Forum-Dimensions Explained

Forum-Dimensions
Type:Student Publication
Foundation:March 1939 (as The Normalite)
(1965 as The Forum; printed with Dimensions and Handuraw)
(2007 with Recess)
Owners:West Visayas State University
Chiefeditor:Nove Joy Losbañes
Language:English, Filipino, Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a
Headquarters:2nd Floor, University Student Center, Jose Aguilar Avenue, West Visayas State University, La Paz, Iloilo City, Philippines
Website:,

Forum-Dimensions (FD, Forum-Dimensions or Forum) is the official student publication of West Visayas State University (WVSU). It is one of the oldest student publications in Western Visayas and the Philippines.

History

Forum-Dimensions was established in March 1939 as The Normalite, founded by Vicente M. Perez who served as its first adviser. It is one of the oldest student publications in the Philippines. After three issues from 1939 to 1940, it closed with the outbreak of World War II and was dormant from 1941 to 1946. Shortly after the war, the old Iloilo Normal School building was burned including the publication's first print-outs. Its formal revival was met with gaiety and excitement and, in the reorganization of the editorial board in 1947, Mrs. Adelina A. Zerrudo was named editor. The issues of the 1950s reflected in their pages a kind of hiatus before the mighty turmoil of the 1960s. The hippie cult, drug addiction, juvenile delinquency and progressive reform became the favorite topics. The anguish of youth culminated in student activism. Students’ articles questioned the government.

On May 4, 1965, Iloilo Normal School became West Visayas State College by virtue of R.A. 4189. In 1970, The Normalite was changed to WVSC Forum. With the imposition of martial law in 1972, and the establishment of the so-called "New Society", the philosophy and the concepts of development communication were adopted by the Forum and became an active partner of the Ministry of Public Information, now the Philippine Information Agency. In 1976, the Ministry of Public Information founded the Regional College Press Conference to acknowledge college and university publications in Western Visayas. This challenged the student publication to participate in thrusts toward changes in attitudes, beliefs, skills, and social norms as imperative in the developing society.

WVSC Dimensions was born to inspire the students of the demands of developmental communication in 1978. Ramon G. Zarceno was its first editor. WVSC Dimensions was first produced as a graduation issue at the end of the academic year to cover stories about graduates and the commencement exercises.

The 1980s chronicled changes that happened in society – reforms and the advent of clashing ideologies that led to a level of critical thinking. On January 27, 1986, the college became the West Visayas State University through decree PD. 2019 of President Ferdinand Marcos.

However, in the 1990s, WVSC Dimensions focused on significant societal issues of that era. Each publication included stories with a central theme. Among these were feminism and student life.

The 1990s kept the reading public attuned to the prevailing concepts, beliefs and concerns of the changing seasons of life. The student publication also ran stories in line with the Centennial of the Philippine Independence in 1998.[1]

The tradition of Dimensions continued in the first decade of the 21st century. New themes tackled included fear, superstitious beliefs, time and reality shows. In this era, The Forum highlighted student and institutional achievements while rarely publishing articles critical of the school administration and government. These schemes were well received in the annual College Press Conference of college student publications spearheaded by the Philippine Information Agency Western Visayas. It introduced innovations in layout and content that became trends.

The rise in the number of new media users in the early days of 2010s set a new tone for the student publication. It was confronted with a generation of non-readers and a declining appeal to the students. Social networking sites became its tools to counter the phenomena. A regularly updated Facebook page and blogspot were conceived to serve the student publication's purpose while awaiting for the release of its hard copy issues at the end of every semester.

Publications

The Forum

The Forum is the official student newspaper of West Visayas State University. It is printed as a broadsheet or tabloid. It was first known as Normalite but was changed to WVSC Forum in 1969. In 1989, it was changed to The Forum as it is today. The newspaper has been an achiever in various competitions in Western Visayas. It has been a regular participant in the annual College Press Conference organized by the Philippine Information Agency VI.

Dimensions

Dimensions is the official student magazine of West Visayas State University. It was founded in 1978 to inspire the students of the demands of developmental communication. The first issue of Dimensions was published in the first semester of the 1978-1979 academic year and was recognized as the second best campus magazine in the College Press Conference that year. The second edition was the graduation issue in March 1979. The magazine has been a regular topnotcher in the annual College Press Conference organized by the Philippine Information Agency VI.

Handuraw

Handuraw is the official literary folio of Forum-Dimensions. It was founded in 1976, and has been one of the pioneer college literary supplements in Western Visayas.

Recess

Recess is the official creative folio of Forum-Dimensions. It features dainty and amusing creative articles that bring a menu of fun and excitement, and stories that are easy to nimble for the human brain. It was first published in 2001.

Taghol

Taghol is the official wall newspaper of Forum-Dimensions. It was first published in 2013.

Editorial Board for Academic Year 2023-2024

Source:[2]

Editors in chiefRon Eliezer G. Duhina
Richard D. Olano, Jr.
Managing editorNove Joy S. Losbañes
Associate editorSarah Rose M. Linas
News and Special Reports editorsAshley Denise B. Feliciano
John Lester T. Trafiero
Features editorKeminova B. Acepcion
Filipino and Hiligaynon editorCybelle Rio Jhane B. Hembra
Sports editorJoanna Wayne S. Horneja
Literary editorsJohn Paul A. Daquin
Jade Danielle T. Isidro
Online editorAmethyst A. Alumbro
Senior photojournalistFranz Chrysler Marie C. Delgado
Senior cartoonistJoshua A. Celestial
Creative directorJustin Kyle G. Quinesio
Circulation and Exchange ManagerReesa T. Azarraga
Senior staff membersAngeline S. Acantilado
James Bryan U. Almonia
Japheth Marie G. Fernandez de Leon
Jomer J. Ruego
Publication adviserDr. Bonna S. Palma

Editorial Board for Academic Year 2022-2023

Source:[3]

Editors in chiefRichard D. Olano, Jr.
Zynnie Rose C. Zaragosa
Managing editorNicole Anne A. Moscoso
Associate editorsRon Eliezer G. Duhina
Kevin Rizzo C. Sitjar
News and Special Reports editorsRjay Z. Castor
Nove Joy S. Losbañes
Features editorsClint M. Bellosillo
Sarah Rose M. Linas
Filipino and Hiligaynon editorJohn Paul A. Daquin
Sports editorJomer J. Ruego
Literary editorsJade Danielle T. Isidro
Maria Kayla T. Tingzon
Online editorAngeline S. Acantilado
Senior photojournalistFranz Chrysler Marie C. Delgado
Senior cartoonistJoshua A. Celestial
Creative directorsAmethyst A. Alumbro
Justin Kyle G. Quinesio
Art directorsKarla R. Porras
Gwenneth Meg D. Soniso
Circulation and Exchange ManagerKeminova B. Acepcion
Senior staff memberReesa T. Azarraga
Editorial AssistantsJames Bryan U. Almona
Ashley Denise B. Feliciano
Japheth Marie G. Fernandez De Leon
Cybelle Rio Jhane B. Hembra
Joanna Wayne S. Horneja
Ryde Rendell B. Ponsaran
John Lester T. Trafiero
Publication adviserDr. Bonna S. Palma

Editorial Board for Academic Year 2016-2017

Editor in chiefAlyssa Jude Montalban
Mary Zeliet L. Paris
Associate editorsAnne Franceine Jean Corillo
Marjoe Renz Dominic Deita
Managing editorAnn Marie Servito
News editorJonel Amio
Special reports editorFrancis Cedie Palao
Features editorPaula Floriz Acelar
Sports editorParvane Mae Lagon
Filipino editorAngelie Kaye Diputado
CartoonistJoe Renz Catalan
Online editorRiggs Zyrille Vergara
PhotojournalistsGabrielle Chelsie Marie Castro
Charmaine Rose Monte
Editorial assistantsRex Menard Cervales
Ryan Nicole Flores
Ella Hyacinth Golez
Mark Marbin Montellano
John Glenn Teorima
Publication adviserProf. Jemuel B. Garcia, Jr.Publication consultantDr. Bonna S. Palma

Past editors in chief

Awards and citations

College Press Conference and Awards of Philippine Information Agency for the period 2005 to 2022
Category 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place 4th Place 5th Place
Newspaper 2 (2018, 2022)3 (2006, 2015, 2021)4 (2008, 2009, 2010, 2017)3 (2011, 2012, 2019)
Newsletter3 (2015, 2016, 2022)1 (2018)1 (2014)
Newsletter Online 2 (2016, 2017)1 (2018)3 (2019, 2020, 2021)
College Newsletter 1 (2017)
College Newspaper 1 (2019) 1 (2007)
Wall Newspaper 1 (2019)3 (2013, 2018, 2020)3 (2015, 2021, 2022)1 (2017)
Magazine2 (2006, 2008)4 (2005, 2013, 2016, 2018) 2 (2010, 2017) 1 (2021) 2 (2011, 2019)
College Magazine 1 (2007)
Multilingual Magazine 1 (2013)
Multilingual Paper 1 (2016)1 (2015)
Literary Folio 1 (2018) 2 (2017, 2022)
News Page1 (2017) 3 (2009, 2010, 2021) 2 (2011, 2012) 5 (2006, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2020) 2 (2013, 2016)
Editorial Page 1 (2011) 3 (2017, 2018, 2021) 4 (2005, 2008, 2013, 2016) 2 (2006, 2015) 3 (2010, 2015, 2019)
Feature page 1 (2021) 3 (2012, 2015, 2018) 1 (2019 for Tabloid) 3 (2010, 2013, 2017) 2 (2016, 2019 for Magazine)
Filipino Page 1 (2016) 1 (2015) 1 (2018)4 (2019, 2017, 2020, 2021)3 (2005, 2008, 2011)
Sports Page 2 (2008, 2018) 1 (2009) 1 (2021) 4 (2011, 2014, 2015, 2020)
Literary Page 2 (2008, 2009) 1 (2006) 1 (2016) 1 (2005)
Multilingual Page 1 (2018) 1 (2017)
Newspaper Layout 2 (2005, 2018) 3 (2009, 2017, 2021) 2 (2006, 2019)
Tabloid Layout 1 (2010)
Magazine Layout2 (2006, 2008) 2 (2016, 2018)1 (2017) 2 (2005, 2021) 1 (2010)
Magazine Cover Design 5 (2006, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2016) 1 (2019)1 (2018)
Facebook page 1 (2022) 1 (2021)

Affiliations

External links

See also

Notes and References

  1. Batisla-on, Darren F. "The Forum: Perception Among College Students of the West Visayas State University" (2002). Unpublished thesis for the degree Bachelor in Journalism, College of Mass Communications of West Visayas State University.
  2. Web site: Forum-Dimensions - PANGINBULAHAN! Facebook. 2023-06-30. www.facebook.com. en.
  3. Web site: Forum-Dimensions - GATHER AROUND, TAGA-WEST! Facebook. 2023-06-30. www.facebook.com. en.
  4. Web site: Forum-Dimensions - FELICITATIONS TAGA-WEST! To carry on the legacy of upholding integrity, reliability and commitment established since 1949, introducing Forum-Dimensions' editor in chief for AY 2018-2019: Paula Floriz A. Acelar Facebook. 2021-10-11. www.facebook.com. en.
  5. Web site: Forum-Dimensions - PANGINBULAHAN! To keep the legacy of integrity, reliability, and commitment alive, may we all welcome the new editor in chief of Forum-Dimensions for A.Y. 2019-2020– JOHN GLEN L. TEORIMA from the College of Nursing. Padayon kita sa pagpalapnag sang kamatuoran! #PidoArmy Facebook. 2021-10-11. www.facebook.com. en.
  6. Web site: Forum-Dimensions - PANGINBULAHAN! Being the vanguard of truth tellers is no easy feat but this reality never fazed these two women to take the lead. Join us as we welcome the new editors-in-chief of Forum-Dimensions for A.Y. 2021-2022, GERLYN JOY P. ROJO and ZYNNIE ROSE C. ZARAGOSA who both hail from the College of Arts and Sciences. Sa padayon nga pagpalapnag sang kamatuoran! Facebook. 2021-10-11. www.facebook.com. en.
  7. Web site: Forum-Dimensions - PANGINBULAHAN! In these challenging times, these two strong-willed student journalists will lead the new editorial board in being of service to the Taga-West community and the Filipinos. As they heed the call to combat misinformation and deliver the truth amid being prey to power and prestige, may they stand as marshals with integrity, reliability, and commitment. Let us all welcome the new editors-in-chief of Forum-Dimensions for academic year 2022-2023! Continuing as head editor, ZYNNIE ROSE ZARAGOSA from the College of Arts and Sciences together with another brilliant mind from the College of Nursing, RICHARD OLANO, JR. Facebook. 2023-06-30. www.facebook.com. en.