In line with the government’s announcement to cancel physical classes for the school year 2020-2021 due to the threat of COVID-19, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines - College of Communication initiated fundraising as they celebrate their nineteenth anniversary. Their aim is to provide the needs of students who will be needing an internet connection and a gadget to keep up with online classes this

semester and possibly the next.

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In August of 2020, they launched ‘walangIwan9’ as the theme. It was spearheaded by student organizations, faculty members, alumni, and the college dean, Dr. Divina Pasumbal.

 

They saw the need to come up with aid for those who will be having a hard time catching up with online classes.

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The program includes an online lecture series, spoken word poetry performances, and a benefit concert from the COC community which were streamed online. It was also made possible in partnership with Stream Concept Study Hub and VXI, and its media partnership with Inquirer.net, SparkUp, and Tag Media Group.

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Placing in with the spirit of solidarity and unity, the COC’s online benefit concert showcased different talents from the college - COC faculty, students and student organizations. Local artists have performed including Shortone, Ysanygo and Brisom. The virtual concert has spanned for four hours, garnering almost 10,000 views with 487 shares. 

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According to Prof. Krupskaya Valila, who helped in spearheading ‘Walang1wan9,’ the most challenging part of the program was making sure that there will be donors to make sure that there will be people who would understand their goal and to be able to transcend to their audiences the essence of the event.

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“We are not just doing this just for fun, we are not just doing this para lang maka pag release ng online concert or what not. Ang main goal talaga natin dito ay makatulong ng mas maraming tao at maka kalap ng mas maraming donasyon para doon sa mga estudyante and I think yun yung pinaka mahirap kasi di naman tayo lahat pantay-pantay ng lebel ng pagkaintindi doon sa mga sitwasyon ng estudyante,” Prof. Valila said.

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Despite the challenges, they have successfully reached their goal.

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“I think we were successful kahit na hindi naman ganun kalakihan yung donation na nakuha namin, I am sure, we sent the message across, na the College of Communication is not just merely a college but it’s actually a family that makes sure that no student is left behind.”

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On their most recent post regarding the donation drive, their GCash already has an amount of P30, 248.55. The receipts are available at the “PUP, College of Communication, Official,” the validated Facebook account of the College of Communication. 

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Aside from the cash donations, an alumni from the Department of Communication Research donated a tablet with a note saying, ‘thank you! I hope this will help a student’. 

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A student from BAPR has donated a cellphone unit for his fellow COCian.

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Densha with its SparkEd Program granted several students with wifi routers and 600 pesos Globe Prepaid Wifi Load per month for those who have been qualified in their screening process.

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Seven students were able to get a brand new cellphone unit that they can use in their online classes.  

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When asked what she is most thankful for in conducting the donation drive, Prof. Valila answered: “Nakita ko yung heart ng bawat PUPian. Hindi mo kasi to makikita sa isang normal na college event. Hindi mo makikita yung passion nila, yung determination nila to really help. Etong nae-experience natin ngayon, etong pandemic, with typhoon, with intermittent internet, mga kapamilya natin na nagkaroon din ng COVID, nakikita mo talaga dito yung puso ng bawat PUPian na tumulong at i-ensure na walang maiiwanan.”

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