A new beginning, opportunity, and chapter await every freshman student as another academic year begins. The Polytechnic University of the Philippines has shown that despite the paralyzing impact of the COVID-19, it cannot disrupt its academic functions. 

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The College of Communication community including the chairs, faculty members, organizations, and its students officially welcomed the first semester of the Academic Year 2020 - 2021 in a new normal. 

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An orientation program was held for freshmen students where they can attend right at the comfort of their home as it was broadcasted live through the PUP College of Communication Official Facebook page last October 9, 2020. Well-known and respected journalists were invited as orientation speakers.

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The first speaker was Jules Guiang, a former PTV4 host and the co-creator of Quarantalk Media. According to him, not like before the pandemic, the students must know other ways to learn efficiently in their chosen field. 

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"Okay lang maging biased basta biased ka para sa taong-bayan, basta biased ka para sa katotohanan, kasi 'yan 'yung tungkulin niyo bilang mga alagad ng media," Guiang said. 

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The second speaker was Migs Bustos, anchor of ABS-CBN News Channel. He continued to promote “No to fake news” and “Defend Press Freedom.” He explained that the past couple of years with the advent of fake news and the ABS-CBN shutdown only made them stronger. Which means that all the responsibility should be there as media practitioners, as writers, and as a journalist.

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The third speaker, GMA News' Joseph Morong insists that journalism is not a simple profession because it is accompanied by heavy responsibility. Morong emphasized not to forget that you are the journalist, not the protagonist of the story and you are reporting for the people.

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“So, take this course seriously; mag aral kayo, magbasa at maging mapagmasid sa inyong mga paligid because hindi lang simpleng propesyon ang pagiging mamamahayag. Ito ay ginagawa para sa bayan, hindi para sa sarili," Morong said.

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Lastly, veteran broadcaster and documentarist Jessica Soho of GMA News and Public Affairs stressed that most of their staff are graduates from PUP.

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She reminds students that even if the education system changes for good, each student must persevere to make the effort and sacrifice of parents and teachers worthwhile.

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“Keep learning kahit most of the time nasa bahay lang tayo. You have so much information at the tip of your fingers lang. Ang dami niyong pwedeng makuha, so don't waste your time. Learn constructive new things. Try to adopt a positive perspective. Huwag magpatangay sa nangyayari at magpalugmok sa problema ngayon, give your best shot,” Soho advised the freshmen.

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Dr. Divina Pasumbal, the dean of PUP-COC, described COC as the College of Champions. She introduced the college as a training ground in grooming talented, intelligent, skilled, and kind future media professionals for nineteen years. She, too, expressed commitment that the college values ​​the truth and instructs the students not to sacrifice for personal interests and ambitions.

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Chairpersons of various departments, Dr. Maria Lourdes Garcia (Broadcasting), Dr. Hemmady Mora (Journalism), Prof. Krupskaya Volina (Communication Research), and Prof. Jerielyn Reyes (OIC, Advertising and Public Relations) said both online and remote learning ensures that the traditional learning mode provided by the college will not change the quality of education. 

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The lack of gadgets and insufficient mobile data allowance had been addressed via donation drives by the college and financial aid from alumni and students to help those in need.

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The university aims for students to be properly equipped with skills and competencies to thrive and survive academically in this new age of  living and learning, breaking down barriers posed by geographical distance and traditionalistic practices.