I NEVER REALIZED ten years have passed since I first became a News Editor for The Bedan. It was only after I was approached to do this column piece that I got to look in hindsight the things I have done and the past and how it made the person who I am today.
I was a Legal Management sophomore back then when a classmate of mine, then Volume 71 Features, Culture, and Reviews editor asked me to join the college publication after actively contributing to Lion’s Roar, a section in the newspaper where members of the Bedan community can chime in their thought on certain matters. I initially said no, because I had no newswriting skill at all, and never participated in any Press Conference events in elementary and high school. I was also halfway done with college, so I thought it was too late for me. It was until I decided to give it a go on my 3rd year that changed my life.
“So, to you, reader, do not be afraid to try out things for the first time. It is a normal thing to be not be a good at it initially, but you must keep at it to be better.”
On my third year, I submitted my application to join, and after passing the exam and interview, I became a member. At this point, I had to learn quickly how to write news fast. It was until I passed my first draft that I was reminded how lacking my writing skill was. In fact, to pass the news editor, my first draft returned to me around 20 times before it got approved to the next editor. It was brutal. Fortunately, the article got published, but I wanted to do better.
The second time I wrote an article, I applied all the lessons I learned the first time around. I took note of all the editing marks and the notes given to me. This time, I The draft returned to me twice. I could not believe it myself that I did it, considering that previously I did know a thing about it.
Fast forward to 2014, when we, the staff, applied for the Volume 72 Editorial Board. I had only one position that I was interested in and that was being News Editor. After a grueling exam and interview process, I got the job even with less than a year of experience.
The Volume 72 Editorial Board were composed of newbies, with staff that were never part of prior The Bedan editorial boards. This meant we had an expectation to be as good as the previous ones, despite the lack of experience we had. To do this, we had several training sessions, one being with The Daily Inquirer. This training made the most impact as it influenced how we wrote articles moving forward. This meant we adapted a more modern and mainstream style of writing different than our peers in other publications did.
We were also the volume that started the change on the front page. Previous volumes only had the headline, central visual image and page contents on the front. We changed that to a more mainstream broadsheet style that is still being used today. We also tried as much as we can to do a monthly release instead of the usual bi-monthly schedule. This ensured that our stories are as fresh as it could be for the Bedan community.
Of course, I would give a mention of the July 2014 issue of the volume. If you got the time, ask The Bedan or the library for the July 2014 issue. This was the time we were being critical of the administration regarding the uniform policy and pushed for better student rights.
Even after my stint as an editor, my experience in the publication landed me my first job as a correspondent for a major national broadsheet. My experience then as a student-journalist helped me gain the necessary skills to enter a job I never imagined I would be in when I entered college. And I have in been in writing jobs ever since.
So, to you, reader, do not be afraid to try out things for the first time. It is a normal thing to be not be a good at it initially, but you must keep at it to be better. Learn from your mistakes and do not fear failure. Always be open to new experiences, because eventually it will reward you.
To current and aspiring journalists, San Beda has produced several alumni working in the media industry and The Bedan is the closest thing we have for a Journalism program, so cherish the experience and learn from it as much as you can. And even if don’t go for a career in journalism after graduation, this experience will help you take on any job, as you will learn important skills needed in the workplace. Good luck to all your future endeavors, and you might be the next one writing a column like this one.
Editor’s Note: In celebration of The Bedan‘s 83rd anniversary, the Board published a series of unabridged, unedited pieces from editors of previous volumes, highlighting the publication’s rich history and its impact in shaping the voice of the Bedan community.