GMA Network Chairman Atty. Felipe L. Gozon named Communicator of the Year by IABC Asia Pacific

GMA Network Chairman Atty. Felipe L. Gozon was named Communicator of the Year by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Asia Pacific.

According to Darlene Cay’s report on “24 Oras” Monday, Gozon is only the third Filipino who has received the award, which is given to outstanding leaders in the communications industry.

In his speech, Gozon thanked the IABC Asia Pacific for the “very great honor."

“Being named Communicator of the Year in the Executive Leader Category by a very respected global community of communicators is deeply meaningful to me. This recognition holds even greater significance in a year of convergence  – the 55th anniversary of the IABC, the 75th anniversary of our company, GMA Network, and receiving this prestigious award at the age, my age, of 85," he said.

Gozon received the plaque of recognition together with GMA Network Vice President and Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications Angela Javier Cruz during the award ceremony held at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel on Monday.

In an interview with GMA Integrated News, Gozon said there are challenges being faced not only by the industry but the entire country as well.

“There are many challenges now facing the network and we are trying to address them. But today, the problem is really fake news, how to be truthful in news reporting,” he said.

In 2024, Gozon was also named Communicator of the Year in the Executive Leader category by the IABC Asia Pacific.

L-R: Chair of IABC Asia Pacific Board of Directors Barbara Pesel; IABC APAC Awards Director Liza Vengco; GMA Network Chairman Atty. Felipe L. Gozon; GMA Vice President and Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications Angela Javier Cruz; Immediate Past Chair & IABC International Executive Board Member Kane Errol.

Meanwhile, IABC APAC Board of Directors Barbara Pesel described Gozon on Monday as an “impressive individual” who inspires people to recognize the importance of Philippine culture.

“Atty. Gozon is an impressive individual. He is a leader that through communication with his team, he inspires people to recognize the importance of Philippine culture. I think it was this collaboration and this bringing these people together that made GMA what it is today. For that, we recognize the importance of his work and award him the Communicator of the Year,” she said.

IABC is an organization of professional communicators from various industries that aims to identify and share the best communication practices worldwide.

— Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA Integrated News