Baka #Magdalord ‘yarn: What a student journalist life truly looks like

It is a school event and you are watching from the audience’s point of view. Suddenly, you saw a group of students walking around holding their pens, notebooks, and cameras. Some are taking photos while others are taking notes and doing interviews. You may be puzzled, but don’t worry — that’s probably just us living a normal day in our lives as student journalists.

At Emilio Aguinaldo College Cavite (EACC), we function under our very own student publication, The Magdalo Cavite. In line with the Republic Act 7079 or the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, our organization is developed for students to uphold press freedom on the campus level. Apart from delivering the latest and relevant factual news to the school community, it is our utmost responsibility to amplify the voices of the student body. 

IN PHOTO: COMMrades pose for a groupie during their 1st Face-to-Face General Assembly of The Magdalo Cavite last September 14, 2023, at the Law Building Lecture Hall 2. | Photo courtesy of Rachelle Mary Ceburon

Just like any other adventure, being a campus journalist has its fair share of challenges and obstacles. There goes the lack of members, budget constraints, lack of facilities, as well as personal problems like difficulties in time management and balancing our organizational duties along with academics. Despite it all, listed below are sure-fire ways of how participating in campus journalism has elevated our college game as fourth-year Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication students. (See also our first attempt in campus journalism as college freshmen students, our digital newspaper ‘El Cavisera’)

Extensive skill set

Being a member of The Magdalo shapes us to be multi-faceted. We have to be adept not just in writing news, opinions, and feature stories but also in multimedia aspects such as photojournalism, layout, and design. We also need to develop excellent research and data-gathering skills, particularly through interviews, which are crucial in our content production in order to provide factual and accurate information for our readers.

Additionally, being a part of an editorial team sharpens our leadership and management skills. As executive officers of The Magdalo, I alongside my COMMrade Bea Jenine Endaya seek to oversee the overall operations of the publication, from staff task designation to resource management and newspaper production.

IN PHOTOS: COMMrades Beverly Shaine J. Bautista (left), Editor-in-Chief, and Bea Jenine Endaya (right), Managing Editor of The Magdalo Cavite Batch 2023-2024 as they lead the first general meeting of the organization last September 14, 2023 at the Law Building Lecture Hall 2. | Photos courtesy of Jessa Mae Mejica

Involvement and exposure in the community

To be a member of the publication means getting more involved in the community both inside and outside the institution. As we document different institutional events and affairs within and beyond the school, we also grew to be more vigilant about the issues that concern our fellow students, the school administration, and even the local community. More than raising information awareness and formulating opinions on these issues, we have the chance to act on them. For instance, we also get to perform volunteer work as we cover local outreach activities of some school departments such as the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS).

JOURNALISM MEETS VOLUNTEERISM. COMMrade Bea Jenine Endaya along with Magdalo fellow member Lizette Centeno from Civil Engineering participate in the Outreach Program of SAS at Sitio Bisaya last March 4, 2023.  | Photo courtesy of Vance Eridani; video courtesy of Lizette Centeno

A chance to study for free

You read that right. Being a student journalist for the school can reap many academic benefits, most especially scholarship grants. Depending on staff position and semestral performance, The Magdalo members are evaluated and subjected to tuition and miscellaneous fee discounts from 50 up to 100 percent.

Going to places (literally and figuratively!)

The Magdalo can also serve as your travel ticket to reach destinations. As a member of the organization, we have the chance to attend student retreat seminars and training outside the school. This helps build our knowledge and expand our horizons by meeting new people and gaining new social experiences. Aside from physical locations, The Magdalo also participates in national contests organized by reputable universities and media outlets such as The Manila Times. Talk about a potential career workplace in the future!

IN PHOTO: The Magdalo Cavite Batch 2022-2023 receives their accreditation certificate during the Student Leaders Oath-taking Ceremonies held at Shercon Resort and Ecology Park at Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas last February 8-9. | Photo courtesy of Emilio Aguinaldo College Cavite 

Mission-driven student life

Purpose keeps a campus journalist’s life going, and no less than my predecessor and our former Editor-in-Chief, Ms. Chloe Jayne Almario, can attest to that. During our interview, the Magna Cum Laude graduate of BA in Communication Batch 2022 and now the Marketing and Communications Office (MCO) Associate of the school advised all campus journalists and aspiring ones to “make it a mission as an Emilian”. (See also ‘Exploring Career Opportunities for Communication Graduates’ blog)

More than anything else, campus journalism is a passion and commitment. Aside from helping shape the campus narrative, being a Magdalo member means living up to the core values of EAC: Virtue, Service, and Excellence for the community.

‘MAGDALORD’. Ms. Almario, who is referred to by her colleagues as a “Magdalord”, receives her Tambuli Award of Excellence in campus journalism from Mr. Kimbert Mack, Office of Student Affairs Director, and Dr. Rebecca D. Miranda, Vice President for Academic Affairs during the EACC Recognition Day last July 5, 2022. | Photo courtesy of Ms. Chloe Jayne Almario

Having said all that, are you willing to take on this life? For inquiries, you may send an email to  magdalo.cavite@eac.edu.ph, or to magdalo.cavite.applications@gmail.com to express your interest in being part of the team. Who knows? You might just be the next pen holder the publication is looking for.