The 2-hour program oriented students on department policies, courses, and faculty members.

Department of Communications and Performing Arts (DCPA) Chairperson Marlon B. Santos commenced the event by sharing his tips and wise words to the students, followed by 3rd Year Adviser Joshua C. Nicdao and BA Journalism Program Chair Ma. Ethel C. Jovito who each shared their pieces of advice.

3rd and 4th-year Mayors also delivered their survival tips and experiences for the 2nd and 1st-year students, who participated at the very first “Plumero” tradition of pen-passing celebration as a symbol of exchange of knowledge.

But the wisdom and learning doesn’t end after the event, as students and even Ma’am Ethel shared their key takeaways from the orientation, hoping to inspire and resonate with the Journalism students.

For Joel Arieta — freshman from BAJ-1A who firmly believes that Journalism is the way to interpret the truth with the eagerness to end disinformation — his personal reflection from the orientation consists of two simple practices: to leave our comfort zones and take rests seriously.

“Naniniwala ako na kapag umalis tayo sa comfort zone natin, mas malaya nating maipapahayag kung ano talaga yung gusto natin gawin. Kailangan magkaroon din ng tamang pahinga. If ever man na abusuhin natin yung sarili natin, hindi natin magagampanan nang buong husay ang mga tatahakin natin,” Arieta states.

The Communiqué Editor-in-Chief Marvie T. Servande from BAJ-4A also shared her handpicked learnings to the “bunso” and sophomores of Journalism, starting with: “Bawasan ang hiya. Wala nang puwang ang hiya kapag pumasok ka sa Journalism. Paano ka makakakuha ng istorya kung nahihiya ka? Wag din matakot mag-try dahil kapag lumagpas ang opportunity sayo, madalang ang chance to get them back.”

She added that moments of doubt are inevitable, stressing the importance of always trying, and highlighted the need to be independent while remaining a team player.

BAJ’s very own program chair Ma’am Ethel also shared her excitement as the department of Journalism grows bigger, becomes more collaborative and active, as well as the genuine goal to create linkages between students and organizations in the journalism industry.

She left some tips for the students, such as to read constantly, ask questions, and “wag mahiyang magtanong kasi at the end of the day, mas importante na magbigay ng factual information kaysa information na hinulaan mo lang dahil nahihiya kang magtanong.”