Young Communicators' Circle

11/05/2026

𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 | The MMSU Department of Communication has emailed non-priority BA Communication applicants, advising them to consider other degree programs early due to the limited availability of 50 slots in the Bachelor of Arts in Communication program.

Applicants are encouraged to pursue programs that align with their interests, strengths, and aspirations.

Thank you for your understanding.

05/05/2026

𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 | 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐥𝐨𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐨 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞
𝘉𝘺 𝘚𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢 𝘛𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘰

Don Lj Martinez, a Bachelor of Arts in Communication graduate, together with his thesis adviser, Dr. Bryan R. Realgo, presented their undergraduate research at “Patok na Patok! A Conference on Popular Culture and Media Studies,” held at Ateneo de Manila University on April 29–30, 2026.

The study, titled “Socio-personal Cultural Experience of Swifties: The Ilokano Fanship,” explores why Ilokanos become fans of Taylor Swift, what they do as part of the fandom, and how their engagement reflects their cultural values and everyday experiences.

Martinez shared that the topic was inspired by the widespread presence of Taylor Swift at the time, noting how her music and influence were felt across various spaces, from social media to everyday environments. Observing this phenomenon, he became interested in understanding how such global influence shapes the experiences of Ilokano fans. He explained that the research highlights how media and popular culture today are not merely consumed but actively interpreted and integrated into people’s lives.

The study revealed three key findings. First, Ilokano Swifties are motivated by emotional connection, lyrical depth and storytelling, empowerment, and a strong sense of community. Second, fans actively engage in music-based practices such as emotional regulation, social bonding, and artistic expression—showing that fandom goes beyond passive listening. Lastly, these motivations and activities reflect core Ilokano values, including kinaandur (resilience), kinamanagparnuay (creativity), komunidad (community), pannakapabileg (empowerment), and kinamannakabalin (versatility).

The alumnus described presenting at the conference as both intimidating and motivating, as he was surrounded by accomplished scholars. He also shared a memorable moment when Henry Jenkins, one of the key authors cited in his study, served as a keynote speaker, making the experience even more meaningful.

Beyond its academic contribution, Martinez underscored the importance of the study for both students and the community. He noted that music and fandom can support emotional well-being, foster connections, and serve as a platform for self-expression, while also reflecting shared cultural values.

“This is not just a study. It gives voice to a specific and often underrepresented group, the Ilokanos,” Martinez said.

Originally completed as an undergraduate thesis, the research demonstrates how student-led studies can offer valuable insights into the relationship between media, culture, and identity in contemporary society.

“Patok na Patok!” is a conference organized by the Department of Communication of Ateneo de Manila University. It focuses on popular culture and media studies, bringing together scholars, researchers, and practitioners to critically examine the power and influence of media in shaping contemporary life. The event explores the intersections of media, fandom, identity, and cultural change, providing a platform for meaningful academic discussions on what is considered “patok,” or “hit,” in today’s rapidly evolving cultural landscape.

04/05/2026

𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 | 𝐌𝐌𝐒𝐔 𝐀𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐧𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐠𝐚𝐲 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐚𝐭’𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞
𝘉𝘺 𝘌𝘥𝘤𝘦𝘭 𝘈𝘮𝘰𝘺 𝘗𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘪𝘥

Bachelor of Arts in Communication graduate Ryand Angelo G. Ugalde presented his research paper on the transformative power of the trans pageantry circuit in local culture at the Philippine Q***r Studies Conference (PQSC), held April 24–26, 2026, at the University of the Philippines Diliman.

The study, titled “Transgender Expressions, Advocacies, and Motivations in Beauty Pageantry,” under the advisership of Ms. Joyce I. Castillo, was featured in the conference track, Mobilizing Methodologies of Movements. Ugalde’s research offers a localized perspective on how transgender women from Ilocos Norte use the pageant stage as a platform for social change.

Reflecting on the milestone, Ugalde described the experience as a full-circle moment in his academic journey.

“Experience-wise, the whole event was eye-opening. It allowed us to dig deeper into the experiences and lived realities of our q***r peers. The conference made a genuine effort to help us understand the status quo of the LGBTQIA+ community, their struggles and their journeys. While academic in nature, it was also interactive and engaging.” Ugalde added.

As the conference concluded, the communication graduate’s participation stood as a testament to the importance of student research that is both academically grounded and deeply empathetic.

By bringing the stories of Ilocano trans women to a national stage, Ugalde reminded his peers that scholarship is at its best when it seeks to understand the lived realities of the communities it represents.

The PQSC is a national academic gathering that brings together scholars, researchers, and advocates to discuss issues related to gender, sexuality, and LGBTQIA+ experiences in the Philippines. The event serves as a platform for presenting research that contributes to inclusive discourse and social understanding.

04/05/2026

𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 | 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐎𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐨 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐚𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐔𝐂 𝐍𝐂𝐀𝐅
𝘉𝘺 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢 𝘙𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦 𝘎𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘨

Christian James Garcia, a first-year Communication student representing Region I, won the Oratorio championship at the 2026 PASUC National Culture and Arts Festival (NCAF) held from April 8 to 11 at West Visayas State University, Iloilo City.

Garcia bested 15 other regional finalists in the national round, securing a major victory for his region and university in one of the festival’s premier literary events.

Despite the win, Garcia encountered a setback days before the competition after developing a cold that affected his voice. The condition raised concerns about his performance, but he continued with his preparation and proceeded to compete.

Under the guidance of coach Jerville Jake Cabansag, Garcia followed a disciplined training routine that included consistent rehearsals and self-evaluation through recorded practice sessions. He also observed vocal care measures, such as avoiding cold drinks and sweets, to maintain his condition ahead of the competition.

“I made sure to train consistently to keep improving every day,” Garcia said. “Aside from the physical grind, I had to stay focused and mentally prepared before the competition.”

Garcia also acknowledged the pressure of representing Region I at the national level, noting that expectations and fatigue were among the challenges he had to manage.

“There were moments when I questioned if I was good enough. Balancing pressure, exhaustion, and expectations was challenging,” he shared.

He credited his coach, support system, and faith for helping him overcome these difficulties.

“When I won, I thanked God first because I knew that without Him, I would not have achieved this,” he added.

Garcia’s victory highlights both his oratorical skill and the discipline behind his preparation, contributing to Region I’s performance in the national competition.

The PASUC National Culture and Arts Festival (NCAF) is an annual event organized under the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC), bringing together student representatives from state universities and colleges nationwide to compete in various cultural and artistic categories, including literary, musical, and performing arts, promoting excellence, cultural expression, and collaboration among SUCs.

03/05/2026

𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 | BA Communication Interview Schedule (First-Year Applicants)

MMSU Department of Communication has emailed MCAT qualifiers who selected BA Communication as their first- or second-priority program, with details about their interview schedule and the required documents for May 12, 2026.

Interviews will be held at the College of Arts and Sciences Audio-Visual Room. First-priority applicants are scheduled for the morning, while second-priority applicants are scheduled for the afternoon.

Announcements for non-priority applicants will be released once slots become available.

𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 | BA Communication Interview Schedule (First-Year Applicants)

The MMSU Department of Communication has emailed MCAT qualifiers who selected and enlisted in BA Communication as their first- or second-priority program regarding their interview schedule and required documents for May 12, 2026.

Interviews will be held at the College of Arts and Sciences Audio-Visual Room. First-priority applicants are scheduled for the morning, while second-priority applicants are scheduled for the afternoon.

Announcements for non-priority applicants will be released once slots become available.

03/05/2026

𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗢𝗠 𝗗𝗔𝗬

Not all battles are fought in silence. Some are written, recorded, and broadcast for the world to witness.

Today, we stand with the voices that refuse to be silenced and the truths that demand to be told. In every story shared and every fact uncovered, the fight for freedom lives on.

𝘈 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵. 𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵, 𝘶𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘯𝘥.

02/05/2026

𝘐𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦—𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵.

The Young Communicators’ Circle proudly presents this 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹, centered on the idea that women are not merely occupants of spaces, but individuals who shape, define, and claim them.

From the foundation to the roof, every corner holds a story of what was inherited, challenged, seen, chosen, and carried. Because women were never meant to simply exist inside the room, they were always meant to shape it.

The conversation continues, and so does the space women are claiming as their own.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲:
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/crucebxu
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/crucebxu
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/crucebxu

01/05/2026

𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 | 𝐘𝟐𝐂 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐬
𝘉𝘺 𝘒𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘢 𝘍𝘭𝘰𝘳

The Young Communicators’ Circle (Y2C) launched its first Research Colloquium on March 19 at the College of Arts and Sciences Multimedia Center (CAS-MMC), providing a platform for communication students to present their research and engage with peers and faculty mentors.

Fourth-year Bachelor of Arts in Communication students showcased their thesis studies, tackling timely topics that reflect current trends and perspectives in the field of communication.

The colloquium was guided by panelists Prof. John Vincent Toribio and Prof. Myra Castillo of the Department of Languages and Literature, along with Prof. Weena G. Franco of the Department of Sociology, who offered critical feedback and recommendations to strengthen the presented studies.

Three presenters were recognized for their exemplary work and delivery: Chris Jeremiah Antonio, Princess Paraoan, and John Bryan Dela Cruz.

Antonio presented “Shared Experiences, Competitiveness, and Issues: The Image of Mariano Marcos State University,” which examined how members of the campus community shape the institution’s identity.

Paraoan’s study, “Formation of Digital Cultures of K-pop Fandoms on X and Embodiment in Interpersonal Communication,” explored how online fandoms develop shared cultures and influence communication practices.

Meanwhile, Dela Cruz discussed “Practices and Portrayals of Ilokano Identities in Post-Production,” highlighting how Ilokano heritage is represented through film editing and post-production techniques.

The event also drew sophomore and junior communication students, who observed the presentations and gained insights as they prepare for their own thesis work.

“This research colloquium will help us understand what makes a strong thesis and guide us in learning the research process and its practical applications,” said Jacob Luis, a sophomore communication student.

The initiative aims to cultivate a collaborative academic environment where students can exchange ideas, refine their research, and recognize scholarly work as a tool for deeper understanding of communities and communication practices.

27/04/2026

𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗬 | The Department of Communication has temporarily closed the enlistment for the BA Communication program for Academic Year 2026–2027 due to the high volume of applicants and limited available slots. To date, almost 200 applicants have enlisted.

Applicants who met the MCAT passing score of 55 and successfully enlisted will be contacted. Those who indicated BA Communication as their first or second priority will be prioritized in the next stages of the admission process, while non-priority applicants will undergo further screening based on their MCAT scores and slot availability.

26/04/2026

#𝗜𝗖𝗬𝗠𝗜 | The Young Communicators’ Circle (Y2C) successfully conducted the 12th Young Communicators in Human Development (YouCoMmanD) Congress on March 26 at the Center for Flexible Learning Conference Hall, bringing together student communicators in a hybrid learning environment.

Anchored on the theme “Bridging Cultures, Shaping Conversations,” the half-day event featured expert-led sessions on intercultural communication, artificial intelligence in media, and communication across cultures, equipping participants with insights on navigating communication in diverse and evolving global contexts.

Following the congress, Y2C also held Y2Champs, the organization’s official recognition program honoring outstanding BA Communication students who demonstrated excellence in academics, culture and arts, sports, leadership, and various competitions.

The awarding ceremony highlighted the achievements of students who represented the program in local, national, and international engagements, reinforcing a culture of excellence, inclusivity, and motivation within the Communication community.

25/04/2026

𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 | 𝐘𝟐𝐂 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝟏𝟐𝐭𝐡 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐂𝐨𝐌𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐃 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
𝘉𝘺 𝘈𝘥𝘢𝘮 𝘛𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘰𝘴

The Young Communicators’ Circle (Y2C) conducted the 12th Young Communicators in Human Development (YouCoMmanD) Congress on March 26 at the Center for Flexible Learning Conference Hall, bringing together student communicators through a hybrid setup of online and face-to-face sessions.

Anchored on the theme “Bridging Cultures, Shaping Conversations,” the half-day congress highlighted the role of communication in fostering cultural understanding and strengthening connections across diverse communities.

The event featured three speakers who delivered sessions in a mixed format, with two conducted via Zoom and one held onsite, demonstrating flexible approaches to knowledge sharing.

Dr. Dyuty Firoz, Programme Manager and Lecturer at Han Chiang University’s College of Communication, opened the congress with her discussion on “AI-Generated Deepfake Tourism Videos and Generation Z: How Content Perceptions Shape Travel Decisions and Cultural Understandings.” She examined how artificial intelligence influences media consumption and shapes cultural perceptions among the youth.

This was followed by Astri Yogatama of Petra Christian University’s Communication Department, who tackled “Intercultural Communication Competence in a Multicultural Environment.” Her session emphasized the importance of developing communication skills that promote inclusivity, cultural awareness, and mutual respect.

The final session was delivered in person by Dr. Meejay A. Domingo, Vice President for Planning and Strategic Foresight at Mariano Marcos State University, through the talk “Voices Across Cultures: Communicating Beyond Boundaries.” He encouraged participants to utilize communication as a tool for bridging communities and driving positive social change.

Despite the hybrid format, the congress sustained active audience engagement and provided participants with insights into global communication trends and the challenges of navigating cultural diversity in an increasingly connected world.

The YouComManD Congress is the annual flagship event of the Young Communicators’ Circle (Y2C), the official organization for BA Communication students at Mariano Marcos State University. The congress continues its mission of providing a platform for aspiring media practitioners to learn from industry experts.