By: Jonajim Caja

September 23, 2023, CDO, Philippines – The Xavier University Development Communication Society, in collaboration with Xavier University’s Development Communication Department and the Center for People’s Media – People’s Media Advocacy Asia Inc. (PMAA), with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, led a forum that served as a tribute to the late Percy Lapid, a distinguished Filipino journalist who tragically lost his life on October 3, 2022.

Titled “Keeping the Flame of Freedom Alive: Case Study of Percy Lapid Mabasa,” the event brought together distinguished figures from the journalism industry, which include Norman Grecia, Roy C. Mabasa, the late journalist’s brother, Atty. Gilbert Andres, Bobby Timonera, Caloy Conde, J. Alwyn Alburo, and Joseph Ben Deveza.

Aside from looking back at Mr. Percy Lapid’s remarkable journey as a journalist, the event also served as a platform to discuss human rights advocacy centered on freedom of the press and expression, and the call to “stop the attacks” on journalists.

Aside from Development Communication and student journalists in Xavier Ateneo, Technology and Communication Management (TCM) students from the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) served as the audience of the event.