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AIJC President Speaks on Women and Media at the UN
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At the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) side event organized by UNESCO in New York in March 2025, AIJC President Therese San Diego Torres discussed  the key recommendations from a multi-sectoral review of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, Chapter J: Women and the Media. 

The review was part of a consultation meeting attended by Torres at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris in January this year. It gathered journalists, media professionals, academics, and civil society representatives who shared insights on the progress made in challenging gender biases within the media landscape and discussed new and emerging obstacles women in media face, informed by research and experiences from around the globe.

The Paris review was conducted three decades after the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 1995, which had put forth a comprehensive agenda for advancing gender equality across various sectors, including the media.

At the CSW side event titled “Beijing+30: UNESCO’s Actions for Women and Girls: Achievements and Foresight,” Torres shared that while some significant strides have been made, challenges persist, with new barriers emerging in response to evolving technologies, shifting political landscapes, and the continuing struggle against entrenched social norms.

Torres provided an overview of some of the crosscutting recommendations from the Paris consultation group, as follows:

  1. Ensure gender-responsive tech and media governance, while promoting increased participation of women in technology, to create more inclusive and equitable digital and media environments. Policies are needed to prevent bias, discrimination, and online harm.
  1. Invest in ethical technology and inclusive media. Continue to hold tech companies accountable, but at the same time, support ethical technology development and ensure that emerging technologies, including AI, are transparent, accountable, and free of bias, with a focus on protecting the rights of women and groups in situations of marginalization and vulnerability.
  1. Make funding available for independent, women-led media initiatives and gender-focused research to support evidence-based policies. Funding priorities must also focus on strengthening media and information literacy initiatives to ensure broader public understanding of the vital role of women in media, and the media’s role in society, while empowering individuals to protect and support a free, independent press.

The full list of recommendations from the expert group initiated by UNESCO will be available online soon.

Moderated by Begoña Lasagabaster, Director of the UNESCO Division for Gender Equality, the side event featured a panel of resource persons from various sectors who shared their insights on how UNESCO’s actions have empowered women and girls worldwide.

The full program is linked here.

AIJC holds training on Social Media for Government and Nonprofits
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The Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) held an online public training titled, “Social Media for Government and Nonprofits,” on March 27-28, 2025.

“Understanding how to leverage social media is a fundamental requirement for effective public communication,” said Therese San Diego Torres, president of AIJC. She emphasized the value of learning how to plan and execute social media campaigns ethically and responsibly, to ensure that they can “contribute to transparent and accessible governance.”

The training course, “Social Media for Government and Nonprofits,” is one of the public training programs being offered by AIJC through its Professional Development Program.

The training sought to equip participants to enhance their agency’s social media presence, establish an engaging relationship among their stakeholders, and ensure accuracy and trustworthiness of posts.

There were 15 participants from various government agencies and private companies, such as PhilHealth, the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries, the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Philippine Heart Center, the Philippine Publishing House, the Presidential Broadcast Service, the Board of Investments, and the Senate of the Philippines.

Torres added, “A strong grasp of this framework empowers individuals to build trust and foster meaningful engagement with the public.”

Click here to secure your slot in the next run of this AIJC training program.

Sentro Rizal New York Receives Commemorative Murillo Velarde 1734 Map
Consul General Senen T. Mangalile and AIJC President Therese San Diego Torres with the commemorative Murillo Velarde 1734 Map at Sentro Rizal New York, located at the Philippine Consulate General in New York.
Consul General Senen T. Mangalile, AIJC President Therese San Diego Torres, and Vice Consul Cathe Ryne Denice S. Aguilar hold small versions of the commemorative Murillo Velarde 1734 Map for partners of the Philippine Consulate General in New York and Sentro Rizal.
Taking a selfie with the commemorative Murillo Velarde 1734 Map: Consul General Senen T. Mangalile, AIJC President Therese San Diego Torres, Vice Consul Cathe Ryne Denice S. Aguilar, Political and Economic Assistant Nikka Arenal, Public Diplomacy Assistant Sherlyn Roxas, Don Tagala of ABS-CBN News, and Momar Visaya of Asian Journal News.

New York City, U.S.A.—Filipinos in New York now have the opportunity to view the historic Murillo Velarde 1734 Map, known as the “Mother of All Philippine Maps,” at Sentro Rizal New York, located at the Philippine Consulate General.

In a turnover ceremony with Consul General Senen T. Mangalile on March 20, 2025, Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) President Therese San Diego Torres represented AIJC Chairman Mel Velasco Velarde, who donated an original Murillo Velarde 1734 Map to the Philippine government. The map donated by Mr. Velarde is now permanently displayed at the National Library of the Philippines, and commemorative copies are being distributed to promote awareness and appreciation of Philippine history and territorial sovereignty.

The ceremonial turnover is part of the Mapa Natin, Kwento Natin campaign—an initiative that aims to engage Filipinos at home and abroad in celebrating their shared history and cultural identity.

 

The map is particularly notable for its role in the Philippines’ legal victory in the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling on the West Philippine Sea. It serves as a tool for understanding the nation’s maritime rights.

Torres shared that as part of the Mapa Natin, Kwento Natin campaign, AIJC is spearheading a new initiative, “Mapping Our Roots: Teaching the History of Philippine Sovereignty and the West Philippine Sea with the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map.” This training program will equip Grade 10 Araling Panlipunan and Senior High School Media and Information Literacy teachers to inspire the next generation to embrace and protect our maritime heritage.

AIJC is calling on partners, including Sentro Rizal and Filipino communities abroad, to support this initiative. The commemorative map’s new home at Sentro Rizal New York will serve as a cultural hub, helping Filipinos in the city preserve and celebrate the Philippines’ rich history.

In his speech, Consul General Senen T. Mangalile said, “It is only fitting that this map finds a home here at Sentro Rizal New York, where it will serve as a bridge between our past and our future. For Filipinos in the diaspora, Sentro Rizal is a sanctuary of culture and identity, a place where our shared history comes alive. This map will now be part of that mission, reminding us that wherever we may be in the world, we remain connected to our homeland.”

A special video produced for the Mapa Natin, Kwento Natin campaign featuring the members of globally recognized P-Pop group SB19, who are Youth and Sentro Rizal Ambassadors of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), was played at the event. The video is a product of collaboration between AIJC, the National Library of the Philippines, NCCA, 1Z Entertainment, SB19, and Neitiviti Studios.

For more information on how to support the Mapa Natin, Kwento Natin campaign and the teacher training, email AIJC at info@aijc.com.ph.

AIJC, SEC hold training on media relations
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Information officers of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) offices across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao participated in a media relations training organized by the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) on March 3 to 4, 2025 at the SEC Headquarters in Makati City.

The two-day training was designed to equip the participants with essential media relations skills for effective public communication. Key topics covered included understanding the Philippine media landscape, crafting effective press releases, conducting successful media interviews, and managing crisis communications.

Participants took part in interactive workshops, simulations, and presentations.

“The intersection of journalism and media relations has become more dynamic, more challenging, and more exciting than ever… In these times of transformation, we need to ensure effective communication between government agencies such as the SEC and the media, in order to maintain transparency and also foster trust and engagement with the public,” said Therese San Diego Torres, president of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication, in her welcome message.

Irish May Lorenzo, a seasoned media relations practitioner and head of MBrand at the Manila Bulletin, served as the resource speaker.

At the end of the program, one participant said, “The training made me more aware of how to handle media. I found the training very helpful because I don’t have prior experience.”

Another participant shared, “[the training was] by far one of the best and most practical workshops I’ve ever attended, given the very competent resource person.”

AIJC is offering another media relations training, open to the public. The two-day online course, titled “Navigating Media Relations: Strategies for Effective Communication,” will be held on May 8 to 9, 2025. To register for the paid training, visit https://aijc.com.ph/shortcourses/navigating-media-relations-strategies-for-effective-communication/.

AIJC Joins Expert Consultation on Women and the Media at the UNESCO Headquarters
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AIJC President Therese San Diego Torres was among the speakers and rapporteurs at the Expert Consultation on Women and the Media, held at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, in January 2025.

Marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the meeting prompted participants to reflect on the progress and challenges women in media have experienced over the past three decades. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted in 1995 at the Fourth World Conference on Women, established critical global commitments to advance gender equality, with Chapter J specifically addressing issues related to “Women and the Media.” It emphasized the need for women’s equal participation in the media and the removal of barriers that perpetuate gender stereotypes.
 
For the consultation, UNESCO brought together a diverse group of individuals from various countries and sectors, including journalism, media, academia, and civil society. Ms. Torres was invited by UNESCO to represent the Philippines, alongside representatives from Afghanistan, Argentina, Colombia, El Salvador, France, India, Iraq, Ireland, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Palestine, Tanzania, Tunisia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
 
Recommendations from the meeting will be documented by UNESCO and used to inform future initiatives aimed at advancing gender equality in the media.
 
As an organization, AIJC is committed to promoting the inclusion and amplification of voices of all genders in media and communication.
 
Photos from UNESCO and AIJC
Mapa Natin, Kwento Natin: SB19 Puts the Spotlight on Mother of All Philippine Maps

Mapa Natin, Kwento Natin: SB19 Puts the Spotlight on Mother of All Philippine Maps

Honoring our roots and championing freedom and national pride are among the messages SB19 expresses through their art and music.
 
The locally and internationally acclaimed P-pop group received official replicas of the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map in recognition of their advocacy for Philippine culture and heritage as National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Youth and Sentro Rizal Ambassadors, and for their contribution to raising awareness about the map.
 
Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) and NOW Group Chairman Mel V. Velarde, who donated to the Philippine government the original Murillo Velarde 1734 Map, presented the map replicas to Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin in a historic turnover ceremony today, October 29, at the National Library of the Philippines (NLP), where the original map is now permanently displayed.
“SB19, you are more than just artists; you are modern-day navigators, charting a path for the future of P-pop,” Velarde said in his speech. “This commemorative map, a testament to our history, symbolizes the courage to embark [on] new journeys—where Filipino pride, resilience, and ingenuity shine brightly for the world to see.“
 
“Ang karangalang ito, ang paalaalang ito, at ang tungkuling ito ay hindi lang po para sa amin. Para ito sa bawat Pilipino, dito man sa Pilipinas o sa iba’t iba pang panig ng mundo,” said SB19 leader Pablo. “We promise to honor this responsibility, serving as a bridge between our rich history and the modern Filipino spirit.”
 
Since the NLP’s Permanent Gallery opened to the public in September 2024, the Velarde family and AIJC have been boosting initiatives under the national awareness and educational campaign on the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map while promoting NLP’s Permanent Gallery.
 
The key message, “Mapa Natin, Kwento Natin” (Our Map, Our Story), emphasizes the importance of understanding our history and cultural heritage in shaping our national identity and protecting our rights and our territory. Through various events as well as training programs for teachers, AIJC aims to engage the public in appreciating the map’s significance as a vital resource for education and cultural preservation.
 
In 2021, SB19 introduced the map to pop culture by featuring it in their music video for the song “What?”
 
By accepting the official replicas of the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map, they allow the “Mother of All Philippine Maps” to share the spotlight with them and enhance awareness of its significance among A’TIN (fans of SB19), the entire Philippines, and the rest of their global audience.
 
“Mapa Natin, Kwento Natin” is more than a campaign; it is a call to every Filipino to embrace and celebrate the story of the nation—one that spans generations.

Speech of Mr. Mel V. Velarde at the Ceremonial Turnover of Commemorative Murillo Velarde 1734 Map to SB19

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Mel Velasco Velarde Chairman,
Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication Chairman, NOW Group of Companies (NOW Telecom, NOW Corporation and NOW Cable) National Library of the Philippines October 29, 2024

It is a profound honor to stand before you today to celebrate a group that has not only captured the hearts of millions but has elevated Filipino pride on the global stage—SB19.

As I present this commemorative award, featuring the historic Murillo Velarde 1734 Map, we are reminded of the powerful symbolism it holds. This map, one of the earliest detailed depictions of the Philippine archipelago, is more than just a geographical document; it is a testament to resilience, cultural identity, and the courage to chart new paths even in the face of challenges.

In much the same way, SB19 has journeyed through the rigorous world of entertainment, blazing a trail for Filipino talent worldwide. With their resilience, creativity, and passion, they have become a guiding light, inspiring those who dare to dream of a brighter future. Just as the Velarde Map once guided explorers to new frontiers, SB19’s music and dedication serve as a beacon for the next generation, lighting the way toward endless possibilities.

Pablo, our dedicated leader and main rapper, was born in Imus, Cavite. “I dedicate to you, Pablo, the vignette showing Cavite on the Velarde Map.” Pablo’s journey has been a testament to determination and self-belief. He has not only been the backbone of SB19’s music but also its heart, pouring his emotions into lyrics that have touched the lives of many. In ‘Go Up,’ we hear the line, “Kahit anong mangyari, ako’y tatakbo, patungo sa liwanag,” meaning, “No matter what happens, I will keep running towards the light.” This captures Pablo’s resilience, reminding us that even in a world filled with noise, there is strength in speaking one’s truth and moving forward. Like the Velarde Map—originally used as a colonial tool—Pablo’s journey reclaims and redefines purpose, transforming challenges into symbols of Filipino resilience and pride.

Josh, the charismatic lead rapper and sub-vocalist, hails from Las Piñas City, in Metro Manila. “I dedicate to you, Josh, that proud place called Pinas on the Velarde Map.” Josh’s life story of overcoming hardships and finding his purpose through music resonates deeply with many of us. His journey from facing life’s challenges to embracing his artistry symbolizes the essence of ‘going up,’ of rising beyond circumstances and emerging stronger. In ‘Crimzone,’ he embodies this spirit with the words, ” Now we run / We go hard

like / We’ll lose none.” It’s a song about putting in hard work—blood, sweat, and tears—to achieve one’s goals. He carries the courage of countless young Filipinos who dare to dream, regardless of their beginnings. Just as the Velarde Map invites us to look beyond its borders to honor a legacy of integrity, resilience, and unity, Josh inspires us to reclaim our heritage with pride and purpose.

Stell, born in Las Piñas City and raised in Manila. “I dedicate to you, Stell, the vignette of Manila on the Velarde Map.” Stell brings not just his voice but his soul to every performance. As the main vocalist and choreographer, Stell’s dedication to perfection transcends singing; it’s about giving his all for A’TIN. His voice soars like the peaks of our archipelago, reminding us of the beauty and strength of our culture. In their song, entitled ‘Kalakal,’ the line says, “You can’t stop this, we gonna get it. Who can? None, ‘cause we born to take it.” This reflects Stell’s passion, radiating brightly and guiding others, just like the stars that once guided Pedro Murillo Velarde, Nicolas dela Cruz Bagay, and Francisco Suarez. These stars, long used by explorers to navigate tumultuous seas through dark nights, are a testament to our heritage. Like the Velarde Map, Stell’s voice and dedication are a beacon, guiding future generations to honor the past and embrace their own journeys with pride.

Ken, main dancer and lead vocalist, known for his individuality and dance mastery, was born in Maragang, Tigbao, Zamboanga del Sur. “I dedicate to you, Ken, the vignette with Samboangan on the Velarde Map.” Ken’s journey to SB19 reflects a willingness to embrace his uniqueness while staying true to his roots. His love for his hometown and cultural background shows that we can reach global heights while remaining deeply connected to where we come from. This echoes the lyrics of ‘What?’—“Walang makakatigil sa’kin, patungo sa aking hangarin,” meaning “No one can stop me from pursuing my aspiration.” Ken’s artistry speaks to those who dare to be different, proving that authenticity is the key to breaking boundaries. Just as the Velarde Map, lost for 300 years, has returned to our shores to inspire and remind us of our deepest aspirations, Ken embodies a journey of rediscovery and resilience, encouraging us to forge a path to our people’s destiny.

Last but not the least, Justin, the youngest member, sub-vocalist, and creative director—born in Caloocan, now from Malabon City. “I dedicate to you, Justin, that proud place called Tambobo on the Velarde Map, which is now Malabon and Navotas, your birthplace and the birthplace of Nicolas dela Cruz Bagay, the engraver of the Velarde Map.” Justin represents the bright future of Filipino talent. He brings not only his creative vision but also a deep compassion and understanding for the group’s fans. His dedication to making every performance meaningful reflects the intricate connection between the Velarde Map and its details; every line and drawing tells a story, just as every note and movement Justin makes conveys emotion. In ‘MAPA,’ the words “Pasan mo ang daigdig, ‘di mo na kailangang mag-isa,” or “You’re carrying the world, but you don’t have to do it alone,” remind us that even the strongest among us need support, just as explorers needed guidance on their journeys. The Murillo Velarde 1734 Map now stands as a guardian of our shared journey, symbolizing

unity as we navigate a world shaped by globalization and interdependence, inspiring Justin, SB19, and a new generation to carry forward the strength of our heritage into the future.

SB19, you are more than just artists; you are modern-day navigators, charting a path for the future of P-pop and elevating Filipino talent to the world stage. Just as the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map has endured centuries, may your legacy also stand the test of time, inspiring countless generations. You remind us that our culture, language, and stories are treasures worthy of global recognition.

This commemorative map, a testament to our history, symbolizes the courage to embark on new journeys—where Filipino pride, resilience, and ingenuity shine brightly for the world to see. With this award, we honor not only where you have come from but also where you are leading us: toward a future of unity, strength, and limitless potential.

Congratulations, SB19. Thank you for being our modern-day mapmakers, guiding us toward a brighter future for Filipino music and culture. As carriers of the spirit of the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map and its enduring love for our people, may you continue to ‘Go Up,’ illuminating the path for the next thousand years.

Shine brightly like the stars, proving that no challenge is too great for those who dare to dream.

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Mapa Natin, Kwento Natin: SB19 Puts the Spotlight on Mother of All Philippine Maps
Honoring our roots and championing freedom and national pride are among the messages SB19 expresses through their art and music.

SB19 receives replicas of 1734 Murillo-Velarde map from AIJC, Mel Velarde

Rappler

Juno Reyes

The map’s replicas are turned over to the members of the P-pop powerhouse for their commitment to promoting Filipino culture and history, and their work in spreading awareness to the historical document

Read more

Three years after featuring the Philippine map in the music video of their song “What?”, the members of SB19 received official replicas of the 1734 Murillo-Velarde map from the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC).

Read more: https://entertainment.inquirer.net/583274/why-sb19-was-given-replicas-of-the-1734-murillo-velarde-map#ixzz8qZAgB5LM
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Mel Velarde, who donated the 1734 Murillo-Velarde map to the Philippine government, dedicates specific parts of the map to #SB19’s members, according to where they were born.