Provincial, city councils commend CMC’s six decades of service
#SillimanNews: The Silliman University College of Mass Communication (CMC) received commendations from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Oriental and the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Dumaguete City in recognition of the college’s contributions to journalism, communication, and public service as it celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.
The provincial council presented its commendation during its regular session on August 17, 2026. Authored by Hon. Erwin Michael Macias, the resolution was received on behalf of the college by SU Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research Dr. Lily Ann D. Bautista.
The Dumaguete City Council earlier presented Resolution No. 374, Series of 2026, during its 51st regular session on July 21. CMC Dean Dr. Irma Faith Pal and former Silliman Alumni Association president and CMC alumnus Adlai Amor received the commendation.
The city resolution was sponsored by Councilor Antonio Remollo and co-sponsored by Councilors Renz Macion, Jason Patrick Lagahit, Melissa Sagarbarria, Maria Marife Cordova, Bernice Anne Elmaco, Woodtamm Maquiling, Miguel Lorenzo Aseniero, Jose Victor Imbo, Rey Lyndon Lawas, and Jovencio Tan Jr..
Reflecting on the two commendations, Pal said they affirm not only the college’s six-decade history but also the contributions of generations of its graduates.
“You can see the rich history, you can see the kind of alumni that the college has produced through the years, and the impact of what the college has been doing for society in general,” Pal said.
Both resolutions traced the college’s beginnings to July 1966, when it was established as the SU School of Journalism and Communication, and highlighted the accomplishments of its alumni in journalism, government, law, the judiciary, and other fields.
Among the alumni cited were Adlai Amor, 1994 Outstanding Sillimanian Awardee (OSA) for Environmental Journalism; Dr. Alexander Flor, 2006 OSA for Communication/Distance Learning; Ambassador Christianne Danganan-Azucena, 2023 OSA for Government Service; Carla Camilla Gomez, 2025 OSA for Community Journalism; and Cristina Sollesta-Taniguchi, 2026 OSA for Visual Arts.
The resolutions also recognized CMC alumni Judge Ma. Aileen Aguaviva, Judge Eldred Cole, and Judge Myla Rae Santos-Orden, as well as the college’s continued support of The Weekly Sillimanian, one of the oldest continuously published student newspapers in the Philippines.
The provincial council further recognized the college’s contribution to community journalism and public information through alumni serving as information officers in local government units and government agencies, as well as graduates who have gone on to serve as elected officials across Negros Oriental.
The city council, meanwhile, highlighted the Silliman Journalism Institute, established in 1968, for training thousands of elementary and secondary students in ethical journalism and media literacy across Negros Oriental and neighboring provinces in Central Visayas.
Both resolutions were unanimously approved and formally presented to Silliman University and the chairperson of CMC’s 60th Anniversary Committee.
(Story by Jasper Dominic Miranda; Photos by Franz Anthony Anotado)
