After months of waiting, over 600 students from Polytechnic University of the Philippines - College of Communication (PUP-COC) have finally received their diplomas on a face-to-face commencement exercises held in PUP gymnasium last Wednesday, October 26.
ABS-CBN Integrated News and Current Affairs Head Ma. Regina "Ging" Reyes and 2018 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting winner Manuel "Manny" Mogato have been invited as commencement speakers for this year's ceremony.
Due to the ongoing pandemic situation, the ceremony is divided into two clusters, Reyes spoke to the graduates of (Cluster A) Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Communication (BABR) and BA Communication Research.
Mogato on the other hand was the guest of honor for Cluster B that comprises BA Journalism and BA Advertising and Public Relations students.
Reyes reminded the graduates the purpose of the career they've chosen in college and to be the bearer of the truth for the people.
"Kayo ay mapupunta sa larangan kung nasaan naroon ako ngayon. Huwag po nating kalimutan na ang publiko ang dahilan kaya tayo magiging mamamahayag. Let us put people at the center of our stories, listen more, and talk less, connect with the public on a human level, guide them toward factual reporting and fact checking, [and] help them become smart consumers of news."
She also talked about the dangers of being in the media and industry and how they should guard the rights for press freedom coming from the recent killing of Filipino broadcaster Percy Lapid.
"I must admit in many parts of the world, journalism continues to be a dangerous profession. Here at home, the recent murder of broadcaster Percy Lapid is an example of how speaking truth to power can put the journalists life at risk. This and a number of developments that had a chilling effect on the media in the last two years prove the need for vigilance among our ranks."
In his speech to journalism and to advertising and public relations graduates, Mogato challenges the graduates to help combat disinformation.
"To PUP College of Communication graduates, this is your challenge to you to help us fight against disinformation. It is not an easy battle, we must share the burden of educating our people, our children to have critical thinking and not be easily swayed by propaganda."
Both Reyes and Mogato wish the graduates best of luck and hope to cross paths and work with them in the field.
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Carlo James M. Reyes from Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Communication is the Batch valedictorian of Class 2022 of Polytechnic University of the Philippines.
Reyes dreamt to be a doctor but instead took a degree in Broadcast Communication saying that he never expected to graduate at the top of the class.
"Tama po kayo, hindi ko inakala na mapupunta ako sa Kolehiyo ng Komunikasyon, lalung-lalo na hindi ko inakala na makaka-graduate po ako ng may pinakamataas na karangalan sa unibersidad na ito," he said from his speech during the virtual 2022 conferment of degrees last September 16, 2022.
He again made an address in the commencement exercises last Wednesday stating that their situation is challenging.
"Sabi ko sa sarili ko, bakit ako napunta sa larangang ito ngayon? Sa panahon kung kailan ang daming pagsubok at challenges. Why now?"
"Sa loob ng nakalipas na apat na taon ay nakita ko ang mga pagsubok na kinakaharap hindi lang ng industriya ng midya at pagbabalita kundi pati na rin yung mga bagay na sumubok sa ating mga estudyante upang magpatuloy sa landas na tinatahak natin ngayon,ā Reyes added.
By the end of his speech, Reyes asks his fellow graduate for a favor.
"Mga kapwa ko iskolar ng bayan, tumindig tayo, tumindig pa rin tayo. Nagawa na natin ito sa nakalipas na apat na taon. Nawa'y tumindig pa rin tayo sa mga susunod na laban na ating kakaharapin. [...] Saan man tayo mapunta ay huwag nating kalimutan na ang pagpikit sa panahon na kinakailangan tayong mamulat ay isang malaking kasalanan. Kung hindi tayo, sino? Kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa?"
Article: Earl John Alfaro Graphics: Cathlyn Keshel de Raya
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