FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The calm before the storm at the Philippine Society of Criminologists and Criminal Justice

Professionals
Manila, Philippines (September 3, 2012) Manila, Philippines (September 3, 2012) Just this past month, on August 19, 2012, a relatively quiet celebration was shared to commemorate the founding of the Philippine SocietyofCriminologistsandCriminalJusticeProfessionals:anorganizationthatalmostwasnt. AcommonFacebookexchange;astudentdistraughtoverhercontemporariescriticisms;aprofessorpassionate abouthisfieldofpracticewithfatherlyadvices:theessentialelementsthatsetthestageforwhatistobe.From whatwerebutmerechildishremarksfromastudent,awokeaprofessorsvisionofunity. One year since, a society emerged. One comprising of membership depths that span vertically (from mere enthusiasts,tostudents,toseniorpractitioners)andhorizontally(fromthoseinacademe,lawenforcement,the practiceoflaw,activists,politics,andmanymore). The culmination of which established a seemingly natural evolution: one of a foundation that positions participants toward advancement opportunities in honing and expanding their craft; building, solidifying and wideningastrongnetwork;and,contributingtothesameforothers. Justexactlyhowdidthiscomeaboutandwhereisitheading?

History in brief
Planting the bitter seed
A little over a year ago, a Criminology professor was accosted by his student on Facebook. Their comments exchangeinitiallycenteredonthestudentssingingaspirations,criticismfromcontemporaries,andtheneedto heed to caution with regard to unknown persons online posing as talent scouts or otherwise present opportunitiesthatareseeminglytoogoodtobetrue. The professor shared fatherly advices. The student, engulfed with mixed emotions gradually reacted as a rebelliousteenagerwould.Theirconversationdigressedintoanumberoftopics,eventuallytakingthetoneof an argument. As the focus shifted to the practice of Criminology, the student dissented on many of the professors points with shallow and unfounded childish remarks. The professor nevertheless defended his belovedCriminologyvigorously.Alosingbattleitseemssincethestudentwasblindedbyanemotionallyfueled innocentignoranceandtheperceivedforcefieldprotectionofbeingonline.

Sprouts of sweet progress

Fromthesamereasonsthatallowedthestudenttobesoboldinherremarks,atypicalpersonmighthaveeasily shruggedofftheexperienceandmovedon.However,theprofessor,passionateabouthisfieldofpracticewas ThePhilippineSocietyofCriminologistandCriminalJusticeProfessionalsInc. P a g e 1of4

leftwithmanyasleeplessnightbotheredbytheexperience.Hewonderedhowhemightrallyhisfriendsand colleaguesincollectivelycontributingtowardstheunificationandstrengtheningoftheirmutualdiscipline.And, onthesameplatformthatfacilitatedhisdismay,heputthewheelsinmotiontowardstherealizationofhisnew foundvision. Theprofessor,PrincipeJoseN.Albajeso,isaCriminologyfacultyatOurLadyofFatimaUniversity.HeisanMS CriminalJusticestudent,registeredCriminologists,andaformerstudentcouncilpresidentathisbaccalaureate alma mater, the Philippine College of Criminology (PCCR). Together with two fellow alumni who are also CriminologyprofessorsJohnRomerVenturillo(Criminologyprofessor;MSCriminalJusticestudent;boardexam 2ndplacerandregisteredCriminologist;BSCrimcumlaudeandvaledictorian)andRonnyCatapang(Criminology professor;MSCriminalJusticestudent)theyestablishedaFacebookgroupthatquicklybecameastaplesource forCriminologyrelatedinformationfortheircollectivestudents.Withthe3leadersatthehelm,theFacebook groupwasthencalled,thePhilippineUnitedCriminology(PUC). A fourth leader, Jayson Malabug (active in the area of industrial security management) quickly joined in. His activeandhonestintentionstocontribute, breadthofknowledgeincontemporaryCriminologypractices,and hisseniorityinhisfieldmadehimamuchdesiredparticipantinthemoderationofthefacebookgroup. Yetanotherwasdestinedtopartake.Barelyonemonthintotheeffort,ProfessorAlbajesosappetitetowiden thereachofhisvisionwasrampingup.Onavisittohisbaccalaureatealmamater,hechancedupontheschools studentcounciltowhichhecampaignedforparticipationandmembership.There,amongthecouncilmembers presentwasanunassuminglawaspirantfinishinghisprelawbaccalaureateinCriminology,thenservingasthe student council president. His name is Felix Camerino: a blogger; law student; BSCrim cum laude and valedictorian;formerstudentcouncilpresident. In the months that followed, Felix Camerino joined with Professor Principe Jose N. Albajeso in proactively leading the Facebook group towards becoming a legitimate brickandmortar organization. He organized chartermembermeetingstodrawoutprospectiveleaderswhomayplayaroleinthegroupsgrowth.Healso ledtheefforttorenamethegrouptowhatitisnowcalled:thePhilippineSocietyofCriminologistsandCriminal JusticeProfessionals(PSCCJP).Drawingfromhiscorporateandlegalbackground,heauthoredtheorganizations bylaws and articles of incorporation and took charge of gaining PRC endorsement (for the use of Criminologistsinthename)andSECfilingasanonstockcorporation. OnMay2012,PRCendorsedPSCCJP.Thefollowingmonth(June2012),thePhilippineSocietyofCriminologists andCriminalJusticeProfessionalInc.(PSCCJP)becameanSECregisterednonstockcorporation(CompanyReg. No.CN201210881). Meanwhile, in the midst of all these back office activities, the Facebook group was growing in terms of membershipnumbersandquality,andpurpose.Alongwithstudents,manylawenforcementpractitioners(from neophytestoseasonedmembers),lawyers,politiciansandactivistsfoundtheirwayintothegroupasfrequent contributors.ThegrouphasalsobecomeacentralCriminologyandCriminalJusticerelatedsourceforupcoming events,newsandgeneralinformation. ThePhilippineSocietyofCriminologistandCriminalJusticeProfessionalsInc. P a g e 2of4

Reapingthebountiesandbracingforagoodstorm In its 1year of existence, the Facebook group has become a mustvisit online forum. Healthy debates are a commonactivityasarecommentariesanddynamicexchangesonrelatedcurrentevents.Ithasalsoevolvedto be a de facto source of upcoming industryrelated events. But, its utility has not stopped as a seemingly insatiabledemandforexpandedserviceshasgrownsteadily.Needlesstosay,itsusehasbecomeindispensible forcontemporarycriminologistsandcriminaljusticeprofessionalsandstudentsalike. This 1styear anniversary has served as a checkpoint to reflect on the efforts, trends, lessonslearned, and successesofthepastyear.IthasprovidedthevalidationtoProfessorAlbajesosvisionandtheaffirmationthat indeed,thecontinuingefforttogrowbeyondamereFacebookgroupisnotonlyrightbutamust.Agrowththat in fact has begun to break ground with the formation of a governing body comprising of a diverse group of seniorandprominentindustryleaders. In the coming months, many expanded services are expected. This includes the formalization of a multitype membership system, seminars, outreach programs and a great many more. All aimed at establishing a solid environment that facilitates advanced opportunities in honing and expanding ones craft; building, solidifying andwideningastrongnetwork;and,contributingtothesameforothers(whethercontemporaries,juniorsor seniors). So,whilethereisrelativequietincelebratingthis1styearanniversary,suchisbutthemerecalmbeforethe storm. Happyfirstanniversary,PSCCJP! MediaContact: JaysonMalabug ssd_1990@yahoo.com.ph +6309202388831/+6309267118696(mobile)

About PSCCJP
ThePhilippineSocietyofCriminologistsandCriminalJusticeProfessionalsisaconsortiumofthoseinthestudy and practice of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Its portal can be found on facebook.com/groups/psccj.01/. Membershipisopentopractitioners,studentsorevenmereenthusiastsofthegivenfield.Tojoin,simplyclick ontheJOINGROUPbutton(locatedattheupperrightcorner)whileontheFacebookgroup. ###

ThePhilippineSocietyofCriminologistandCriminalJusticeProfessionalsInc.

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