By Mikee Natinga Norico
Delegates from the CPU Communication Circle pose for a group photo with their adviser, Prof. Clarence Benjamin (1st from right), and Prof. Evy Jansien Victoria P. Casas (1st from left), DLMCH faculty member, during the PACE Student Camp 2025 held at the University of the Philippines Los Baños.
The Central Philippine University (CPU) Communication Circle, composed of Bachelor of Arts in Communication (BAComm) fourth-year students, represented the University at the Philippine Association of Communication Educators (PACE) Student Camp 2025 held on October 23–24, 2025, at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).
The group presented their flagship communication project, the Sigrab Film Festival, the official film festival of CPU established in 2017 under the College of Arts and Sciences. Since its inception, the Sigrab Film Festival has served as a platform for student-led filmmaking, storytelling, and advocacy—allowing CPU student filmmakers to highlight relevant social issues through creative expression.
Representing the CPU Communication Circle were Krisvimar Nogra, CCC President and Mr. CPU 2025, and Elaisha Pomida, CCC Vice President and Ms. CPU 2025, who served as presenters during the oral presentation. They were joined by their fellow 4th-year BA Communication students — Kairos Rye Jalando-on, Roselle Mitch Gabinete, Patricia Marie Pedroso, Kyla Marie Cañonaso, and Farah Dhea Galvez — along with their adviser, Prof. Clarence Benjamin.
As part of its support for the student delegation, the CPU Republic turned over financial assistance to the CPU Communication Circle to aid their participation in the competition.
The delegation arrived at UPLB on October 22 to prepare for the event. The Student Camp officially opened the next day at the Charles Fuller Baker Memorial Hall, featuring plenary sessions with distinguished communication professionals. In the afternoon, breakout camp sessions were held, focusing on Journalism, Broadcasting, Development Communication, and Documentary categories, followed by a socials night in the evening.
On October 24, the CPU delegation presented the Sigrab Film Festival during the morning session at the Pahinungod Training Room, where they were coached by Dr. Ron Jabal, Chairman and CEO of PageOne Group. Each team was given five minutes for video presentation and five minutes for oral presentation, followed by feedback from their assigned coach.
Congratulations to the CPU Communication Circle for representing Central Philippine University at the PACE Student Camp 2025!
Although the CPU Communication Circle did not place in the top projects per camp/category, their participation marked a meaningful opportunity for learning and collaboration with other communication students nationwide. Reflecting on the experience, delegate Kairos Rye Jalando-on shared that,
“The main takeaway I got from representing CPU and SIGRAB at the PACE of the Future Student Camp is that CPU and SIGRAB can stand and be recognized on equal footing with the big universities in Luzon. To be recognized as having one of the best student-led projects in the country out of the hundreds who submitted was and is a great honor. Talent, skill, and excellence therefore aren’t limited to the students and schools in Luzon but are also found burning bright here in the heart of the Visayas.”
His words reflect the team’s pride in proving that CPU student communicators can excel alongside the nation’s top universities through creativity, collaboration, and dedication to their craft.
The PACE of the Future Student Camp 2025 forms part of PACE’s 50th founding anniversary celebration. The national event aims to bring together communication and media students across the country through presentations, coaching sessions, and interactive workshops that foster innovation and excellence in communication practice.
The recognition of the Sigrab Film Festival as a qualified entry for presentation at the national level underscores CPU Communication’s continuing dedication to nurturing creative, socially engaged, and advocacy-driven communicators.
For more information and updates, you may visit:
CPU Communication Circle: https://www.facebook.com/cpucommunicationcircle
CPU Sigrab Film Festival: https://www.facebook.com/sigrabfilmfest
Philippine Association of Communication Educators (PACE): https://www.facebook.com/paceinc