UP Mass Comm honors 7 outstanding alumni during homecoming

MANILA, Philippines – Last Sept. 27, at its Grand Alumni Homecoming, the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication (UP CMC) paid tribute to seven outstanding alumni who have made a difference in the fields of journalism, research and education.

The six named awardees prior to the event are Kara Patria David (BA Broadcast Communication, 1994), Miriam Grace Go (BA Journalism, 1998), Ana Marie Pamintuan (BA Journalism, 1981), Maria Sarita Rosa Yap (BA Broadcast Communication, 1982), Hansgeorg Lopez-Vito (BA Communication Research, 1994), and Victor Valbuena (BA Journalism, 1967 and MA Communication, 1976).

Four of the awardees are award-winning journalists. Kara David is a broadcast journalist at GMA 7. Gigi Go is officer-in-charge of the Public Trust Media Group which manages Newsbreak’s grant-funded projects. Ana Marie Pamintuan is executive editor of The Philippine STAR. Sari Yap is founder of MEGA Publishing Group, the country’s pioneer glossy magazine publisher.

On the other hand, Hans Lopez-Vito is strategic planning director of BBDO China. Victor Valbuena is director of the School of Technology for the Arts of the Republic Polytechnic in Singapore.

The “mystery UP CMC alumni awardee” which was kept a secret until the last minute is no other than Venus Reyes-Navalta (BA Broadcast Communication, 1979), who is currently the Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Universal Mccann. She was honored for her “outstanding service to the College through significant linkages leading to the invaluable investments to improve the academic climate of the UP CMC, and revitalize and transform the College into a modern communication and media complex.”