by Angelic Mizpah Chaste C. Bulanhagui and John Vincent C. Cruz of the FEU Advocate

Although the migration of journalism from the traditional to digital space has been ongoing before the pandemic, university publications face the challenge of covering significant events in the campus remotely. FEU Advocate steps up to the plate by putting forth a digital print issue (CLICK HERE) to continue its 87 years of veracious reportage.


As the official student publication of Far Eastern University (FEU) Manila, the FEU Advocate made its shift onto virtual platforms entirely with the country on lockdown. Instead of distributing physical copies of their newspaper to students on campus, the incumbent editorial board pushed for the publishing of an August-September 2021 digital broadsheet online.


Rea Payongayong, Editor-in-Chief of the FEU Advocate, believes that campus publications shoulder the responsibility of bringing relevant stories on national events and those specific to the green-and-gold community to the Tamaraws.
“In a democratic society, knowledge is power. It’s essential for the student body to know current events inside and outside of the University because it allows them to always make informed statements, decisions, and actions with regards to their second home,” Payongayong voiced.


Moreover, the publication included topics covering national issues and the University’s affairs written in Filipino to commemorate the Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa. FEU Advocate managing editor Mary Evangeline Valenton hoped that their writers were able to appreciate the Filipino language even more while making their respective articles.


In addition, Valenton hoped it would spur the studentry to “speak up to certain issues even though they are not specifically involved in it”.

“As our staffers write stories that inspire, awaken, and speak on issues that need to be heard and covered, we hope that it reaches the FEU community and join us in sharing their own voices to also fight for the rights of the unheard, oppressed, and the marginalized sectors,” Valenton added.


While the creative process towards the production of a digital newspaper is similar to that of a printed one in terms of planning, coordination, and execution; finding relevant news stories, gathering data, and interviewing sources were some of the rocks that the publication plodded through as a vehicle of expression and information.

Both Payongayong and Valenton shared that other digital folios are currently in the works, including some of the long-standing projects of the campus paper, to be posted throughout the academic year.


“I am excited about reviving our folios–a series of compilation of different articles and stories that will be released in predetermined months. I’m especially excited as some of these zines are open to contribution to our Tamaraw community,” Payongayong
said.


The August-September Digital Print Issue is now available in FEU Advocate’s official Issuu account, where many digital folios are posted. Despite the setbacks brought by the global health crisis, campus journalism will continue to thrive and shed light on relevant stories happening in society.