BA Comm students lead disaster awareness seminar series

Report by Mandie Asejo | Photos by JM Magday

2nd-year BA Communication students from sections 2A, 2B, and 2-1 Eve gathered at the College of Business and Accountancy AVR, Lucinda Campus for a seminar series held on March 26, 2025 as part of their Risk, Disaster, and Humanitarian Communication class under Professor Alyson Madriaga.

The event, aimed to raise awareness on disaster-related issues, commenced with BA Comm 2B’s "Risk, Rumors, Reality: Combating Misinformation During Fire Emergencies” led by class mayor Aviona Cabigas and guest speaker Inspector Hermogenes I. Palomar, Deputy Fire Marshal of Tarlac City Fire Station.

Palomar debunked myths, including hiding in bathrooms during fires, warning, “Huwag kayong tatakbo sa CR, mamamatay kayo.”

He further emphasized, "Mamamatay kayo sa usok, hindi sa sunog dahil sa suffocation."

Palomar explained that when a house is already 70% burned, firefighters prioritize saving nearby homes to prevent the fire from spreading.

The second seminar, titled “Understanding and Preventing Road Rage: A Seminar Promoting Safe Space and Respectful Driving,” was organized by BA Comm 2A and led by Christin Tabaquero, with John Aris Gabriel as co-head.

Guest speaker Matthew Abelar, a Customer Success Manager and freelance event host, discussed the causes and dangers of road rage.

He stated, "Ano pang magagawa ng batas kung yung mahal mo sa bahay ay wala na, because of the road rage?" stressing its harmful and irreparable consequences.

The final seminar was conducted by BA Comm 2-1 Eve, led by Lance Navarro and co-headed by Elcid John Lafayette Fajardo, with the theme “Is the Heat Still Rising? Awareness for Possible Heat-Related Health Risk and Its Preventive Measure Seminar.”

Guest speaker Mr. Donald S. Escaño highlighted the importance of communication during heat-related emergencies and the realities behind such disasters.

The programs also featured a drag performance by Sally Vaishan Vermillon and M1ss Heart Vermillon, a duet by Syrel Faye Taala and Sophia Venice Novesteras from AB Comm 2 Eve, and an intermission number performed by AB Comm 2B during the first seminar.