The 2018 Excellence in Communication Award was conferred by the Philippines Communication Society (PCS) to media educator, film studies scholar and communication innovation advocate UP Professor Emeritus for Film and former Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Open University Dr. Grace Javier Alfonso.

The awarding ceremony with Dr. Alfonso’s keynote speech was the highlight of the Media and Gender Conference with the theme “Constructing Gender in Multimedia Contexts” on Apr. 30 at the PUP Bulwagang Balagtas at the A. Mabini Main Campus in Manila.  The award is the highest distinction of honor bestowed by the PCS, which in the past, have been conferred on Dr. Florangel Rosario Braid and Ms. Gina Lopez.

“Dr. Grace Javier Alfonso embodies the rigour and commitment of a true communication scholar,” explained PCS president Dr. Lourdes M. Portus. “She is a vanguard in innovation in communication education, specifically open systems and distance learning.” The award recipient is also a painter, sculptor, filmmaker, director, multimedia artist and film critic. She teaches film, media and art in the ASEAN Region online, and Massive Open Online Courses or MOOCs.  She is the Founding Chair of UP College of Mass Communication Film and Audiovisual Department, now the UP Film Institute.

The 35-inch tall Excellence in Communication Trophy was conceptualized, designed and executed by UP Fine Arts Professor and visual artist, Toym Imao,  son of National Artist and TOYM Awardee for Sculpture, Abdulmari A. Imao, Sr.

The PCS Gender and Media conference also launched the 2017 PCS Review, the annual official publication of the organization, and the third issue of the PCS Post.

Established in 1987, the PCS is an organization of communication scholars, researchers, media executives, public information officers, corporate communication officers and communication professionals engaged in the promotion of communication as a social science discipline. It is the organization representing the communication discipline to the Philippine Social Science Council, and the annual PCS Review. For more information on the PCS, 2018 PCS Review and the Conference on Gender and Media, contact philcomsoc@gmail.com or visit the Philippines Communication Society Facebook page.