UNDERSCORE PUP-DCR’s Seniors Move Up; New EB Members Affirm Oath Of Office
Led by the founding and outgoing members of UNDERSCORE PUP-DCR, the newly-appointed Editorial Board members are all set to take on the responsibilities and challenges that will come with serving as the PUP Department of Communication Research’s official student publication arm after they took their oath of office via Google Meet last August 31, 2022.
The new Editorial Board members for Academic Year 2022 to 2023 include Editor-in-Chief: Sophia Rose A. Caramat; Head of Publishing: Shamma Roi S. Mabini; Head of Creatives: Neysa Bianca G. Geocallo; and Deputy Head of Marketing: Hannah Bea S. Velasquez.
During the program, Neil John R. Merdegia, a founding member and the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for three consecutive academic years, emphasized the need to remain direction-oriented despite the surrounding pressures.
“Much like a speck of dust in the universe, taking the lead role for Underscore PUP — DCR is realizing the unfathomable expectation that comes with it. Despite the immense pressure of being the driving force beneath the organization’s key decisions and direction, it was a privilege to have U/S as both a learning environment and a safe zone to make mistakes,” Merdegia said in his speech.
Aimie Winter Idul, who served as a founding member, layout artist, and the publication’s Head of Creatives for three terms, expressed her gratitude for all the efforts and trust of members and highlighted the need for staying creative.
“Staying creative is one of the things we should really pursue sa lahat ng ating layunin. I hope that you use UNDERSCORE as an avenue to do your passion,” Idul shared.
[“Staying creative is one of the things we should really pursue in everything we do, regardless of its purpose. I hope that you use UNDERSCORE as an avenue to do your passion,”]
Moreover, the outgoing Deputy Head of Marketing, Cathyrene Peñaflorida, advised the new heads and the staff members to continue to ignite their desire to serve the department.
“Para naman sa kabuuang miyembro, gawin nating tanglaw ang bawat isa at magpatuloy sa pag-abot ng ‘di lamang pansarili, ngunit pang-organisasyong layunin,” she added.
[“To the whole organization, may you see each and everyone as the torch that will remind you in pursuing and serving not just your personal purposes, but the organization’s as well,”]
Meanwhile, Micaella Magday, one of the senior members and publishing department’s writers, shared how the publication was founded:
“I still remember the days under the first floor ng COC (College of Communication) and this organization was planned tapos, we, your seniors, brainstormed about the direction of this. It started with CORE (Circle of Research Enthusiasts) tapos biglang we decided na dapat magkaroon ng information arm […] so, the UNDERSCORE was born.”
[“I still remember the days under the first floor of COC (College of Communication) and this organization was planned. Then, we, your seniors, brainstormed about the direction of this. It started with CORE (Circle of Research Enthusiasts), then we decided on the need to found an information arm, so, the UNDERSCORE was born.”]
As the founding members graduate, they are all confident to declare that they will pass on the legacy to competent leaders who have a strong background in producing and disseminating evidence-based information to the public and are committed to carrying out the publication’s vision, mission, and objectives.
Caramat, the incoming Editor-in-Chief, gave a meaningful message for the organization’s future by emphasizing the need for teamwork and collaboration to attain visions. In addition, she expressed her and the other members’ utmost gratitude to the seniors who endlessly guide and support them. She also shared a peek of her visions and objectives under her term:
“To give everyone a glimpse of what are my visions and objectives under my term: First, to revisit the constitution and bylaws and this is for the purpose of maintaining the ‘updatedness’ of the legal framework that guides our organization. Second, the recruitment of new members. Third, the training and other sessions.”
Yesterday’s vision, today’s pride, and tomorrow’s beacon. The founding and senior members leave a legacy that would be passed to the next generation of critical thinkers, leaders, and achievers — the UNDERSCORE PUP-DCR. A publication arm committed to partaking in molding a data-driven and solutions-oriented society, pioneered by PUP Communication Research students’ character, enthusiasm, and holistic thinking. An organization that participates in shaping an informed mass that values scientific and research-based news and content.
