CCAD

Comm Program backs Asian Center for Journalists-Ateneo de Manila University and STET forum on safe spaces for women journalists

February 26, 2024

Creating safe spaces that allow women journalists to do their jobs without fear has become a pressing necessity amid workplace adversities and political instabilities.

Media workers from Bacolod, Capiz, Cebu, Dumaguete, and Tacloban shared experiences where they were subjected to threats, harassment, intimidation, and bullying while carrying out their duties during the multisectoral forum “Lifelines: Creating Safe Spaces for Women Journalists” at the UP Cebu Lawak Sinehan on February 3, 2024.

Initiated by the STET-Women in Cebu Media and Asian Center for Journalism in partnership with the Communication Program of the College of Communication, Art and Design (CCAD), the event aims to start the conversation towards creating an environment where women journalists can thrive without fear.

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Dr. Mira Ofreneo, Director of the Ateneo de Manila University Gender Hub, said a WGSS or Women Girl Safe Space can take many forms and its creation should be determined by the community’s needs.

Citing examples of safe spaces in other areas, she added that they can be gender hubs that serve to receive reports of sexual violence or centers that provide wellness, information, and other services.

According to Dr. Ofreneo, who facilitated the forum, the WGSS approach is about empowerment and women claiming control over their own lives and spaces.

Lifelines was in preparation for the “We-Move National Conference,” which will be held in Cebu next month. The objective of the project is to create a support system for women journalists on gender-sensitive issues, including psychological support.

CCAD faculty to tackle peace education in March 2 lecture

February 25, 2024

The specter of violence in the international and national scenes that range from wars to mass shootings, terrorist attacks,  killings of government officials and tribal group members, Mindanao conflict, child abuse, and bullying in schools underscores the importance of peace education in Philippine basic and higher educational institutions. 

Dr. Belinda Espiritu, UP Cebu Communication Program Faculty, will present an overview of the components of peace education and why it is necessary in a strife-torn world during her lecture titled “Peace Education and Nonviolent Communication Towards Violence-Free Schools and Communities” from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on March 2, 2024 at the UP Professional Schools in the  South Road Properties.

Threats of violence even in schools provide the context for DepEd Order No. 32, S. 2019 or the “National Policy Framework on Learners and  Schools as Zones of Peace” and CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 01, Series of  2019, which deals with “Integration of Peace Studies/Education into the Relevant Higher Education Curricula.” 

Dr. Espiritu’s presentation will cover peace education components, including spirituality, social justice, human rights, nonviolence, inter-faith and intercultural solidarity, respect for diversity, common humanity, oneness with nature,  and human security. The lecture will then examine nonviolence and the approach to communication known as nonviolent communication (NVC) that was developed by American psychologist Marshall Rosenberg.

Culture bearers, CCAD highlight role of living traditions in biocultural preservation during Arts Month opening event

February 13, 2024

As dusk fell on the Sunset Garden in the University of the Phillippines Cebu, wisdom keepers from different indigenous tribes led a solemn ceremony with the College of Communication, Art, and Design (CCAD) community to deepen connections with ancestral and biocultural heritage.

Photo by College of Communication, Art, and Design student publication Lanog.

Culture bearers from the Talaandig Tribe of Bukidnon, Ifugao Mumbaki, and Palawan Babaylan performed ritual practices using dances and chants and shared insights into traditional knowledge that believes in the sacredness of all things and a person’s role as custodian rather than owner of the land.

The last bright glow of the setting sun served as the ideal backdrop for “Busilak sa Kilomkilom,” which was timed for the opening of Arts Month, held last February 3, 2024. 

Talaandig Tribe Chieftain Datu Vic Saway said the community must understand its role in helping safeguard ethnic identities and responsibility for preserving ecological heritage.

Photo by Lanog

Academic communities like UP Cebu can help transmit cultural knowledge of environmental preservation that translates to mindful and sustainable living, added Ifugao Mumbaki Mamerto Tindongan. He demonstrated ritualistic practices that highlighted the interconnectedness of people and nature.

This collective wisdom forms the backbone of indigenous beliefs, said Bai Liza Saway, as she expounded on their pivotal role in passing them to the younger generation. Reflecting on the matriarchal influence within tribal communities, she underscored the maternal duty of nurturing children with the living traditions and rituals of their heritage.

The imperative to pass down cultural heritage, now affected by a disconnect between the old and young generations, was a recurrent theme among the cultural guardians.

Bai Liza Saway emphasized, “We are duty-bound to pass on our traditions and spirituality to the next generation.” She lamented the dire consequences of failing to impart these living traditions, equating it to a heinous offense that would deprive the youth of their cultural inheritance.

Jay Nathan Jore, Coordinator for the Office for Initiatives in Cultures and the Arts (OICA), opened the ceremony with his welcome remarks while Sarah Queblatin, Founder of Living Story Landscapes and Green Leaf, presented the rationale for the activity. 

Queblatin emphasized the imperative of preserving and revitalizing cultural heritage, highlighting its indispensable connection to the natural world. “It’s about fostering relationships, not asserting ownership. The land we steward demands our profound connection,” she pointed out.

The ceremony culminated in a captivating performance by members of the UP Students’ Theater Arts Guild for Education (UPSTAGE). Aside from UPSTAGE, students who joined the event included representatives from the University Student Council, Fine Arts Student Organization (FASO), and UP Lanog.

“Busilak sa Kilomkilom” was organized by Green Releaf Initiative and Living Story Landscapes in collaboration with the Philippine Commission on Culture and the Arts (PCCA), UP Cebu College of Communication, Art, and Design (CCAD), OICA, UP Cebu University Student Council, Fine Arts Students Organization, Communicators of UP, Lanog, UP Students’ Theater Arts Guild for Education. (Report by Communication Program student Elianah Ursal.)

UP Cebu hosts talk, ceremony on nature restoration with indigenous culture bearers

February 3, 2024

Culture bearers from Bukidnon, Ifugao, Palawan, and Cebu will gather together this Saturday, February 3, at the Jose Joya Gallery in the University of the Philippines Cebu to lead the sharing of experiences and collaborative exploration of Kapwa values for ecosystem restoration and regeneration in an afternoon session titled “Pamati sa Kalikopan (Listening to Nature).”

Datu Migketay “Vic” Saway, who will represent the Talaandig people of Bukidnon as their chieftain, will be joined by Palawan Babaylan Janet Dolera, Ifugao Mumbaki Mamerto Tindongan, Pagdiwata Farmers of Cebu, and Living Story Landscapes and Green Releaf Sarah Queblatin.

These revered wisdom bearers from indigenous and tribal communitiess will afterwards officiate Busilak sa Kilomkilom, a solemn ceremony starting at 6 p.m. in UP Cebu’s Sunset Garden that aims to deepen the community’s connections with its ancestral and bio-cultural heritage.

The sundown ceremony aims to highlight smart and sustainable living inspired by indigenous wisdom and traditional ecological knowledge. The activity is organized by Green Releaf Initiative and Living Story Landscapes in collaboration with the Philippine Commission on Culture and the Arts (PCCA), UP Cebu College of Communication, Art, and Design (CCAD), Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts, UP Cebu University Student Council, Fine Arts Students Organization, Communicators of UP, Lanog, UP Students’ Theater Arts Guild for Education.

Pamati sa Kalikopan, on the other hand, is the first in a series of events under the umbrella of Kapwa Story Circles, described as reflective strategy retreats for ecosystem restoration and regeneration leaders. It aims to tackle ancestral earth wisdom and sacred ecology. Attendance is by invitation only.

Fine Arts students organize ‘Inamaw sa Perya’ at the UP Cebu Grounds

November 21, 2023

Fine Arts students taking Performance Arts (SFA 120) exhibited “Inamaw sa Perya,” a TASK Party, on September 21.

A TASK party is an interactive social gathering first initiated by performance artist Oliver Herring in 2002, where participants perform tasks as written on slips of paper. This was the first TASK held in UP Cebu, and it was organized as part of the  SFA 120 class requirement.

There is a limited number of participants in a typical TASK party, usually held in public spaces such as the university common room or other areas where people can interact upon entering the space.

According to Allyca Zoe Villaflor, a student of SFA 120, they improvised the activity to connect it with the current political landscape in the country, where they mimic government officials such as Bong Go, who is walking around, and Imelda Marcos, flaunting her wealth.

Villaflor shared, “Timing nga ni abot sa commemoration sa martial law. It was actually a modified event to fit the commemoration.”

There were four different activities: spinning the wheel, hitting cups, popping balloons with a pin, and tarot reading, where all activities required participants to perform a task.

In line with their theme, they also participated in the solemn candle-lighting ceremony organized by the UP Cebu University Student Council to remember the victims of martial law imposed by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. (Report and photos by Ian Peter Guanzon)

Newsrooms learn to navigate the digital  space

November 21, 2023

How are newsrooms coping with digitization? CDN Digital marked the end of Cebu Press Freedom Week with a forum tackling various topics, starting with a close look at traditional and digital media and going into the challenges that media organizations face in a digital world.

The speakers of “The Role of Newsrooms in an Evolving Digital Space” event last Sept. 22, 2023 at the University of the Philippines Cebu Arts and Sciences Hall included content creator Immae Lachica, senior copy editor Brian Ochoa, and social media manager Ralph Gurango of Inquirer.net. 

Other essential topics discussed during the forum included social media reporting as well as the key principles and ethical issues involved in reporting in the digital age.

The activity marked the end of the Cebu Press Freedom Week celebration from Sept. 17-23 in Cebu.

Assistant Professor for Political Science and Coordinator of Office of Anti-Sexual Harassment of UP Cebu Atty. Archill Capistrano shared in her opening remarks the importance of the press and newsrooms in empowering the next generation.

Student attendees from the University of the Philippines Cebu, University of San Jose-Recoletos, Cebu Normal University, and Cebu Technological University asked questions after the talk.

Unveiling the Dictator’s Dirt: 1081 Exhibit sheds light on Martial Law’s legacy

November 21, 2023

In its sixth consecutive year, the 1081 Exhibit commemorated the 51st Proclamation of Martial Law with a week-long event held from September 15 to 22. This year’s theme, “Lift the Sheets: Uncovering the Dictator’s Dirt,” aimed to honor those who were silenced during the Martial Law Era and to amplify the call for a more just, empathetic, and competent governance.

A press conference that featured guest speakers from organizations such as MLDR, Kabataan Partylist, AMA Sugbo KMU, STAMP, and COMMUP kicked off the event on September 15. The speakers emphasized the critical importance of upholding human rights and preserving freedom of speech and the press.

The following day, a Community Immersion event took place at the Carbon Public Market. Participants, including schools, organizations, and various sectors, engaged in a basic masses exposure (BMEx) that allowed them to gain firsthand insight into the daily lives and challenges faced by market vendors. This experience shed light on issues such as privatization, fascism, and the threat to livelihoods due to the loss of space.

On September 18, in collaboration with the Fine Arts Students Organization (FASO) and curator Greys Compuesto, the Multimedia and Art Exhibit was formally launched at UP Cebu’s Jose T. Joya Gallery. This exhibit featured works from different artists paying tribute to Martial Law victims.

Throughout the week, a series of forums, seminars, educational discussions, film screenings, protest actions, performances, and contests served as a poignant reminder of the historical significance of this dark chapter in the nation’s history.

The event culminated on September 22 with a closing ceremony at UP Cebu’s Performing Arts Hall, where participants, partners, and volunteers were acknowledged for their pivotal roles in making this year’s 1081 Exhibit a resounding success.

In essence, this week-long exhibit courageously brought to light the secrets of the dictator’s regime, as participants fearlessly lifted the sheets to bear witness to the bloodshed buried beneath the historical dirt. (Erna Josette Bonsukan, BA Communication 2)

Veteran journalists talk about  AI in  journalism in GMA Masterclass

November 21, 2023

Veteran journalists from GMA Integrated News talked about their experiences, professional milestones, and perspectives on the practice of journalism with easy access to such technology tools as generative artificial intelligence or AI during the highly popular “GMA Masterclass: The Cebu Press Freedom Week Special” at the University of the Philippines Cebu Performing Arts Hall last Sept. 18, 2023.

Organized by GMA Regional TV, the forum took on the theme “Journalism in the Age of AI” and featured Howie Severino, Pia Arcanghel, Aileen Perez, and Nikko Sereno as resource persons. 

The masterclass was one of the activities of the 31st Cebu Press Freedom from Sept. 17 to 23.

Students from various colleges and universities, such as the University of the Philippines Cebu, Cebu Normal University, University of San Jose Recoletos, Southwestern University PHINMA, Cebu Technological University, University of the Visayas, University of San Carlos, Santo Nino Mactan College, among others, converged at the event. They were eager to learn more about the topic of artificial intelligence and how it is impacting the landscape of journalism.

The event began with a warm welcome from UP Cebu Chancellor, Atty. Leo Malagar. In his opening remarks, he underscored the importance of students remaining vigilant, actively engaged, and steadfast in their commitment to safeguarding democracy and upholding the principles of freedom.

GMA Masterclass icons also shared some advice for youngsters aspiring to be the next generation of journalists. They also gave their insights and perspectives on artificial intelligence.

Severino underscored the importance of recognizing AI as a complementary tool to journalism, while also highlighting its potential as a weapon capable of causing harm. 

In light of generative AI tools, Perez emphasized that while AI holds valuable applications in monitoring and data analytics, it is important to acknowledge its potential to generate uncanny content.

Arcanghel underlined the potential advantages of employing AI in research but confessed her hesitation to use it due to a worry about becoming overly reliant on it. 

Meanwhile, Sereno stressed the time-saving benefits of AI while cautioning against its misuse.

GMA Masterclass: The Cebu Press Freedom Week Special marked the start of the 31st Cebu Press Freedom Week aimed at providing an arena for discussion and education on various local and national issues for students and educators. (Report by Charles Jave Retanal/Photos by Adriana Villena)

Comm UP opens 1081 Exhibit to commemorate Martial Law victims

November 21, 2023

The 1081 Exhibit, now in its sixth year, commemorates the 51st Proclamation of Martial Law with an Opening Program and a Multimedia and Art Exhibit that was launched last Monday, September 18, at UP Cebu’s Jose T. Joya Gallery under the theme “Lift the Sheets: Uncovering the Dictator’s Dirt.”

Participants in this significant event pledged never to forget the sacrifices made by Filipinos who bravely stood up against oppression.

“The 1081 Exhibit aims to counter fake news and disinformation of Martial Law with the factual narrative and connect the past with the present by resurfacing the [Marcos] family’s great robbery of the country and its impact on citizens that can still manifest until today,” said Kirstein Ann Pilongo, this year’s 1081 Exhibit Project Head and current Communicators of UP Chairperson, in her opening statement.

The week-long exhibit will last until Friday, September 22. It will include forums, seminars, educational discussions, film showings, protest actions, performances, and contests that will serve as a somber reminder of the significance of remembering this tragic and dark chapter in our history.

The UP Students’ Theater Arts Guild for Education (UPSTAGE) delivered an evocative performance, strongly reenacting the torturous memories of Martial Law victims, and provoking strong emotions from the audience.

Bounded by the solemn setting, student leaders from various organizations organized a protest action, lifting their voices to address important issues and voicing their firm opposition to the current administration’s acts of injustice.

The opening event was then succeeded by the opening of the Multimedia and Art Exhibit at UP Cebu’s College of Art and Design (CCAD) COMM Wing, which was organized in partnership with the Fine Arts Students Organization (FASO) and curator Greys Compuesto. The exhibit featured a variety of artworks in many forms that reflected a visual narrative of the contradictory Martial Law Era. (Erna Josette Bonsukan, BA Communication 2)

Lawak Sinehan resumes film screenings

November 21, 2023

Lawak Sinehan opens the first semester of AY 2023-2024 with regular film screenings for the UP Cebu community. Coming up in the last week of August are two titles that explore the concepts of heroes and anti-heroes through the lens of cinema.

Atty. Grace Marie Lopez, Lawak Sinehan Coordinator, said the two films that will be shown this week include Old Boy, at 2:00 p.m. on August 29, and A Clockwork Orange, at 2 p.m. on August 31.

She said they hope to hold a short casual interaction after the screening to encourage cinephiles to share their insights and perspectives with the community, with the goal of enhancing film enthusiasm.

At some chosen film screenings within this semester, there will be formally facilitated discussions, Lopez added.

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