is true that everybody’s lives is comfortable in this kind of system, then why is it that people still risk their lives on the streets)?” Jong Pairez, who won third place, submitted an untitled photo. In the description of the photo, he said, “Informal street vendors along

Aurora Boulevard in Cubao con-tinue to strive amidst harsh socio-economic reality.”Tagyamon and Pairez won P2,000 and P1,000 respectively.MuMa is an annual photojournal-ism contest held every September, UJP-UP’s anniversary month. Its project head this year is Ana Clar-issa Ilagan.

(Above) Mulat Maninipat Winner Shane David’s “Sa Magkibilang Banda“

(Upper and Lower Right) Photos of 2nd and 3rd Place Che Tagyamon and Jong Pairez respectively

UJP-UP WElComES bIggEST bATCH IN 7 yEARS

For the first semester of this academic year, the Union of Jour-nalists of the Philippines (UJP-UP) accepted 11 new members, the biggest batch in seven years. Batch Pilak, the name they have chosen, beat the Batch Layag inducted in 2011which was com-

posed of 10 members respectively. The new members are as follows: Kevyn Tapnio, Dale Calanog, Rosewell Palo, Keilah Dimpas, Karen Malalad, Kate Tayamora, Anton Onato, Reczon Calay, Maria Giselle Fernandez, Krysten Boado and Danielle

Isaac. The newest batch, headed by Calanog, is composed mostly of freshmen students. Only two of them are transferees and shiftees. Currently, there are 32 resident members of the organization.‘

By CLAUDINE COMPLATIVO and ROLEEN DELOS REYES

Being part of an organization is definitely one of the many reasons that make college life exciting. And for many, being part of one goes way beyond the weekly meetings and organizational activities. It be-comes the members’ family in the university, and even greater than that--a union. Over the years, UJP-UP has pro-duced exceptional alumni. Among those are these two notable indi-viduals. “I was walking in Maskom after the entrance exam in Journalism for shiftees. I was sill from UP Baguio, then,” recalls James Relativo, an alumnus of UJP. That stroll of his led him to the posters of the different organizations in the college. One poster caught his attention, and it bears this tagline: “We’re not just an org. We’re a union. Know the differ-ence.” That was James’ first indirect encounter of the organization that would turn out to be his home and family during his stay at the College of Mass Communication. Zarina San Jose, another alum-nus, on the other hand, had a more direct encounter. “I first found out about UJP during the freshman ori-entation in CMC. My first thought upon seeing their introductory vid-eo was that they seemed ‘scary.’” She recalls how unenticing the video presentation was for a freshman as it featured journalist killings. “I dis-tinctly remember wanting to join other organizations because their presentations were more lively and colorful.”Their encounter with the union may

differ, but at the end of the road, both knew they wanted to be part of UJP. At the beginning, Zarina had intended to join another organiza-tion. But upon realizing that the union is about—its thrust and pur-pose—she knew then that it is the right choice to join. “I realized how much it could help me and make me more aware of the issues in the country,”Zarina shares. In James’ case, on the other hand, deciding that UJP is the right choice for him came in an instant. Being an activist during his brief stay in UP Baguio, he had all along been searching for an organization that will consciously help him in his ad-vocacy. “I joined UJP because I am look-ing for an org that is consciously a venue for my personal advocacies as well. UJP’s thrust is advocacy + training,” he recalls. “While high-lighting people’s issues and giving voice to the voiceless, we learn how to do things right and ethically.”James fondly remembers how he was before joining UJP. According to him, he spent most of his time with his band and as a member of Anakbayan, a comprehensive youth mass organization. Zarina, on the other hand, saw herself as merely a normal student; someone who felt the need to make everyone proud because she is studying in UP. She’s aware of social issues but she never really pushed herself to learn more or give more. But joining the union have shaped them to become more than they could ever imagine.

UJP has taught everything it can to James and Zarina. The years they spend with the organization have helped shape them into the person that they are today that even after their graduation last April 2013, they were able to bring with them the ideals and training that the un-ion has been known for—advocacy journalism and press freedom. Now working in News5 Everywhere, TV 5’s social media division, James is able to put into use the training he’s acquired from UJP, remark-ing how it has helped him when it comes to practice and angling, as well as keeping his sense of respon-sibility as a citizen of the country. “The question is always there: Out of all that TV 5, AksyonTV and RadyoSingko produces, for whom are the news that I edit and I choose to highlight?” Zarina, on the other hand, shares

that UJP has helped her develop her skills and be more appreciative of what she has. “The org didn’t just help me develop my writing skills, but also open my eyes to a deeper understanding of a lot of issues in the country,” she said. “UJP intro-duced me to other organizations and other people who have taught me so many things […].” Zarina has left for New York this Septem-ber 8 for an internshipwith World Youth Alliance Asia Pacific. She will be back in the country by January 2014.Being part of the union is one thing but being able to continue carry-ing and exemplifying its ideals is another thing. And in that respect, whether in the academic domain or in the professional field, both James Relativo and Zarina San Jose con-tinue to make UJP proud.

UJP-UP Alumni James Relativo (Left) and Zarina San Jose (Right)

THEN AND NoW: WHERE ARE THE UJP-UP AlUmNI ToDAy?

By LUIS ADRIAN HIDALGO

“PAhAyAGAn”ni Empiel Palma

Paggising sa umaga narinig n’ya sa radyoBalitang nakakatakot pakinggan

Hindi lang isang tao kundi marami paAng magkakasamang pinaslang

Kulay dugo ang kulay ng bawat pahayaganTila isang laro na lamang ba ang pagpaslang

O, kayraming buhay na ang nasayangSa walang tigil na pagyurak

Sa pantaong karapatan

Hanggang kailan luluha ang mga naulilaHanggang kailan sila magdurusa

Nasaan ang katarungan na hinihintaySa walang awang pagkitil ng buhay

Kulay dugo ang kulay ng bawat pahayaganTila isang laro na lamang ba ang pagpaslang

O, kayraming buhay na ang nasayangSa walang tigil na pagyurak

Sa pantaong karapatan

bAlIK-KUlTURA AT mUSIKA

8 UJP-UP Newletter OCTOBER 2013

The Union of Journalists of the Philippines – UP (UJP-UP) published a photo collage as a sign of gratitude to everyone who helped make their anniversary month successful. September is the organization’s anniversary month. However, what makes this more special is the fact that UJP-UP is also celebrating its 25th anniversary. For the past month, the union held a forum, a journalism summit for

high school students, a grand pakain, an opening of the org gallery and a photojournalism contest.“Taos-pusong pasasalamat sa lahat ng mga nakisaya sa aming pagdi-riwang ng anniversary month ngayong Setyembre! Maraming salamat sa lahat mga tumangkilik at tumulong sa aming mga proyekto mula sa MUMA 2013, Journalism Summit, Pahayagan at Panitikan Forum, Grand Pakain, at Org Gallery. Makakaasa kayo na mas paghuhusayan pa namin ang pagbuo ng mga makabuluhan at malikhaing proyekto!”

UJP-UP THANKS EvERyoNE AfTER A SUCCESSfUl ANNIvERSARy moNTHBy DARLENE CAY