By Shayne Elizabeth T. Flores

Addressing climate change with a communication plan centered on the indigenous community of the Suludnon tribe, Far Eastern University (FEU) second-year Communication students ‘COMMplifiers’ advanced to The Communications Olympiad final round after being shortlisted in the Top 15 teams last June 9.

The team is composed of Johanna Cien Rivera as project leader, Elisha Ruth Bulaon as lead presenter, Angelo Lalaan as writer, John Carlo Manalo as researcher, and Rafael De Ramos as head designer. 

In line with the competitions’ central theme ‘Rewrite Climate Action,’ their project proposal entitled ‘Sulong Suludnon’ tackled the environmental problems faced by the Suludnon tribe, particularly the indigenous farming community in Iloilo.

In an online interview with FEU Advocate, Rivera shared that their paper aims to address how the tribe’s lack of communication infrastructure limits their ability to cope with climate change.

“Because the Suludnon farmers face extreme weather conditions and pest outbreaks without consistent internet, electricity, or mobile signal, they struggle to receive timely updates and guidance. This communication gap not only isolates them from government and [non-governmental organization] support but also delays their understanding of climate risks and mitigation strategies,” she noted.

In response to the identified gap, the COMMplifiers proposed a community-based communication plan anchored to the Suludnon tribe’s input and needs.

“Instead of top-down solutions, we believe in listening to the community first, understanding how they see and deal with climate change. Using the Culture-Centered Approach, we aim to co-create solutions with the tribe, then connect their needs with the local government in Iloilo,” the team leader explained.

Moreover, the project aims to push for policies relevant to Suludnon farmers’ circumstances as well as bring their voice into national climate conversations.

After submitting the position paper during the first phase, the FEU Comm team qualified for the second phase or the ‘24-hour Hackathon Challenge.’ 

In the second round, the participants were given a day to develop a full communication plan after attending three virtual learning sessions via Zoom. Specifically, they had to submit and present a 10-slide presentation, along with sample works such as a press release and manifesto video. 

Making it through the elimination phase, Rivera expressed her satisfaction over the COMMplifiers qualifying as one of the finalists.

“I was really aiming to be part of the top 15, and we did our best to make that happen. Knowing that we were competing with schools from all over the Philippines, it honestly makes us so proud to be chosen as one of the finalists. It’s a huge honor and a rewarding moment for all the hard work we put in,” she stated.

Additionally, Bulaon credited the team’s feat to the assistance handed by the FEU Department of Communication and her co-members’ dedication.

“We could not accomplish what we have done so far without our adviser, Doc Bobet, and our department chair, Ma'am Ustaris. They gave us every bit of support and resources that we need... I'd like to commend my team members for their hard work and dedication to the competition leading up to this achievement,” she said in a separate online interview.

According to Rivera, their accomplishment as part of The Communications Olympiad finalists is reflective of FEU Communication students’ capability to put forward meaningful solutions to critical issues such as climate change.

“It is also about proving that communication students from FEU can create impactful solutions to serious issues like climate change. We didn’t just do this for ourselves, we did it to bring pride to our department and to the whole university. I hope this inspires other students to believe in their ideas, step out of their comfort zones, and go for opportunities that challenge them,” she highlighted.

The green-and-gold team is set to attend the championship competition briefing today, June 13, while the final round proper will be on June 27.

For the final round, only the top three teams that will receive the most awards will have the opportunity to present their communication proposal live to the jury and vie for the grand champion, first runner-up, and second runner-up titles.

As a result, the COMMplifiers are preparing and hoping to deliver a live presentation, looking forward to the possibility of implementing their proposed communication project across the country.

“Like any other student competing, me and the team aim to win it. I hope we mainly get to be a part of the top three and present our communication plan to esteemed stakeholders, with the possibility of implementing our communication plan nationwide. The prizes we may win are just secondary,” Bulaon said.

The Communications Olympiad is a newly launched communications training program for college students taking up Mass Communication, Advertising Marketing, and other related disciplines across the Philippines. It aims to provide students practical knowledge and experience to boost their skills as future communications practitioners.

It is divided into multiple categories, namely Research and Insights, Strategy, Editorial (Main Press Release), Social Media (Social Media Content Plan), Creatives (Key Visual), Overall Presentation, Creatives (Overall Deck), Use of Media/Technology, Video (Manifesto Video) Execution (Overall Execution), and Event Concept.

The competition was introduced in the beginning of this year by COMCO School of Communications in partnership with the International Association of Business Communicators.

(Photo Courtesy of The Communications Olympiad Facebook page)