For three years in a row, the truth-telling voices of students from Cebu Normal University’s Department of Communication and Media Studies remain unbothered after sealing various acknowledgements in the recent edition of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Radio Festival 2023.
Eyeing to denounce information-trickery affecting communities, this year’s theme is “MANIOBRA: Unveiling the Illusion Behind Public Deception” which is lionized across Philippine regions.
Composed of three categories: 5-minute Radio News Production, Radio Podcasting, and Radio-Jingle Making, it is designed to harness the student’s potency in observing equilibrium when it comes to truth-bias. Relatively, it caters to both the secondary and
collegiate divisions.
Announced as the most-participated year, 223 entries were recorded overall, but only a few were able to rise amidst the heat of the competition.
As the only qualifier from Central Visayas, the representatives from CNU under the banner of CNU – Junior Broadcasters’ Alliance’s Sibya Production persisted in bearing honor to the institution.
“Radyo Tatak Totoo” was hailed as the 2nd Best News Production, earning a three-peat victory of the department in the said category. It was anchored by Mary Ann Rose Malaya and Carl John Griño along with Hoehnferdz Gonzaga, Krystal Joy Pepito, Khim Raices Khan Rusiana, Yeza Karyl Mayol, and Charwen Mayor.
The team’s script writer, Mayor, expressed the secret behind achieving the winning streak of the production in the said category for consecutive years.
“I believe the team still won because we are composed of individuals who do well in our respective roles…most of us have proven so much in this field, everyone was still receptive to constructive criticism.”
Radyo Tatak Totoo also bagged minor recognitions, with Malaya being awarded as the Best Female Anchor, Gonzaga as the Best Male News Presenter, and Mayor as Best Editor.
Moreover, Sibya Production’s “Aling, Mari, Chong!” performed by graduating communicators Lourenze Pareja, Armandave Ochia, John Mark Getes, and Kristian Jacob Logarta placed 5th in the Radio-Jingle Making category, conquering more than 40 entries from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Pareja, one of the composers, revealed what he felt after winning a national competition.
“The thought that we made it to the final cut, it’s just a dream come true, for first-timers like us…[We are] beyond thankful to the Great Author of our talents, and that is God.”
The student musicians also received the DZMC – Young Communicators Guild Choice award from the PUP.
Meanwhile, the department’s entry for the Radio Podcasting competition, entitled “T’yak, Comm-i Yan!” comprised of the fairly-caliber communicators Denielle Anne Abatayo, Angelica Lumongsud, Angelie Silabay, Louie Jay Vildosola, and Kent Grant Ylanan were called one of the qualifiers—an indication of the production’s fruitful finish.
Dr. Joseph Elvir C. Tubilan, also the CNU-DCMS Chairman, upheld his service as the representative’s ever-dynamic mentor.
Based on the upshot, CNU – Junior Broadcasters’ Alliance, a student-run organization that provides avenues to practice free press, continues to prove its might in the field of broadcasting and leadership both inside and outside the university’s gates.
These recognitions are a testimony that the potential and ability of the communication students transcend various disciplines in bringing meaningful contributions to the university as a transformed Normalite. / Hoehnferdz Z. Gonzaga and Bryan G.
Fernandez II, BA Communication Broadcast Journalism
