The UP Alliance of Development Communication Students (UP ADS) held “Flash Forward 2024: Matrix – a Multidimensional Look Into Social Development” on 20 November 2024 at the College of Development Communication (CDC) Lecture Rooms 1 and 2.
The organization’s annual flagship event covered the diverse career opportunities for aspiring Development Communication (Devcom) practitioners. Attended by 157 attendees, the event centered on the prospective careers under the sectors of Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) and education.
Invited speakers included Dr. Thaddeus P. Lawas and Ms. Rechelle Anne Tolinero-Barraquias. An alumnus of CDC, Dr. Lawas serves as a University Extension Specialist II at the UPLB School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM). Meanwhile, Ms. Tolinero-Barraquias hails from the Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan and acts as the Chairperson of its Department of Development Communication.
The talk kicked off with Dr. Thaddeus discussing the vulnerability of the Philippines to natural disasters and what Devcom practitioners can do to address these problems. He highlighted the urgent need for more researchers in the DRRM sector.
“Pag grumaduate kayo ng Devcom, pupunta kayo sa mga research agencies, NGOs (non-governmental organizations), or even corporate. Dito tayo magfofocus instead of doon sa mga ayuda,” he stressed.
(When you graduate from Devcom, you will go to research agencies, NGOs, or even corporations. This is where we should focus instead of distributing donations.)
He added that the focus of DRRM should be on prevention and mitigation rather than preparedness, response, and rehabilitation.
On the other hand, Ms. Tolinero-Barraquias shared her experiences as a Devcom educator. She narrated her life story in choosing Devcom as an undergraduate degree program, the projects she had spearheaded as a university instructor, and personal reflections on the role of Devcom in society.
“Tuwing pumupunta kami sa isang community, mas naiintidihan ko why there is a need for Devcom,” she stated.
(Whenever we visit a community, I better understand why there is a need for Devcom.)
The event concluded with an open forum, which revolved around the lucrativeness of Devcom careers and the role of practitioners in a corporate setting. Both speakers gave assurances regarding the field’s diverse opportunities post-graduation, while also stressing the importance of finding one’s niche.
Closing the event was Ms. Lalie Centeno, Deputy Director of UP ADS, who reminded the attendees to take into heart the learnings of the event.
“Dahil tulad ni Ms. Rechelle at Dr. Thaddeus, kaya rin na’tin mag-ambag para sa pagbabago ng ating mga komunidad,” she said.
(Like Ms. Rechelle and Dr. Thaddeus, we can also create change in our own communities.)
(Lance Isaac Reamon; Photo courtesy of UP ADS)
