Be the byline.
By Franz Jonathan G. de la Fuente
The byline is described as the space usually found in between an article headline and the body of text identifying the author of the article. Indeed, for any aspiring writer, getting one’s byline published is one significant milestone-concrete proof that one is worthy of publication and readership, whether it be for the school paper or a national broadsheet.
(I’m writing this as is, no editing a la stream-of-consciousness. Kindly bear with me.)
I recall the first time I got my byline-in the feature section of the Junior Inquirer, when it was still much more substantial. I wrote about my summer as a “junior museum consultant” for Museo ng Pambata, brainstorming with other kids all over the Metro for their 2nd floor renovation. I remembered how pleased I was when I saw my name and face on the paper. I proudly showed off my 150-word piece or so to my classmates, to my teachers, and of course to Mama and Papa, who were the proudest of all, I assume.
Earlier today the Tinig ng Plaridel (TNP) Editorial Board announced my successor as Editor-in-Chief. I have served in the said position for one year now. Accompanying that announcement is a feeling of relief and overwhelming sentimentality. The past year had been pretty emotional for me, and a large part of that is because of TNP.
I cannot even begin to describe how much of a roller-coaster ride it has been. Everything has been a learning experience for me. I have never served as EIC before. The last position I held in an editorial board still dates back high school. So the thought of heading a college paper seemed pretty daunting to me at the start. It still is, admittedly.
There have been many, many times that I have been close to giving up. I doubted myself countless times, whether I was really the right person for the job, or whether I was still capable of leading TNP amid so many issues threatening to tear me apart. But the reminder of how my EdBoard depended on me, how the college depended on all of us, got me back to my senses. Many times.
When I took over the paper, I gathered the staff and EdBoard and promised to do three “In” things: Initiate, Integrate, Innovate. With the help of everyone, and I mean everyone, on the staff and EdBoard, we were humbly able to accomplish a lot of “In” things this year. Some were successful, some not fully, but I daresay that everything was done in the service of the college we all call home-CMC.
I’d like to take this opportunity, to thank from the bottom of my heart, all the people I’ve worked with as EIC, to all who have made TNP possible for this academic year.
To all the writers, artists, photographers, staff of TNP-I can’t name you all, you’re too many, and that’ s not really bad-the biggest thanks go to you. Every effort you guys have poured into the paper mean a lot. I have been a TNP staff writer myself and I know how it is to be one-all the legwork, revisions, research, interviews. I fully appreciate your time and dedication in working for TNP. I cannot be any prouder. Thank you.
To my wonderful EdBoard-Drei, Peter, Neph, Jake, MJ, Rae, Allana, and Nikki-thank you for your amazing patience. I know I’ve been the craziest, most mentally-unstable EIC you’ll probably ever meet but thank you for sticking it out with me during all the tough times. Whatever paths we take in the years to come, we will always have TNP. I love you guys very much, thank you.
Two paragraphs go to Alex, TNP associate editor, who has been my partner in crime throughout this unbelievable journey-my confidante, critic, ally, comrade, and friend. Alex, you have seen me in my best and worst element in TNP, one of the very few people in the college who have done so.
Thank you for being fair with me when the going gets tough. You have seen me screw up over revisions, barely sleep during presswork, and jump for joy every time we get a scoop. You’ve been with me when I rave and rant and curse the world. I have depended on you countless times and you have never failed me. Thank you very much. I have led this paper with your much-valued confidence and trust in me, and just so you know, it has been an honor to have you on the team. Thank you very very much.
And lastly, thank you, CMC. You have been my home for three years, and I am so glad I have never grown tired of serving you in whatever little way I could. Thank you for the utmost honor of being of service to this country’s future media practitioners. I sincerely hope we at TNP have served our purpose as your official student publication-and more, and I promise that we will continue to do so in the upcoming academic year. Thank you so much.
And now it seems that this will be my last byline in my college year. But tell you what-bylines by themselves don’t matter, really. Hell, you can take the credit for the things you do, or don’t; you really don’t need a byline for that. But being, living your own byline beyond what is printed-that’s what matters. After all, as writers, you have to be able to embody your own work. Can you be made accountable for your articles? Will you be able to live up to what you write about? Can you effect change and at the same time practice what you preach?
That’s my humble challenge to those who will be taking over TNP for the next year. Walk your talk. Stick to your principles. Practice excellence and commitment at all times. Be the byline.
It has been a wonderful year. “I’m so glad we made it, look how far we’ve come my baby.” (Twain, 1998) Thank you, TNP. Thank you very much.
The byline is described as the space usually found in between an article headline and the body of text identifying the author of the article. Indeed, for any aspiring writer, getting one’s byline published is one significant milestone-concrete proof that one is worthy of publication and readership, whether it be for the school paper or a national broadsheet.
(I’m writing this as is, no editing a la stream-of-consciousness. Kindly bear with me.)
I recall the first time I got my byline-in the feature section of the Junior Inquirer, when it was still much more substantial. I wrote about my summer as a “junior museum consultant” for Museo ng Pambata, brainstorming with other kids all over the Metro for their 2nd floor renovation. I remembered how pleased I was when I saw my name and face on the paper. I proudly showed off my 150-word piece or so to my classmates, to my teachers, and of course to Mama and Papa, who were the proudest of all, I assume.
Earlier today the Tinig ng Plaridel (TNP) Editorial Board announced my successor as Editor-in-Chief. I have served in the said position for one year now. Accompanying that announcement is a feeling of relief and overwhelming sentimentality. The past year had been pretty emotional for me, and a large part of that is because of TNP.
I cannot even begin to describe how much of a roller-coaster ride it has been. Everything has been a learning experience for me. I have never served as EIC before. The last position I held in an editorial board still dates back high school. So the thought of heading a college paper seemed pretty daunting to me at the start. It still is, admittedly.
There have been many, many times that I have been close to giving up. I doubted myself countless times, whether I was really the right person for the job, or whether I was still capable of leading TNP amid so many issues threatening to tear me apart. But the reminder of how my EdBoard depended on me, how the college depended on all of us, got me back to my senses. Many times.
When I took over the paper, I gathered the staff and EdBoard and promised to do three “In” things: Initiate, Integrate, Innovate. With the help of everyone, and I mean everyone, on the staff and EdBoard, we were humbly able to accomplish a lot of “In” things this year. Some were successful, some not fully, but I daresay that everything was done in the service of the college we all call home-CMC.
I’d like to take this opportunity, to thank from the bottom of my heart, all the people I’ve worked with as EIC, to all who have made TNP possible for this academic year.
To all the writers, artists, photographers, staff of TNP-I can’t name you all, you’re too many, and that’ s not really bad-the biggest thanks go to you. Every effort you guys have poured into the paper mean a lot. I have been a TNP staff writer myself and I know how it is to be one-all the legwork, revisions, research, interviews. I fully appreciate your time and dedication in working for TNP. I cannot be any prouder. Thank you.
To my wonderful EdBoard-Drei, Peter, Neph, Jake, MJ, Rae, Allana, and Nikki-thank you for your amazing patience. I know I’ve been the craziest, most mentally-unstable EIC you’ll probably ever meet but thank you for sticking it out with me during all the tough times. Whatever paths we take in the years to come, we will always have TNP. I love you guys very much, thank you.
Two paragraphs go to Alex, TNP associate editor, who has been my partner in crime throughout this unbelievable journey-my confidante, critic, ally, comrade, and friend. Alex, you have seen me in my best and worst element in TNP, one of the very few people in the college who have done so.
Thank you for being fair with me when the going gets tough. You have seen me screw up over revisions, barely sleep during presswork, and jump for joy every time we get a scoop. You’ve been with me when I rave and rant and curse the world. I have depended on you countless times and you have never failed me. Thank you very much. I have led this paper with your much-valued confidence and trust in me, and just so you know, it has been an honor to have you on the team. Thank you very very much.
And lastly, thank you, CMC. You have been my home for three years, and I am so glad I have never grown tired of serving you in whatever little way I could. Thank you for the utmost honor of being of service to this country’s future media practitioners. I sincerely hope we at TNP have served our purpose as your official student publication-and more, and I promise that we will continue to do so in the upcoming academic year. Thank you so much.
And now it seems that this will be my last byline in my college year. But tell you what-bylines by themselves don’t matter, really. Hell, you can take the credit for the things you do, or don’t; you really don’t need a byline for that. But being, living your own byline beyond what is printed-that’s what matters. After all, as writers, you have to be able to embody your own work. Can you be made accountable for your articles? Will you be able to live up to what you write about? Can you effect change and at the same time practice what you preach?
That’s my humble challenge to those who will be taking over TNP for the next year. Walk your talk. Stick to your principles. Practice excellence and commitment at all times. Be the byline.
It has been a wonderful year. “I’m so glad we made it, look how far we’ve come my baby.” (Twain, 1998) Thank you, TNP. Thank you very much.