In Focus: Binibining San Remigio

CEBU, Philippines — In a time of waning public trust towards traditional media, this Mass Communication major of Silliman University thinks press practitioners should go back to the most simple rules in the book, that is, to report with objectivity and accuracy.

“We should remember that our service is to stand for the people,” reminds Sherlyn, “so we should not let political differences hinder us from reporting with objectivity.”

“Media members nowadays seem to want to deviate from the norm, as it appears to be what the public is clamoring for—any semblance of change—and that is okay, but we must remember that we have to know the rules first, to understand them completely, before we can break them without the disintegration of the established forms of journalism.”

Sherlyn, a Miss Mass Communication 2013 first runner-up and Miss Ozamiz 2016 second runner-up, does not think that journalism is currently being attacked, despite the most powerful leader in the world and even the Philippine president himself regularly denouncing its perceived biases and shortcomings.

“Journalists who understand journalistic rules by heart have attempted to break rules. Some have succeeded, some have not. And this change in the way mass media is functioning is what is being attacked right now,” Sherlyn opines.

“Some people clamor so much for change but also fear the change, and that’s why they question it. I also feel that somehow some media establishments have forgotten their code of ethics and have allowed politics to get in the way, but this does not apply to all media establishments and/or personnel.”

Sherlyn also calls on those who feel certain media outlets that produce biased or inaccurate reporting to “think before we click. Before we respond to certain issues, we must first understand the issue, as in journalism. There’s always a fine line between reacting and responding.”

Media musings aside, Sherlyn is fortunate to have discovered at a young age how she wants to contribute to humankind.

“I have always been fond of reading leadership books, and I love listening to inspirational speakers. As time went by, I realized that this is what I also want to do. I want to be of service. I want to lead people, help them realize their purpose and help them achieve it. With modernization comes a plethora of choices. It’s easy to get lost in these choices and, sadly, even be stuck with the wrong choice. Thus, I want to help guide people, especially the youth, toward recognizing their potential, toward truly understanding themselves, for I believe that it is only in understanding oneself that one can make choices that he or she won’t regret, leading to finding one’s true purpose.”

Sherlyn also wants to empower women, because although she thinks we’ve made strides towards equality, there is still a long way to go. “I want to show everyone that women are not worthless and are certainly not worth less; hence, we should strive to continue the fight towards equal opportunity between sexes,” she says.

While she still can’t present a concrete plan to achieve her life purpose, Sherlyn believes that soon, with the right people, the right organizations behind her, and with the right opportunity, her goals will be realized. At the moment, she’s focused on being a good follower, for “I believe that great leaders were once great followers.”

Sherlyn calls San Remigio her second home, as she has relatives living there and often spends vacations and holds family reunions in this town three hours away from Cebu City. San Remigio always brings back fond memories of her childhood, of frolicking with cousins, of listening to elders tell tales of a laidback life.

Every time people ask her what’s in her beloved San Remigio, Sherlyn has a ready answer. “I am always proud to say that we have the longest shoreline in Cebu province. It’s 44 kilometers long. Imagine: pristine beaches and tranquil island vibes just a few hours away from the bustling metropolis. So if you like to get away from urban life and relax, you can take a long walk in our shoreline. Just recently, a PADI dive shop was established in San Remigio, so to all diving enthusiasts, you can definitely visit San Rem. We also have historical landmarks, like the San Juan Nepomuceno Church, which was establised during the 1800s. Just recently, at the back of the church, archeologists unearthed artifacts and human remains believed to be dated not later than 12th BC. Isn’t that fascinating?” – VAB (FREEMAN)