SANTO DOMINGO, RD – The Catholic University of Santo Domingo (UCSD), through its Faculty of Social Sciences and Communication, inaugurated last Monday, July 28, the audiovisual and photographic exhibition “San Pedro de Macorís: land of flavor, baseball, art and culture”, which will run until August 15.
This academic, artistic and cultural activity highlights the talent and creativity of the students of the Advertising and Social Communication programs at this academy, who exhibited their works and artistic performances.
In its Octavio A. Cardenal Beras Rojas Library, the result of the effort and dedication of the students is displayed, who through their short films, documentaries, reports and photographs, managed to capture the historical, cultural and artistic essence of the province of San Pedro de Macorís.
The opening ceremony began with a performance by the UCSD Dance Group and was presided over by academic authorities, including Ynmaculada Torres, Academic Vice-Rector; Lucivel Ávila, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Communication; Danilo Reynoso, filmmaker, actor, and communications graduate of UCSD and president of the jury; and the directors of the Schools of Advertising and Social Communication, Josefina Matrillé and Miguel Vega, respectively.
The photographic and audiovisual exhibition, which will be open until August 15, was sponsored by Energas, represented by Nicole Contreras, its Superintendent of Communications and Shared Value, as well as the Municipal Government of San Pedro de Macorís, and the deputy Alcibíades Tavárez, who in turn gave awards to the most outstanding works.
The Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs offered welcoming remarks, highlighting the importance of the event for student development. Following this, the Dean shared the concept behind the exhibition and the process that led to the creation of this initiative, which they are promoting for the fourth time. She emphasized that “this is an inclusive activity that seeks to spark everyone's interest, where internal and external audiences can discover and enjoy an audiovisual showcase with a distinctive style characteristic of this Catholic University of Santo Domingo.”.
Tribute to Dr. Franklin Peña
One of the most moving moments of the evening was the dedication of this Audiovisual Exhibition to Dr. Franklin Peña, a Dominican family and community physician, former congressman, former senator, professor, painter, writer, and political leader. An audiovisual presentation summarizing his life's work was shown, and he received a certificate of recognition from the rector of the academy, Reverend Father José Luis de la Cruz, university authorities, and the president of the judging panel.
Following this memorable moment, the various audiovisual presentations created by the students, with a historical, cultural, and artistic focus, were shown. Meanwhile, the photographs are on display in the library's anteroom.
The awards ceremony
The most anticipated moment of the evening was the awards ceremony, where the students' effort and excellence were recognized. In the audiovisual category, the winning projects were "San Pedro de Macorís, Where the Past Still Speaks," by Lianna Camila Rodríguez and Joelys Massiel Paniagua (1st place); "Trash on the Coast of San Pedro de Macorís," by Sidney Cabral (2nd place); and "A Taste of the Malecón," by Mayic Javier and Omely Lucía Figuereo (3rd place). In photography, Esmerlyn Edwardo Rosario took first place with "The Heart of San Pedro de Macorís," followed by Paola Massiel Solís with "Wounded River" (2nd place), and Lesly Ernestina Mota stood out with "What Isn't Hanging Is Worth More" (3rd place).
At the close of the event, the rector of the Catholic University of Santo Domingo offered his message of encouragement, highlighting the talent of the students and the success of the exhibition, while congratulating the honoree for his great career, especially in community service.
Those present enjoyed a cocktail, accompanied by beautiful songs performed by the UCSD orchestra.
