Tagaytay City – September 9, 2025. The University of Batangas Lipa City (UBLC) proudly showcased academic excellence and student talent at the 2025 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) Convention and Data Festival, organized by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) RSSO IV-A Batangas on September 8 and 9, 2025, at Quest Hotel, Tagaytay City. With the theme “Ready, Stat, Go! Building Agile, Resilient, and Future-Ready Filipino Communities through Data-Driven Systems,” the convention gathered experts, educators, and students to emphasize the power of data in building stronger and more resilient Filipino communities.
UBLC was represented by Ms. May Marcell M. Corneja, Mr. Ishmael G. Roldan 3rd year BSED-Social Studies Student, and Ms. Lianna Andrei G. Caringal 4th year BS Psychology Student. The two-day event featured plenary discussions and on-the-spot contests, in which UBLC’s CEAS students actively participated.
One of the key highlights was the VizWiz: Turning Data into Visual Representations Contest, where Mr. Ishmael G. Roldan clinched 1st place. VizWiz is an on-the-spot competition that challenges participants to create compelling and visually engaging representations of official statistics. Using graphics, symbols, and images, contestants transform complex PSA-issued data into simplified, impactful visuals that enhance public understanding and engagement. Within a fixed timeframe, they are tasked to highlight key insights, trends, and messages while upholding data integrity and applying design best practices.
The contest also underscores the importance of data visualization in public communication. It aims to foster creativity and innovation in data communication, encourage the transformation of official statistics into engaging formats that both inform and inspire, and promote greater appreciation for statistics and data storytelling in evidence-based decision-making.
Mr. Roldan’s winning work exemplified these objectives, demonstrating analytical precision and creative execution in presenting statistical information clearly and effectively. His recognition highlights UBLC’s commitment to honing research skills and the art of meaningful data communication.
Meanwhile, Ms. Lianna Andrei G. Caringal represented UBLC CEAS in the Report It Right: The Data Reporting Contest. This on-the-spot contest challenged participants to craft an informative and well-structured press release based on official statistics. By providing contestants with a topic and a corresponding set of PSA data, the competition emphasized the importance of data-driven reporting in journalism.
Participants were required to write a compelling report that presented key findings, offered insightful analysis, and delivered actionable recommendations for policymakers, businesses, or other relevant stakeholders. The contest highlighted the need to promote excellence in statistical communication, develop skills in data interpretation and press release writing, and underscore the role of statistics in evidence-based policymaking and governance.
The 2025 CBMS Convention and Data Festival also featured plenary talks from national experts in statistics, community development, and governance. These sessions highlighted the essential role of reliable data in shaping responsive policies and future-ready communities.
UBLC’s active participation and recognition in the event further affirm its commitment to excellence, innovation, and contribution to national development through research and statistics.