Communication Research International Conference 2016

Our Paulinian Communication majors currently enrolled in Thesis Writing attended the first Communication Research International Conference (CRIC), together with students from various universities and academicians here and abroad. Hosted by the UP College of Mass Communication – Department of Communication Research, the event was well-received with an attendance reaching more than a thousand.

Vice President Leonor Robredo graced the plenary at the UP Film Center with her keynote speech focusing on the role of media practitioners in enlarging democratic spaces. She said, “Democracy and good governance can be your gift to the ASEAN” and encouraged everyone to go beyond research to shape cultures. The media can also serve as catalysts for evaluating policies and the government should always listen, she added.

With the theme “Voices and Noises: Communication and Integration within and across ASEAN communities,” the conference featured twenty-eight research papers that passed through a rigorous selection process. On September 22 and 23, parallel sessions were held for topics including Disaster and Risk Communication, Intercultural Media Studies, Communication in Social and Development Issues (gender, health, religion, among others), and Conflict Communication.

It was funny how I met sir Adrian Carvajal, a co-faculty member at St. Paul, only at the conference. He presented his study titled “Family Disaster Preparedness and Communication Strategies of Filipino Millennials” with the premise that the culture of disaster preparedness starts at home. He raised the timely question “Millenials as a cohort is characterized by strong familiarity with information and communication technology, but does it follow that their families are disaster ready?” Sir Adrian is a doctoral student of Public Administration.

Here in my blog, I am happy to document my presentation of “A Political Economic Analysis of Original Pilipino Music and State Policies Promoting OPM” during the conference. The qualitative and quantitative findings in my master’s thesis at the UP College of Mass Communication show that the current policy is ineffective with foreign songs still dominating play lists, though specific programs have been devoted to OPM. Among three presentations under Emerging Media and Information Literacies, my paper was awarded “Moderator’s Choice” during the plenary closing ceremony. Yey! I appreciated how several attendees were engaged during the open forum too.

Another great part is, meeting people along the way and making new friends like Cham!

UP College of Mass Communication dean and conference head Dr. Elena Pernia expressed her gratitude for the success of the CRIC which was graced by conference speakers Thai Ambassador Thanatip Upatising, former tourism secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr., Asian Media Information and Communication Center (AMIC) Secretary-General Ramon Tuazon, Dr. Richard Seyler Ling and Dr. Sun Sun Lim from Singapore, Dr. Chalisa Magpanthong from Thailand, and Dr. Michiyo Yoneno-Reyes from the UP Asian Center.

Dr. Pernia wished that attendees have derived inspiration for their own research through this platform for open discussion and information sharing.

Last year, the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) was formed to harmonize the economies of its member-states to bring about the “free movement of goods, services, investment, skilled labor, and freer flow of capital.” CRIC 2016 brought together ideas that would not only determine Southeast Asia’s economic landscape but also covered social, cultural, and political implications.