Bandilyo: Voices of change in Partido

By Mariel R. Estrella PhD

In the heart of Camarines Sur’s Partido district, a quiet revolution is unfolding—not through protests or politics, but through the power of storytelling. The Bandilyo Media Advocacy and Communication Campaign, led by Partido State University (ParSU), is proving that communication can do more than inform—it can transform.

A Classroom That Became a Movement

When ParSU launched Bandilyo in early 2020, the goal was simple yet ambitious: to train students, teachers, and local advocates to use media as a tool for social, behavioral, and cultural change. What began as a curriculum enrichment initiative soon evolved into a community-wide campaign that bridged classrooms and barangays.

Through workshops on digital storytelling, film literacy, and health communication, participants learned to craft narratives that matter—stories about safety, resilience, and cultural pride.

“We used the knowledge we learned in creating short films,” shared one student. “It helped me design infographics for my thesis and for my community.”

Communication as Capacity

Bandilyo’s strength lies in its inclusivity. The extension project reached DepEd professionals, students, and media enthusiasts across the Partido area—a region rich in heritage yet challenged by limited media access.

ParSU’s faculty adapted quickly to pandemic constraints, shifting to webinars and online forums. Despite connectivity hurdles, the sessions became lifelines for learning and collaboration.

“The resource persons used the local dialect,” one participant noted. “It made the lessons easier to understand and more relatable.”

This adaptability earned the project high marks: a modal rating of 5 (strongly agree) for clarity, expertise, and responsiveness.

Tangible Impacts

Bandilyo’s ripple effects are visible across the district:

• Cultural documentation through books, journals, and short films.

• Collaborative productions like Basisi and Pagsalingoy, celebrating Partido’s local studies and arts.

• Health advocacy materials promoting vaccination and household safety.

• Confidence building among students who now see communication as civic engagement, not just coursework.

Even faculty members found renewed purpose. The project honed their pedagogical skills and positioned ParSU as a critical resource for innovative community development—a university that listens, adapts, and leads.

Beyond the Screen

Bandilyo’s message is clear: media is not just a mirror—it’s a megaphone. By empowering local voices, the campaign has turned communication into a catalyst for cultural preservation and social awareness.

The challenge now is sustainability. Unequal internet access and limited hands-on experience remain barriers. Yet, the enthusiasm of participants suggests that the movement will endure.

“This extension project addressed our needs,” said one respondent. “We applied what we learned in real life.”

The Bigger Picture

In a region where coconut farms meet coastal villages, Bandilyo stands as proof that education and advocacy can thrive together. It’s a story of how a university’s communication program became a community empowerment platform—one that amplifies local culture, promotes safety, and builds bridges between generations.

As ParSU continues its mission, Bandilyo reminds us that transformation begins with a single message—and that when communities learn to tell their own stories, they begin to write their own future.

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About the Author

Dr. Mariel R. Estrella, Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities (CAH) at Partido State University (PARSU) in Goa, Camarines Sur, is a seasoned researcher and extensionist in community development and rural communications. With advanced degrees in Development Communication and Development Education, she blends academic rigor with grassroots practice. This newsfeature draws from CAH’s extension program evaluation reports, underscoring her leadership in steering a teaching–learning approach that extends beyond the classroom and into the heart of community life.