The newly appointed Board of Trustees of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) officially took their oath of office on March 26, 2025, in a formal ceremony administered by Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero. The event, held at the Office of the Senate President, marked a renewed commitment by the organization to elevate the role of public relations (PR) as a force for positive change in Philippine society.
During the ceremony, Senator Escudero underscored the influential role PR practitioners play in shaping public perception and guiding societal behavior. He urged the new board to remain steadfast in their purpose.
“You are storytellers. You have the skills and the power to shape public perception and influence people’s behavior,” Escudero said. “May you never lose sight of the important role that you play in society. Use your knowledge and skills to tell the world about the good that the Philippines and Filipinos have to offer.”
Responding on behalf of the board, PRSP President Ma. Luisa Sebastian, APR, reiterated the organization’s mission to promote responsible, ethical, and inclusive public relations practices across the country. Sebastian emphasized PRSP’s role in building capability among practitioners and advancing the profession across all sectors.
“We are aware of the weight of our responsibility to society,” Sebastian noted. “Through our programs, we aim to not only build the capabilities of our peers, but also ensure that they stay the course as ethical practitioners of our craft.”
As part of her strategic priorities, Sebastian outlined a multi-stakeholder engagement approach focused on three key sectors: members, partner organizations, and students.
- For PRSP members: The organization will provide learning opportunities and professional development across diverse fields of communication.
- For partner organizations: Collaborations with both local and international institutions aim to enrich the knowledge exchange within the industry.
- For students: Early-stage mentorship and industry exposure are set to become core parts of PRSP’s outreach to future professionals.
Key initiatives for 2025 include:
- The development of a new primer for the Anvil Awards, often regarded as the “Oscars of PR,” to ensure transparency and relevance in evaluation standards.
- Professionalization of the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) program, with a structured pathway to encourage and support accreditation among practitioners.
- Relaunch of the Students’ PR Congress, aimed at inspiring and guiding aspiring PR professionals before they enter the workforce.
In addition to these, the PRSP’s core programs such as the National PR Congress, the Professional Development Seminar Series, outreach initiatives, and quarterly general membership meetings will continue to support the organization’s mission.
The 2025 Board of Trustees includes:
- Ana Ruby Pista, APR – Vice President, Internal Affairs
- Norman Agatep, APR – Vice President, External Affairs
- Abigail Ho-Torres, APR – Treasurer
- Franz Jonathan De La Fuente – Corporate Secretary
- Paul Michael De Quiros, APR – Internal Auditor
- Trustees: Joe Zaldarriaga, Steve Michael Moore, and Deivid Guian Rioferio, APR
- Advisers: Andy Saracho, APR (Immediate Past President), and Jika Dalupan, APR
As the country’s premier organization for PR professionals, PRSP continues to be at the forefront of promoting ethical communication, cultural heritage, and the strategic value of public relations in national development. The board’s induction signifies not only a transition in leadership but a reaffirmation of PRSP’s enduring commitment to public service, collaboration, and professional excellence.
