For twenty-seven years, the Communication and Media Studies (CMS) Department of San Beda College Alabang has been shaping communicators who do more than produce media—they tell stories that matter.
Founded in 1999, the department celebrates 27 years of excellence in 2026 and looks ahead to another milestone as it approaches its 30th anniversary in 2029. Over the years, CMS has grown into a dynamic academic community where theory, creativity, and professional practice converge to prepare students for the realities of modern communication industries.
At the core of the department’s strength is its integrated ecosystem—a model that brings together a rigorous curriculum, hands-on production platforms, and instruction from industry practitioners. This environment allows students not only to study communication but also to actively practice it in meaningful and impactful ways.
Learning by Doing
CMS embraces a philosophy of “learning by doing.” From their earliest years in the program, students engage in projects that mirror real-world media environments. Rather than simply learning communication theories in the abstract, they apply these concepts through practical media production and collaborative creative work.
Equally important is the department’s commitment to intellectual formation. CMS trains students not only in what to think, but in how to think—developing communicators who are critical, reflective, and creative in their approach to storytelling and media practice.
Assessments within the program are intentionally designed to integrate theoretical analysis with practical output, ensuring that students graduate with both conceptual depth and professional competence.
Student-Led Production Platforms
A distinctive feature of the CMS program is its network of student-led media platforms, which serve as training grounds for creative and professional development.
Beda.Comm, the department’s co-curricular organization, provides a space where students build community, organize projects, and lead their peers in creative initiatives. Through these experiences, Bedan communicators develop leadership skills while learning to manage complex productions and collaborative teams.
Tatak Bedista TV, the department’s official broadcasting channel, functions as a hands-on laboratory for broadcast media training. Students oversee every aspect of production—from planning and scripting to live switching, hosting, and post-production editing—simulating the workflow of a professional media organization.
Meanwhile, Tunog Bedista, the department’s official radio station, focuses on audio storytelling and broadcast programming. Here, students learn the technical and creative aspects of radio production, talk shows, and audio media—skills that remain highly relevant in an age of podcasts and digital broadcasting.
Together, these platforms provide students with valuable real-world experience while reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the CMS community.
Communicators Who Think Critically
While CMS strongly emphasizes production, the department also nurtures research-oriented and socially aware communicators.
Students are encouraged to examine the broader role of media in shaping public discourse and influencing communities. This commitment to intellectual engagement was reflected in the department’s participation in the National Communication Research Conference 2024, where CMS students placed among the Top Four Finalists.
At CMS, the goal is not simply to produce skilled media practitioners but to form individuals who understand the power and responsibility that come with communication.
Storytelling with Purpose
At the heart of the CMS vision lies a timeless belief: storytelling remains one of humanity’s most powerful forms of connection.
Through the department’s production platforms, students learn to craft narratives that inform, inspire, and strengthen communities. CMS students have produced major audio-visual projects for the institution, including the National Anthem and Bedan Hymn productions, the admissions AVP “The Journey to Excellence,” and coverage of the Feast of Sto. Niño celebrations from 2024 to 2026.
These projects allow students to refine their craft while contributing to the life and identity of the Bedan community.
Looking Ahead
As the Communication and Media Studies Department celebrates 27 years of formation and creativity, it continues to look toward the future with purpose.
CMS envisions becoming a recognized hub of media production innovation in the south, while strengthening a lifelong network of Bedan communicators working across journalism, broadcasting, corporate communication, film, and research.
Guided by its legacy of excellence, the department remains committed to evolving its curriculum, expanding creative opportunities, and preparing students not only for the media industries of tomorrow—but to help shape those industries themselves.
Photo credits: Beda.Comm Production Team
