MISSION
To obtain and deliver accurate and unprejudiced information.
VISION
Leading the public through service by providing truth and justice.
It cost 0.00 to be ‘kind’
“Adto na ta na, naa bitaw manlimpyo ana” common thoughts that erupted from most people’s minds in fastfoods and restaurants after eating. Stacks of plates and paper cups as well as sticky and dirty tables with pieces of chicken bones falling in the floor alongside with wet floors from soda are common scenarios especially in fast food restaurants. The idea of service crews cleaning the mess for us is common but what is not common is the idea of not even stacking plates up making it time consuming for them to have it cleaned. Well of course, people may argue that you are paying these service crews alongside with your meals to clean the mess up for you but why not initiate a little bit of cleaning.
Today, I went out to in the nearest Jollibee in our area and as I was looking for an available table where I can eat and sit. The sight of children happily enjoying their chickenjoy and jolly spaghetti met my vision. Luckily, the table beside them was empty, where I decided to sit. A huge smile plastered across my face as these kids happily ate and talk about how delicious the chicken and how refreshing the ice cream was. As expected of kids, the tables were messy. Chicken bones fell on the floor, extra spaghetti sauces sticked on the tables and wrappers of fry bags are scattered.
The scenario was common for places like this but what they did after was not common. As they wiped their faces with tissue papers for the excess spaghetti sauce and oil that sticked their face. The young girl wearing the cute headband stood up. I thought they were going to leave, but no, she came back with pieces of tissue paper in her hand and started wiping the mess on the table. The others followed and one of them stacked the plates and placed them in one area of the table. The two boys beside me started picking up the tiny pieces of bones that fell on the floor. They all laughed and went to their grandmother, I guess, who was across their table.
I did not expected such kindness and initiative from kids their age and yes, an act of kindness should not be grounded with someone’s age and it does not cost a fortune to be kind. Whoever these kids parents are, you raised your children right.
Trisha Mae Franche P. Sigue| The SMITE, CNU
A Smiting Year
Cebu Normal University’s first semester is finally over. Was it a fun first half of the school year? Maybe a little challenging for a lot of Normalites but yes, it was fun experience.
I can relate this year’s experiences to a quote by an anonymous author in Google, “Challenges are what make life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes them meaningful.”
Our online publication, The Smite, has been through a lot of challenges this year. Racing against deadlines and of course, the competition against the other publications like us. But throughout the tiring race, our team has proven time and time again that these challenges were there to mold us into greater individuals, into skillful writers and photographers. Right from the start, we were dead set into achieving that one goal of becoming an online publication that would reach the hearts of many and inform the things needed to be informed to our dear followers and readers either through tear-jerking articles or entertaining facts and stories that would surely make them wanting for more.
But all of the things that we have right now are not made possible without the guidance our dear teacher, Mr. John Destacamento, who has deep knowledge and passion for the subject and with his superior listening and communication skills, he has been acknowledged by his students and is worthy to being called as the ‘right man for the job’. He made us all feel that whatever we have learned from the past few years on broadcasting and journalism, are not enough for us to be treated as ‘special’ or ‘skilled’. And that’s a good thing. Because through him, we also realized that we still have so much things to learn and that we can still grow as individuals and as future journalists. He made us realize our weaknesses and gave us the opportunity to turn those weaknesses into our strengths. These ‘blades’ he has sharpened for us will always be the greatest gifts we have ever received from him this year. For we all know that these ‘blades’ will be our weapons of combat when the time comes for us to step into the battlefield known as, Journalism.
We reached the pinnacle of our online publication career as students this year but we are not certain that we can still say the same thing for the following years. That is why we will always treasure this ‘Smiting year’ for us Smiters. Because without you, the readers, we would have never reached this stage of the game. Your constant ‘liking’ and ‘reacting’ to our updates, your suggestions and arguments through the comments and the sharing have all been considered by us, The Smite, as acts of kindness and support that constantly helps us change and make progress that ultimately led us to being awarded as the number one online publication this year. Thank you, Smiters!
Kyle V. Sarona| Editor-in-Chief, The Smite CNU
The SEA Games 2019 host, Philippines
The Southeast Asian Games, long before its opening already received backlash from the netizens on the official logo to be used until now for the corruption allegations and the delegation treatment.
Thus, Filipinos and even people from the international scene criticized our nation’s way of hosting. Various media organizations were shamed as published news stories regarding to the SEA games were dominated by negative issues.
Critics says that this is because of the lack of preparation or either the money that was supposed to serve as budget for the sea games but had laid down to corrupt hands. Another opinion says that this is because the department assigned to pass the liquidation of budget submitted late which is why the preparation had lacked in so many aspects.
Criticisms spread like wild fire until the game officially started and positive feedbacks had then been heard. From the accommodation of the hotel, to the 24/7 buffet being served at the athlete’s table. All the luxury and glory should be served to these individuals who reached the Philippines to represent their countries and to redeem honor and pride to their fellow people.
The Philippines is hosting the Sea Games this year. Despite the backlash and criticisms, the honor of hosting such an event should not be wasted as this is also a big opportunity for tourism as well as honor for our country, the Philippines.
-Daniella Mhari Tan, Trisha Mae Franche Sigue| The Smite CNU
The first man who broke my heart
Photo Courtesy: istock Photos
According to some, a father will always be a daughter’s first love but in my case, my father was my first heartbreak, the man who was supposed to protect me from one turned out the cause. He did the honor before anyone had the chance to.
Grade school. I can still remember it vividly in a four-cornered classroom, when my teacher instructed us to cut out pictures of each member of the family for a family tree project. A day after, I saw the excitement in the eyes of my classmates in presenting their project, while on the contrary, in the isolated corner of the room, there I was, wondering why my classmates have this complete set of family while me, I don’t have any, even just pictures of my dad.
As a kid, there were always these nagging questions at the back of my mind, asking why he had the audacity to abandon me, maybe there’s something wrong with me? Perhaps my mom did something that urged him to leave? Which is probably not the reason, he is just irresponsible and coward.
Now, you may wonder reading this, why I chose my absent father to be the subject for this tribute as the most important person when I could just easily chose my mama or my lala who were able to fill the space where a dad should be. Why trade those two powerful women as my allies growing up over a man whose visage I can’t even recognize in person and even in photographs?
He wasn’t able to fulfill his duties and responsibilities as a father but he taught me a lot of valuable lesson that are important to have and possess in this battlefield called life. One of which is that at an early age, I already pondered upon how things doesn’t always work the way how we wanted it to be. There are things that are beyond on our control. In addition, he is the reason why I developed trust issues on people specifically towards men, when someone shows a tiny bit of affection to me, I shrugged it off immediately. I can’t blame myself for acting such considering when my mother introduced me into this cruel world, he wasn’t there, loyalty was never proven to me even from the beginning.
Independence. To rank all the things he taught me, the latter would top the list. He taught me to never always depend on anyone. An independent woman who don’t need a man, the only man I needed in my life was my father, too bad he left even before I was born.
My mother would always tell me how she’s afraid of me getting my heart broken. Little did she know, her first love, the first man he loved truly, my father, already did it.
Writing this tribute is a way of slowly releasing my grudges to him. Don’t get me wrong, he was and will always be important to me as he played a crucial part of who I am today. I pity him sometimes, for the recognition and graduation rites that he missed and for the father’s day letters that ended up in the trashcan and maybe someday, somewhere, if he could read this, I just want to say, to the father that I never have, to the father that never was, to the first man who broke my heart, I did it without you.
Daniella Mhari Tan, The Smite Feature Writer
Google Honors the First Filipina Scientist
Photo Courtesy: Google Doodle
Google doodle features the Filipina food scientist, war hero, and humanitarian Maria Ylagan Orosa in her vast contribution in the food industry on November 29.
Orosa completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in pharmaceutical chemistry, as well as an additional degree in food chemistry in Seattle University, Washington and was credited for over 700 recipes including the iconic local condiment banana ketchup.
On 1922, she returned to Philippines and focus on addressing the problem of malnutrition and
revolutionize food technology in the country.
Aside from the banana ketchup, she also invented Soyalac (a nutrient rich drink derived from soya beans) and Darak (rice cookies packed with vitamin B-1, which could also prevent beriberi disease) a means that saved countless lives during World War II and the Palayok Oven that provides remote villages lacking access to electricity with a more effective means of cooking over an open fire, according to Doodle.
The National Historical Institute installed a marker in her honor at the Bureau of Plant Industry in Manila in 1983 as a sign of her unwavering dedication on her duty during the Japanese occupation.
Orosa died after a shrapnel shard pierced her heart during an American bombing raid on February 14, 1945.
The Days for the Departed
Candles sold and bought all over the place. Busy people finding their dead relatives, native delicacies sold from one vendor to people. Superstitious beliefs of smoke visible outside the cemetery heard from one mouth to the other. Indeed, the time of the year has come where the commemoration of departed souls are observed by everyone.
Filipinos as we are, hearing the dates, November 1 and 2, we always think of visiting our dead relatives from different parts of the Philippines and to meet relatives whom we have not seen for so long. It can be likened to a time of conjoining, a time of not just commemorating the dead ones but to mend friendships and relationships that were buried as time flew by and as individuals moved from one place to another.
Hearing these dates, delicacies may have popped out of some people’s minds. Thinking and imagining how grandma’s fruit porridge (binignit) would be perfect as you talk and socialize with your cousins and childhood friends. From the wide array of traditional cuisines, we get attracted by the fragrant smells of puto and bibingka as well as suman and kutsinta in our tables.
Photo by: Alayza Jane Sanchez
Varieties of flowers for the dead are found being sold outside of the cemetery. This is the time of the year where we deeply connect with our loved ones. Some may think of the absurdity that we can only think of our dead loved ones on these dates, but no, going to the cemetery is not the only way we commemorate their departing but also through offering prayers for their souls everyday, as well as living while knowing that were once a part of our lives.
As cemeteries become busy and as people flock in the cemeteries, familiar faces will begin to appear. By then, you’ll know how Filipinos celebrate All Souls and All Saints Day. You can see happy faces and wide smiles among the people visiting and the vendors making a living because of the celebration. But let us always remember that our memories of the dead ones are not only present during November, but also on the rest of days of the year.
Trisha Mae Franche P. Sigue | The Smite | CNU
HUE OF BLUE
All of us watched them,
seeing them standing on the podium of pride and glory once again.
Standing under the burning sun,
feeling the sweet success of sweats.
Making it through,
making it true.
They dare,
and will always lay it bare.
Banished doubt,
powered minds.
Made every point count,
and a big shot was knocked down.
The journey they took is no easy one,
it’s not quick and fun.
The bond gets stronger,
and so they finished it better.
Rising above all,
CTE reigns.
Yes, they repeats.
Michelle Grace Baculao
“To my fellow Commkids”
An apreciation post to my fellow struggling Communication students
By: Trisha Franche Sigue
Dear CommKids,
“Char. Mag-abot gihapon tas IT park”, one of the statements we always make fun of. A statement that has been repeatedly said when we feel so down and came across with the idea of shifting and quitting. A statement that may or may not be deemed as a prediction of the future. A statement that had crossed our thoughts all the time.
As paperworks had reached its deadline, as catchy phrases and flowery words are used in creative articles where the skill of video and photo editing is a must. You sit there in a room, staring at the empty void of thoughts, thinking of ideal words that will fill your article, editing a movie that you need to post before 12 midnight.
Photo Credits to: Junior Broadcasters’ Alliance (JBA)
Yes you, you brave soul who comes to school not minding that you had skipped breakfast just to cover a good show for your publication’s followers. Yes you, who stand their under the heat of the scorching sun to take good photographs of the games. Yes you, who collated all information from sources and having them summed up in a comprehensive article to be posted before the days ends. Yes you, I am proud of you.
Having been belittled by the people of society thinking that your chosen degree program is not practical. You stood there. Loud and proud. Now, let me ask you. Is practicality based on the green pasture you will be earning in the future? Maybe? Or no? It may had been a case to case basis for this republic where being successful means leaving the country.
No, you stand there to be the voice of the voiceless, to give accurate information to the people, to provide wondrous variety of news and articles. Please do not belittle yourself. Do not be swayed by people who feel like they are entitled to judge you for your choices. Keep going.
We had a tough week, we forgot the word fun and relaxation as we had covered this year’s Intramurals. You then think, “Dapat man ko enjoy unta ron oy kay Intrams man”, come to think of it, you there standing up in front of the crowd, given the privilege, holding a camera to share the events for the benefit of everyone is a great fulfillment. A kind of educational fun and an unraveling if a whole new experience that you are yet to encounter during OJT.
It was tough? Yes, you ended up being hydrated as you meet your team for a quick meeting. Yes, as you used all your contacts to coordinate with the people in the games. Yes, as you forgot how to sleep because of the coverage deadlines set by the team. Yes you, who did not participated the Acquaintance as you felt tired and the need to sleep. It was a very tough experience but the fulfillment from the feedbacks being received felt like floating in the clouds of total enjoyment and bliss.
But what more can I say? I am proud of you. You slayed the whole week. It was tough but you managed. Please continue to achieve your dreams. I am proud of you my fellow CommKids.
And to the lower levels asking me how hard will their next years be? Yes it is hard but the lessons you will be learning as engaging with the people is a blessing and a privilege.
Laban live coverage. Laban CommKids. Laban CNU.
Trisha Mae Franche P. Sigue, Feature Writer
“Stressed but blessed”
In every journey in life, it is expedient that we encounter a variation of challenges, stress, mental breakdowns and worst, depression. Most of the time we feel weak in every task that has been given, we sometimes feel knowing that we all have other things to be submitted and another one is added.
Staring at thin air and realizing, “Pwede time first sa?” I once overheard students saying “Mag mental breakdown sa ko mga 5 minutes”, and watching them crying and being frustrated and how they got to act like nothing happened as flipping on the next page of their reviewers.
Engaging and being a part of the field of communication is not a luxury. You get to indulge yourself in hard tasks, life changing field works and most of all hassle information gathering of crimes and events. Some may ask “Nganu ma stressed man ka nga storya storya ra man na inyoha” and some “Yahaya sa Comm ah” and the worst is “Char, feeling stress gamay gihapon ug grado”.
Alayza Jane Sanchez, who was continuously ridiculed and underestimated for her chosen program and a student of communication answered them, “Being a communication student, doesn’t mean that your job is only to face the crowd and let your voice be heard in each people who listens you. We need to gather information with different sources whom we should verify as valid. Moreover, we need to make or publish article or reports factually with no errors making sure each is accurate. This course needs effort and passion. My grades may not be like the ones on top that can I be proud of but I did my best to get those grades and in fact even its not that good I’m proud of it”.
Receiving harsh and ridiculed words is inevitable, you may sometimes remember seeing your previous teachers asking you, “Hala ga Comm lage ka? Kahibalo diay kay mangbaba” Admit it or not, words from people are like daggers. They all feel like they are entitled to judge you but no. Your course, your efforts and please prove them wrong.
Sometimes, these harsh words are the ones who make you courageous and the ones who will make you push through in down times thinking that it is not just for the dream but also for you proving them wrong.
As one of the most difficult task of covering the Intramurals had come to an end, I can now therefore say. Yes to more sleep and goodbye coverage. Kidding aside, this had been a great experience.
Inspired by Alayza Jane Sanchez
Trisha Mae Franche P. Sigue, Feature Writer
To the People behind the Papers
The Intramurals 2019 is already over. Along with its end, is the start of the relaxation of the people who made this particular event a success; the athletes, officials, coaches, the students who watched everything unfold, the faculties and staffs and most of all the aspiring journalists.
Photo Credit: Junior Broadcaster’s Alliance (JBA)
These journalists are the ones you can notice running around carrying cameras and phones, making sure that they had covered everything that has transpired.
Some of them are the reporters and some of them are writers. Even the technicals staffs got something to do with the event which is to make sure that everything that was needed to be broadcasted is broadcasted.
A lot of people may not even feel their presence but these people are doing their own kind of Intramurals every day of the same week.
Waking up early to make sure that they don’t miss to cover important events, running long distances to take pictures of athletes and people and racking their brain up to midnight just to try and make the best article that they can with their collected data.
Difficult isn’t it? Sacrificing the time you have left for relaxation and having sleepless nights are the prices to pay for such heavy tasks.
But hey, aren’t they amazing? They may be aspiring journalists now but someday they’ll become full fledged journalists who’ll not only write about a campus event but will write earth shaking stories that’ll blow everyone’s minds out.
To my fellow broadcasters and journalists out there, thank you. For the blood, sweat and tears that you spilt just for the sake of informing the people. As someone who shares the same boat with you, I am proud of you.
Kyle Sarona
The SMITE 