Balangibog and Bicol Organization of Neo Journalists (BONJour) from Print and Broadcast Media (PBM) Department of the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) conducted a fund raising activity to give financial support to Budyong, the official student publication of CAL, at the Aquilino P. Bonto Amphitheatre last February 21, 2020.

The project was called Give Love to Budyong, a film showing for a cause. According to Balangibog President Mark Kevin Abelita, the movies shown were produced by AB Broadcasting and AB Journalism students in requirement for one of their subject.

“There was an initial plan to conduct the film showing activity last year. However it was cancelled due to Typhoon Tisoy,” he said.

Unable to showcase the products of Broadcasting and Journalism students, Abelita said that they still wanted to continue the film showing activity but with a different objective.

“Knowing that our college publication is in need of our help when it comes to finances, this is our way of helping them as Broadcasting and Journalism students,” he added. 

Abelita assured that all proceeds from the movie tickets will be given to Budyong.

“When Balangibog tapped us about their idea, we agreed and asked what we can contribute to make the event possible,” BONJour President Mary Joy G. Balunso said.

Meanwhile Budyong Editor-in-Chief Kristhel Dalanon was thankful for the support Budyong had received.

“I am thankful because they (student organizations) are taking initiatives to help us. We (Budyong) feel like we have a place here in CAL,” she said.

Dalanon added that this isn’t the first time an organization helped Budyong financially. The CAL – College Student Council had also given their support to the publication.

“Other student organizations has promised to help us (Budyong) because they’ve also witnessed the struggles we are facing right now despite the student service we deliver,” she added.

Ever since the implementation of the Free Tuition Law, college publications in Bicol University were prohibited to collect fees from the students. As a result, some college publications weren’t able to produce newsletters and tabloids due to lack of fund. However, Budyong was able to produce limited newsletters, tabloids, literary folios, and wall news for the past two years despite its struggles.

Budyong also represented BU and bagged awards along with the university publication and other college publications as well to the regional and national schools press conferences.