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”