Flagship learning program brings communication professionals together for a half-day of industry learning and exchange
PIOs, brand practitioners, and agency practitioners from across the Visayas listen intently during our learning sessions.
CEBU CITY, Philippines — We at the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) recently gathered communication professionals from across the Visayas for our flagship Professional Development Program held last July 3 at Southwestern University (SWU) PHINMA, marking a major milestone in our renewed regional engagement.
Dubbed “Steward’s Edge: PRSP Professional Development Training – Cebu Leg,” the half-day program brought together communication practitioners, government information officers, corporate communicators, and educators for an afternoon of collaborative learning and professional exchange.
The training formed a core part of “Steward the Signal: PRSP Goes to Cebu,” our broader initiative to expand our presence beyond Metro Manila and make continuing professional education accessible nationwide. It reflects our long-term commitment to strengthening regional communication communities by bringing learning opportunities directly to practitioners in the Visayas and, eventually, Mindanao.
PRSP President Ana B. Pista, APR, advocates for the upskilling of communicators in Visayas.
For PRSP President Ana B. Pista, APR, bringing our flagship program to Cebu reflects our firm belief that professional growth should not be limited by geography.
“Professional growth should never be limited by geography,” Pista said. “By bringing our Professional Development Program to Cebu, we’ve made it easier for practitioners, educators, and students to learn from one another, exchange ideas, and strengthen the communications profession where it matters most—in the regions.”
The Cebu leg of Steward’s Edge was mounted in partnership with PLDT Inc., Smart Communications, Inc., and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA). Together, we worked to expand access to professional development while promoting responsible communication, media literacy, and stronger collaboration among the academe, industry, media, and government.
Emver P. Cortez, our PRSP Internal Auditor and Professional Development Chair—who also serves as PIA Regional Director for NCR, representing PIA Director-General Kat de Castro—noted that the Cebu leg aimed to equip participants with practical, actionable skills.
“Communication professionals today face increasingly complex challenges—from strengthening internal culture and protecting organizational reputation to responding to crises and combating misinformation,” Cortez shared. “Steward’s Edge provides practical insights they can immediately apply in their organizations.”
Our Professional Development Chair, Emver Cortez, welcomes communicators from all around the Visayas.
Industry Leaders Sharing Insights
Our learning sessions featured presentations from some of our country’s foremost communication leaders:
- Edgar U. Timbungco, APR, CPME (PRSP VP-External, 33rd National PR Congress Chair, and PR Manager of Mang Inasal Philippines) presented “Currency of Trust: Managing Reputation in the Omnichannel Era.” He explored how organizations can navigate today’s phygital landscape, where trust must be earned, protected, and strategically invested.
- Norman A. Agatep, APR (PRSP VP-Internal and 62nd ANVIL Awards Chair) spoke on “A Practical Approach to Reputation Resilience: Preparing for Cybercrises, Viral Scandals, Misinformation, Online Attacks, and Disasters.” Drawing from decades of crisis experience, he shared actionable frameworks to prepare for modern digital threats.
- Ana B. Pista, APR (PRSP President and Founder/CEO of Ardent Communications) delivered “Professionalizing the Profession: Stewarding Trust, Ethics, and Excellence.” She emphasized the role of ethics, accreditation, and lifelong learning, encouraging practitioners to embrace PR’s strategic seat at the decision-making table.
- Angelene S. Buenaventura (Business Development Manager at Media Meter) closed the training with “Mitigating Reputation Crises Through Social Media Listening and Media Measurement Tools of PR Initiatives,” demonstrating how social listening tools evaluate PR impact and catch emerging issues early.
The program concluded with interactive roundtable discussions, giving participants the opportunity to exchange regional best practices and build lasting networks with peers.
A Long-Term Vision for Regional Impact
Steward’s Edge complemented several other milestone activities during our Cebu engagement, including our student-led PR Caravan, the formalization of new strategic partnerships with government and industry stakeholders, and the regional expansion of our MAKI+FIESTA platform.
Together, these initiatives drive our long-term strategy of building vibrant, highly skilled communication communities throughout the Visayas and Mindanao.
“This is only the beginning,” Pista concluded. “We want Cebu to become a regular hub for PRSP’s programs in the Visayas, where communication professionals can continue learning, collaborating, and helping shape the future of our profession.”
This Cebu leg marks the first of our planned regional professional development tracks as we continue expanding learning opportunities nationwide.
PIOs, brand practitioners, and agency practitioners from across the Visayas engage in discussions during the training.
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About the Public Relations Society of the Philippines
The Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) is the country’s premier organization for public relations and communication professionals. For nearly seven decades, PRSP has championed excellence, ethics, professionalism, and nation-building through strategic communication, continuing professional education, industry collaboration, and leadership development. Through initiatives such as the PR Caravan, PRSP continues to invest in the next generation of communication practitioners while expanding access to learning and professional development across the Philippines.