A graduating Philosophy major hails as the new editor-in-chief (EIC) of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman’s official student publication, Philippine Collegian, after acing the 2019 editorial examinations Saturday at the College of Mass Communication.
The new EIC Beatrice Puente, who also serves as Above The Fold (ATF) Print EIC, from the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP) garnered a total score of 80.5, beating five other aspirants from different colleges vying for the post.
“Sa ika-97 taon ng Collegian, patuloy nating panghahawakan ang matapang at kritikal na tradisyon ng pahayagan. Habang mas dumarami at tumitindi ang mga isyung hinaharap ng pamantasan at ng bayan, higit na patatalasin ng Kule ang pagbabalita nito upang imulat ang mamamayan,” Puente said.
Meanwhile, two of the freshmen examinees John Irving Gandia from the College of Mass Communication (CMC) and Kimberly Anne Yutuc from College of Fine Arts secured second and third spots with 75 and 73.4 points respectively.
Among the examinees are Marvin Joseph Ang from College of Arts and Letters, and two other freshmen Rex Menard Cervales from the College of Engineering and Cathryne Rona Enriquez from CSSP.
Aspirants were tested on a three-part examination composed of editorial writing, news writing, and layouting.
This year’s Board of Judges (BOJ) was chaired by CMC Dean Arminda Santiago, together with Journalism Department Chair Lucia Tangi, Associate Professor Maria Criselda Badilla, Tinig ng Plaridel EIC Maria Agatha Gregorio, and Sinag officer-in-charge Ryan Martinez.
Rebel Kulê
Puente placed fourth in last year’s editorial examination. The 2018 examination was controversial as then BOJ Chair and CMC Dean Elena Pernia barred Ang and engineering major Richard Cornelio to take the examination because of their graduating status.
Various organizations and formations took this as an attack on press freedom and democratic rights of the students.
The UP system-wide General Assembly of Student Councils approved a resolution to have a holdover term of the 2018 Collegian Executive Board giving birth to Rebel Kule.
“Higit sa pagtayo bilang publikasyon ng unibersidad, protesta ang Rebel Kule--makahulugang pahayag laban sa ‘di demokratikong pagtugon sa proseso ng isang pang-estudyanteng publikasyon,” Rebel Kule EIC Sheila Abarra said.
She said Rebel Kule sees hope in this year's editorial exam to uphold the mandate of the Collegian and to make sure that the rights of educational institutions never be trampled on again.
“Sumisibol ang rebeldeng Kule sa panahon ng krisis at kung walang mangyaring anomalya sa pagpili ng susunod na punong patnugot, iuukol ng mga tunay na Collegian ang paglilingkod at pagsuporta sa susunod na termino ng tunay na Kule,” Abarra said.
Abarra said the next EIC should lead a Philippine Collegian that is sharp, strong, and critical.
“Ang krisis sa loob ng Collegian ay ang krisis sa bansa--pagtapak sa karapatang pantao, laban ng malawak na hanay ng ordinaryong mamamayan. Sa gitna ng kahirapan sa loob at labas ng unibersidad, marapat ng tanganan ng susunod na punong patnugot ang mandato ng tunay na Collegian--matalab, matapang at matalas.”
She said true Collegian is one with the struggle of the basic masses.
“Tinutugunan ito ng bawat tunay na Collegian na pinanday hindi lamang ng tradisyon ng pubikasyon kundi maging aktibong pakikilahok sa mga laban ng estudyante at ordinaryong mamamayan. Ito ang tunay na pagwawagi sa anumang pagsusulit, ito ang maliliit na tagumpay na pinanghahawakan natin sa pag-abot ng mas malalaking tagumpay, sa piling ng manggagawa, magsasaka, ng mga iskolar ng bayan,” Abarra said.
Puente is the news editor of Rebel Kule and the incumbent National Chairperson of UP Solidaridad, the UP system-wide alliance of student publications. Now, she will lead the Collegian in its 97th year.
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