Communications professionals, journalists, educators and students in the Visayas gathered in Cebu City on July 3 for a media festival aimed at strengthening digital literacy, ethical storytelling and professional development.
The event, dubbed MAKI+FIESTA, was organized by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) with support from PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications Inc. It marks PRSP’s return to Cebu after more than 20 years as part of its regional initiative, “Steward the Signal.”
Held at Southwestern University PHINMA, the free, daylong program brought together journalists, content creators, government information officers, communication practitioners and students for discussions on media literacy, responsible storytelling and strategic communication.
Roby Alampay, first vice president and head of the Public Engagement Group at PLDT and Smart, said the partnership seeks to strengthen digital literacy and communication skills in regional communities.
“PLDT and Smart believe that true connectivity goes beyond building infrastructure; it is about empowering the voices that shape our society,” Alampay said. “By partnering with PRSP for ‘Steward the Signal,’ we are committing to upskill regional communicators, students, and digital creators. In an increasingly complex information environment, we want to equip communities with the digital literacy and ethical tools they need to navigate and lead the conversation.”
PRSP President Ana B. Pista said the collaboration supports the organization’s efforts to expand professional development opportunities outside Metro Manila.
“Our return to Cebu is about building a lasting ecosystem, and we cannot do that without strong allies who control the digital highways,” Pista said. “With PLDT and Smart backing our vision, we are actively closing the gap for professional development, ensuring that practitioners in the Visayas have the tools, networks, and digital capability to thrive globally.”
The program featured talks on combating disinformation, ethical communication and the use of technology for civic engagement. Speakers included Antoinette Taus, Voltaire Tupaz, Inday Varona, Prof. Yvonne Chua, Prof. Rachel Khan, Kat de Castro, Emver P. Cortez, Dr. Dante Velasco, Dean Toym Imao, Benjamin Joseph David, Jen Aquino and John Sitchon.
According to PRSP, the Cebu activities also include the launch of the Steward’s Edge professional development training program and the signing of partnerships with local public and private organizations to support communication initiatives in the Visayas.
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