COMMkadas Start the Academic Year Off with a Sparkling General Assembly

Writer: Larisssa Ann Joya, Telegrafico

It is a given that BACOMM students are diverse and well-rounded, and yesterday, our collective energy emitted a glow that can only be described as extraordinary—a fitting description for a program with such passion and variety.

AB Communication Society held its highly anticipated General Assembly yesterday, August 13, at the STI College Global City Multi-Purpose Hall. If the glitters and sparkly outfits didn’t give it away enough, we went with the theme “Glam and Glow” this year. And as soon as the call time hit, flurries of BACOMM students started arriving at the glam-filled hall, some heading straight for the Photobooth right after registration. The event had not even officially started yet, but the venue was already bustling with activity as students were engaged in different tasks. AB Communication Society’s broadcast-style news coverage media team, Global News Central (GNC), immediately went to work as they shot the introduction for that day’s news coverage. Scattered along the four corners of the hall, cameras in hand, are the hard-working members of Same-Day Edit (SDE), AB Communication Society’s creative media team. Somewhere amongst the crowd, writers were creating their first drafts, layout artists were planning out designs, photojournalists were busy snapping photos, and researchers were finding their next interviewees. These would be the ever-ready members of Telegrafico, AB Communication Society’s official digital newsletter and magazine (yours truly). And, of course, the first-year BACOMM students took in their surroundings—a preview of what it would be like for them for the next four years in this program.

The AB Communication Society P.R.O. and BACOMM General Assembly Host, Ems Oliveros, posing at the Glam & Glow Photobooth (Photo by: John Mark Estrella)

Once everyone had settled into their respective seats, the event was officially started by the lively and harmonious combination of emcees Raphael Dyangco and Ems Oliveros. As the emcees brought up the hype after the preliminaries, a familiar figure was present, standing at the other end of the hall. This figure was none other than Mr. Ghily Syliongco, the school’s Student Affairs Officer. Ever supportive and welcoming, Mr. Syliongco gave a sweet and thoughtful opening remark, but not before strutting it out on the makeshift runway. Meanwhile, seated at the officers’ table was another significant figure, Ms. Bernadette Erazo. Ms. Erazo is a new BACOMM professor who teaches the third and fourth-year students, a warm addition to the list of professors we look up to. Having arrived early at the hall, Ms. Erazo observed us in action, going around to socialize with her students. Following Mr. Syliongco’s affectionate speech, Ms. Erazo went in front to give her own.

The program may have already started, but the show began when first-year Cazandra Canuto introduced herself through an incredible dance intermission. Days before, Canuto had approached the officers and asked if she could perform at the General Assembly, which they gladly approved.

After the resounding applause from Canuto’s dance intermission, the emcees proceeded to the first agenda. As announced, the General Assembly would be the freshmen’s official introduction to AB Communication Society—and it was. After briefly introducing themselves, the officers went on to discuss their plans for this semester: Working Behind the COMM! Media Workshop; STIr UP Podcast: Halloween; COMM, Unwind!; and Communication Week. Naturally, an “event-full” semester calls for a reliable team to work behind the scenes, and that’s where the sub-organizations under AB Communication Society come into play. Each head was given the platform to introduce and invite the freshmen to their respective organizations: Global News Central (GNC), Telegrafico, Same-Day Edit (SDE), and Social Media Team (SMT). With all these passionate and eager freshmen, these teams would surely function a lot more easily once they come in.

Back to the entertainment, the emcees called for an ice breaker through a game of storytelling—Storytelling Game—which resulted in laughter and confusion (as expressed by our emcee Ems Oliveros).

All segments of the event were met with high energy, but the one that made the most impact was undoubtedly the first part of the Dazzle Awards segment—the Best Shining, Shimmering, Splendid Attire (or Best Dressed). The crowd erupted into cheers so loud that it reverberated around the hall, sneaked past the door, and into the almost-empty lobby. Best Dressed candidates, dressed to the nines, paraded their attire with confidence and character that you would rightfully expect from BACOMM students. Clad in a rich shade of red and unmissable ruffles, Cynthia Louise Verecio took the crown for the female category. As for the male category, the top two candidates, Kristian Yvan Luis Francisco and Vhan Alcantara, fought for the crown through a lip-sync battle that left everyone screaming for more. And after deliberate consideration, it was decided that both Francisco and Alcantara owned the crowd with their attitude and attire, thus letting them share the title of Best Shining, Shimmering, Splendid Attire.

On to the other awards, Zeppelin Fei Santos won the Early Bird Glow. Having been the first to arrive at the event in her stunning red dress, there was no doubt who the winner was. Sneaking into the hall mid-program was Chinee Jane Enoc, which definitely warranted a special award: Late Worm Glam. Grabbing multiple—an understatement—bites in between taking photographs, Gerald Kyle Quillao was the rightful winner of the Snack Hoarder award. Lastly, the Light of the Assembly award was given to one winner from each year level: Keisha Rose Guenthoer from first year, Shirley James Tan from second year, Hannah Bayang from third year, and Anthea Roselada from fourth year.

AB Communication Society’s General Assembly “Glam and Glow” was, beyond a doubt, a success. The students left the hall wearing satisfied smiles, moving to the cafeteria for an after-party meal—a more tame gathering, all cooling down from the hype.

All this to show that BACOMM students are diverse and well-rounded, having the perfect balance and harmony of skills and creativity—that’s what makes us a perfect team.