Features and Benefits of the PLV World Card

A couple of days back, I attempted to use my faculty ID at Tully’s Coffee to check if I can really get a discount. I did.

I got 5% off on the pastry product I bought, and my drink got an automatic upsize! How cool is that?

Tully’s Coffee is my go-to place whenever I need to wait for someone or something. That time, I just wanted to make use of my remaining 30 minutes prior my evening class so I went there to do something on my laptop and of course, do my favorite thing in life – to eat (I had to stuff my belly because my class practically ends after dinner time). 

So here’s the big question for those who are wondering about this faculty ID that I am referring to? Ladies and gentlemen, it is the PLV World Card.

PLV or the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela is a public university here in our locality. The local government unit opened its additional world-class campus on January 19, 2018 in Barangay Maysan. During its launch, the PLV World Card was also introduced, to give the PLVians a better experience of studying in a high-tech academic institution.

Aside from getting discounts from the university’s partner merchants, what is the PLV World Card good for?

1.       Entrance Access to Campus – Before the students enter the campus, they need to tap the card at the turnstile. Their parents will be alerted via SMS every time they go in and out of the campus gates.

2.       Access to Academic Details – If the students need to view their grades and class schedule, or if they want to check the latest university updates and announcements, they may simply proceed to the designated kiosks around the campus and use the card as passkey to their desired information.

3.       Perform Cashless Transactions – The PLV World Card is also designed to have a debit card functionality. Vendors in the campus have POS to facilitate the cashless purchases of the cardholders. One may deposit money or “load” this special debit card at the cashier’s office in PLV Maysan campus.

4.       Get discount from partner merchants – Tully’s Coffee Shop is just one of the many partner merchants where the card may be used. One will know if an establishment honors the PLV World Card if the logo below is displayed. Promo period per merchant varies so, you have to be a little more conscious about that.

Photo Credit: Iskay dela Cruz

The 12 Qualities of a Thriving Artist

Last semester was my first attempt to teach the course, “Reading Visual Arts.” It was a challenging assignment because I am no art major and I have been most comfortable in teaching oral communication and business communication for the past few years. I only have my Humanities 2 subject way back in college as my humble background, a course where I learned some art studies basics.

Upon finding out that I will handle the said course, I rushed to the PLV library in Maysan to look for reference materials for my syllabus. Fortunately, my friend Michael King Urieta was the library’s featured Book Icon that month, which meant that a good number of his books are lent there for a month (King is my go-to person whenever I need books for the subjects I teach. He even gave me a useful book in Philippine Literature which is among my prized possessions as a teacher).

King’s collection did not fail me. I got at least four interesting art books where I was able to extract useful information for inclusion to my syllabus. While browsing through the readings, I was able to stumble upon an article on “The Myth of the Starving Artist,” which debunked the notion that there is no money in art. The article emphasized that artist will not starve is he or she knows how to thrive. 

Here’s the Myth of the Starving Artist (text not mine):

1.       The starving artist believes you must be born an artist.

The thriving artist knows you must become one.

2.       The starving artist strives to be original.

The thriving artist steals from his influences.

3.       The starving artist believes he has enough talent.

The thriving artist apprentices under a master.

4.       The starving artist is stubborn about everything.

The thriving artist is stubborn about the right things.

5.       The starving artist wants to be noticed.

The thriving artist cultivates patrons.

6.       The starving artist believes he can be creative anywhere.

The thriving artist goes where creative work is already happening.

7.       The starving artist always works alone.

The thriving artist collaborates with others.

8.       The starving artist does his work in private.

The thriving artist practices in public.

9.       The starving artist works for free.

The thriving artist always works for something.

10.   The starving artist sells out too soon.

The thriving artist owns his work.

11.   The starving artist masters one craft.

The thriving artist masters many.

12.   The starving artist despises the need for money.

The thriving artist makes money to make art.

What these pointers made me realize is that, artist or not, one should know how to "sell" himself or herself to potential clients. This  entails people skills and of course, intelligent grit to succeed.

How to Get Your Press Release Published

When Senator Win Gatchalian was still the mayor of Valenzuela City, he commended our then department head, Ms. Ahna Mejia, in a tweet saying that he has the best PIO in nine years!

A PIO, or Public Information Office, serves as the marketing arm of government units. This office is usually in charge of activities linked to public relations, such as writing press releases to be sent to news editors.

A few years back, Miss Ahna huddled her writers, which was my team, to share her notes from a media relations training attended by PIO heads of Metro Manila. Based upon her notes and discussion with us, here are the 9 things to remember to get your press release accepted and published by editors:

1.       Think like a journalist.

Enough of ‘trapo’ news that overemphasizes your boss or your office’s well-doing. Provide beneficial information to the readers.

2.       Be straight to the point.

Leave flowery words to literary essays. Tell your readers upfront the information that they are interested to know.

3.       Lead should be around 35 words.

The traditional WH questions for writing leads are no longer the “in” thing. Your lead composition should entice the reader to read further.

4.       Make it interesting.

Instead of writing a documentation-type article, you may choose to create a story that could serve as a springboard to highlight the significance of the event. For example, instead of focusing on the inauguration of a new health center, you may say instead that a health facility is being brought closer to the community.

5.       Tag ownership.

There is no need to namedrop your mayor-boss in your article to emphasize his value in the completion of the project. It is obvious that if something is featured at your organization’s news portal, the attribution is already there.

6.       Cut the corporate talk.

There are different tones of English. The tone for broadsheets is different for magazines. Avoid using office jargons when writing a press release.

7.       Write as you speak.

News writing is like story telling. Do not attempt to use highfalutin words to impress your reader. The press release is not about you. It’s about the important event. Use of unfamiliar words may lead to miscommunication.

8.       Be relevant.      

Write stories that are of human interest. For example, the star on your article should be the project beneficiaries and not the public officials.

9.       Share background information.

Your press release would have more depth if a historical account is incorporated in the article. Go get some legitimate figures for your write-up.

Are you still writing your press release in a traditional manner? It’s high time to switch your style.