The College of Development Communication (CDC) held its 26th Testimonial and Recognition Program for Graduating and Honor Students on 1 August 2024, at the Charles Fuller Baker Memorial Hall with theme “Tibok ng Puso, Tugon sa Bayan: Hamon ng Pananatili at Pagsisilbi sa Pilipinas para sa mga Magsisipagtapos ng Komunikasyong Pangkaunlaran.”
Leading the CDC Class of 2024 was their valedictorian, Maria Andrea P. Bodaño. In her speech made on behalf of her class, Bodaño shared how grateful she felt to have been given the privilege of UP’s free quality education, having entered the University through its reconsideration process, as she was not an UPCAT passer. She called on her fellow graduates to use their privilege, not only for personal gain, but also to contribute to the betterment of others and society – a nod to the theme of the program.
This year’s testimonial program also featured as an inspirational speaker Ms. Samantha P. Javier, who was the 2023 CDC Alumni Association Distinguished Alumna in Entrepreneurship. In her speech, she shared about the various stages she underwent as a development communication practitioner, wittingly comparing the process to falling in love. She emphasized that, whatever path the graduates choose to take, they should always keep in mind that life is not a race.
Personally gracing the event with his presence, Chancellor Jose V. Camacho, Jr., pointed out the transformative power that UP education brings to its graduates and urged them to use this power to serve the nation and uplift the lives of others.
Meanwhile, in her message, Dean Maria Stella C. Tirol reminded the graduates that CDC will always be their home and encouraged them to build professional partnerships with the College through the CDC Alumni Association to help nurture future heartful communicators.
The CDC Class of 2024 was composed of 114 graduates of the BS Development Communication program, including 2 summa cum laude, 33 magna cum laude, and 47 cum laude graduates, who were presented by Dr. Liza A. Cabrera, College Secretary of CDC.
Also in attendance were CDC’s graduate students, composed of 2 Master of Science, 5 Doctor of Philosophy, and 2 Doctor of Philosophy by Research graduates, who were presented by Dr. Benjamina Paula G. Flor, Chair of the Graduate Program Management Committee. UPLB’s Academic Excellence Awardee, who is the graduate student with the highest GWA of the Class of 2024, was Dr. Daniel Renz M. Roc, graduate of Straight PhD in Development Communication. (Sheryl Bancil and Miguel Victor Durian)
