Hinga Muna ‘Ko, Saks Lang, Todo Na ‘To!: Dealing with Stress, Anxiety and Other Challenges Webinar

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.

Devcom Research Conversations

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 Legacy Corner Launching

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.

DevCom: A Many Splendored Thing Online Lecture with Dr. Crispin C Maslog

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).

2022 CDC Outstanding Personnel Awards

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).

CDC Alumni Association Oath Taking Ceremony

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.

Kasiyahan 2022: Tunog At Tulong, a Student and Staff Benefit Concert

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.

(Miguel Victor Durian)

This was part of CDC’s 24th anniversary celebration and was held after the awarding ceremony of CDC’s outstanding personnel for 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)

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)

(Miguel Victor Durian and Charlene Mae Arkaina)

This was part of the series of activities held for CDC’s 24th anniversary celebration.

These personnel were the following:

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).

In line with this, CDC invites UPLB students, faculty, and staff to celebrate with the college through a series of events it will hold in the following days, which are as follows:

Hinga Muna ‘Ko, Saks Lang, Todo Na ‘To!: Dealing with Stress, Anxiety and Other Challenges Webinar
12 December 2022 , 10:00 am – 12:00 nn, via Zoom

Devcom Research Conversations
15 Dececember 2022, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm, via Zoom

CDC Legacy Corner Launching
19 December 2022, 8:00 am – 9:00 am, CDC Reading Room

DevCom: A Many Splendored Thing Online Lecture with Dr. Crispin C Maslog
19 December 2022, 9:30 am – 11:30 am, via zoom

CDC Outstanding Awards & CDC Alumni Association Oathtaking Ceremony
19 December 2022, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm, via Facebook Live

Kasiyahan 2022: Tunog At Tulong, a Student and Staff Benefit Concert
20 December 2022 | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Molawin Hall, Student Union Building
*Co-organized with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and the UPLB University Student Council

These were organized by the CDC Socials and Special Events Committee chaired by Ms. Renz Frances Abagat-Manrique, University Extension Associate II at the Department of Educational Communication (DEC).

Titled Looking Through The Lens: A Training-Workshop on Photography and Videography, the two-day training workshop provided the CVM faculty and staff with a comprehensive introduction on photography, videography, and video-editing that will help in developing instructional, research and public service materials for the department.

The training-workshop covered topics on parts and functions of a camera and factors affecting exposure; visual elements in photography and principles of photographic composition; photo essay and caption writing; basic video production equipment; pre-production; and production. Hands-on activities on photography and video production were also conducted after the lectures. The participants’ outputs from the hands-on activities included photo stories about the facilities of the CVM Veterinary Teaching Hospital as well as one-minute videos about protocols for walk-in hospital clients. 

Asst. Prof. Lynette B. Carpio-Serrano, Asst. Prof. Rovil A. Espiritu, Mr. Elijah Jesse M. Pine, Ms. Renz Frances D. Abagat-Manrique, Mr. Antoni Kristofer R. Lim, Mr. Mario B. Maningas and Mr. John Anthony D. Mendoza served as speakers and facilitators for the training-workshop. (Renz Frances Abagat-Manrique, Lynette B. Carpio-Serrano, Rovil A. Espiritu, & Elijah Jessie M. Pine)

#URL is part of an ongoing DEC research titled “Documenting Remote Teaching-Learning Experiences in Development Communication: Challenges, Opportunities, and Best Practices.” 

Participants of the webinar-workshop discussed the challenges they faced undergoing remote learning on development communication, how they were able to respond to these challenges, the support they received from various sources that allowed them to cope and thrive, as well as their recommendations to make DevCom education and training adaptive for BSDC students in a VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity) world.

The workshop began with short talks from Assoc. Prof. Edmund G. Centeno, CDC faculty member and Director of the UPLB Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL), and Mr. Elijah Jesse M. Pine, CDC Instructor and former chair of the CDC Academic Field Instruction Committee (AFIC). Centeno talked about The Changing Role of Students in a Blended Classroom, while Pine discussed DevCom Fieldwork in the Now Normal. The two talks were then followed by small group discussions with the participants.Forty-five students participated in the workshop, representing the following colleges and universities: Adventist University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Naga University, Batangas State University, Camarines Norte State College, Central Luzon State University, Isabela State University, Mariano Marcos State University, Pampanga State Agricultural University, Tarlac Agricultural University, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Cebu Eastern College, West Visayas State University, University of Eastern Philippines, Visayas State University, Central Mindanao University, Davao Oriental State University, Davao del Sur State College, University of Southern Mindanao Kabacan Campus, Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, and Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University. (Lynette Carpio-Serrano)

This was CDC’s way of maintaining ties with the school as one of its EPS partners, particularly through the the Department of Development Broadcasting and Telecommunication’s (DDBT) Dito Sa Laguna program. (Zac the Math Wiz: Read and Watch)

Received by Principal Rogel Barcenas, Teacher Thomas John Rosario, and other teachers, the donations were turned over to the school by EPS Committee Chair Dr. Mildred O. Mosco and extension staff Ms. Renz Frances Abagat-Manrique and Ms. Christine Grace V. Mapacpac on October 21 and 28. These included in-kind donations worth P12,850 that included the following: one printer unit, a set of printer inks, and school and sanitation supplies. CDC staff also donated books

The UP Professional School for Agriculture and the Environment (PSAE), under the directorship of Dr. Maria Catalina T. De Luna, also donated school supplies.

Additionally, CDC was also able to assist in the printing of class modules as the school’s printers were also destroyed by the fire. 

Aside from the donation drive, two of CDC’s extension programs, namely the Los Baños Times and Radyo DZLB Ang Tinig ng Kaunlaran, were able to raise awareness on the importance of fire safety through their breaking news and aftermath coverage of the incident.

(READ: BREAKING NEWS: Sunog sa Lopez Elementary School; Nasa P10M na ari-arian, natupok sa sunog; Related: Botohan sa Lopez Elementary School, May 9)

(WATCH: DZLB News Coverage 1; DZLB News Coverage 2)

On August 26, CDC was also able to turnover donations for another longtime field partner, the Bernaldo N. Calara Elementary School (BNCES), for the school’s Brigada Eskwela initiative. (Miguel Victor T. Durian)

Here are the faculty members and the links to their works:

Asst. Prof. Louise Antonette S. Villanueva, MSc

• Budget deliberation as communicative practice: The case of a rural municipality in the Philippines
• International Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies

Asst. Prof. Garry Jay S. Montemayor

• Philippines: From science then communication, to science communication
• Book chapter in ‘Communicating Science: A Global Perspective’, Australian National University (ANU) Press
• Co-authored with Mariechel J. Navarro, PhD and Kamila Isabelle A. Navarro, MSc

Asst. Prof. Winifredo B. Dagli

• Co-production of knowledge for sustainability: an application of reflective practice in doctoral studies
• Reflective Practice
• Co-authored with Graeme Reed and Helen Hambly Odame

Assoc. Prof. Edmund G. Centeno, PhD

• Enhancing the performance of students in chemistry through flipped classroom with peer instruction teaching strategy
• LUMAT: International Journal on Math, Science and Technology Education
• Co-authored with Asst. Prof. Aphrodite M. Macale, MS; Prof. Marivic S. Lacsamana, PhD; and Prof. Maria Ana T. Quimbo, PhD

Facilitated by Asst. Prof. Pamela Joyce M. Eleazar, who is pursuing her dual Ph.D. by research at UoR and UPLB, the meeting was a follow-up to an initial one held in July 2022. UoR faculty members at the meeting were Dr. Sarah Cardey and Prof. Henny Osbahr.

Asst. Prof. Rosa Pilipinas F. Francisco, the assistant to the dean, laid the agenda of the meeting, which included the involvement of UoR in the Collaborative Change Communication (CCComDev), which is CDC’s rural communication program with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN-FAO). Other agenda items included an upcoming research symposium and a new graduate program offering.

Dr. Rhodora Ramonette DV. Custodio, the focal person of CCComDev, discussed how UoR’’s graduate students could help produce participatory media-based content for the website of their program.

On the other hand, Dr. Benjamina Paula G. Flor, chair of CDC’s Graduate Program Management Committee, discussed CDC’s plans of organizing the Development Communication (Devcom) Research Conversations, which will be participated in by graduate students of international and local academic institutions offering Devcom programs. Moreover, the possibility of offering a Dual MS Development Communication between the two universities was also discussed.

Meanwhile, in her opening message, Dean Maria Stella C. Tirol, who attended the meeting via Zoom, warmly welcomed CDC’s visiting faculty members from UoR and expressed her hopes to further CDC and UoR partnership beyond the current dual Ph.D. by research program offering.

In their messages, Dr. Cardey and Prof. Osbahr expressed their gratitude to CDC for hosting them once again. They also expressed their eagerness for the tangible collaborations that have surfaced from the meeting.

Others at the meeting were CDC’s department chairs, namely Dr. Trina Leah T. Mendoza (Department of Development Broadcasting and Telecommunication), Dr. Elaine DC. Llarena (Department of Science Communication), Asst. Prof. Aletheia C. Araneta (Department of Development Journalism), as well as Dr. Liza A. Cabrera (College Secretary), Dr. Mildred O. Moscoso (Chair, CDC Extension and Public Service Committee), Dr. Pamela A. Custodio (UPLB Graduate School Secretary), Mr. Miguel Victor T. Durian (Chair, CDC Public Affairs Committee), and Ms. Renz Frances Abagat-Manrique (Chair, CDC Socials and Special Events Committee), and Ms. Zane Andrei Cortez (Project staff, CCComDev).

After the meeting, the UoR guests paid Chancellor Jose V. Camacho Jr. and Office of International Linkages Director Anna Floresca Firmalino a courtesy call.