The Benildean Yearbook Office (BYO), the student organization tasked to produce De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s official yearbook ‘AD ASTRA,’ broke their silence in the wake of the alleged plagiarism of a certain media organization, announcing they are taking “appropriate actions regarding the situation.”
In an official statement released last Sunday, September 2, BYO addressed the issue involving Tomasian Media Circle and Talents (TOMCAT) from the University of Santo Tomas and the similarities of TOMCAT’s recruitment materials to BYO’s 2019 AD ASTRA called “Obra,” the theme of the incoming yearbook for graduating ID 115 students.
“BYO worked hard to create a theme that would highlight the subscriber’s ingenuity and self-expression. We give utmost value to our work the same way we do to our subscribers… We are already taking the appropriate actions regarding the situation,” the statement read.
BYO also thanked “everyone for their positive response in the wake of the recent incident involving another university’s organization” and advised for people to “continue your active support to us as we deliver excellent and quality programs and services to the Benildean community.”
The Benildean Yearbook Office’s (BYO) official statement regarding the recent incident involving another university’s organization. pic.twitter.com/SgIQWmaNzm
— Benildean Yearbook (@theAdAstra) September 2, 2018
TOMCAT’s official statement
On August 27, TOMCAT released their official statement which provided a formal apology, while also claiming they have reached out to BYO and promised to take full responsibility of their actions. They also stated that it was not their intention to “deliberately copy the work.”
“We would like to express our utmost respect and admiration for the creativity in the creation of the artworks and the people behind Obra 2019. However, it is not our intention to deliberately copy the work,” the statement read.
The Official Statement of TOMCAT-UST regarding the issue about the organization’s recent social media movement. pic.twitter.com/yGOKz13DAM
— TOMCAT-UST (@TOMCATust) August 26, 2018
After a few hours, TOMCAT’s Executive Board decided to take down all publicity materials for the said recruitment campaign.
“To address the recent issue between TOMCAT’s online content and Ad Astra’s Obra 2019, we have decided to take down all publicity materials in connection with our recruitment campaign,” another statement read.
The Official Statement of TOMCAT-UST regarding the issue on the organization’s recent social media movement as of August 27, 2018, 2:30 PM. pic.twitter.com/SjQKtyM6sS
— TOMCAT-UST (@TOMCATust) August 27, 2018
Online backlash
On August 26, TOMCAT launched their “Experience TOMCAT” recruitment campaign, releasing display photos and marketing collaterals with the hashtags #ExperienceTOMCAT and #TOMCATExperience. However, just an hour after TOMCAT launched their campaign, several Benildeans took notice of its similarities with BYO’s Obra, including 115 Consular and Diplomatic Affairs student Martin Era who took to Twitter and pointed out the resemblance of the marketing collateral on one of TOMCAT’s #ExperienceTOMCAT posts on social media to the deadline of write-up collateral of BYO.
????? pic.twitter.com/0q3YnxN9UY
— Martin Era (@martinerax) August 26, 2018
“[I]magine the heartbreak of people behind #OBRA2019 they worked so hard to even come up with a theme. [E]ven dps (display pictures) are much alike,” one of Era’s follow-up tweets, with the original tweet garnering more than 1,200 favorites and over 300 retweets as of posting, read.
Several Benildeans have compared collaterals and pictorial concepts of the two organizations and noticed three similar elements: the uniform use of color block and the presence of a painting and a plant in the set design. However, some people have argued that TOMCAT may have simply used BYO’s concept as a peg among others. But for many, the similarities between the two still remain uncanny.
After the issue gained traction, Benildeans and concerned individuals alike took to Facebook to comment on TOMCAT’s official page to call out the organization’s alleged plagiarism. But instead of taking down posts and apologizing, TOMCAT allegedly deleted comments from its critics.
According to BYO, Obra, which was officially launched last May 25, centers on being one’s own masterpiece, inspired by how Benildeans express themselves and show what they are most passionate about.
Yesterday, TOMCAT has already released a new recruitment campaign.
TOMORROW is the start of our recruitment for fresh new Kittens, ready to experience the trend, feel the vibe and experience the best with us, here in TOMCAT!
Catch us and #ExperienceTOMCAT at Booth 29 this Recruitment 101 Fair at the UST Plaza Mayor from September 4-8, 2018! pic.twitter.com/YYM1nhxJNI
— TOMCAT-UST (@TOMCATust) September 3, 2018
