As part of the ThinkTalk: Language, Literature, Arts and Communication Series, the Benguet State University-College of Arts and Humities (CAH) in collaboration with the Institute of Social Research and Development (ISRD) held its sixth webinar with the theme "The Role of Communication and Negotiation in Diverse Contexts" on April 12, 2024

Four seasoned researchers presented their research results gleaned from their studies encompassing media and information literacy, finding your identity in a multicultural space, indigenous healing as a communicative phenomenon, and the representation of Kankanaey women in local films.

In her opening remarks, College of Arts and Humanities Dean Myrna B. Sison-Kuiper expressed, "In an era where the landscape of communication is as dynamic as it is challenging, our coming together today is more than just a conference. It is a commitment to excellence and understanding in the disciplines that will shape human progress.'

Moreover, VP for Research and Extension Roscinto Ian C. Lumbres encouraged the research community of the university to work together as "the name of the game right now is no longer competition, but collaboration."

In the morning session, Janet S. Tibaldo of the School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts, Saint Louis University talked about the crucial role of being a media information literate amidst information overload. 

According to her, most Filipinos are over-entertained but underinformed. Thus, understanding the context and the underlying messages of information is necessary to combat the spread of fake news and false advertisements. This can be achieved by the use of the mnemonics AFTOM which refers to author, format, tafget audience, objective, and manage.

Additionally, Communication and Change Management Lead Gretchen Shagami C. Mangahas of the Toronto Canada shared her lived experience as an immigrant in a foreign and individualistic society. 

With this, she also presented in detail the challenges encountered by Filipino immigrants in maintaining their identity while practicing cultural adaptation in an unfamiliar space.

During the afternoon portion, two faculty researchers from the iniversity also presented their findings. Christine Grace S. Fuchigami of the Department of Development Communication, College of Information Science shed light on the place of indigenous healing in our contemporary times where biomedicine is more widely recognized by today's generation.

In her research, Fuchigami argued that indigenous healing still proves effective and easily accessible to the indigenous communities. Further, it is still rooted as part of their indigenous identity and should thus be integrated into the practice of biomedicine.

Lastly, College of Arts and Humanities-Department -of Arts and Communication faculty and chair Peter P. Dalocdoc Jr. expounded his study on the representation of Kankanaey women in indigenous films.

His study revealed the changing landscape of women;s roles within the household and the community as a whole as compared to the convention of tradition. This includes the recognized ability of women to lead among others. On the other side of this progress, however, representation of women as victims and expectations of motherhood remains unchanged. 

Platforms for questions, clarifications, and discussion were also entertained in between presentations.

To close, CAH faculty member Lory Rose Supsupin delivered the activity's synthesis followed by a closing remark from the director of the Institute of Social Research (ISRD) and Development Anne Heather B. Kiwang. Commending the concluded event, she highlighted the close correlation between communication and langauge to social science and resounded the spirit of collaboration among researchers.

She further announced to keep updated on future events and activities that will transpire in the future.//CANapiloy