The Whirl Relaunch | May 25, 2024
Your story is our purpose.
Nothing encapsulates the identity of The Whirl better than this slogan. There are stories everywhere. There are stories from a multitude of perspectives, cultures, and ideas. For us, whatever that story may be, serves as our purpose. Then, what is our purpose as the official publication arm of UP Broadcasters’ Guild? It’s simple. We go beyond the box and by this we mean reporting the underreported.
Through the years, there have been varying visions for the publication – to be the official gazette, online publication, and lastly, the official publication arm of the organization. The latter remains our vision. Although, today, we go beyond being just the official publication arm of the organization by covering stories and voices that go beyond the perimeter of our home, UP BroadGuild but still being rooted in our identity as an organization whose goals are rooted in media education and the responsible use of the media. The Whirl as a publication is set to embody the ethical ideals and standards inherent to media as an entity and agent of change. Above all, we are ready to commit ourselves to the stories of the community both within and beyond.
The task to revisit, recreate, and relaunch The Whirl is not an easy feat. Our team had to grapple with endless discussions, dimunitions, and decisions. As such, being able to lead the team toward a forward direction came at a hefty cost of time and patience. Nevertheless, we hope that through this long awaited relaunch, the fruits of our labor, as a team, will all come into fruition.
By reporting your stories, we do not just commit ourselves to our purpose of amplifying the voices of the underreported but we also divulge ourselves in the task to probe the truth. Your stories serve as an onus of change driving the advocacies of the people forward.
The task ahead of us is to remain steadfast in our commitment to serve as a platform for advocacy reportage and to embody within ourselves that whatever we do, we do it for a purpose and always for the people.
Jose Martin Adrian DL. Bustamante
Editor-in-Chief
The Whirl
Purpose. This is the guiding principle that the UP Broadcaster’s Guild has always abided by. In relaunching the Whirl, we were once again guided by the mantra of purpose whose call is the heartbeat of our organization. Throughout all of its varied forms, the Whirl’s aspirations have always been to amplify the stories of others. Once again, we ground ourselves with the ultimate goal of rebuilding a publication that is not only quality, but always standing for something.
Ever guided by the principle of purpose, the Whirl opted to look not only without but also within. We inaugurate both the revival of this publication as well as the silver anniversary of the organization by getting at the core of the Broadcaster’s Guild through both the stories that have already been told, as well as stories that have yet to be told by the Whirl.
First, as an homage to the past, the Whirl revives all of its older works as well as recounting its storied past through a History of the Whirl — a look-back piece that reminisces on the publication’s beginnings; first planting its seeds as a gazette and then blooming into the online publication that it has become today.
Second, we memorialize UP BroadGuild’s anniversary week and return to the Whirl’s function as the org’s publication arm through our articles dedicated to each inaugural event — Ice Cream Day, Alumni Homecoming, Project Kaagapay, “Si Idol Pala ‘To Eh!”: A Media Exhibit, Destino 2024: Timeless, as well as the documentary by the organization’s production arm entitled: “Si Malakas ay si Maganda”.
Third, through our “Gawang Guilder” section, the Whirl highlights six submissions in various multimedia formats produced by our talented members. Each work serves as a spotlight, shining on advocacies by employing a diversity of creative techniques.
Going forward, we establish the Whirl as a publication that never forgets that we stand not only for ourselves, but that it is developed knowing that above all else: your story is our purpose.
Julianne Adelyn A. Vega
Managing Editor
The Whirl
The Whirl’s relaunch didn’t begin with a blank slate. Instead, we found ourselves holding an open book brimming with the weight of ideas, stories, and the esteemed history of The Whirl’s past relaunches. So, this time, our goal was clear: to keep those pages turning and steadfastly embrace the promise of new chapters.
For so long, The Whirl has endured numerous setbacks, seemingly on a journey to find its footing. We can’t say for certain that we’ve reached the final destination of stability that we’ve all been aiming for. However, it’s clear to us that, with the efforts of all the creative minds involved in nurturing The Whirl, we collectively envision reinforcing it as a core part of UP BroadGuild’s identity. In this new chapter we embark upon, The Whirl aspires to firmly establish itself as the organization’s official publication arm, now, moving forward on steady, unwavering paths.
The Whirl, even as a publication, needs a voice of its own. As such, we transcend the role of serving solely as a medium, striving to actively engage as participants in shaping the narrative of the community. With this vision in mind, we anchor our purpose in the stories, voices, and sentiments of society, endeavoring to foster meaningful contributions to the ever-expanding media landscape.
The weight is even heavier this time. But that only means we remain grounded in our roots, filling pages upon the collective vision and advocacy of every generation of hands that shaped The Whirl. As we move forward, your story continues to ignite our purpose, ensuring the ink never dries out.
Alliah Camille C. Arizala
Associate Editor
The Whirl
The Whirl 
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