PAGBABAGO By FLORANGEL ROSARIO BRAID Dr. Florangel Rosario Braid Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, considered one of the world’s best places to retire, is also one of the most visited cities in the South. Especially during Homecoming Week,  the last week of the past month.  This was  when my son and I joined hundreds of visitors, mostly alumni, who came for its 118^th Founders’Day. I had visited Dumaguete for research projects and meetings over the years,  but last week’s  visit was special as it was a response to an  invitation from  Silliman  University’s College of Mass Communication Dean Madz Quiamco, who said  I was being recognized as  a “pioneering professor”. This was for being one of the first four faculty members of the school  which was established 53 years ago. For two years, I helped Dr. Wayne Rowland, a visiting Fulbright professor, establish  the school’s foundation. I felt a bit nostalgic upon entering the century-old welcome gates (which, by the way, was the design of the plaque given me) in the acacia-shrouded campus, and especially after seeing my old office and classrooms. A three-story building which now houses the college, its library, offices, broadcast and technology facilities was built from a donation made by Dr. Emilio Yap, former chairman of the Manila Bulletin about a decade ago. This was where I received the honors from Dr. Angel Alcala, former SU President and DENR secretary, and SU Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Earl Jude Cleope. Dr. Crispin C. Maslog, who was the first director of the then School of Journalism, provided the history and rationale for its establishment -- which was the promotion of the principles of freedom and democracy as a regional center for community journalism. Over the years it has remained consistent with its vision and had produced many outstanding leaders here and abroad. About a dozen of them were recognized during the 50^th anniversary three years ago. Two books, “Never Again” (to martial law) and “Guide to Writing on the Environment” were launched, the first,  by Cris Maslog, the country’s most prolific book author in journalism, and Dr. Rosario Baseleres; the second by Maslaog, Davie Robie, and Joel Adriano. A”Balik-Talent” forum on Careers in Mass Communication where three outstanding alumni shared experiences with the students was held the next day with Dr. Hope Antone Chan, director, Faculty Development Program of the United Board for Higher Education in Asia;  Pilgrim Christian College retired Dean Proculo Maslog; and Ms. Minerva Newman, head, Manila Bulletin Cebu-News Team, and  MB Visayas correspondent coordinator. Many thanks to the hosts Dr. Madeline B. Quiamco, former dean of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication and my former doctoral student at UP Los Banos,  and the CMC faculty among them, Dr. Maria Cecilia Genove, Mr. Donald Paul Antone, Ms. Celia Acedo,  for the warm hospitality.  For the entire month of August, Dumaguete welcomed alumni from various parts of the country and abroad who participated in the alumni  homecoming programs. A publication that I would recommend to anyone who wishes to further understand Silliman University’s  unique role and contribution to  nation-building is Dr. Ben S. Malayang III’s “A View of Silliman from Camp Lookout.”  Dr. Malayang, SU’s 12^th president who served two terms (from 2006-2018), is a professor of Environmental Policy and Governance. The book covers among others the university’s history, its successes (and failures too), and how it weathered transitions and “storms.”  He says, the title (“Camp Lookout”) is a “metaphorical distant mountainside.” Here, he shares his “reflections” on the “forces and influences that explain the changing state and circumstances of the university and its place in education.” He notes that one prominent success of its teaching program is its having persisted in focusing on “whole person education. It has been consistent in building competence, character, and faith, together.” He attributes the success to the clarity of vision of its founders, Board of Trustees and Chairs, its 21 presidents to date, faculty and staff. Dr.Betty Cernol McCann, social psychologist who was installed last year, is the first woman president. My e-mail, [email protected]