A research paper on B’laan communities earned a Best Presenter award for Instructor Ena Marie O. Dizon of the UP Mindanao Department of Humanities alongside three other UP Mindanao research papers in the 2nd International Conference on Multidisciplinary Industry and Academic Research (ICMIAR) last 31 July 2021 via Zoom with the theme, “The world in different perspectives: Re-building lessons after a Crisis.” 

Ms. Dizon’s paper "Transforming B'laan Communities through Communication: The Case of UP Manila Community Health Development Program” dwelled on identifying normative changes brought about by health communication strategies in Barangay Kalkam, Tupi, South Cotabato. 

Assoc. Prof. Karen Joyce G. Cayamanda, one of the Plenary Speakers, presented her research titled "Transcending the Pandemic: Flood-Risk Communication for Risk Reduction in Davao City, Southern Philippines” that showed the challenges in coordination between government agencies in flood-risk reduction, management, and response during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Humanities faculty Instructor Juven Nino Villacastin; and School of Management University Researcher Marilou O. Montiflor also presented papers at the conference under the Humanities and Social Sciences session. Villacastin’s paper “Distinguishing Rhetorics of Fear: Conceptual and Practical Implications in Distinguishing Fear Appeals from Medical vs. Militaristic COVID-19 Rhetorics in the Philippines” focused on the strategies adopted by the local government in producing health communication materials pertaining to COVID-19 and its persuasive effects in people’s behavior. Montiflor’s paper “Sowing Seeds of Hope: Building Resilience of Women in Agriculture during Pandemic Times” identified strategies adopted by women in the farming sector in the Davao Region.

ICMIAR 2021 is an international research conference that focuses on a multidisciplinary approach revolving around concerns in the pandemic - from health, economics, mental health, business and workplace, environment, and delivery systems. It was organized by the Institute of Industry and Academic Research Incorporated.