Far Eastern University (FEU) Department of Communication (DepComm) Professor Anansa Dijan was proclaimed as part of the Philippine Association of Communication Educators (PACE), garnering 45 votes. 

In a Facebook post, PACE Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has officially announced the newly elected members for the 2021-2023 Board of Trustees (BOT), last October 10.

In an online interview with FEU Advocate, Dijan revealed that it was unexpected considering her situation during the selection process.

“I actually didn’t expect anything… There were a lot of members who were active and mas kilala (more known) within the organization. At the same time, admittedly, I was on the recovery stage of what has happened with us, with COVID… So, I wasn’t really expecting anything at all,” she shared.

In addition, the professor shared how impressive the candidates were with their ideas and contribution.

“We were there, the nominees. There were questions that we had to answer and all. I was kind of kabado (nervous)… And I felt at that time, ‘Wow, ang gagaling naman nitong mga ‘to!’ (Wow! They are so impressive!)… Nung nakita ko, hindi ako nag-expect not because I felt na mababa ako sa kanila, but more so because magagaling sila (When I saw [the candidates], I did not expect [to be elected] not because I felt less of a person, but more so because they were very impressive),” she added.

Further, Anansa shared how her appointment could contribute to FEU DepComm, citing the promotion of the department’s mantra “May Alam, May Pakialam,” and gaining external opportunities for the department’s development. 

“I would have a big network already with other academic institutions. That would be beneficial as well, not just with the principle, but ‘yung (the) development din ng (also of the) program ng (of the) department,” she explained.

Dijan has recently stepped down as DepComm’s chair to seek more opportunities and for personal growth.

“I’m looking forward to a lot of opportunities that we could tap… Definitely, PACE would open a lot of doors for opportunities. And at the same time, I’m also looking forward to opportunities for my personal growth. Kasi (Because) my network will be bigger, I’ll get to know more people, I’d get to be, probably, more inspired,” she stated.

PACE is a non-stock and non-profit organization founded in 1975 and is considered the oldest and biggest national organization for educators in the field of media and communication where members belong to notable and prime universities and colleges in the Philippines.

- Laurice Anne U. Alas

(Photo courtesy of Anansa Dijan)