On 31 July 2021, the University of the Philippines Open University Alumni Foundation, Inc. (UPOUAFI) Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) Chapter conducted a virtual workshop titled “ISTORYA: Mga Makabuluhang Kwento ng mga Cyber Isko at Iska.” This was held as part of the two-day first-ever UPOU Alumni Congress. Hosted by Mr. Josemaria Basig, a Master of Development Communication graduate, the said event also served as the launching of the FICS Alumni Chapter’s video blog project called ISTORYA, a collection of stories featuring the lives of alumni, current students, professors, including the state of affairs of the larger UPOU Community.
In his opening message, FICS Dean, Prof. Alexander G. Flor, asserted the significance of storytelling as the most effective and established form of knowledge management. He also cited the swelling ranks of FICS alumni, noting the 80 recent graduates across the degree programs offered by the Faculty. After expressing his firm belief in the ability of FICS alumni as professionals and experts in their respective fields of study, Dean Flor thanked Dr. Joane Serrano, Director of the Office of Public Affairs (OPA), and the UPOU Alumni Foundation Inc., for organizing the workshop.
Subsequently, a video presentation was shown, which briefly introduced the four guests who graced the occasion, namely, Atty. Rochelle Marie Cortez-Naz, Mr. Carlos Bryan Nolido, Ms. Koree Monteloyola, and Ms. Ariesha Faith Dimaano.
The first to share her story was Atty. Rochelle Marie Cortez-Naz. She is a graduate of Master of Development Communication (MDC) program and is currently pursuing Doctor of Communication with UPOU. She recalled how her husband inspired her to take both her master’s and doctorate degrees at UPOU. Aside from pointing out the importance of communication skills and reading skills as a lawyer and lifelong learner,, Atty. Rochelle talked about her advocacy work, which is centered on creating safe and inclusive spaces for women. Emphasizing that schooling is not a race, Atty. Rochelle encouraged women to pursue advanced degrees, even short-term classes like the massive open online courses (MOOC) offered by UPOU.
Attendees of the Workshop listened to Dr. Benjamina Paula Flor, Program Chair of MDC and an Affiliate Faculty of FICS, as she recited an original poem that captures the day-to-day life of a distance learner who has to survive home quarantine while learning remotely this pandemic.
Afterwards, Mr. Carlos Bryan Nolido tackled the misconceptions that surround online learning as he shared his story of transformation, being someone who has gotten to embrace the UPOU way of learning. Aside from being an artist with his own business, he obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies (BAMS) from UPOU. He advised students that the online setup entails independent learning, time management, and metacognition.
Ms. Koree Monteloyola, a graduate of the UPOU Master of Information Systems (MIS) program, shared the challenges she went through while taking her program with UPOU, and the story and fulfillment behind her advocacy to teach digital skills to the elderly. Dean Flor applauded her advocacy since this is one of the thrusts of UPOU as the sole member of the Age-friendly University Global Network in the ASEAN. Koree could not help but feel emotional when Dean Flor remarked that her advocacy is providing meaning to the lives of the elderly. Koree hopes that in the process of transitioning active loyal members to become mentors to the new members, the cycle of learning continues for these senior members of our society.
Ms. Ariesha Faith Dimaano, a continuing student of MDC, shared a candid story of how she pushed through with her studies at UPOU despite having to stop schooling for a while due to pandemic-related restrictions and challenges. When asked what pieces of advice she can offer to UPOU students, she said “quality comes when you are in the right mindset,” stressing that distance learners must be aware of their core values and have a strong support system. One attendee even chimed in, chatting that listening to Faith made her aspire to do more for the community. “Don’t forget your community,” Faith reminded everyone.
The event concluded with parting words from the guests and the host himself, with a reminder that as we enjoy the fruits of our scholarly labor as Cyber Isko and Iska, we should not forget to give back to the respective communities that we are all part of.
Watch the two-part recording of the virtual workshop in these links: Part 1 and Part 2. For more details about the ISTORYA video blog project, visit the official Facebook Page of the FICS Alumni Association.
Written and Screen Captures by Wilzen Bermoy
Edited by Joane V. Serrano and Anna Cañas-Llamas