Panagtagbo 2026 Brings Global Communication Conversations to Mindanao
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Communication scholars, educators, researchers, and students from across the Philippines gathered at Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan on June 5–6, 2026 for Panagtagbo 2026, the Philippine Regional Hub of the 76th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA).
Hosted by the Development Communication Department of Xavier University in partnership with the Philippine Association of Communication Educators (PACE), Panagtagbo 2026 was the only ICA Regional Hub this year convened by a professional organization. As part of ICA’s commitment to expanding access to international scholarly conversations, the regional hub enabled participants to engage with conference discussions from Cape Town, South Africa while situating global communication issues within Philippine and Mindanao contexts.
According to PACE President Reginald Gonzales, the regional hub model helps democratize access to international academic exchanges by bringing critical conversations closer to communication scholars and educators who may not have the opportunity to attend global conferences in person.
For many participants, the gathering provided not only opportunities for learning but also spaces for reflection, connection, and renewal.
“PANAGTAGBO 2026 allowed me to connect with brilliant minds across media and communication scholarship. More importantly, it reminded me why I chose this field and why learning remains a lifelong journey. As I reflect on this experience, I carry with me not only new knowledge and connections but also a renewed commitment to telling stories that matter and amplifying voices that deserve to be heard,” shared Gerald Besto of the University of Northwestern Mindanao.
Apple Grace Ybanez of Ateneo de Davao University echoed similar reflections, highlighting the conference’s emphasis on communicative justice and inclusion.
“What stayed with me most was the recurring invitation to place care and communicative justice at the center of my work, to make room for stories that are often left out, to challenge systems that privilege some voices over others, and to remain committed to the common good,” she said.
The two-day event featured curated ICA plenary sessions, parallel dialogue sessions, a Mindanao-focused plenary, mentoring conversations, and roundtable discussions with fellow ICA regional hubs across Asia. These activities enabled participants to explore emerging issues in communication research, media practice, education, and social change while fostering collaboration among institutions and scholars.
For Conference Chair and PACE Vice President for Mindanao Rechelle Ann Tolinero-Barraquias, Panagtagbo also marked a significant milestone for communication education in the region.
“This is the first time PACE has brought a major national activity to Mindanao with the full participation of its Board of Trustees. Beyond strengthening PACE’s presence and membership in the island, Panagtagbo creates a space where communication education and scholarship can be discussed through the lens of our own contexts, experiences, and realities. It is an opportunity to deepen conversations that are grounded not only in global theories but also in the communities we serve,” she said.
The conference concluded with renewed calls for collaboration, mentorship, and the continued strengthening of communication scholarship in the regions. As participants returned to their respective institutions, Panagtagbo 2026 reaffirmed the value of creating inclusive academic spaces where global conversations and local realities can meaningfully intersect.
