ALL roads led to Baguio City for the staging of the 5th National Communication Research Conference that brought together over 700 participants to share knowledge and discuss issues in the discipline of communication.
The event was founded by Dr. Fernando Paragas of the University of the Philippines-Diliman College of Mass Communication as a venue for communication research students to disseminate their work.
Due to insistent public demand, as the saying goes, what was initially a small gathering at the UP CMC auditorium expanded to nationwide size as communication students and faculty around the country clamored for an opportunity to learn from each other.
This year’s conference theme was “FCX: Filipino Communicative Experience.” Plenary and parallel sessions were held at the University of the Cordilleras. According to NCRC 2017 Convenor and UP CMC Dean Elena Pernia, who delivered the opening remarks, the event “is an opportunity for communication scholars to connect, collaborate, and partner with each other.”
The event’s keynote speech was delivered by Baguio Rep. Mark Go, while welcome remarks were delivered by University of the Cordilleras President Ray Dean Salvosa and UP Baguio Chancellor Raymundo Rovillos.
All of them emphasized the need for truth in communication and enjoined those present to be mindful of their responsibility as communicators. (I’ll be going into greater detail about their timely and relevant speeches in my opinion column on Thursday, Nov. 30).
Among the event speakers were Dr. Marianne Dayrit Sison, Deputy Dean of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology’s school of communication; Dr. Katrin de Guia, expert on sikolohiyang Filipino; and Dr. Jose Lacson Jr. (UP CMC), who was among the first to systematically study Filipino communicative behavior.
Also present were Dr. Lourdes Portus (UP CMC and president of Philippines Communication Society) and Dr. Margarita Acosta (Dean of the communication school of Miriam College) who acted as program emcees; Ariel Sebellino (president, Philippine Press Institute), Dr. Joyce Arriola (University of Santo Tomas), and other communication and social science rock stars who imparted valuable insights to a rapt audience.
NCRC 2017 was organized by UP CMC Department of Communication Research led by its chair Dr. Rosario San Pascual, in coordination with UP Baguio, UC, and PCS. The ‘punong abala’ was UP CMC’s Dr. Julienne Baldo-Cubelo, whose organizational skills resulted in a smooth and pleasant conference experience for participants.
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I presented my dissertation “Kulturang Karera: Communicating Philippine Horseracing Culture” at one of the parallel sessions and was glad that it spurred interest among some of the audience members to engage in subcultural studies.
I pointed out the huge research gap in certain areas such as gambling and relatively new pursuits including cosplay and eventing. I hope that students will see the limitless opportunities for research that are around them, and that they will be encouraged to construct knowledge that is about Filipinos and the Philippines.
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An interesting development on the sidelines of the conference was a proposal made by Dean Pernia to the gathered faculty members from various schools.
She suggested the formation of a group of academic professionals and research-minded practitioners that will advocate the advancement of communication and media research in the country.
According to Pernia, “This group, tentatively called the Philippine Communication and Media Research Association (PCMRA), will bring together scholars engaged in the study of communication and media phenomena that involve the Philippines and Filipinos.”
The huge participation by communication scholars over the years in the NCRC shows the potential for growth in this area of research. “After NCRC 2015,” said Pernia, “we were asked the questions, ‘So what?’ ‘What now?’ ‘Where do we go from here?’ The establishment of the PCMRA is among the next steps articulated back then.”
What can we expect from PCMRA? Pernia proposed that existing communication research programs continue to stage the NCRC and hold workshops or short courses in communication theory and research.
A hub will also be set up that will facilitate collaborative communication and media research, while future activities will include international conferences, PCMRA accreditation in international communication and media associations, and the creation of an academic journal and other research publications.
As Pernia pointed out, “The study of communication and media crosses academic boundaries and is central to understanding issues and challenges in contemporary human society.”
Dr. Ortuoste is a California-based writer. Facebook and Twitter: @jennyortuoste