By: Delaila Irma T. Calindas, Project Technical Staff II

Continuing its mission to build communication and advocacy skills among its partner implementers, CHED-UniFAST CAR successfully conducted the second episode of the 2025 SEED Project series, titled “Storytelling in the Digital Age: Empowering Communicators Through Social Media,” on June 10, 2025, at Ion Hotel, Baguio City. The event gathered Regional Coordinators, UniFAST Focal Persons, and representatives from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Ms. Jezeny Laoyan, Lead Regional Coordinator of CHED-UniFAST CAR, opened the session by welcoming participants and emphasizing the importance of effective communication in promoting educational programs and student services.

The first resource speaker, Mr. Clientest Van Totanes, Information Officer of PIA-CAR, delivered a session on “Social Media and Journalism.” His presentation highlighted key principles such as the journalistic code of ethics, gender sensitivity in media, and media and information literacy—all crucial in navigating today’s complex digital landscape.

The second speaker, Ms. Debbie Gasingan, also an Information Officer at PIA-CAR, discussed “Information Dissemination Through Visual Storytelling and Creating Effective Content for Social Media.” She presented practical strategies for content creation, including choosing the right platform, crafting compelling captions, and using accessible tools for visual storytelling.

Following the lectures, participants engaged in a hands-on workshop, where they were grouped to create sample graphics and captions that applied the day’s learnings. The interactive activity encouraged collaboration and creativity, reinforcing the theoretical inputs through practical application.

After the session, CHED-UniFAST CAR facilitated the 2nd Quarter 2025 Regional Meeting with participating HEI representatives.

The SEED Project (Skills Enhancement and Employee Development) is a regional initiative of CHED-UniFAST CAR, launched in 2022. It aims to strengthen the professional capabilities of UniFAST Focal Persons and Regional Coordinators by equipping them with relevant knowledge and skills to effectively support their institutions’ programs and initiatives.

This episode marked the 20th installment of the SEED Project series since its inception, reaffirming CHED-UniFAST CAR’s unwavering commitment to continuous learning, capacity-building, and the advancement of higher education services across the Cordillera region.