by Meckhan Tagarda, DevCom
Group Photo of the Organizers and Partners of the Event | Photo by Hamilcar Chanjueco Jr
‘It’s actually one of DevCom’s legacies’
From 11 to 14 November 2024, XU Development Communication students showcased an exhibit campaign titled Beyond the Gs: Advancing the Goals from Here and Beyond, on the Magis Walkway at the XU Campus.
The event highlighted innovative campaigns and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing the positive impacts of the program's transition from the College of Agriculture to the College of Arts and Sciences.
“This exhibit is a powerful reminder of the interdisciplinary nature of communication and its potential to strive [for] positive change,” said Dr Shiella Balbutin, during her inspiring message for the audience present.
Shiella C Balbutin, PhD, is the Chairperson of the Development Communication Department and the head of the International Cooperation and Networking Services of Xavier University — Ateneo de Cagayan.
Beyond the Gs
The event was a testament to the collaboration between junior and senior DevCom students on their major courses — DC 31: Communication Programs and Campaign and DC 41: Communication in the ASEAN Setting.
Junior students take DC 31: Communication Programs and Campaigns, focusing on creating impactful campaigns. Senior students engage with DC 41: Communication in the ASEAN Setting, which explores the role of communication in ASEAN countries.
The project aimed to showcase the students’ works that reflect their creativity, critical thinking, and commitment to social responsibility.
Features of the exhibit included powerful campaigns on Mental Health, LGBTQIA rights, Anti-sexual trafficking and exploitation, English Grammar Literacy, and Fact-Checking which provided attendees with insights into the innovative approaches adopted by the students.
Junior students introducing their Project to the faculties of the Development Communication
Department and College of Arts and Sciences | Photo by Kim Dael
“The goal of the exhibit here is to not just showcase these different campaigns alone, but to anchor this one to the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” said Junquil Baoc, a DevCom senior student and the Project Head of the Campaign Exhibit.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were developed by the United Nations Development Programme to produce a set of universal goals that meet the urgent environmental, political, and economic challenges currently faced by our world.
“Because we see SDGs as something na wala naka conform in a certain college lang, like it’s for everyone bitaw? So ang SDGs ang bridge sa atoa DevCom as we transfer to [the] College of Arts and Sciences.”
The exhibit presented an engaging activity linking Sustainable Development Goals to the programs within the College of Arts and Sciences. This illustrated how Development Communication is ready and prepared for this new change.
The Motive Behind the Move
This transition, approved on 10 June 2023, and announced on 16 July 2024, raised questions about its previous alignment with the College of Agriculture.
DevCom students and faculty took the initiative to explain the reasons behind the move, aiming to reshape perspectives by exposing the true essence of Development Communication.
One of the key initiatives was the organization of a public exhibit, showcasing the program's potential in its new academic setting.
DevCom under Agriculture
Development Communication — a program offered by the University of the Philippines Los Baños, adopted by Xavier University in the early 1970s, was initially placed under the College of Agriculture in response to the significant agricultural challenges faced by the Philippines at that time.
This strategic decision aimed to leverage communication to address and support agricultural development during a critical period for the nation.
“Some of the social scientists of that time thought about helping these farmers by coming up with communication strategies. Some called it agricultural communication in the past,” Dr Shiella Balbutin highlighted during her interview on Episode One of DevCom On: Bulls on Beat!
The Promoter’s Lens
Moreover, students of DevCom department, who are affected by the sudden transfer, voiced their stand on the transition through the platform of a survey for a thesis study
“According sa among survey, majority sa students kay, at first jud they feel emotional since they’ve been part of the agriculture na gyud, since they started enrolling in DevCom.” remarked Margarette Abao, Asst. Project Head of the Campaign Exhibit.
Margarette Morales Abao is a senior, and also the head of a thesis study group that explores the reactions of Development Communication students about the program’s shift.
“Now, mas positive na ilang attitude towards their transition, but they are hoping na it will be communicated more for them not to just to understand it themselves but also want to share the news to other people na dili involve or part sa DevCom community.”
With DevCom's transition to the College of Arts and Sciences, the exhibit captures the powerful blend of advocacy and the global mission for sustainability, showcasing the program's interdisciplinary approach to swiftly adapt to its new academic home.
“The Development Communication industry is broad and there is so much you guys can explore, and that’s the reason why it’s fitting on why the program will transfer to the social sciences cluster of the College of Arts and Sciences.” expressed Sir Louie Sabal, College of Arts and Sciences representative and Chairperson of the Department of Economics.
“It’s critical in making a campus ready and fit for the future. So DevCom will be an important part of the transfer.”
Ribbon Cutting after the Opening Remarks | Photo by LJ Dapanas
The Common Goal
“I think I’m very proud as a teacher that they were able to have this kind of output,” Hamilcar Chanjueco Jr expressed after witnessing the success of the event they managed to collaborate.
“Because it only reflects how we, as teachers, really instilled in them the capacity, knowledge, and skills to put an exhibit that really communicates what this transfer is all about.”
Mx Hamilcar Chanjueco Jr is the class moderator of DC 31: Communication Programs and Campaign and DC 41: Communication in the ASEAN Setting, for both Junior and Senior students.
Beyond the Gs: Advancing the Goals from Here and Beyond exhibit campaign, rooted in the core principles of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), seeks to amplify the impact, inspiring change from here and beyond.
“Mao gyud na ang tumong sa among exhibit, na to see it as a medium, to see kung unsay common ground natong tanan.” Junquil Baoc concluded.