Letter from PRSP president John V. Rojo

PR360˚: RESPONDING in the AGE of DISRUPTION

‘PR360˚ : Responding in the Age of Disruption’ promises to bring you up to speed, as well as to keep you ahead.

Public relations professionals today have opportunities that didn’t exist before. Disruptive technologies like Facebook and Twitter have revolutionized the way people communicate and do business. The transformation is not over. In the Age of Disruption, CHANGE is the only constant.

Adapt or be left behind. Learn to use these tools to your advantage at the 19th National Public Relations Congress, set on September 27-28 at the Grand Ballroom of the InterContinental Manila in Makati City.

Organized by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines, the 19^th National PR Congress is presented by Philex Mining Corporation in cooperation with Circulo Verde and San Miguel Corporation. SM Investments Corporation sponsors lunch.

Major sponsors are Aboitiz Power, Chevron Philippines, EON (The Stakeholder Relations Firm), GreenBulb Public Relations, Maynilad Water Services, Inc., Petron Corporation, Publicus Asia, Shell, Smart Communications, Inc., Total, and Zuellig. Minor sponsors are Expedo, Ayala Corporation, Bayan Telecommunications, Inc., First Gen Corporation, First Philippine Holdings Corporation, Globe Telecom, Inc., Goldilocks, Island Rose, Jollibee Foods Corporation, Kantar Media, Land Bank of the Philippines, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, and TNS.

Media partners are GMA Network, Inc., Business Mirror, BusinessWorld, Manila Bulletin, MediaBanc, Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Philippine Star, and TNM (The New Media).

Be a techie, not a tech victim. Register now. Discounted ‘early bird’ rate applies until August 15. Call 387 5104 or visit www.PRCongress.ph for information.

Prof Dev 1: Public Relations for PR Practitioners

PRSP, in cooperation the TV5, completed the first module of the Professional Development Lecture and Workshop Series for 2012. Held in Makati City on July 20 with more than 70 participants, module 1 covered Crisis for Breakfast (Learning from Crisis Management Cases) and PR Now (Trends and Techniques in Digital PR). TV5 president Ray Espinosa was keynote speaker.

Presenters were Shell Media Relations manager Tony Nebrida, CEMEX director for Public Affairs Chito Maniago, Sagittarius Mines Corporate Communications manager John Arnaldo, TV5 Multimedia head Carlo Ople, Globe Telecom Social Media manager Coy Caballes, and lifestyle columnist Tessa Prieto-Valdes. TV5 news anchors Twink Macaraig and Paolo Bediones moderated the open forum that followed each topic. PRSP members led a Crisis Communication Workshop to cap Prof Dev 1.

At the 2nd General Membership Meeting

Over 40 members attended the Society’s second general membership meeting (GMM) on June 29, 2012 at the Penthouse, MSE Building, Ayala Avenue, Makati City. Ayala Land, Inc. was sponsor.

New member

One new member was inducted during the 2^nd GMM. Photo shows (from left):  PRSP VP-Internal and Membership Committee chairman JORGE T. MARCO, APR of Ayala Land, Inc.; PRSP director and Publication and Publicity Committee chair LOU S. DE GUZMAN, APR of Quota International of Manila; new member JUDY O. KIS-ING of Land Bank of the Philippines; PRSP director and Professional Development Committee chair JIKA M. DALUPAN of Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc.; PRSP director JOJI B. BANZON of Ciao Events Management; and PRSP past president and adviser JONES T. CAMPOS, APR of J.T.Campos Corp. Campos also serves as executive director of ADBoard.

2^nd GMM topic: “Plastic Ka Ba o Ma-Papel?”

PRSP member Bernie Bagaman (standing), Corporate Communications manager of Resins Inc., moderated a panel discussion with speakers (seated from left) Crispian Lao, president of  Philippine Plastics Industry Association; Bunny Unlayao, consultant of Quick Service Restaurant Management Link Association; and Anna Gonzales, sustainability manager of Ayala Land Inc.

Noting the advantages of plastics in terms of ensuring food safety, reusability and as a source of fuel, Lao said the issue was “not about which is better – plastics or paper,” but “freedom of choice” and being responsible for the choices made. Unlayao said the fastfood industry fully supported the “green initiatives happening in the country today,” but added that “we will never compromise the food safety of our products and our consumers.” She cited the industry’s use of “oxo-biodegradable” plastic packaging which “married the usefulness of plastic and addressed the concerns of the environmental component. Gonzales said that the she looked at the plastics ban in some cities as a “driver for attitudinal change” that would eventually convince people to be more mindful of what they consume and throw away. –with inputs of Bernie G. Bagaman

Action packed 1st GMM

The 1^st General Membership Meeting (GMM) of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), attended by more than 40 members of the Society proved to be as exciting and action-packed as the impeachment trial. Held on March 30, 2012 at the MSE Building, Ayala Avenue, Makati City, the 1^st GMM was sponsored by Ayala Land, Inc. 

Two new APRs

Led by 2011-2012 PRSP president Butch S. Raquel, APR (leftmost), PRSP conferred the prestigious APR (Accredited in Public Relations) designation on Globe Telecom, Inc. corporate communications head Yoly C. Crisanto (fourth from left) and Holcim Philippines corporate communications head Beng V. Prado (fifth from left). After meticulous and stringent screening, Crisanto and Prado passed the review of work and written and oral examinations given by the Accreditation Board and Accreditation examiners. PRSP’s accreditation program forms part of the Society’s efforts to raise the professional standards and advocate the ethical practice of the PR profession in the country. Also at the conferment were PRSP Accreditation Board member and Past Presidents, Milen S. De Quiros, APR (second from left); Max Edralin, APR (third from left); Ed S. Alcaraz, APR (third from right); Bert Pasquin, APR (second from right); and Jones Campos, APR (rightmost).

Six new members

Six new members were during  the 1^st GMM. Photo shows (from left):  PRSP Director and Membership Committee Chairman JORGE T. MARCO of Ayala Land, Inc.; HANS CHUA of eLearning Edge and BlueBlade Technologies, Inc.; TRICCIA V. DACER, Strategic Consultant, Media and Communications; MARIA ANTOINETTE D. DELA CRUZ of Armed Forces and Police Savings & Loan Association, Inc.; MARGIE A. JORILLO of Government Services Insurance System; THELMA DUMPIT MURILLO of Department of Trade and Industry;  and MERCEDITA IRENE D. TAYAG of Government Services Insurance System.

Locsin, Llorin and former Press Secretary Reyes talk about the impeachment trial

At left, former Congressman Teddy Locsin, Jr., MeadJohnson Nutrition Corporate Affairs Director Milla Llorin and Former Press Secretary Rod Reyes were guest panelists during the 1^st GMM. They discussed the Impeachment Trial: What’s the Verdict in the Court of Public Opinion? PRSP VP-Internal Ramon Isberto (leftmost) moderated the discussion.

Oath-taking

At right, PRSP 2012-2013 board members unable to go to the Anvil Awards had their oath-taking during the 1^st GMM as well. Photo shows directors Lourdes S. de Guzman, APR of Quota International Manila and Jika M. Dalupan of Kythe Foundation, Inc.

ROJO ELECTED PRSP PRESIDENT

Lenovo Mobile Business Unit Head and former BayanTel Division Head- Corporate Brand & Communications John V. Rojo, APR was elected as 2012-2013 President of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP).

Also elected as PRSP officers were Ramon R. Isberto of Smart Communications, Inc., Vice President for External; Jorge Miguel T. Marco, APR of Ayala Land, Inc., Vice President for Internal; Maria Lourdes L. Espina, APR of Total (Philippines) Corporation, Secretary; Ma. Yolanda C. Crisanto of Globe Telecom, Inc., Treasurer; Claire D. Papa of United Laboratories, Inc., Internal Auditor. Elected as directors were Joji B. Banzon of Ciao Events Management, Jika M. Dalupan of Kythe Foundation, Inc. and Lourdes S. de Guzman, APR of Quota International of Manila. Butch S. Raquel, APR will serve as Ex-Officio member of the board while Eduardo S. Alcaraz, APR of ESA Consultants; Jones T. Campos, APR of JonesPR/JTCampos Corporation, and Maximo J. Edralin, Jr., APR of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas will serve as PRSP Advisers.

The 2012-2013 PRSP board members and advisers took their respective oaths during the Anvil Awards Night on February 24 at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel. Photo shows former Isabela Governor Grace Padaca (leftmost) administering the oath of office. Padaca is co-founder of Kaya Natin: A Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership and consultant on Environment and Health at the Ateneo School of Government.
In his first move as PRSP President, Rojo appointed the chairpersons of various committees, as follows: Crisanto for the Finance/ Ways and Means and the 48^th Anvil Awards; Espina for the 19^th PR Congress; Marco for Programs and General Membership Meetings and Membership; Papa for PR Education and Student Affairs; Dalupan for Professional Development; De Guzman for Publication; Raquel for Accreditation and Ethics; and Isberto for a special committee, “Home for PRSP--Fund Raising”