Do you conduct training for journalists and media workers on safety and security? Covering physical safety, digital security, legal concerns, psychological well-being, or gender issues? Need a practical, easy-to-use resource tailored to the realities of Philippine newsrooms?

With the numerous training activities being conducted by different organizations to equip media workers to be safe and protected in their work, the project, “Journalist Safety: A Practical Guide for Trainers” is being implemented to develop, produce and popularize a training resource on media safety for journalists and media workers.

The safety trainers’ guide will help journalists and media organizations deliver consistent, quality, and responsive capacity building programs on safety and security.

The project builds on the work of the Philippine Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists (PPASJ), a multi-stakeholder national blueprint on media safety anchored in the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.

The project’s Phase 1: Scoping and Research has been completed, implemented in June to August 2025 by the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) in partnership with Red Batario of the Center for Community Journalism and Development (CCJD). The first phase was supported by International Media Support and co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.

This project phase has produced the publication, “Journalist Safety Training in the Philippines: Strengths, Gaps, Recommendations” (September 2025), which draws from a review of documentation of past safety training programs for journalists; in-person focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) through an online questionnaire with journalists; and a multi-stakeholder workshop with representatives from government, academia, civil society, and media.

The research results highlight strengths and gaps in journalist safety training in the Philippines, forming the basis for recommendations to improve curricula, materials, and stakeholder collaboration for journalists’ protection. These are presented under four key themes that emerged from the findings: content and structure, training methodology, planning and preparation, and trainer development and support.

For subsequent project implementation, Phase 2 will see the development and writing of the trainers’ guide, and Phase 3 will involve pretesting, pilot-testing and popularization of this training resource.

These phases present opportunities for partnership, sponsorship, or funding support from institutions that share our commitment to advancing media freedom and strengthening the capacities of journalists and media workers in the country.

AIJC and CCJD are among the founding members of the Movement for Media Safety-Philippines (MMSP), a coalition of media organizations and press freedom advocates.

The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) commemorated two decades of championing biodiversity conservation with a milestone celebration on September 25, 2025. The event, “Harmony for Biodiversity: The 20th Anniversary of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity,” gathered government leaders, conservation advocates, media professionals, and partner organizations from across Southeast Asia to recognize their contributions to biodiversity conservation and sustainability.

On behalf of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC), President Therese San Diego Torres received the Certificate of Recognition from ACB. Past collaborations include the first ASEAN-wide Photo Contest on Biodiversity (2009), managed by AIJC to highlight ASEAN’s rich biodiversity and raise regional awareness through photography, and the ASEAN Champions of Biodiversity (2010–2011), a recognition program that promoted leadership and public engagement in biodiversity conservation, with AIJC providing project management and technical support.

Dr. Jerome L. Montemayor, ACB Executive Director, said the recognition signifies the opportunity to renew the partnership between ACB and the Institute.

The honorees also included the New Zealand Embassy in Manila, represented by H.E. Ambassador Catherine McIntosh; CORA Philippines, represented by its Founder and Executive Director Antoinette Taus; as well as veteran journalist and documentarist Howie Severino.

Established in 2005, ACB is an intergovernmental organization that fosters cooperation among the 10 ASEAN Member States and global partners to promote biodiversity conservation and sustainability.

The members of P-Pop group 1st One—Ace, Max, Alpha, Joker, J and Jayson—led the cultural event, “Mapping the Story of the Filipino Through P-Pop,” at the Philippine Embassy in Singapore, home of Sentro Rizal Singapore, on September 26, 2025.

1st One, which had earlier been named a cultural partner and bearer of the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map, met with Philippine Ambassador to Singapore H.E. Medardo G. Macaraig and engaged with Filipino youth and members of the Filipino community in Singapore for a talk on Filipino culture, history, and creativity.

The group talked about P-Pop and how their latest single, “MYV (Map Your Vibe),” was inspired by the historic Murillo Velarde 1734 Map, the “Mother of All Philippine Maps.” They shared that the map serves as a reminder of Filipino roots and a guide for charting one’s journey.

In an interview with News5, Ambassador Macaraig highlighted the significance of the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map in Philippine history and commended 1st One for drawing inspiration from it in their music. He noted that presenting history through P-Pop offers a refreshing approach, demonstrating that history can indeed be fused with entertainment.

1st One graced the event ahead of their performance at Music Matters Live, a music festival that brings together artists from the Asia Pacific region.

The embassy event was a collaboration between the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC), the Philippine Embassy in Singapore, Sentro Rizal Singapore, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Black Star Entertainment, and 1st One. It was also part of the Embassy’s celebration of Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo) and Philippine Creative Industries Month.

The Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) conducted the inaugural Executive Program on Public Communication, which culminated in an in-person presentation on August 13, 2025, at Privato Hotel in Quezon City.

“Public communication is about building trust, fostering dialogue, and shaping narratives that move communities forward,” said AIJC President Therese San Diego Torres. “Public expectations are shifting, and in a world of rapid information flow and rising demands for transparency and authenticity, we need to be flexible in how we connect with people.”

Torres added that with people’s preferences evolving faster than ever, communicators must listen closely to how stakeholders seek and respond to information, and adapt their strategies and choice of channels to ensure messages remain clear and relevant.

The executive program consisted of four modules and ran for eight weeks, covering the following topics: Essentials of Communication, Issues Management and Crisis Communication, Communication Planning, and Crafting Messages for Public Communication.

Torres also highlighted the importance of effective public communication in bringing people together and helping fulfill their basic rights.

Among the finishers of the executive program were Himamaylan Vice Mayor Justin Gatuslao, and key officers of the City of Malabon, namely: Jaycellyn Batarilan, Aaron Homer Dioquino, Edison Enriquez, and Jerico Joshua Kahulugan.

For Batarilan, who sits as chief of the administrative division of the Malabon City Government’s City Housing and Urban Development Department, the program has been “an enriching experience.”

“The course deepened my understanding of how clear, timely, and audience-centered messaging builds trust between government and the public. I gained practical skills in strategic communication planning, crisis response, and crafting messages that resonate with a diverse audience,” said Batarilan.

The executive program was organized by the AIJC Professional Development Program.

Registration is open for the next offering of the Executive Program on Public Communication, which will begin in October 2025. Learn more about the program and how to register here: https://aijc.com.ph/executive-program-on-public-communication/

Therese San Diego Torres, President of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC), delivered a keynote presentation on the first day of the 3rd FRAMEwork Asia-Pacific Communication Conference held at Far Eastern University (FEU), Manila.

Held on September 11-12, 2025, the hybrid onsite and online conference brought together scholars, practitioners, and communication leaders from the Philippines, India, Indonesia, and Thailand, highlighting the power of collaboration in shaping the future of communication studies across the region.

Delivering her keynote presentation, “Informed Voices, Transformative Actions: Bridging gender issues and communication in the achievement of UN SDG 5,” Torres shared insights from a forthcoming UNESCO report on women and the media, noting progress since the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action—more women in journalism and leadership, gender desks and safety policies in newsrooms, and the amplifying power of digital platforms. She warned, however, of persistent gaps such as underrepresentation in top editorial roles, continuing harassment and abuse, and algorithm-driven amplification of misogynistic content.

Her recommendations called for inclusive storytelling, stronger safety standards, gender-responsive support systems and tech governance, and multistakeholder collaboration, so that “informed voices lead to transformative change in our institutions, our media, and our everyday lives.”

Torres was joined by Mr. Mark Lester Chico, President of the Philippine Association of Communication Educators (PACE), as responder. Dr. Roderick Evans Bartolome, FEU Department of Communication faculty member, was moderator.

During the event, FEU and AIJC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize their partnership for future editions of the FRAMEwork conference. The next conference is scheduled for March 2026, and graduate school students, faculty members, and alumni of AIJC are invited to participate and contribute to this growing regional platform.

At the conference, Mr. Junephrey Ocampo of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, who is also a faculty member of AIJC, moderated the plenary session titled, “Changing Views and Communicative Ways on Masculinity.” He also presented his paper, “Raising a Gay Son in the Time of the Covid-19 Lockdowns,” which won third prize in the paper competition.

The FEU-AIJC partnership also celebrates a shared history. Dr. Rowena Capulong Reyes, FEU Vice President for Corporate Affairs and lead convener of the conference, is an alumna of AIJC.

In her closing remarks, Dr. Reyes cited the upcoming 2028 centennial celebration of FEU: “Hosting this conference is part of our journey towards our milestone of being 100, being brave

at 100, and our commitment to carry forward a legacy of—as our founder said—being able to help the nation transform.”

Reflecting on the key lessons and the theme of the conference, Dr. Reyes said, “If ‘No Gender Left Behind’ is to live beyond this conference, it must move us to action—not just to question norms, but to replace them with practices that honor merit, dignity, and humanity.”

It is noteworthy that the idea for AIJC—which started as the Asian Institute of Journalism (AIJ) in 1980—came from a group of educators including Dr. Nicanor Reyes, Jr., the eldest son of FEU founding president Dr. Nicanor Reyes, Sr.

Dr. Nicanor Reyes, Jr. served as a founding member of the AIJ Board of Trustees. He was FEU president from 1970 to 1985. This reflects a legacy of academic and professional synergy that continues to inspire new generations of communicators.

With this renewed partnership, the 3rd FRAMEwork Asia-Pacific Communication Conference celebrated academic excellence and set the stage for a stronger alliance between AIJC and FEU, ensuring that their shared commitment to advancing communication education and practice remains vibrant for years to come.

For updates on the March 2026 conference and participation details, interested AIJC graduate students, faculty, and alumni are encouraged to follow the FEU FRAMEwork Facebook page and the AIJC Facebook page.

The Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) congratulates P-Pop group 1st One on their new song, MYV or Map Your Vibe, which they debuted on the global stage at 2025 ROUND, the ASEAN-Korea Music Festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on June 21.

The song deeply resonates with Filipinos’ identity as a people. As the song goes, “Walang paroroonan nang hindi alam sa’n nagmula. So don’t be scared. Map your vibe.” 1st One delivers a powerful anthem that reminds Filipinos that no matter how far they go globally, their roots remain an essential part of who they are.

This song was inspired by the historic Murillo Velarde 1734 Map, the country’s first scientific map known as the “Mother of all Philippine Maps.”

Mr. Mel V. Velarde, Chairman of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC), donated an original Murillo Velarde 1734 Map to the Philippine government upon acquiring it from a Sotheby’s auction in London. The map played an important role in the country’s 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.

This month, 1st One was named cultural partner and bearer of the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map, as part of the campaign titled, “Mapa Natin, Kwento Natin.”

As part of their new role, 1st One members Ace, Max, Alpha, J, Joker, and Jason turned over a commemorative map to Sentro Rizal Kuala Lumpur at the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia where Consul General Roussel Reyes formally received the map on June 21.

Produced by Spanish Jesuit priest Pedro Murillo Velarde with two Filipinos, Francisco Suarez and Nicolas dela Cruz Bagay, the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map is currently on display at the Permanent Gallery of the National Library of the Philippines.