Author: Devcom

The Department of Development Broadcasting and Telecommunication of the College of Development Communication (DDBT-CDC) co-led an international conference on community radios with AMARC Asia-Pacific held at the Thammasat University in Bangkok, Thailand from September 27 to 30.

AMARC Asia-Pacific is an international organization of community broadcasters in the region that aims to amplify the voices of marginalized sectors through community media, an ethos likewise upheld by DDBT.

DDBT academic personnel gave paper presentations on their experiences in community broadcasting. These were Ryan Jay I. Galang who talked about “Transcending Community Broadcasting in the Philippines: The Radyo DZLB experience;” Guien Eidrefson P. Garma, Ma. Teresita B. Osalla, and Marifi T. Magsino, “Engendering community programs: A historical account of Radyo DZLB as a pioneer in Philippine broadcasting;” and Dr. Maria Stella C. Tirol and Juvy Leonarda N. Gopela on “Community Participation in Radio Infomercial Development for Disaster Preparedness in a Landslide-Prone Community in Northern Philippines.” 

With the theme “Strengthening Against Emerging Challenges and Embracing Opportunities,” the quadrennial event served as a venue for knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and sharing of good practices among community broadcasters. 

More than a hundred participants from countries in the Pacific, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia attended the conference to share their experiences, initiatives, and recommendations in using radio as a medium for emergency risk communication in a VUCAD world. VUCAD refers to the leadership concepts of vision, unity, clarity, alignment, and digital.

DDBT manages and operates Radyo DZLB Ang Tinig ng Kaunlaran (The Voice of Development), UPLB’s community radio station and a pioneer in community broadcasting in the Philippines. 

In October 2022, DDBT also hosted a community broadcasting conference panel during the 100 Years of Broadcasting in the Philippines Conference organized by the UP Department of Broadcast Community at the UP College of Mass Communication. (Ryan Jay I. Galang)

This article was originally published on the UPLB website.

The College of Development Communication Alumni Association (CDCAA) recognized four distinguished alumni during “Speaking of Devcom: A Heartful Conversation with Devcom’s Finest,” held on 6 October 2023 at the UPLB REDREC Auditorium and via live streaming on the UPLB Devcom Facebook page.

The annual alumni forum was part of the 105th UPLB Loyalty Day and Alumni Homecoming Celebration held on 3–9 October 2023. This year’s Speaking of Devcom (SOD) theme, “CDC25: A Legacy of Heartful Communication,” hinted at CDC’s upcoming 25th Anniversary Celebration.

During the program, the four alumni shared their heartful experiences doing Devcom work in their respective fields.

First, Mr. Stanley B. Gajete, Distinguished Alumnus in Development Journalism, emphasized the importance of empathic listening in journalism to give justice to the stories of marginalized communities and amplify their voices.

Second, Ms. Samantha P. Javier, Distinguished Alumna in Entrepreneurship in Development Communication, reintroduced entrepreneurship as one of the four E’s of Devcom and imparted ways on how Devcom can thrive in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) world.

Third among the alumni was Dr. Evelyn B. Aguirre, Distinguished Alumna in Educational Leadership, who shared through a video message how she employs a participatory approach to managing the Leyte Normal University as its University President.

Finally, Mr. Ronald G. Mangubat, Distinguished Alumnus in International Development Communication Practice, underscored the significance of critical self-reflection so development communicators can continuously improve and evolve in whatever path they choose to take.

An open forum facilitated by Dr. Jefferson Lyndon B. Ragragio of the Department of Science Communication (DSC) was held after the talks.

In her opening remarks, Dean Maria Stella C. Tirol explained that heartful communication involves not just the transmission of messages but also establishing deep connections with people and communities to genuinely understand their needs so they can be given the appropriate Devcom service.

Chancellor Jose V. Camachor, Jr. also graced the event with his presence. In his speech, he praised CDC for staying relevant amidst the evolving media and political landscape. He also hoped that the heartful stories of the alumni would inspire the young development communicators in attendance at the event.

Meanwhile, Dr. Benjamina Paula G. Flor, CDCAA president, delivered her closing remarks through a spoken-word poem she wrote entitled Pagiging Alumni ay Hindi Goodbye, in which she reminded alumni that UPLB will always be their home even after graduation. She then enjoined them to participate in future CDCAA events.

Serving as master of ceremonies was Dr. Mildred O. Moscoso of the Department of Educational Communication (DEC).

On October 9, the CDC workforce and students participated in the UPLB Loyalty Day Parade and performed a dance number choreographed by the CDC Student Council and student organizations. The college was recognized as the third top performer among the UPLB colleges that performed during the parade.

In the afternoon, the distinguished alumni were also recognized at the 105th Loyalty Day Awarding Ceremony held at the Baker Memorial Hall. (Miguel Victor Durian)

Photo from UPLB Office of Alumni Relations.

Listen to the stories of four 2023 CDCAA Distinguished Alumni on their “heartful” experiences in Development Communication during ‘Speaking of Devcom: Conversations with Devcom’s Finest’ happening on 6 October 2023, Friday, 1:30 PM at REDREC Auditorium and via Facebook Live at UPLB Devcom.

This annual alumni forum is brought to you by the College of Development Communication and the CDC Alumni Association.

Pre-register here: https://bit.ly/speakingofdevc23

The four alumni are as follows:

• Evelyn B. Aguirre (Educational Leadership)
• Stanley B. Gajete (Development Journalism)
• Samantha P. Javier (Entrepreneurship in Development Communication)
• Ronald G. Mangubat (International Development Communication Practice)

Digital art by John Anthony Mendoza.

College of Development Communication faculty, administrative staff, REPS and students underwent a half-day seminar on IP in Focus: An Intellectual Property Seminar, facilitated by the UPLB Technology Transfer and Business Development Office of the Office of the Chancellor (TTBDO-OC) in the CDC Graduate Room on 18 September 2023.

Spearheaded by the CDC Dean’s Office and Extension and Public Service Committee, chaired by Dr. Mildred O. Moscoso, the training aimed to advance CDC’s capacity in technology transfer.

Serving as resource persons were the following:

• Arianne Mae L. Magistrado – Introduction To Intellectual Property, Copyright & Related Rights, Trademark, & Geographical Indication
• Melannie M. Cabangbang – Patent, Utility Model, Industrial Design, Trade Secret, Plant Variety Protection
• Elena May N. Cabarrubias – Technology Transfer & UP Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy of 2011
• Glenn Vincent P. Ong, Master of Ceremony / Moderator

(Miguel Victor Durian)

The College of Development Communication (CDC) congratulates Asst. Prof. Rovil A. Espiritu of the Department of Educational Communication (DEC) for being elected as the new treasurer of the Association of Development Communication Educators and Practitioners (ADCEP) for 2023-2024.

He was elected into office during ADCEP’s 2nd International Conference and 11th Scientific Meeting held on 14-16 September 2023 at the Visayas State University (VSU).

The other elected ADCEP officers are as follows:

• Ulderico B. Alviola, President, Visayas State University
• Digna Mac-Paner, Vice President for Luzon, Ateneo de Naga University
• Rona Dhel C. Alingasa, Vice President for the Visayas, West Visayas State University
• Jovelyn Gesulga-Fernandez, Vice President for Mindanao
• Peter P. Dalocdoc Jr., Secretary, Benguet State University
• Vaberlie M. Garcia, Auditor, Batangas State University

College of Development Communication (CDC) students and academic staff attended the Social Good Summit 2023 (#SGS2023) organized by Rappler at the Samsung Hall, SM Aura Premier in Taguig City on Sept. 16.

With the theme #TurningTechForGood: From problem to solution, the daylong event served as a venue to inspire solutions-based conversations on the power and peril of tech use in the current data-driven media landscape. Central to this was the role that communities and other sectors could play in creating a culture that would enable reform and regulation of tech to mitigate its ill effects on society.

Department of Development Journalism (DDJ) lecturers Ralf Rivas and Bonz Magsambol, who are multimedia reporters at Rappler and UPLB alums, facilitated CDC’s participation in the event. They teach courses on the fundamentals of development journalism, data journalism for development, and communication and society.

CDC academic staff members Miguel Victor T. Durian and Guien Garma attended the event with the students.

Through DDJ’s Los Baños Times, CDC has also worked with Rappler’s civic engagement arm, Move.PH during the 2022 Philippine election campaigns in localizing their media and information literacy and fact-checking initiatives to the Los Baños community.

#SGS2023 featured a lineup of local and foreign experts and thought leaders who delivered plenary speeches and participated in panel discussions with the audience on various subject matters, such as generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), data privacy, mis/disinformation, fact-checking, and surveillance capitalism. 

These speakers included Maria Ressa, Rappler CEO and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate; Hillary Clinton, 67th U.S Secretary of State; Frances Haugen, Facebook whistleblower; and other notable figures. 

The SGS is a gathering of citizens, innovators and thought leaders working together to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030. With this, #SGS2023 marked its return on stage in the Philippines since the pandemic started. (Jan Carlo Basilio)

This article was originally published on the UPLB website.

Devcom website cover photo from Ralf Rivas.

UPLB website cover photo from Dan Alexander Abas.

The Department of Science Communication (DSC) organized a special panel featuring seven science communication papers during the first day of the ADCEP 2nd International Conference on 14 September 2023 held at the Visayas State University.

The theme of the session was “Transformative Science Communication for Sustainable and Just Social-Ecological Change” convened by Dr. Wini B. Dagli and moderated by Dr. Elaine DC. Llarena.

The special panel included the following presentations:

• Scicom again, but this time more reflexive: How the use of a harmonized framework might transform science communication in the Philippines – Garry Jay S. Montemayor, Jasmin Joyce S. Clarin, Elaine DC. Llarena, Avril Adrianne DG. Madrid, Reianne M. Quilloy, Rosario V. Tatlonghari, Lily L. Tallafer, Eunice B. Brito, Jil Danielle M. Caro, Kathryna Marie M. Lopez, Patricia Isabel A. Matienzo, and Fides Marie DC. Rabena, University of the Philippines Los Baños
• Narrative Analysis of COVID-19 Experiences among Selected Residents of Santa Cruz, Laguna – Laurenz B. Cruz and Pamela A. Custodio, University of the Philippines Los Baños
• The Significance of Science Communication in Hackathons: The HEAL-PH Experience – Avril Adrianne D. Madrid and Val Randolf M. Madrid, University of the Philippines Los Baños
• Reimagining Futures: Transdisciplinary knowledge- making in socio-ecological entanglements – Bryan Joel Mariano, Forest Foundation Philippines and University of the Philippines and Diliman Denise Margaret Matias, Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development
• Towards indigenizing science education in the Philippines: Pagtatanong-tanong with cultural masters and science teachers in Ayta communities – Christerbert de Silva, Australian National University
• Public Engagement with Conservation Science: A Science Communication Perspective of Sustainability – Rachan Daimary, Manipal University in India and Hemant Kumar, Centre for Studies in Science Technology and Innovation Policy Central University of Gujarat, India
• “Pictures of Nothing”: Envisioning arts practices in the field of science communication – Mac Andre Arboleda, Master student, Universität für Weiterbildung Krems, Aalborg Universitet and University of Łódź and Rollyna Domingo, Master student, Université Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier and Université de Perpignan Via Domitia

(Charlene Mae Arkaina; Cover photo from ADCEP Philippines)