Nelson Santos

The Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI) marks and celebrates its milestone Golden (50th) Anniversary on September 20, 2024 with a commemorative program at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

Founded in 1974, following the declaration of Martial Law on September 21, 1972 which saw the closure of all private media outfits in the Philippines, except Bulletin Today and the provincial newspaper Island Observer in Oriental Mindoro, publishers met in Manila to find ways to address the problem and present their plight to the Martial Law authorities.

The media leaders, led by Bulletin Today publisher, Gen. Hans M. Menzi, then an aide of President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. shortly organized PAPI as a non-stock and non-profit corporation. Its incorporators were Raul L. Locsin (Business Juan A. Perez (Philippine Daily Express), Kerima P. Tuvera (Evening Post) and Rosario B. Olivarez (Journal Group of Companies).

PAPI’s first set of corporate officers were Menzi, president; Mariano B. Quimzon (Bulletin Today), secretary-treasurer; Sol L. Villa, overall coordinator; and Robert M. Mendoza. executive director. Included in its national board were included the association’s regional chairmen from the country’s 11 regions then: Oseo Hamada (Baguio Midland Courier), Region I; Claudio Cortez (Cagayan Star), Region 2; Benigno Razon (Tarlac Star), Region 3; Mario S. Romero (The Island Observer), Region 4; Ramon Toleram (Naga Times), Region 5; Aurelio Servando, Jr. (Weekly Scope), Region 6; Zoilo Dejaresco, Jr., (Bohol Chronicle), Regions 7 &; 8; Armando Lopez (Zamboanga Times), Region 9; Bienvenido Cruz (Mindanao Star), Region 10; and Gil Abarico (Mindanao Mail), Region 11.

PAPI is reputedly the largest media fraternity in the Philippines today. Its membership ranks include about 400 community newspaper publishers in the regions and provinces, media executives, communicators and actively practicing journalists in print, broadcast and online media platforms, as well as campus journalists as associate members.

Incumbent PAPI president Nelson Santos said they have invited President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to keynote their anniversary program, along with other key government and private sector leaders as special guests to their milestone event.

Santos said their program also includes a post dinner Fellowship Social cum Entertainment that will feature notable musical numbers and a KATHABI Fashion Show, in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) that will showcase Philippine fabrics developed from native fibers.

The PAPI event has the sponsorship support of DOST-PTRI, DOST NCR, APCU, PCSO, BAUERTEK Farmaceutical Technologies, FFCCCII, EPSI, Feliz Y Prosperidad Mining Corp. Our media partners the Manila Times, net 25 Radyo Agila and Pilipinas Ngayon DWIZ.

With Santos in PAPI’s incumbent leadership, are Johnny P. Dayang, (who previously served as PAPI president for over 20 years) National Board Chairman Emeritus  ; Rebecca M. Velasquez, executive vice president/Board secretary; Alma O. Ochotorena, vice president for Luzon; Dr. Paulus L. Canete, vice president-Visayas; Angelina S. Lim, vice president-Mindanao; Leonida P. Cardona; treasurer; Francia A. Orlain, assistant  treasurer; Jimmy C. Vistar and Eduardo L. Cardona, directors-Luzon; Edalyn B, Acta and Danilo N. Silvestrece, directors-Visayas; and Anila B. Acosta and Elpedio B. Soriano, Jr., directors-Mindanao.