Thinking about becoming the next Ernest Hemingway? Or Stephen King? It takes a great deal of practice, planning, experience of the world and talent. A good reader is a good writer. Read classics and quality newspapers. I have learned these things in my whole semester of non-stop early writing during Mondays and Thursdays. So now, it has been a part of my rituals to read newspapers at least every morning to be updated in the current events in both national and international sector.

There is an inhered positivity in every negative quality. What is funny about my writing? Well, for me there’s none because I always take things seriously especially when it comes to academics, but there’s only one mess that I’ve been doing constantly, and that is my never failing 30 minutes late in Journalism; however, it somehow taught me to be responsible especially in eagerness to learn because I failed to attend the spoon-feed information class. For my sad experience? There are so many for them to enumerate so I will only tell te most hurtful one, and that is when I got 80 percentage in our draft for “How-to” article I really do not know what had happened why she gave that offing grade but it doesn’t matter to me anymore now because it taught me to strive more for higher grades.

I always wanted to belong in the minority group because I know that there is a very sense why they seek the attention of many, because they hold the truth. I do not believe that you have to consider those ethics or values of writing in orde for you to write truthfully or effectively because logically speaking, do you need to be kind or obedient to create a good masterpiece? All you need to have is the intelligence and passion in whatever you do because all of these things follow, and that is the reason why your head is placed higher than your chest where the brain and the heart can be found respectively.

If I will be a writer or journalist someday, I wish to cover my own perceptions about the society. Why? Because I trust myself so much where I know that my problems are the problems of all because I do belong on the common people.

PEER PRESSURE

Fear of isolation and the feeling of being left behind and laughed at is the worst emotion that a person does not want to experience in his entire life. 

The definition is neutral. The “peer groups” are not necessarily groups of the very young. “Action” and “values” need not always be bad. “Conformity” is voluntary. Not everyone craves for “acceptance”.

There are peer groups comprising of adults, professionals or various other types of people. Research about the dynamics of these groups does not receive as much publicity as the “peer pressure” of the young. It is not that the perceptions of such groups are always healthy.

I know of many school pupils who engage themselves in constructive social work or dramatically improve their academic performances because of their peers. Many schools and colleges do work on creating systems to foster an inclusive environment irrespective of the fact a particular student is perceived to be a conformist or not. If the family and the teachers show the students that there are many groups to select from based on criteria other than age or studentship, limited peer “acceptance” in the school will cease to produce the adverse results so horridly portrayed.

"Come on! ALL of us are cutting math. Whowants to go take that quiz? We're going totake a walk and get lunch instead. Let'sgo!" says the coolest kid in your class. Do you do what you know is right and go to math class, quiz and all? Or do you give in andgo with them?

As you grow older, you'll be faced with some challenging decisions. Some don't have a clear right or wrong answer — likeshould you play soccer or field hockey? Other decisions involve serious moral questions, like whether to cut class, try cigarettes,or lie to your parents.

Making decisions on your own is hard enough, but when other people get involved and try to pressure you one way or another it can be even harder. People who are your age, like your classmates, are called peers. When they try to influence how you act, to get you to do something, it's called peer pressure. It'ssomething everyone has to deal with — even adults. 

All you have to do is to think individually. There are so many options for you to choose from, anyway, it is your life so you should handle it right.

Masscomm Shines

By Sarah Jane Rodriguez

Equipping Masscomm for Internship, Masscomm Quiz 

Bee, Org Shirt, Masscomm Idol, and many more are all 

the events where communication family had gathered.

            

        Headed by Gary Aldovino, Mass Communication 

President together with his co-officers, they had made 

the Mass Communication week successful and beneficial 

for all the Masscomm students; however, the event which 

inculcated a memorable experience within me was EMI 

(Equipping Masscomm for Internship) where I served as 

a host for 3^rd year Mass Communication students. As a 

second tear, it is a privilege for me to stand up in front of 

juniors who had congratulated me after the event. On the 

other hand, I felt very disappointed in Mass 

Communication Quiz Bee where I am also one of the 

participants. It’s a team composed of three members 

coming from all the year levels except third year 

students. Unfortunately, our team did not succeed in the 

competition, but that’s alright at least we did great.

            

          I am aware that organizing a program is not easy. 

As in the case of the Mass Communication Society, 

although there are technical problems in the middle of 

the fair, it is still obvious that they have allotted so much 

time and effort to make the event possible. Despite of the 

fact that they are also students like others, they are still 

disregarded as only such because they are able to 

manage their academics and leadership tasks.

           

    On the lighter side of day, I hope that Mass 

Communication students will not stop supporting their 

leaders as they are also part of the reasons why Mass 

Communication week prospered and succeed. As a 

future leader, I visualize to lead in a unique yet better 

way where I will be remembered as more than one 

person.

“Do not follow where the 

path may lead. Go instead 

where there is no path and 

leave a trail.”

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Waisted Time

What will be your reaction if you have waited for quite a long time to witness an important celebration where our favorite brands and celebrities are present, but unfortunately, you will just hear a atrange voice saying, "We have prepared for this event in a long period of time, we have made it all for you but you have to understand that there are those circumstances that cannot be controlled by man. We are very sorry but we decided to postpone the event."

A coin has three sides: the head, the tail.... and the third side, is my side. In the perspective of a student like me who has been part of an organization, I can say that I know how difficult organizing an event is. I know that this is a very special gathering which is awaited by many. In the side of students, I know that they have waisted their time for going to the university yet seeing nothing but a dim and gloomy place; however, my fellow students, you must bear in mind that the change in weather is a natural phenomenon. To make the long story short, we must understand that the postponement of the event is nobody's fault. Hence, its just a part of God's will for us. Let's just absorb it affirmatively and keep in mind that God is full of surprises, we never know what will happen next. Maybe, he has a better plan for this event of the 83rd anniversary of FEU.

Everybody's opinion matters; anyway, this is my opinion - the third side of the coin.

If I were Rebecca Bloom

Let us take a look in the past, isn’t it great to recall that we are once styled in a very different manner as we see it today? Have you ever think to dress like one of those who are in the renaissance or Hispanic periods and be imitated by others?

          I believe that an art must be made for art’s sake rather than making one for society’s sake. Being a writer or a journalist (hypothetically), we must keep in mind that we must tell the truth and make an advocacy for the betterment of ourselves and the future generations that will come after us. If I were Rebecca Bloom, I would write an article that opens the mind of every reader about how fashion together with the years, had changed and how much we suffer for forsaking the history just to attain our lack of contentment in life. I am not a shopaholic then maybe, I am saying these things simply because I cannot understand Rebecca for her actions, but if there is a habit where I am so addicted, I think it is on my studies. I do not want to make an article that will teach others on how to make their business profit but I like it more to make an article that advocates good living without putting money at the center of our lives. I know that I am always thinking inside the box, for my world revolves only in studying so I am relating all my works in the learning that I have gathered.

          I am a patriot. I love my country as much as I love myself because I know that this is the only thing that I can do to help the future generations. It is not easy to attain progress but let us not forget to let others experience what we are experiencing today. So as much as possible, I want to lessen the growth so our old values will not be renounced.

Feature article for the most valued asset in my life

If somebody would ask you the date today, would you search for a cell phone calendar or your wristwatch to check for it? How about an organizer?

Grade conscious. As an academic scholar and a future breadwinner of the family, there are so many factors that I have to consider in order to manage my time properly. I know that I am quite a boring person to be with… so cell phone, laptop, camera, or any other stuff that are so ubiquitous in my generation today may not be that infamous in the kind of my lifestyle. At this moment of time, the most valued asset in my life is my organizer where I list down all my homework, tasks, appointments, and projects to be done. Once, I forgot my organizer in our home, so I failed to accomplish almost all the tasks that I have to do in the university. Without my organizer, my life is not complete. It is the building block of who I am.

            It has been a part of my culture to write whatever I need to do, for I am a very busy student. Take note, a very busy student. It just simply means that almost all of my life revolves in studying rather than living my teenage life in a way that almost all teenagers do. I know that I am depriving myself in being a teenager but I know that these are the opportunity costs for me to fulfill my goals in life. My organizer also serves as my diary so that as time passed me by, I will be able to recall all the things that I have done in that particular span of my life. Hence, I do not need any gadgets or technologies in my life in order to perform all my responsibilities, all I need though is to get my organizer and do all the things that are written there.

Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011!

By Sarah Jane Rodriguez

Prodded to take away all the marks of problems at the face, to jump if you are lacking of height, to shake some coins in your pocket if you are longing for money, and to shout at the top of your voice - all of these are the prerequisites in ushering the New Year!

Prior to the very important celebration, I, together with my relatives went to one of our investments (farm) in Bataan to breathe some fresh air and to forget our problems somehow as we recall the happy moments that passed though years. December 31, 2010. Happy old year to all of us! I cooked some of the viands that we will serve for media noche. My mobile phone was flooded with messages from the people whom I shared some of the memories in my 2010. Before the year has ended, we did not forget to thank God for all His blessings to His creation on earth. We praise Him for His kindness and loving heart that He offered to death to save the lives of many.

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2… Happy New Year! Fireworks are everywhere, happy faces anywhere, and all the families are together to celebrate the usher of 1.1.11. Yes, a very lucky day and a time to do all your plans according to Chinese Feung Shui. The whole world celebrates the advent of New Year foolishly and so dangerously such that everyone, especially the young and the innocent, are put in harms, burns, and even kills. In other countries, local governments allocate money for their New Year’s fireworks and pyrotechnics. They are an awesome visual experience that residents look forward to at the park or on television in safety of their living rooms. But to Filipino’s, that’s no thrill at all. Thrill is impressing the neighbors that they have money to burn. Fireworks have become an inter-family competition. Worst, despite police warnings, the irresponsible fire their guns indiscriminately into the air mindless of where their bullets would land. Then come the anguish of the victims’ families, the blame game, the regrets, and then the investigations that lead to nowhere- in that predictable order. We are the only country where are hospitals are made to go into red alert and to prepare to attend to injuries that may be sustained during an otherwise happy occasion. We know the risks but we would rather not prevent it. On the lighter side of things, we’re so glad that we’re entering another decade as we live our life and overcome various difficulties through years. We’ve sang and danced to celebrate this very important occasion. We welcomed New Year with laughter in our faces and hopes longing for ourselves, our family, and our country to have a brighter future.

It doesn’t matter how we’ve spent our new year, but what matters most is we know how to share our blessings to everybody and to understand than to be understood, to forgive than to hate, and to share than to receive.

Happy New Year to all of us!