Advanced Happy Birthday, Prof. Tessa Jazmines! (Apr. 3, advanced celebration March 21, 2pm, UPCMC auditorium):
“ The Untold Story of the UP College of Mass Com by Prof. Tessa Jazmines”, a talk show cum “reality tv” hosted by the Department of Journalism, a celebration of new beginnings, March 21 (last day of classes), 2pm auditorium. Everyone is invited!
(Did you know that… the first ever honor grad of Mass Com is: the indefatigable Prof. Tessa Jazmines! Happy Birthday!)
(Did you know that the Dept of Journ was first housed in the third floor of AS? More unbelievable stories – join us and bring your classes on March 21, culminating activity of Journ!)
(Do you know in what nook secret lovers held their trysts — in the then newly constructed “institute of mass com” building? More juicy details on the last day of classes, March 21, human-interest-historical details of the UPCMC!)
(Did you know that ___ & ____ were the Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt of Mass Com then? Don’t miss the revelations – mark the date: March 21, 2pm, auditorium. SEE YOU ALL THERE!)
Inquirer publisher Isagani Yambot had his eye on the future.
Every graduation day for the past decade, he attended the graduation rites of the college to witness future journalists march up the stage, and shake the hands of the Inquirer scholars and their parents.
Every year for the past decade, Gani Yambot personally coordinated with the Department for the submission of the list of nominees to the Inquirer scholarship grants based on academic performance, published work , journalistic experience, and demonstrated leadership.
Every first quarter of every year, he tirelessly and personally texted, telephoned, emailed, and wrote to prepare for the awarding of the Inquirer scholarship grants. He never delegated the task to a representative or an assistant, he used his own cellphone and computer to coordinate the submission of records in time for evaluation and shortlisting. Upon our invitation, every April, he braved the summer heat in his working jusi barong, and sat onstage with the faculty and staff to personally congratulate his Inquirer scholars and see the face of the future among the journalism graduates.
Gani Yambot saw the next century .
The most modern, technologically equipped , LAN-connected simulated newsroom in the University is a donation from the Inquirer. Named “The Inquirer Newsroom”, it hosts the multimedia courses “The Newsroom”, “Online Journalism”, “Publication Design and Layout”, “Multimedia Newsroom”, and soon, if approved by the University, the proposed M.A. (graduate) course “Online News Production” (Advanced online journalism: Producing web content from breaking and developing news in the social media).
His commitment to a free and independent press and journalistic excellence was equalled only by his uncanny foresight and wisdom in investing in brilliant scholars and multimedia infrastructure in the academe.
This light will continue to shine upon us.
On behalf of the Department of Journalism, we extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Gani Yambot.
It would be difficult to imagine this year’s graduation rites without Gani in our midst, but it would be easy to see him in the face of every journalism scholar and graduate that the Inquirer had supported and helped.
