BBrC 2-1D, "Karir Kung Karir"!

Tinaguriang "Karir Kung Karir" ng ilang estudyante ang BBrC 2-1D sa nakaraang Music Video Festival: Kalikasan Awards Night nitong Lunes, October 9, 2006. Sino ba naman ang hindi mapapasabi ng ganoon eh ang kanilang production number ay hitik na hitik. Nariyan ang bamboo music at handmime sa umpisa na nagsabing: "PUP COC Presents Magandang Bukas", na sinundan ng pag-awit nina Heidi Cabalo at Heleena Claire Pasumbal na siyang mga umawit ng kantang Magandang Bukas. Pagkatapos ay sinundan ito ng mga body statue na sinabayan ng mismong kanta sa CD. Maya-maya ay dumating na ang mga dancers para sa interpretative dance. At sa kanilang grand finale ay binuhat ang isang dancer na may mga telang nakapalibot sa kanya na winawagayway kasunod ng paglabas ng isang mala-Inang Kalikasan. Para sa buong detalye, narito at inyong panoorin:

The Kalikasan Awards Controversy: An In-Depth Look

The College of Communication (COC) is absolutely a certified outstanding college of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), and the people behind its success are the college officials, the faculty, and most importantly, the students. As seen on its progressive history, the college has become the training ground for the enhancement of its students' intellect, talents, and values, which prepare them on their journey to the real world of media.

The COC is also known for having the most number of student organizations in the university, thirteen to date, proving that it is certainly the most active and well-rounded college. One of those organizations is the BroadCircle, which was established especially for the Broadcast Communication students.

Last September 2006 was the BroadCircle month, having the theme: "BroadBond: Mga Ka-Broad! Bonding Tayo!" Activities included the opening ceremonies which showcased the newest installation of the college, its campus radio station. Along with it was the publicity of their activities and competitions such as the DOKYU 2R, the COC Plug Competition for the Third Year, and for us Second Year Students, the Music Video Festival, which is on its third year already. With seven sections struggling to become the 2006 Music Video of the Year, this is one competition to watch out for, hopefully. But things seem to have muddled up badly.

September 25, Monday, was the opening of the respective booths of each entry, well, supposedly. Since we were only allowed to set up on the same day (and not last Saturday, September 23), the booths were only finished the next day.

On September 27, Wednesday, a closed door judging of the music videos was held at the campus radio station, together with the organizers, the representatives of each entry, and the three distinguished judges. Our very own DBC (Department of Broadcast Communication) Chairperson Edna Bernabe was also present for awhile, after informing that the said entries will also be joining the 2006 Catholic Mass Media Awards/CMMA (Hey, the submission of entries for the CMMA was already finished last May 17, and if I’m not mistaken, only one section was able to register... Hmm >>). After the judging, some students speculated that one entry is not an original composition.

September 29, Friday, was purportedly the much awaited Awards Night of the Music Video Fest, but because of unavoidable weather disturbances via Typhoon Milenyo, it was postponed for almost a week. It was moved to October 4, Wednesday, and finally October 9, Monday. But before that special day, troubles have begun to unfold among the contestants.

On October 6, Friday, a closed door meeting was put up to diminish the tension among the Second Year sections. Issues such as the inclusion of BBrC 2-2D’s “Naglahong Paraiso” to the competition despite of its questionable song; BBrC 2-2D having 2 entries; and the alleged bias of BroadCircle via the YouTube teaser video of the Kalikasan Awards which contained the words “Please support Magandang Bukas to be the Music Video of the Year.” In the end, BBrC 2-2D agreed to be disqualified only on the minor award “Best in Musical Arrangement,” but it seemed like the others wanted more. At the end of the day, posters by some students of BBrC 2-2D were found at the vicinity of the campus.

The following day, Saturday, I elaborated the issue through an open letter which I posted along with the BBrC 2-2D’s posters, as well as in the Internet via Friendster, Yahoo Mail, and in this site. Surprisingly, everything related to the issue was nowhere to be found from the bulletin boards and walls by October 9, Monday. Well, maybe it’s too disreputable for those who removed them.

The Song Used by RC 2-2 as Music Video:

Once more, let me give a statement on this issue. First and foremost, this is a matter of legality. This competition is on its third year now, and it is only this year that there are entries with original compositions. The point they are saying that there has been a verbal agreement among the advisers that the entries should be original songs is very unprofessional. I would like to believe that the said verbal agreement by the advisers is regarding the CMMA since CMMA requires original songs, because if not, on my point of view, they are not respecting the authority of BroadCircle as the sole organizer of this event. In the first place, we all know that in the system of this university, every motion should be put on legal document for it to be valid. If you were to follow that standard, then that “originality” rule is illegal, since BroadCircle hasn’t formed a new set of rules with that on the list.

Secondly, this is a matter of showcasing talents. This contest has not been created to encourage enmity among the Second Year sections. In the case of my section, BBrC 2-1D, we did not ever think of getting rid of our competitors just to win; we just simply give our best. Maybe that’s why we are sometimes tagged as “Section ng Karir.” If you want to beat them, surpass them; not eradicate them. Oh yes you have a point that it seems unfair for us (the other entries) that our competitor has an unoriginal song, but what if their entry was inferior? Would you still exert effort just to eradicate them if you already know that you’ll win over them? I’m sorry to say this, but I think you’re insecure. Maybe I’m wrong, but what I’m thinking is that you are aware that “Naglahong Paraiso” is a potential winner in this contest, that is why you’re trying your very best to exclude them. Just compare this incident to a hen and her chicks. All chicks are white and only one is black, but the hen knows that the black chick is still hers, so she doesn’t reject it.

Lastly, this is a matter of professionalism. As I have said awhile ago, this college is our training ground. If in this point in time you are already playing dirty; if in this point in time you are already unethical, how much more when you’re in the real world? Let me again cite my section, BBrC 2-1D. Days, if not weeks, we were already preparing for this competition. We admit that our video is not technically superb, that is why we focused to at least get one minor award. We created an artistic promotional poster and booth, and we exerted time and effort for a production number worth watching. We did not question why the others were irresponsibly late in registering. We did not question why the others were irresponsibly late in passing the requirements even if it was a ground for their disqualification. Honestly, we were mad at them, because it is absolutely unfair for us.

Camaraderie. Good working relationship. Fair competition. It’s what matters. Every good endeavor has an equivalent reward. As Sir Don says, “If you can’t beat them, join them."

An Open Letter to all Second Year BBrC Sections

October 7, 2006

I heard just today that there was a closed door meeting yesterday regarding the music video of RC 2-2D. I wasn't able to come because I was sick. I learned that there really is some disturbance going on among sections of second year BBrC. I am speaking to you not as the president of my section, BBrC 2-1D, but as a BBrC student alone. Before I raise my side, here is a copy of the Kalikasan Awards contest mechanics:

1. All participants must be a group or class.

2. Entries must be the product of the Audio Video Techniques Course, 2^nd Sem SY 2005-2006 (RC102).

3. The concept of the entries must be original.

4. A registration fee of Php 350.00 must be paid.

5. All entries must be submitted on or before September 25, 2006 together with the following:

· A short introduction of the music video

· 2 copies of the music video (preferably in SVCD or DVD format)

· 1 promotional poster in any form

· Entry Form

· Registration Fee

6. All entries must relate to the environmental theme.

7. All participating groups must prepare the following:

· Promotional Poster

o Size must be (maximum- cartolina size)

o Must Promote the Music Video

o Use of material doesn’t matter

o Must include the name of the Adviser

· Promotional Booth

o Will stay for 4 days (September 25- 28)

o Must be creative and must rely to the song

o Must play your Video

o To generate funds for people’s choice

· Production No.

o Must use the song as the music

o May be in song, dance or any creative way

o Maximum of 7 minutes

8. Entries will be judged as follows:

· Music – 30%

· Graphical Quality – 30%

· Interpretation – 20%

· Appeal -20%

9. The Following awards will be given to the winners

· Music Video of the Year

· 2^nd Best Music Video of the Year

· 3^rd Best Music Video of the Year

· Best in Videography

· Best in Production No.

· Best Musical Arrangement

· Best Booth

· Best Poster

· People’s Choice Award

10. Judging for the Major Awards (i.e. Music Video of the Year, 2^nd best and 3^rd best Music Videos and others) will be a closed door judging on September 27, 2006 at the CoC AVR. Only 2 representatives per entry are allowed inside the AVR for security purposes.

11. The judges’ decision will be final.

Now, you've read it all clearly. There is NO RULE that a copyrighted song is not allowed to join the contest. There is also NO RULE that there should be only one entry per section. Besides, the mechanics used the term 'GROUP' and not section. So it's alright if RC2-2D has 2 entries.

It is CMMA (Catholic Mass Media Awards) and not Broad Circle's Kalikasan Awards that requires an original song as its entry.

I want to apologize if I posted the teaser of the Kalikasan Awards on YouTube without permission. To those questioning why I put the words “please support Magandang Bukas,” it was for the People’s Choice. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. Besides, it wouldn’t affect the decision of the judges, will it?

If you still want to say something, I'm very much willing to listen if you think I've forgotten something.

PS: My concerns now are those who were able to pass their requirements (poster, registration form, reg. fee) after the deadline (September 25). Isn't it that there was a DEADLINE? Why were they still allowed to pass? Isn't it unfair for my section who faithfully met those requirements? Another thing is the production number. BroadCircle moved it to October 9 instead of Oct. 4, because of the very irresponsible reason that the 'other' sections are not prepared yet. Whatever those sections' reasons are, it's very unfair for my section who sacrificed time and effort just to be able to present well on Sept. 29, which was moved several times from Oct. 4 and now Oct. 9. We’re beginning to have problems, now that it’s overlapping with our Comm. Campaigns and other affairs.

Just remember, victory is worthless without grace and equality. Let things happen the way they should be.

Respectfully yours,

JM
A Concerned 2nd Year BBrC Student