Public relations, media and communicator leaders from various industries packed the venue of the book launch of PR Matters of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) Philippines on September 27, 2023, Wednesday at S Maison, Pasay City.
The book is a keepsake of 70 insightful articles published in “PR Matters,” a weekly column in the BusinessMirror on public relations, marketing, leadership and communication. The articles are written by 18 IPRA members, all thought leaders and seasoned professionals from various fields of communication and PR.
The event was held auspiciously at the cusp of September that is National Public Relations Month and October that is Communication Month.
Keynote speaker, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Gov. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat lauded the publication, saying: “It is truly an honor to deliver the keynote message for the book launch of PR Matters which is a compilation of 70 essays, penned by 18 authors that showcase the insights of some of the brightest minds in the Philippines’ PR industry on various topics on PR and communications…The BSP recognizes that proactive communication is vital to building and maintaining stakeholder awareness, knowledge, satisfaction, and trust and that stakeholder trust—along with awareness and satisfaction—is important to us.”
She stressed the importance of communication across different disciplines and professions, citing BSP’s thrust, “Central bankers are the architects of financial stability, and communication is the blueprint that guides their designs,” adding that the BSP strategic communication framework “states that our communication initiatives, besides being evidence-informed and results-oriented, should also be stakeholder-centric.”
She recalled: “During my term as DOT Secretary, clear and effective communication was critical due to ever-changing policies for health and safety guidelines, travel restrictions, tourism destination openings, financial aid, and vaccine distribution….”
IPRA Chair Noel Rene Nieva, who very ably emceed the afternoon program, underscored the book’s role for professionals and students alike: “This book is our chapter’s contribution to the global task of promoting the discipline of PR and is an inspiring reference for all things related to communications as a course and a career.”
“After close to ten years and hundreds of columns, we have compiled these in a book. Given our diverse backgrounds, competencies, and personalities, members wrote about an extensive range of communication and PR-related subjects,” PR Matters prime mover, Millie Dizon said. “Many thanks to BusinessMirror’s publisher, T. Anthony C. Cabangon and BusinessMirror, especially to its Editor, Chuchay Fernandez, for believing in the project and supporting us all these years; and to all our members who have unselfishly shared their time and expertise.”
BusinessMirror Editor-in-Chief Lourdes “Chuchay” M. Fernandez recalled that “the work of IPRA Philippines that is captured in this valuable compilation… articles of timeless value not just to PR practitioners or journalists like us who need to understand their work, but to laymen as well, adding, “The sheer diversity of background of IPRA members and their specializations lend so much color to this book.”
She recalled that in the darkest days of the pandemic, one of the most important partners of BusinessMirror in navigating an uncertain crisis was the IPRA Philippines. Their “PR Matters” column became more important to all of us, readers and news producers alike…in keeping everyone grounded…each Monday new information, fresh insights, thought-provoking analysis of the latest developments… It was a time so conducive for fake news to flourish, and “PR Matters” helped us journalists cull the truth from trash at a time when wrong information could spell great harm to people’s well-being.
Media personalities and communication industry practitioners read excerpts from the book: Ron Cruz, News Anchor of ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) on ensuring that the communication narrative resonates and remains with the audience after the broadcast ends as people remember stories; Mich Orosa-Ople, Managing Partner of Ripple8 who found inspiration in an excerpt on the inseparability of leadership and communication; and Mike Constantino, Founder and CEO of Homonym who spoke about recall and the multiplicity of the senses in communication in sonic branding.
For early orders or book reservations, you may email books@buensalido.com.ph or call or send a Viber message to 0920 9542980.
Photos credits: Rudy Liwanag, Mich Orosa-Ople, Joy Buensalido, Red Samar, Jingjing Villanueva-Romero, Charisse Chuidian, Ritzi Villarico-Ronquillo and our fellow IPRAans, media and PR friends who shared their photos with us
PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of Ipra Philippines, the local chapter of the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association, the world’s premier association for senior communications professionals around the world. Ritzi Villarico-Ronquillo, APR, IABC Fellow is a Consultant, Coach and Speaker on Business Communication and Strategic Public Relations with 43 years of experience in leading internal and external communication and PR in corporate, communities, academe and associations.
We are devoting a special column each month to answer the reader’s questions about public relations. Please send your comments and questions to askipraphil@gmail.com.
