From soup to a pressing question
By Eva C. Visperas
THE aroma of the humble yet heartwarming soup, a staple for struggling students at the school canteen, triggered a nostalgic journey as I strolled through the grounds of my alma mater, St. Louis University (SLU), in Baguio City after 36 long years.
I was back on January 26, 2024. A lot of memories lingered on my mind.
It wasn’t the academic achievements that consumed my college years, but the simple bowl of soup that fueled my determination to rise above my circumstances after graduation. During my college days, I made a pledge never to settle for just that affordable hot soup, aspiring to savor something special, a real meal, in my pursuit of success.
The soup, crafted from the boiled goodness of pork or beef, seasoned with salt, pepper, and spices, was served at the canteen at the Waldo Perfecto Bldg., as a budget-friendly snack for both students and faculty. Unfortunately, a cup of it was all I could afford back then.
On rare occasions, I treated myself to a stick of banana cue to satisfy my hunger.
I wanted to share this chapter of my life to, hopefully, inspire young students, urging them to persist in reaching their life goals. So, when I was invited by the SLU ComSoc (Mass Comm Society) to speak in their Alumni Talks series, I gladly seized the opportunity.
I recounted my modest beginnings as a financially-challenged student, how I struggled hard, balancing academic, personal and family life at that time. It was the tumultuous period of my life when I faced the greatest challenge that almost derailed my academic pursuits when I reached my junior year.
Before my talk last month, I pondered on how to convey my thoughts with a pressing question: “How do I inspire students to embrace journalism when technology has revolutionized the landscape? Why pursue a Journalism or Mass Comm course when one can easily become a blogger/vlogger, amassing followers without a degree?”
I saw a lot of them online, watched their interviews and observed how fortune smiled at them.
The questions I have in my mind highlight the evolving media landscape, where social media influencers gain prominence without traditional credentials. During the open forum, I was queried about my stance on bloggers/vloggers, a topic reflecting the current reality.
“So, what’s your view about the bloggers/vloggers?” I was asked. I was not a bit surprised about that question to be asked as it is really happening now.
Let me be clear: I harbor no animosity towards content creators in the digital realm. They have carved their niche, shaping preferences in the modern era. The media landscape has shifted, erasing the former exclusivity enjoyed by mainstream media. Bloggers and vloggers are now integral players, even sought after by politicians and businessmen.
I presented the challenges within mainstream media as I see it, drawing from over my three decades of experience. I discussed the alarming trend of a dwindling number of writers, a paradox considering the increasing graduates in Communication/Journalism.
The gap persists but we’re not totally losing hope. We can still save the total depletion, if we choose to address it. #
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