April 17, 2019
We’re celebrating the very first year of the Balita team! Not only has the Balita grown to become a full group & second family to its members, but our current editor, Aleisha Flores is passing on the torch to our very own Alpheus Matthew Llantero!
We can’t wait to dive into the next semester with more stories and news for our fellow RAPS members, but for this edition meet the people behind those good scoops!
NETANYA FLORES
Instagram: @netanyaflores
SARAH ESPINELI
Instagram: @definitelyesp,
Twitter: @definitely_esp
ALPHIE LLANTERO
Twitter and Instagram: @amllantero
THAT ONE
ALEISHA FLORES
Instagram: @sha.squatch
Twitter: @aleishacflores
Who or what is responsible for bringing you to us today as a Balita member?
Netanya: “As far as I remember, I just randomly know that I was looking for something to be a part of during my freshman year when I went to a few RAPS meetings. I had heard about the subgroups, but it wasn’t until the RAPs version of a FIND meeting that I heard about it. At the time Alyssa Brioso was the editor and although Balita did exist in things like the groupchat and we still had submissions, it didn’t feel like I fully was getting something out of it. I knew that if I wanted to see the group grow, I myself would need to stay and see it through.
I’m thankful I did, because especially this year I’ve gotten closer to my roots than ever before and I’ve met my own forms of kapatids and kuyas/ates in it. From the start I love writing and expressing thoughts and creativity, so being able to not only channel my writing but to learn about the Philippines through others and research makes it even more worthwhile.”
Sarah: “Netanya Flores!”
Alphie: “Aleisha Flores !!”
Sandy: “Aleishaaa; met her @ my first GBM! I saw all these subgroups and had NO idea there would be that many choices. Aleisha had so much pep; and at this point I didn’t know anyone in RAPS but she was that enthusiastic and welcoming that I knew I had to join.”
What do you think separates Balita as an entity from other subgroups?
Netanya: “Balita is a small, yet mighty force to be reckoned with. People seem to underestimate the power we have within each writer, because we are a multitude of dreams, thoughts, and creative minds.
We have a form of set routine, but at the end of the day, we bond over the common fact that the only reason the Balita exists is because our differences allow it to. It’s a storybook that holds a bulk of memories and lessons that need and want to be shared to readers.”
Sarah: “Balita is a family involved with news and art. It is an interaction of many disciplines to report news or create articles.”
Alphie: “You can create something that is uniquely yours!”
Sandy: “I like the idea of having our own little independent news outlet. We’re not doing op-eds or breaking news on the daily, but it’s definitely a nice little outreach to the rest of the RAPS community that you have your own control over.”
Let’s say you know someone that wants to join Balita. What would you tell them?
Netanya: “No second thoughts; join and I’ll buy you bubble tea!”
Sarah: “Balita is an experience to grow and everyone should try it!”
Sandy: “WE HAVE FOOD DO IT”
Alphie: “Are you passionate about something? Express it. Join Balita.”
Hopes/aspirations for the future of Balita?
Netanya: “I want us to continue being a family, but also inclusive to everyone who may seem shy or hesitant to come. We have the ability to share not only the typical RAPS events, but to showcase poetry, creative writing, Filipino art and talent, song lyrics, photography etc. For the longest time the Balita has been collecting with dust, but recently it has found its shine again with the people who have stayed and are willing to continue to fight to bring it to its fullest and brightest form.”
Sarah: “Continue our growth as a subgroup!”
Sandy: “We’ve got a very good momentum going; we can only go up from here!”
Alphie: “That it really grows as a platform for the Filipino-American artists here at Rutgers.”
Any other future ideas or comments?
Netanya: “Have collaborations with other literary journals/ newsletters/ make mini literary conferences.”
Sandy: “Let’s keep tackling ‘dem social issues because who else is gonna write about them lol”
Alphie: “…We love our EIC!”
Disclaimer: Any views or opinions represented in this post are personal and belong solely to the author as indicated by the byline and do not represent an official endorsement by the Rutgers Association of Philippine Students of the aforementioned views or opinions of the author. Any views or opinions expressed by the author are not intended to malign any person or organization. The Rutgers Association of Philippine Students is a nonpartisan student organization.
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