An encounter with UST's Varsitarian
AFEW days ago, the staff of the Varsitarian invited me to be their resource person in their annual recollection/midyear planning. I consider it an honor to be in the company of these energetic and promising campus journalists.
I hope it wouldn’t sound self-serving if I say that the Varsitarian is the most — or at least one of the most — prestigious university student publications in the Philippines. It is considered a paragon of excellence in campus journalism. It has produced luminaries in the field of literature, media, journalism and civic leadership — including National Artists for Literature F. Sionil José, Bienvenido Lumbera and Cirilo Bautista, to name a few — in its 85 years of existence.
When I was a student at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), it was considered a privilege to get into the Varsitarian. There was this impression that the members of the Varsitarian were the crème de la crème of the university. I didn’t think I was on par with them because I had no qualification whatsoever back in college. What I did was to hold the paper’s gifted staffers in high esteem.
I did not have the chance to be a part of the Varsitarian, but today, I was given the wonderful opportunity to share with them some lessons to reflect on. These are the points I shared with the Varsitarian:
– Start early in finding your passion because your passion will give you your deepest joy.
So, what is it that you are passionate about? Does your work in the Varsitarian lead you toward that passion? It takes time to discover and master something you are passionate about. The famous motivational speaker Napoleon Hill once said: “It takes half your life before you discover that life is a do-it-yourself project.” Such a convincing aphorism, hopefully, is a message you need to take to heart before you reach middle age.
The likes of Paz Latorena, Ophelia Alcantara Dimalanta and Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo, to name a few, who were all Varsitarian alumnae and prominent in the Philippine literary world, were already writing before they started teaching at the university. Since their high school days, they had already been burning the proverbial midnight oil, honing their craft. They had already been enjoying what they had been doing early in life, which led them to discover what they were truly passionate about. Having to start early in a chosen field or profession is important. That is why it is necessary to find one’s purpose or vocation to have a meaningful life of mission.
– It pays to know that forms do not always conform to substance.
Nowadays, there is too much emphasis on externalities, like packaging and design, but most of the content we consume leaves much to be desired.
It is important to note that you were born with a powerful tool in your hands — technology — which the earlier generation did not have. Some consider technology a blessing because it makes life easier and allows you to do and explore many interesting things. But for many, it is a curse because the virtual world deprives us of genuine human connection. But you cannot turn back time and go back to how things were. Instead, we must have the willingness to embrace technology and be wary of the danger it poses.
The foremost danger that technology poses is that there is too much form but not enough substance. More than half of what you see on social media is vague and pointless, lacking meaning and purpose. You are inundated with TikTok videos and countless vlogs by vloggers who provide inane content. Some content creators on YouTube provide viewers with substantial content, but several of them create content with no substance at all. It is important that you create a huge impact in your field because this will differentiate you from other content creators who put out silly and ridiculous content.
Extinguish the source of fake news by being the vanguard of journalism with conscience and integrity. Do assiduous and in-depth work and research to avoid being accused of inaccurate reporting. Fight sensationalism that pretends to give value and affirmation to your work via obtaining hundreds and thousands of “views” and “likes.” Good journalism is already a value in itself. Have a critical mind to challenge yourself constantly. Be the best critic of your own advocacies.
I have realized that, as someone who has had an opinion column in a broadsheet for quite some time now, I can honestly say the best articles I have written are those that were deeply internalized. To put it simply, write with a force from within. Feel the power inside that “disturbs” and compels you to write. But be mindful that the foremost villain in the pleasure of writing is the pressure brought about by a deadline.
As writers for the Varsitarian, you must always think that you are part of a distinguished group of students who are given a huge responsibility to write truthfully. Not everyone is given the opportunity to be part of the Varsitarian. This might sound elitist, but we know that elitism is the result of excellence. Consider yourselves among the privileged few, but always be mindful of the fact that the responsibility that rests on your shoulders is huge and that it requires that you and your writing exemplify the best in campus journalism.
– Always remember that before you are a Varsitarian, you are a Thomasian first.
Upholding the teachings of the Catholic Church is not an option but a conviction. Your academic journey allows you to go deep into your expertise. Knowledge should always be accompanied by faith. The world that you will face once you leave the university is a hostile world plagued with conflicts and all kinds of injustice. Your ethical and moral compass are essential tools in your professional journey. Close to the heart of Thomas Aquinas, you are disciples of the Truth.
Jesus Jay Miranda, OP, is an organization and leadership studies resource person. He teaches at the Graduate School of the University of Santo Tomas and the Department of Educational Leadership and Management of the Bro. Andrew Gonzalez, FSC-College of Education of De La Salle University in Manila.