The College of Development Communication (CDC) congratulates Mr. Noli ‘Bonz’ A. Magsambol III, CDC alumnus and Department of Development Journalism (DDJ) lecturer, for being chosen as one of the 14 fellows of the prestigious Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics (FASPE) Journalism Program. The fellowship will happen from 24 June to 7 July 2023 in Germany and Poland. Read more in this Rappler article.
Mr. Magsambol is concurrently Rappler’s health and education reporter.
In 2021, he also won an award for the most outstanding online feature in the youth and education category in the 16th La Sallian Scholarum Awards (LSA) held by De La Salle University (DLSU). Additionally, in 2022, the Department of Health (DOH) recognized him and a fellow reporter for their public health reportage during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Miguel Victor Durian)
All eight members of the Research, Extension, and Professional Staff (REPS) of the College of Development Communication participated in the 1st National Scientific Conference and 13th General Assembly Meeting of the UP Society of REPS, Inc. (UP REPSS), held on 7-8 March 2023 at the UPLB Baker Hall.
Five of them were also part of the paper presentations under the Innovations, Technologies, and Knowledge Management Parallel Session held at the Obdulia F. Sison on March 7. Four of the five papers under the parallel session were by CDC REPS.
The first paper presentation on the “Mobile Phone Usage among Persons with Visual Disability in Los Baños, Laguna” was by Mr. Ryan Jay. I Galang, University Research Associate II of the Department of Development Broadcasting and Telecommunication (DDBT). It was part of his MS Development Communication thesis.
The second paper entitled “Stories and Connections in Visuals: Social Network Analysis as an Effective Tool to Understand Social Structures in People’s Organizations”, was presented by Ms. Charlene Mae B. Arkaina, University Extension Specialist I of the Department of Science Communication (DSC) as part of her Master of Community Development thesis.
The third paper was by Mr. Miguel Victor T. Durian, University Extension Associate II of the Department of Development Journalism (DDJ), and Mr. Rudy P. Parel, Jr., CDC student and DDJ volunteer. Presented by Mr. Durian, the paper was on “Framing of Science on the Los Baños Times Website”. The paper was part of an initial study they conducted in 2022 on the “Eleven years of Development Journalism: Content Analysis and Readership of the Los Baños Times Website”, which was presented at the 1st FRAMEwork Asia-Pacific Communication Conference held on 24-25 November 2022 at the Far Eastern University.
The fourth paper was by DDBT REPS, Mr. Joseph Lydio R. Roble III, University Extension Specialist I and Ms. Juvy Leonarda N. Gopela, University Researcher I, entitled “View, Like, Comment, Post: Viewership and Engagement of the UPLB-CDC Bantay Halalan sa Laguna 2022 Experience”. The paper was presented by Mr. Roble and was part of the Monitoring and Evaluation project of the CDC Bantay Halalan Election Coverage Program.
Other CDC REPS who participated in the conference were Ms. Renz Frances D. Abagat-Manrique (University Extension Associate II, Department of Educational Communication), Ms. Christine Grace V. Mapacpac (University Extension Associate II, DDBT), and Ms. Amy Y. Arnaiz (College Librarian I). The former two had been elected as treasurer and secretary, respectively, of the Division 6 of UP REPSS for AY 2023-2024.
CDC also congratulates its alumna, Paully Mae Z. Valencia of the UPLB Office of Alumni Relations (OAR), for being elected for a second term as the President of UP REPSS for AY 2023-2024.
Photo from UP REPSS Facebook page.
In partnership with the UPLB Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension (OVCRE), the conference had the theme of “Evolving Research and Extension Landscape: Future Trends amidst Current Social and Political Climate”, which was aligned with the UPLB Agora agenda of Chancellor Jose. V. Camacho, Jr. (Rudy P. Parel, Jr.)
The College of Development Communication (CDC) hosted Josephine Rodgers, executive director and co-founder of Access Agriculture, to explore collaborations on the production of educational videos on agroecology and organic agriculture for smallholder farmers, February 21.
CDC alumna Danessa Lorenz Lopega, Philippine coordinator of Access Agriculture, initiated the meeting.
Dean Maria Stella C. Tirol personally met the guests together with Assistant to the Dean Rosa Pilipinas F. Francisco. Dean Tirol discussed CDC’s various local and international projects on the production of participatory videos for rural stakeholders and on the management of community media.
On the other hand, Rodgers discussed Access Agriculture’s advocacy for impacting rural livelihoods around the globe through the use of educational videos to capacitate farmers. These videos are hosted on the NGO’s website.
Afterwards, the guests were taken to the Department of Development Broadcasting and Telecommunication (DDBT) for a tour of the Radyo DZLB Ang Tinig ng Kaunlaran studio by Media Production Specialist Christopher Calamlam. (Miguel Victor Durian)
The College of Development Communication (CDC) met with the Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Manila, Laury Oexle, on 30 January 2023.
Matters that were discussed were possible partnerships on community media production for the Embassy’s development projects in the Philippines, as well as scholarships and academic exchange programs for Devcom graduate students and faculty members.
On behalf of Dean Maria Stella C. Tirol, Assistant to the Dean Rosa Pilipinas F. Francisco facilitated the meeting.
Discussing their various research and extension thrusts were CDC’s department chairs, namely Dr. Elaine DC. Llarena (Department of Science Communication and CDC Research Committee), Dr. Trina Leah T. Mendoza (Department of Development Broadcasting and Telecommunication), Asst. Prof. Romel A. Daya (Department of Educational Communication), and Asst. Prof. Alethia C. Araneta (Department of Development Journalism). Asst. Prof. Ma. Teresita B. Osalla and Dr. Liza A. Cabrera, CDC’s International Relations Officer and College Secretary, respectively, were also present at the meeting.
Accompanying Oexle were the Senior Adviser for Communications of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Agnes Pantastico, and the Officer of Economic Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid of the German Embassy in Manila, Anna Ventura. (Miguel Victor Durian)
The College of Development Communication (CDC), through the Department of Science Communication (DSC), together with the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) held a project review for the pilot run of the Science Communication Fellowship Program (SCFP) last January 9.
Results of the fellows’ evaluation on the module contents, facilitation and mentoring, feedback on improving the implementation of the SCF Program, and future directions for the program’s sustainability were mainly discussed.
Dr. Elaine Llarena (DSC Chair), Asst. Prof. Olga C. Lomboy, and Ms. Charlene Mae Arkaina represented DSC as the program coordinators of the SCFP, they were joined by Mr. Mark Ivan Roblas (Supervising Science Research Specialist) and Ms. Dianne Tating (Executive Assistant) from DOST-PCIEERRD. (Charlene Mae Arkaina)
The College of Development Communication (CDC) hosted Prof. Keshav Lall Maharjan of the Hiroshima University (HU) Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences to discuss internship opportunities on 6 January 2023.
Particularly, Prof. Maharjan presented HU’s Global Explorers to Cross Borders (G.ecbo) Practical Researchers Training Program, through which inbound students from HU can do their internship at UPLB.
CDC alumna Clarisse Gonzalvo, who is currently an HU PhD candidate and teaching fellow, coordinated the visit, through CDC’s International Relations Officer, Asst. Prof. Ma. Teresita B. Osalla and the CDC Committee on Public Affairs, chaired by Mr. Miguel Victor T. Durian and the CDC Socials and Special Events Committee, chaired by Ms. Renz Frances D. Abagat-Manrique.
Gonzalvo is also a G.ecbo intern serving at the Ifugao State University (IFSU) – Lamut Campus’ Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Center.
Led by Dean Maria Stella C. Tirol, some members of the CDC Executive Committee, particularly the department chairs, met with Prof. Maharjan.
Dr. Elaine DC. Llarena (Chair, Department of Science Communication and CDC Research Committee), Dr. Trina Leah T. Mendoza (Chair, Department of Development Broadcasting and Telecommunication), Asst. Prof. Romel A. Daya (Chair, Department of Educational Communication), Asst. Prof. Aletheia C. Araneta (Chair, Department of Development Journalism) discussed their departments and committee’s teaching, research, and extension and public service thrusts to explore other partnerships with the University of Hiroshima.
Asst. Prof. Ricarda B. Villar also attended the meeting on behalf of Dr. Benjamina Paula Gonzales-Flor, who chairs the CDC Committee on Internship Program, as well as CDC’ College Secretary, Dr. Liza A. Cabrera.
Facilitating the meeting was Dr. Mildred O. Moscoso.
After the meeting, Prof. Maharjan paid Chancellor Jose V. Camacho, Jr. and the UPLB Management Committee a courtesy call at the UPLB administration building.
The possibility of UPLB and CDC students serving internships at HU will also be explored through the UPLB Office of International Linkages. (Miguel Victor Durian)
The College of Development Communication (CDC) thanks all who had been part of our 24th anniversary celebration! Here is a recap of the activities we held with our stakeholders to celebrate our 24 years of existence as one of the colleges of the University of the Philippines Los Baños.
The CDC Student Welfare and Development Committee chaired by Asst. Prof. Olga T. Loboy spearheaded Hinga Muna ‘Ko, Saks Lang, Todo Na ‘To!: Dealing with Stress, Anxiety and Other Challenges Webinar on 12 December 2022. Serving as resource speaker was Mr. Archie dela Cruz, a resident counselor at Amara Counseling and Training Center and an accredited member of Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP). The webinar served as a kumustahan activity mainly for CDC students as they approached the end of the semester. Other UPLB students and members of the general public participated as well. It aimed to equip students with principles and practical tips on how to deal with stress, anxiety and other related issues.
The CDC Graduate Program Committee chaired by Dr. Benjamina Paula Gonzalez-Flor launched the Development Communication Research Conversations (DCRC) on 15 December 2022 via Zoom.The first installment was facilitated by two PhD Devcom students enrolled in DEVC 399 (Graduate Seminar), namely Mr. Daniel Renz M. Roc and Mr. Glenn S. Lubuguin. Mr. Roc’s study was on “Positioning discourses on social constructionism: A metatheoretical mapping of postmodern science and communication studies, while Mr. Lubuguin’s was on “How communication is reconfiguring development trajectories: The political economy of heritage communication”
CDC launched its Legacy Corner on 19 December 2022 at the CDC Reading Room, where the works of Devcom luminaries will be housed. First to contribute to the Legacy Corner was Dr. Crispin C. Maslog, who turned over some of the 41 textbooks he authored and edited and some classic communication and journalism books.
CDC hosted Dr. Crispin C. Maslog on 19 December 2022 through a hybrid forum entitled DevCom: A Many Splendored Thing, where he talked about his journey as a scholar and practitioner. Dr. Maslog is known for his works on the community press, Philippine communication, mass communication and development, science journalism, among others. He also established in 1983 the Los Baños Times, the community news platform managed by the Department of Development Journalism (DDJ).
Two staff members from the Department of Development Broadcasting and Telecommunication (DDBT) were recognized by the College of Development Communication (CDC) during CDC’s annual Awarding of Outstanding Personnel held on 19 December 2022. These were Mr. Christopher N. Calamlam (Outstanding Administrative Personnel) and Mr. Ryan Jay I. Galang (Outstanding Extension Personnel).
The new members of the Board of Trustees of the CDC Alumni Association (CDCAA) for 2023 to 2025 took their oaths of office on 19 December 2022. Leading them is their president Dr. Benjamina Paula G. Flor, who shared the four-point agenda of her term for alumni, which would focus on expertise sharing, recognizing the achievements of Devcom batches, fellowship and networking, and fundraising activities in support of the Nora C. Quebral Scholarship Fund (NCQSF).
CDC Thanksgiving
Two years after the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC workforce was once again able to hold a face-to-face fellowship activity on 19 December 2022 before the holiday season. In her speech, Dean Maria Stella C. Tirol said that she was thankful for the health and safety of the CDC faculty and staff and congratulated them for the success of the college’s 24th anniversary celebration.
In partnership with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and the UPLB University Student Council, CDC held Kasiyahan 2022: Tunog At Tulong, a Student and Staff Benefit Concert on 20 December 2022 at the Molawin Hall of the Student Union Building. This was a fundraising event for UPLB students in need of financial support. CDC performed a dance number led by the CDC Student Council.
The College of Development Communication (CDC), through the CDC Alumni Relations Committee (ARC), held an oath taking ceremony for the newly-elected members of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the CDC Alumni Association for 2022-2025 on 19 December 2022.
Led by their president, Dr. Benjamina Paula Gonzales-Flor, the new BOT members were sworn in by Dean Maria Stella C. Tirol.
Dr. Flor is a member of BSDC Class of 1980, MSDC Class of 1989, and PhD DC Class of 1997. She is also a Professor at the Department of Development Broadcasting and Telecommunication (DDBT) and Chair of the Master of Development Communication Program at the UP Open University.
In her speech, she, laid out the four-point agenda of the BOT, which are as follows:
SHARE, which stands for Serve, Help, and Ready to Engage, is a platform for alumni to talk about their Devcom journeys to inspire CDC students. This will enable CDC to also craft a documentation of their practice, which can be used in beefing up the Devcom curriculum, updating the needs of employers, and serving as a feedback mechanism for the continuous growth of Devcom as a discipline. Alumni may also serve as guest lecturers in classes or symposia done regularly in collaboration with student organizations and the CDC management.
CDComplishments is a platform that showcases the achievements of each batch of Devcom graduates. Achievements will be posted online and will be tallied. Each post is equivalent to 1 point. CDC will recognize monthly winners. The number 1 batch with the highest score will present their achievements during Speaking of Devcom (SOD) alongside distinguished alumni.
CDComing together night is a fellowship event that will follow the SOD.
CDevCommerch is a fund-raising scheme that involves putting up memorabilia items for sale to fund the Nora C. Quebral Scholarship Fund (NCQSF).
Other members of the BOT include the following:
Dr. Elaine Llarena (Vice President), member of BSDC Class of 1999 and current chair of the Department of Science Communication.
Ms. Maria Recelyn Agdon-Marasigan (Secretary), member of BSDC Class of 1999 School Directress of A Plus International School Inc. in Muntinlupa City.
Ms. Ma. Aileen Alcos-Garcia (Treasurer), member of BSDC Class of 1998, Senior Manager for Project Coordination & Stakeholder Advocacy of the Healthier Rice Project of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), and Assistant Secretary of the Philippine Agricultural Journalists, Inc.
Mr. Renan Morales (Auditor), member of BSDC Class of 2004 and Head of Business Services and Chief of Staff of the Client Operations at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
Mr. Paoloregel B. Samonte (Public Relations Officer), member of BSDC Class of 2015 and student of Master in Digital Communication Leadership at Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands.
Ex-officio members: Asst. Prof. Romel A. Daya (immediate past CDCAA President), Dr. Liza A Cabrera (College Secretary), and Dean Tirol.
Hosting the event were Asst. Prof. Lynette B. Carpio-Serrano (Co-Chair, ARC) and Asst. Prof. Rovil A. Espiritu. (Miguel Victor Durian)
The College of Development Communication (CDC) congratulates 16 of its faculty members for being awarded One UP Professorial Chairs and Faculty Grants by the UP System. The awards aim to further provide recognition and incentives to faculty members who demonstrate outstanding performance in two out of three work areas of the faculty, which include teaching, research or creative work, and public service.
Department of Development Journalism Dr. Pamela A. Custodio (Professorial Chair) Asst. Prof. Aletheia C. Araneta (Faculty Grant) Asst. Prof. Ricarda B. Villar (Faculty Grant)
Department of Broadcasting and Telecommunication Asst. Prof. Mark Lester M. Chico (Faculty Grant) Prof. Benjamina Paula G. Flor (Professorial Chair) Asst. Prof. Marifi T. Magsino (Faculty Grant) Asst. Prof. Lester P. Ordan (Faculty Grant)
Department of Science Communication Asst. Prof. Hermilea Marie C. Castillo (Faculty Grant) Asst. Prof. Olga T. Lomboy (Faculty Grant) Asst. Prof. Garry Jay S. Montemayor (Faculty Grant) Asst. Prof. Rosario V. Tatlonghari (Faculty Grant)
Department of Educational Communication Assoc. Prof. Edmund G. Centento (Professorial Chair) Assoc. Prof. Rhodora Ramonette DV. Custodio (Professorial Chair) Asst. Prof. John Mervin L. Embate (Faculty Grant) Assoc. Prof. Mildred O. Moscoso (Professorial Chair) Mr. Elijah Jessie M. Pine (Faculty Grant)
Two staff members from the Department of Development Broadcasting and Telecommunication (DDBT) were recognized by the College of Development Communication (CDC) during its annual Awarding of Outstanding Personnel held on 19 December 2022.
Christopher N. Calamlam Media Production Specialist
Mr. Calamlam is a hard-working, talented, and innovative administrative staff of CDC. His advanced skills in computer software and media production have enabled the production of CDC’s broadcast programs to transition smoothly from cable TV broadcasting to web- based live streaming especially during the Taal volcano eruption and start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Moreover, he has introduced a cost-saving approach in streaming Dito sa Laguna and Radyo DZLB’s programs to multiple platforms through the use of free streaming plugins. Previously, CDC needed to pay a subscription service to implement this.
His skills in video editing, animation, and graphics have contributed to the improvement of the quality of CDC-DDBT’s programs to be at par with broadcast programs of other organizations, and in order to be more effective at delivering information to CDC’s various stakeholders.
In terms of knowledge management initiatives within the DDBT, he is currently working on the creation of an online document database for the Department in collaboration with Ms. Carol Joy Cabello-Canubas. This database aims to improve the knowledge sharing and management of documents and information of DDBT staff and faculty.
Ryan Jay I. Galang University Research Associate II
Mr. Galang has contributed greatly to the achievements of the CDC and DDBT since he joined the college in 2016.
He has actively shared his knowledge and expertise in broadcasting and multimedia production to CDC’s various stakeholders through the activities of CDC and DDBT. He has served as a resource speaker, webhost, facilitator, and technical consultant in training workshops which have been requested by state colleges and universities, government agencies such as the Department of Education, and non-government organizations. These were training workshops on transforming self-learning modules into radio scripts using the school-on-the-air format, and establishing a community radio station, which were crucial during the early months of the pandemic. In addition, he was an executive producer of video- and radio-based learning materials that promoted literacy for K-3 learners, which are now available on Facebook and YouTube.
He has also proactively spearheaded the conceptualization and production of the cable TV and online broadcast programs of CDC-DDBT. He serves as the project leader and activity leader of DZLB Online and Galing UPLB, and activity leader of Dito sa Laguna. His extensive knowledge and experience in broadcasting and multimedia production has enabled him to serve various roles in these programs, as host, executive producer, episode producer, and director. He was a director, executive, producer, host and reporter during the Bantay Halalan Laguna 2022, one of CDC’s major extension and public service activities. As activity leader, he facilitated the establishment of partnerships between schools and media organizations with CDC.
He also actively participated in national and international conferences as author, co-author, or presenter, and co-wrote a journal article published in the Philippine Journal of Development Communication (PJDC).
