History of Mass Communication Program

Dr. Armando B. Cortes, then President of Cagayan State University designated Dr. Rogelio Matalang as University Farm caster in 1986, who founded the program. This assignment was an offshoot of his finishing coursework, for the degree of Master of Science in Development Communication Major in Community Broadcasting at the University of the Philippines, Los Banos, Laguna.

The pioneer Faculty members of Mass Communication program were Dr. Rogelio Matalang, Rosalinda Saquing, Leah Malana and Ferdinand Soriano.

Hence, the opening of Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication in 1991 upon approval by the Board of Regents in 1990. Instructors were recruited to handle journalism and broadcast courses. Improvised gadgets were installed such as recording booth, single lens reflex cameras and a second hand enlarger for photography was purchased by the University.

Requisitions were prepared and little by little, the equipment, supplies and materials were purchased. The darkroom where students were taught photography was in an abandoned comfort room at a shop for technical subjects.

The first batch of enrollees in 1991 was composed of 24 students but unfortunately, one was left behind in 1995 among the first graduates.

In order to provide hands on and actual practice of theories and principles learned, DWPE 729 KHz was tapped as the laboratory station through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with CSU since their transmitter was established at the Carig Campus. DWPE was temporarily located at Cagayan Sports Complex, but Dr. Matalang negotiated with President Cortes to provide a space in a building at the Caritan Campus where another MOA was assigned by both parties allowing the station to occupy the area for a period of 25 years’ subject for extension upon its expiration date.

Admission of students to AB Mass Communication was rigid. An oral interview with incoming students was strictly implemented coupled with a qualifying examination. Years passed by and the course was sustained with more interested students interested to take ABMC.

The CSU On-the-Air (now Boses ng CSU) was conceptualized to provide students hands-on experience in broadcasting at DWPE Radyo ng Bayan, now Radyo Pilipinas with a daily slot from Monday to Sunday.

Through the years, enrolment increased due to open admission but selective retention.

The On-the-Job Training (OJT) was part of the curriculum where students dispatch to media outfits and organizations where their skill in journalism and broadcasting maybe enhanced thru their hands-on exposure. Request letters were sent to accommodate AB Mass Communication trainees through Memorandum of Understanding. Exposure to different printing press and broadcast stations was successfully implemented thus ensuring well skilled future media practitioners.

The first graduates as well as the succeeding one are gainfully employed in their fields of specialization as evidence by their employment in broadcast firms and as information officers in public and private organizations. The ABMC course is now in its 26th year of offering. This will continue to fly high with dedicated, efficient and effective faculty members who continuously provide quality education to quality graduates equipped with best education ultimately aiming for excellence.

Recently, the program underwent a change of nomenclature and curriculum from AB Mass Communication to Bachelor of Arts in Communication in order to respond to the evolving and ever changing paradigms in the field of communication, and to the needs of the media industry and the society for the attainment of optimum development.

To date, the ABMC Program has acquired level III Accreditation status from the Accrediting Agency of the Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP).