Written by: Angela Loui Delos Santos

Created by OrCom seniors and for the OrCommunity, the video “Gaya ni Oble” resonated widely after being shared online, reaching not only fellow majors but also members of the broader UP Manila (UPM) community.

From November 24 to December 9, 2025, UP Manila held an online Tiktok Video Making Contest featuring entries from two categories: UPM students and UPM/PGH employees. This contest served to amplify the theme, “Pasko sa UP Manila: Patuloy na Nagmamahal, Lumalaban, at Nagwawagi.” The two OrCom winners, Jhuztine Josh “Tine” De Jesus and Purity Reimel “Pyu” Develos, were hailed as the 1st Place winners of the student category during the UP Manila Lantern Parade 2025 on December 12 at the PGH Oblation Plaza.

From a Simple Ask to a Shared Purpose

The idea to join the contest did not come from a long planning session or a formal pitch. It began with trust and timing.

“I was asked by Pyu to help her join since she knows that I enjoy doing AVPs,” shared Jhuztine. For Purity, the motivation came suddenly but meaningfully. On the morning of their batch Christmas party for the OrCom 153 (Communication Strategies) course, she felt the urge to capture something that would last beyond the day itself.

“I realized that I wanted to capture meaningful moments with our batchmates that we could remember and cherish,” she said. That realization became the heart of the project: to document not just a celebration, but a shared journey.

True to the values taught in Organizational Communication and its community, “Gaya ni Oble” was built on clear collaboration and complementary strengths. Jhuztine worked on shaping the narrative of the video by creating and editing its script and carefully choosing the interviewees, ensuring that the voices featured reflected the collective experience of the batch.

Pyu led the production process by filming, crafting the interview questions, conducting the interview shots, and handling the post-production for their output.  Their process translated OrCom theories into practice and showed how effective communication and teamwork can bring a meaningful concept to life.

Why “Gaya ni Oble”?

At the center of the video is the Oblation, also called “Oble,” a symbol deeply familiar to every UP student. “It was inspired by how we are going to immortalize our journey as an OrCom student,” Jhuztine explained their video’s concept. “The pose of Oble is similar to our collective experience,” he added, referring to their OrCom batch.

Purity added that the concept was developed to reflect the year they had shared as a batch. “We developed the video to show our growth, resilience, and shared journey throughout the year.” By linking their personal narratives to a UP symbol, the video bridged individual experience and collective identity—something deeply familiar to the OrCom community.

Furthermore, both of the video creators agree that the most important element of the video is its call to action. “Like Oble, the video encourages us to face challenges head-on with courage and heart,” said Purity. Jhuztine echoed this, emphasizing the choice to keep going even without certainty. “Despite every struggle, we try to fight and love, even if there is no assurance that we will win.”

Because the video featured 4th-year OrCom batchmates, it naturally spoke to their peers. But its message extended to the whole UPM community. “I think the message of the video to the wider UPM audience is to really find joy with everyone who shares the same struggle with you, especially during Christmas,” Jhuztine shared. Meanwhile, Purity highlighted the spirit of the Christmas season, “The video shows that Christmas is about the people we share our journey with. It highlights the importance of togetherness and community.”

As the video circulated on UPM’s Facebook and TikTok pages, it served as a reminder that both academic foundation and community equip students to face challenges with courage and compassion—staying true to the competition’s theme and to the core spirit of being Iskolars ng Bayan.

A Story Worth Sharing 

The duo has already received their ₱5,000 cash prize and chose to celebrate in the same spirit the video promotes. Both Jhuztine and Purity have chosen to use it for a more joyful Christmas celebration. It was a full-circle moment decision for a project rooted in shared joy.

Jhuztine and Purity proved that “Gaya ni Oble” is more than a contest-winning video. It is an OrCom story—one that reflects the unique spirit of the OrCommunity as it extends toward the wider UPM audience. This video is a testament that the most powerful messages are created from genuine stories that connect us all.