History

Founded July 11, 2012 through the efforts of Darren Gonzales, Ma. Gladys Repollo, and Dan Kevin Roque, Viewpoint aims to institute reform to Araullian campus journalism and produce a competent student publication using a fusion of modern technology and time-tested journalistic style and train the future journalists of the region.

Repollo coined the maxim "Truth from every angle" and is the first Editor-in-Chief of the publication. Roque, on the other hand, thought up the name Viewpoint, a play on the words "Point of View". He is the first Managing Editor of the publication. Gonzales, then SWCI Unit Coordinator of CSDL (Center for Student Development and Leadership), became the first publication adviser.

On July 13, 2012, Viewpoint launched its Facebook fan page as part of its thrust in social media and online publishing, hoping to reach more audience online. The first student-written news article was published on the blog on July 23, 2012. The team worked enthusiastically even though they were not certain whether they will be able to publish a paper or not.

The pioneering team, during one of their pressworks
(Photo by Jenzer Yute)

Originally composed of five (5) staff members (Repollo, Roque, Nathan Neil Beronio, Associate Editor, Jillian Vergara, Writer, and Rochela Marie Atencion, Cartoonist), Viewpoint published its maiden issue of the one-page newsletter on August 14, 2012. Since then, Viewpoint's editorials became a constant source of controversy and buzz around the campus.

Difficulties in publishing a bi-monthly newsletter came up, but despite the lack of budget, the Viewpoint team remained steadfast and managed to maintain the standard of quality they had set and overcome the hardships along the way. Viewpoint launched its Issuu online publication hosting platform on August 27, 2012, uploading the *.pdf copies of the bi-monthly newsletter. The staff recruitment culminated on October 19, 2012 when the Editorial Board inducted 15 junior staff to fill the publication's need for writers and personnel.

Dan Kevin Roque poses with his
Gawad Emman Lacaba certificate
(Photo by Bryan Joseph Peralta)

Editors Repollo and Roque, as well as a junior staff, (Bryan Joseph Peralta) attended their first major off-campus representation, Lunduyan 2012, in Dagupan City on October 22 to 26, 2012. The publication obtained its first off-campus recognition when Managing Editor Roque took home the Special Citation for Poetry in the 8th Gawad Emmanuel Lacaba, the annual literary contest of College Editors Guild of the Philippines-Luzon on October 25, 2012.

VP TV, the publication's New Media arm, launched its maiden project, INBOX, on November 23, 2012 under the supervision of Associate Editor Beronio, and producers Joanne Carla de Tumol and Sweet Cel dela Cruz. INBOX was well-received by the studentry and continues to serve as the student's voice.

On March 10, 2013, Roque joined the 13th Pamiyabe, the Regional Creative Writing Workshop of Central Luzon as a Fellow, representing the University for the first time in the long-running prestigious workshop of the NCCA.

Repollo graudated with Cum Laude and Dean's Leadership Award for Campus Journalism honors to close her term as Editor-in-Chief. Roque took over the Chief Editorship, and continued to campaign for the Publication's financial autonomy and recognition. Viewpoint then adopted the moniker Vipers, to refer to its staff members.

Vipers pose after their teambuilding session
(Photo by Kenneth Garcia)

On June 10, 2013, Viewpoint: truth from every angle is officially recognized by Araullo University-PHINMA Education Network as its Official Student Publication. Roque used the paradigm designed by former EIC Repollo to conduct an Editorial Board Screening Exam (July 5, 2013). After which, the Publication conducted a Teambuilding activity (July 12, 2013), the first of its kind for the Publication, in Dingalan, Aurora, and a Vision-Casting activity (August 2, 2013) to develop the Publication's 14 new staffers before taking oath alongside other student-leaders in the RSO Recognition Day held on August 6, 2013.

From Left to Right: Literary Editor Christina Sanchez, AUSSG President William Villegas, Gawad Bagwis 1st Place for Essay Luijim Jose, and Editor-in-Chief Dan Kevin Roque during the Gawad Bagwis awarding.
(Photo by Carlena Joy Santos)

Since then, the Publication has launched meaningful projects such as Gawad Bagwis (August 30, 2013), a literary competition to commemorate the "Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa" and The PEN Workshop (September 14, 21, and 28, 2013), a  three-day Journalism Skills and Creative Writing Workshop. Then Literary Editor Christina Sanchez oversaw Gawad Bagwis, while Education Committee Chairperson Melanilene Balot headed the PEN Workshop.

Vipers entertaining the beneficiaries of BLT while others prepare the food.
(Photo by Carlena Joy Santos)

Come November 29, 2013, Viewpoint hosted the first-ever intramural socio-political discussion and symbolic action in Konsultahang Kabataan in commemoration of Andres Bonifacio's 150th birth anniversary. On December 9, 2013, the Vipers participated in their first extramural mobilization for the International Human Rights Day Commemoration. The Publication then took a nationalist democratic stand on issues on campus, Provincial, Regional, and National levels.

In the 7th UGNAYAN, the Annual Regional Student Press Convention of CEGP Central Luzon, Viewpoint garnered eight (8) awards, including the Best Magazine (for VOX: Sangandaan), Best Features Page in a Magazine (for Living with the Disappeared, VOX: Sangandaan), 2nd Place for Alternative Form (Piggy Bank), Best Editorial Page in a Newsletter (Piggy Bank), Best Literary Page in a Newsletter (Donasyon, Piggy Bank), Special Citation for Website (VP Blog), 4th Place in News Writing (Abril Layad Ayroso) and 4th Place in Editorial Cartooning (Kenneth Garcia).

The Publication is currently one of the major sponsors of Busog Lusog Talino, an outreach and extension program of the University in partnership with Jollibee; and of the GREEN Project, a tree-growing initiative in line with the National Greening Project of DENR-CENRO.