TWO Communication and Media Studies (CMS) students qualified for this year’s Paper Competition at the National Communication Research Conference (NCRC) to be held at De La Salle University Manila on Nov. 22-23. 

     Mary Endo (IV-BACMS) and Ymannuelle Gem Torres (IV-BACMS) bested 206 abstracts submitted to be part of the top four papers under the undergraduate category that will be given an opportunity to present during the conference. All of the submitted papers underwent a blind review process. 

     The study entitled “Bangon tan Aliguas: Crisis Communication and Public Response Dynamics during Natural Disasters in Bugallon, Pangasinan” by Endo and Torres focuses on how the local government of Pangasinan utilizes crisis communication.

     The CMS students are expected to face research studies authored by students from the University of the Philippines Diliman, serving as the lone school out of the four papers that were chosen. 

     Endo stressed the importance of their research as it will benefit the community, considering that it is one of the areas in Luzon that is heavily affected during typhoons. She explained the expected outcome of their research, “We’ll create a communication plan with a publication information advertisement for the utilization of our locale.” As for Torres, she sees this as an opportunity to create an impact in the community. “Anything that amplifies the voice of the community or tries to represent a minority will always be an impactful initiative,” she said. 

     Upon hearing the news, Torres shared that they were shocked and did not expect to qualify for a paper presentation. Regardless, she said, “We both feel motivated to put our best foot forward.” 

     Holding the highest positions in two organizations, Endo as Editor-in-Chief of THE BEDAN HERALD and Torres as President of Beda.Comm, comes the pressure to do well. Still, Em realized that “I guess God has a purpose for why we were chosen.” 

     As the conference nears, Endo hopes their hard work and efforts will come to fruition. “We just hope that all of our efforts will turn out well,” she added.  Preparing for the NCRC, despite juggling other responsibilities and the upcoming Finals, Torres ponders, “We are grateful for this opportunity to show the research capabilities of CMS and bring San Beda’s name to other prestigious schools.” 

     The NCRC is an annual event where communication students, professors, and media practitioners gather to share and discuss their research and studies in the field of media and beyond. This year’s theme will focus on “Blueprints and Imprints: The UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) in Communication and Media Research.”