Despite challenging weather conditions brought on by Tropical Storm Kristine, the College of Communication, Art, and Design (CCAD) celebrated the academic achievements of its top-performing students at the Convocation of Honorific Scholars for the academic year 2023-2024.
The event, held on Oct. 23, 2024, at the Performing Arts Hall, recognized students who excelled in their studies. A total of 261 Honorific Scholars for the previous academic year were awarded: 52 scholars from the Fine Arts-Product Design Program, 77 from the Fine Arts-Studio Arts Program, and 132 scholars from the Communication Program. The program also recognized students who won in local, regional, and national competitions.
Faculty members, university officials, and guests were present to applaud the achievements of the honorees, showing their support despite the inclement weather.
For his welcoming remarks, CCAD dean Dr. Shane Carreon highlighted the significance of perseverance and community: “This convocation of scholars being held in spite of the inclement weather tells us something—about being resolute in our purpose and our dreams; about being creative in making solutions to problems; about being open to the ideas of others and of thinking and working together to achieve shared goals.”
Estela Ocampo-Fernandez, this year’s convocation guest speaker (an alumna and former Fine Arts Program faculty), reminded the honorific scholars to use introspection and self-awareness to guide personal and professional development. She encouraged the crowd to draw principles from art and design (visualization, massing, and pattern recognition) in leading a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
“Use [visualization] to go deeper to imagine a better life for yourself and everyone else around you… Look at the patterns in your life. What do you react to? What situations make you feel good about yourself? Connect all those things and a picture will form. Go toward that.”
Dazzling performances by talented CCAD students added to the celebration’s memorable atmosphere. Sayaw Evolution (Sayawe) captivated the audience, energizing the already lively crowd with their dance performance to “Karera” by BINI. Meanwhile, Komma, the Communication Program’s musical ensemble, serenaded everyone with a medley of classic hits, including “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” “Buttercup,” and “Close to You.”
The program concluded with a lightning rally led by CCAD student activists Athena Romulo and Cy Defunturom. They echoed calls for reform of the UP education system to be more student-centered, accessible, and supportive for communication and fine arts students, challenging the current colonial and bureaucratic limitations that hinder true learning and creativity.
The Convocation of Honorific Scholars highlighted CCAD’s mission to encourage excellence and foster an environment where creativity and intellectual rigor thrive. By recognizing these scholars, the college hopes to inspire all students to pursue their best in the coming academic year.
