Google Meet has been the number one medium for lectures and discussions among faculty and students in West Visayas State University (WVSU).
Recently, the ASEAN Cultural Initiative was brought into Google Meet through the subject, Communication in the ASEAN Setting in the College of Communication (COC). This aims to promote friendship and mutual understanding among ASEAN citizens, and specifically to: (1) bring together in a virtual panel discussion ASEAN citizens and young Filipino students; (2) feature alumni from the College of Communication who are working in the different ASEAN countries; (3) establish awareness about ASEAN among invited member-discussants and young Filipino students; (4) understand the similarities and differences among ASEAN citizens and to develop mutual respect for each other; and (5) promote internationalization of academic activities among young Filipino students. Dr. Ricky G. Abaleña III, course facilitator, wrote in the activity background, “Our Communication in the ASEAN Setting class is implementing an international collaborative initiative that will bring other ASEAN citizens to interact with young Filipinos online for a panel discussion on the theme, ‘One with ASEAN’. Within the semester, sessions will be conducted that will feature ASEAN nationals as part of the panel who will share with young Filipinos the cultures and recent developments in their respective countries as a means to promote communication among ASEAN citizens and thus being able to establish friendship and mutual understanding.”
A Panel of Guests from ASEAN countries were invited to talk to the Bachelor of Science in Development Communication second year students. The panel shared both cultural practices and communication styles/practices in their respective countries.
One of the issues raised was, actions or remarks that are considered rude in each country. In Thailand, Mr. Pipat Puengmongkolchaikij, Head of Business Operations of Choen Ter International Trade from Thailand mentioned that touching the head of another person is rude “because the head is considered as sacred”; Mr. Somsouk Vangxuexa, Executive Project Coordinator of Maruhan Japan Bank Lao from Lao PDR warned that pointing with your finger is a no-no in Laos. Both panelists agreed on not sitting in level with the monks, for monks are considered to be the highest class of people in Thailand and Laos.
Mr. Romi Sumuan , Government Officer from Indonesia, shared that Indonesia is a tourist spot, emphasizing that there is Bali and even his own hometown Mando, which are pleasant to visit. Ms. Dona Saraswati Galindo, a half-Indonesian, half-Filipina Senior Film Editor of the Mayad Post Production, Inc. in Iloilo City, who happens to be also an alumna of the COC, expressed that she has problems with the language—not exactly understanding Hiligaynon when she started studying here in Iloilo City, and even until now, she confessed, “You can backfight me and I wouldn’t understand a thing.” Filipino guests who are working with ASEAN nations and are alumni of the WVSU-COC were also invited to help enrich the discussion: Dr. Jude Ryan Seares, Asia Compliance Officer and Safeguarding Focal Point of Tearfund UK and Country Program Representative of World Concern Pakse, Champassak, Lao PDR and Mr. Brian Arthur Tallador, Leadership and Communications Life Coach in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Dr. Seares and Mr. Tallador said that their experiences with other Asian nationalities and their immersion in community and civic work were humbling. They quipped that there are many things going on outside the Philippines and dealing with other Asians taught them that truly diversity could be a uniting factor that strengthens communities.Prof. Edel Carmela Subong-Csoka, the Director of the Center for International Linkages and Public Information of WVSU was also in attendance to witness the discussion.
This initiative is only one of the many series that are introduced in this virtual class. However, students are not required to attend if it is impossible in their circumstances. /CILPI