UP Mass Comm honors outstanding alumni at homecoming
The University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication (UP CMC) celebrated its centennial alumni homecoming and paid tribute to seven outstanding alumni who have made a difference in the fields of journalism, research and education. The six named awardees are Kara Patria C. David (BA Broadcast Communication, 1994), Miriam Grace A. Go (BA Journalism, 1998), Ana Marie T. Pamintuan (BA Journalism, 1981), Maria Sarita Rosa V. Yap (BA Broadcast Communication, 1982), Hansgeorg G. Lopez-Vito (BA Communication Research, 1994), and Victor T. 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. Amy Pamintuan is executive editor of The Philippine STAR. Sari Yap is founder of the Mega Publishing Group, the country’s pioneer glossy magazine publisher.
The two other awardees are expats: Hans Lopez-Vito is strategic planning director of BBDO China, while Victor Valbuena, who is director of the School of Technology for the Arts of the Republic Polytechnic in Singapore, came home especially for this reunion.
The “mystery UP CMC alumni awardee,” which was kept 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.”
Dean Neny Pernia was visibly very happy with the turnout of alumni, which included prominent names such as Senator Loren Legarda, Ina Quiogue, Jessica Soho of GMA 7, director Maryo J. delos Reyes, who directed the whole event, broadcast journalist Ambet Nabus, journalists Tanya and Romel Lara, Margie Espino, Ivy Lisa Mendoza, Susan de Guzman Vladimir Bunoan, Tessa Jazmines, Lois Villanueva, and broadcasting alumni like Vida Doria-Legaspi, Ces Onrubia-Jacinto, Tez Hernandez-Limcaoco, Diame Alba-Dumaup, Bing Mataverde-Bonggo and Joy Lumawig-Buensalido.
The board of judges was composed of Professor Emeritus Raul Ingles (chairman), Dr. Herminia Alfonso, Prof. Evelyn David, Prof. Elizabeth Diaz, Dr. Cesar Mercado, Dr. Malou de Ocampo, and Prof. Andres Sevilla.
Elected as UP-CMCAA officers for 2009 were the following: Maryo J. delos Reyes-president, Dr. Elena E. Pernia-vice-president (Internal Affairs), Elena Villanueva Romero-vice president (External Affairs), Gina Lumauig-board secretary, Riza Jose Baldoria-assistant board secretary, Joy Buensalido-PRO (Public Affairs), Malou Choa-Fagar-PRO (Television), Ambet Nabus-PRO (Radio); UP-CMCAA Committee chairs/board members Ned Legaspi, Dr. Grace Javier Alfonso, Ed Zialcita, Victor C. Avecilla, Dodie Lacuna and Venus Navalta.
