Written by Tina Cisneros and Gabriel Nacorda

Organizational Communication Society lives its truth of upholding unity, camaraderie, and leadership because despite the current health crisis, they once again were able to successfully execute OrCom Week, a week-long annual commemoration of the founding of BA Organizational Communication in UP Manila. With the theme of Greater Heights: Traversing the Horizons of Communication Media, OrCom’s 37th year was celebrated last September 27 until October 1 via various social media platforms.

For this year, OrComSoc prepared the following activities for its members:

1^st Stop: Eto Kame Ngayon (EKN)

Current OrCom students of UPM heard the motivating stories of speakers – Ms. Jel Directo and Ms. Ice Valenzuela who both graduated with a degree in BA Organizational Communication, and Mr. Mark Jay Dela Cruz, a 4th year OrCom student during EKN. In-depth narratives of the speakers’ lives as OrCom majors were told, from their humble beginnings where they recall their tiring but fulfilling days as college students to their inspirational accounts as successful individuals presently. They talked about an interesting array of topics like the jobs and fields that one can pursue with an OrCom degree, skills developed through the OrCom program that one can apply in their future endeavours, and the concept of remote internship.

2^nd Stop: Buddy Auction

Buddy auction was organized as well. Forty-two students from upper levels volunteered to join the auction to accommodate forty-two OrCom freshies. The auction, with a twist of astrology, took place on Facebook. The event not only aimed to establish bonds between OrCom majors but also to provide the freshmen with a ‘buddy’ that would serve as a support system in their fresh, collegiate journey.

3^rd Stop: Hopeful Realism

Once more, Sir Chadwick’s annual Hopeful Realism continues to enlighten students as he shared practical advice students could apply as early as now, even with a pandemic looming around the world. The talk imparted nuggets of wisdom for pivotal subjects like determining career choices, managing finances, and deciding for the future. 

4^th Stop: OrComlympics

The game night was a testimony that the essence of unity and camaraderie is kindled among OrCom majors. OrCom students unleashed their competitive spirits in the team-building event held at Zoom. Each year level sent in ten players as representatives for their batch.  All levels gave their best to win all activities. However, the seniors, Team Cebu Pac Ganern, in their last year, prevailed among everyone and were declared champions at the end of the event.

5^th Stop: Up, Up, and Beyond

Up, Up, and Beyond enabled the OrCom students to witness the stories of creative media contents, powerful advocacies, and innovative brands from the corresponding speakers — Mr. Leo Albea of One Down Media, Ms. Cleorine Loque of Hiraya Pilipina, and Mr. Dale Cruz of Angkas. This event tackled topics such as “breaking the tabo” or the act of abolishing the ugly things and controversies within the community, using social media to influence, and the interesting background behind the branding of Angkas. The event highlighted the undeniable reality of social media being a powerhouse of trends and communication in today’s society. 

OrCom Week proved to be fruitful and productive as it achieved its objective of displaying communication as a powerful and relevant tool to OrCom students as they pursue their future ventures.  

It was also an enlightening and inspiring experience as it presented a chance and sense of awareness that everyone can actively participate in a world where communication and media are continuously thriving.

#UnityCamaraderieLeadership
#OrComWeek2021
#GreaterHeights2021