EventWisePH: A Seminar on Risk Reduction & Crisis Management for Events


EventWise is a two-day invitational, top management seminar-workshop on Events Management Organizing focused on Risk Reduction and Crisis Management, organized by the Advertising Foundation of the Philippines as an educational development and special project in partnership with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas and Unilever Philippines, Inc. It was held at the AIM Conference Center Manila in Makati City with guest speakers from MMDA, PDEA, Philippine National Police, Okada Manila, FBI, US Embassy, Philippine Red Cross & more. 

EventWise is a session of learning and relearning about Risk Reduction & Crisis Management for Events with the industry's best. This is the first project in the advertising and marketing communications industry that addresses issues and concerns on natural hazards and disasters that might affect Events Management Organizing as tools of clients, media and production partners; offers planning tools and opportunities for uplifting the profession and business of events management organizing and its affiliate service providers as well, to include possible solutions and/or options in the eventualities of some crisis situations and insure likewise safer and more secured target-driven events.

The event harnesses together the experts on risk reduction and crisis management, renowned communicators, publicists, events management organizers and service providers from the multi-sector industry and private organizations as well as partners from select government agencies and other professions as speakers and presenters for a dynamic interaction through knowledge and experiential sharing for an enriched local, national and global perspective.


EventWise brings together various foundation and industry members and cooperators in a meaningful celebration of KBP’s 43rd founding anniversary as one of the catalysts of Self-Regulation, as it also marks the 26th founding anniversary of the Advertising Foundation of the Philippines as the industry’s social development institution and advocacy body. 

First speaker for EventWisePH is the Chairman of MMDA, Thomas M. Orbos for his talk entitled about "Natural and Man-made Hazards in Events and Traffic and Fire Hazard Management." He emphasized the importance of a crisis management plan for events. He said that events affect traffic and he now requires traffic management plan for all events. "Your event is not an island as it will affect the normal course of things." said the Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman.


BFP Regional Director Sr. Supt. Wilberto Rico Neil Ang Kwan Tiu answers questions from the attendees with Moderator Rudy Villar, the General Manager of Havas Creative.


Up next is Bureau of Fire Protection's Regional Director for NCR, Sr. Supt. Wilberto Rico Neil Ang Kwan Tiu about "Fire As a Hazard to Some Special Event." He mentioned the importance of  a fireman with full equipment and the proper education of the event participants to the fire exits during events. If you're wondering why you don't see sky lanterns in events anymore, its because BFP now prohibits it.

He acknowledged and thanked the effort of EventWisePH organizers for initiating this kind of seminar and hoped that all safety concerns could be properly coordinated.


Unilever Brand Manager Raiza Revilla  with Ad Foundation EventWise Organizing Committee Co-Chair Lito Yabut and MBC and Advertising Foundation Chairman Jun Nicdao gave a token of appreciation to SSupt. Managgun of the the PNP.

Representing  PNP Chief Ronaldo "Bato" Dela Rosa is SSupt Felipe Managgun, the Assistant Chief Special Operations of Philippine National Police for his talk entitled "Criminality as Threat and Other Police Matters Including Security Coordination" he said that event organizers may submit security plans for events to the Office of the Chief PNP so that they can assist event organizers by endorsing the plans to their proper regional offices,


PDEA Director for Community Involvement and Chief of Public Information Derrik Carreon gave a very informative presentation "Events, Drugs & Controlled Substances" He revealed that the new graduates of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency are very young and would soon be fielded to attend various events to prevent the use of illegal drugs. PDEA now has 1,788 plantilla all over the Philippines but will add more soon according to PDEA's Chief of Public Information.


Next topic is "Climate & Weather Hazards in the Events Industry" by Oscar M. Lopez Center Partnerships Officer, Mariana L. Vargas. She cited reports that 2016 was the hottest year on record, and 2017 is expected to be hotter than last year. The weather is changing and event organizers need to adjust especially on the choice of event locations. 


The Philippine Red Cross is represented by Anna Villa Marikina and she talked about "Events & Emergency Response by an NGO." They are ready to train event people to perform first aid during disasters. At present, the Philippine Red Cross provides six major services: Blood Services, Disaster Management Services, Safety Services, Health Services, Social Services, Red Cross Youth and Volunteer Services.

Rico Santiago of Okada Manila receiving his token from EventWise Co-Chair Lito Yabut of Primax, Raiza Revilla Unilever Brand Manager, Rico Santiago and Ad Foundation Chairman and KBP Chairman Jun Nicdao.

The last speaker for the first day of EventWise is Rico Santiago of Okada Manila for his talk entitled "Public-Private Partnerships & Emergency Response." He is one of the first to establish event security company here in the country and is often contracted by big local and foreign entertainment companies for his specialization and services. He guided the attendees in understanding the nuances and relationships of onsite event security with that of coordinated security off venue. He reiterated the need for a safety and security plan that would guide event companies. 



Opening the second day of Event Wise PH is an informative talk by Lamont Siller of FBI - Legal Attache (U.S. Embassy) about "Events & Terrorism." He emphasized that event companies should have a pro-active contact and partnership with the PNP and NBI to make things safe for your events and activities. "The Philippines is a very safe place. But we must be aware of terrorist threats" he said. 


Next up is all about "Events & Insurance Coverage" by Circles Group Asia Pacific Group Regional Director & Circles Asia Head, Tommy Elliott. He said that in organizing an event, getting an insurance will give the organizers and the company a good sleep. It's a must! Your insurance should cover the following during events: event cancellation, terrorism threat, natural disasters and personal accidents.


EventWise Organizing Committee Chair Lito Yabut, UNILEVER Vice President Ed Sunico, Advertising Foundation Chairman and MBC President Jun Nicdao and MBC Vice President Redj Jularbal acknowledge the contribution of Mr. Mar John Cruz (Center), Senior Advisor of Control Risks by presenting him a plaque of appreciation

Next is Mr. Marjohn Cruz of Control Risks Group for the topic "A More Secured & Safer Event Environment" (Management Organizing-Implementation) He emphasized that "Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail" He discussed how to manage risks in events with the objectives of preventing injury and suffering and being aware of and being able to mitigate preventable risks. He further expounded that to have safe and successful events, one must have adequate measures and systems in place to mitigate and reduce risk. 


Next speakers for the topic: "Well-Planned Events: A Result of Planning Tools, Strategies & Security Coordination" is  Video Sonic, Inc.'s Mart Miranda and Soundcheck's Jaime Godinez. 

Video Sonic Managing Director Mart Miranda presented the challenges faced by both Event Organizers and Clients during the seminar. He tackled the challenges of having a tight budget and the risks that may be involved. "Budget Buys Time" he said.

Soundcheck's Jaime Godinez explains how to make your event smooth and consistent. Have a GANTT chart and be guided by it. All aspects should be included as events are made up of different suppliers and outputs. Realize your critical path and Plan ahead. Always expect the unexpected. He noted that it is more difficult to mount one day events without the proper planning, but it can be done with the proper planning.

PRSP Past President, Ramon Osorio.

Luis Morales of Corporate Image Dimensions

Darragh Ooi of Brunswick Group


The next tpresentation is entitled "Crisis PR: Protection of Reputation and Image of Events & its Organizers" by Luis Morales of CID; Ramon Osorio, PRSP Past President and Darragh OOi of Brunswick Group. "Plan carefully and Recruit the Right People." said Darragh Ooi of Brunswick Group on Crisis PR.

"How you handle crisis it is what will define you. That is the truth." said Luis Morales of Corporate Image Dimensions. He said that every company should have a crisis plan and practice it. How to neutralize a digital crisis? Sir Morales said: CONTROL. CONTROL. CONTROL. He even emphasized that unlike before, "Media blackout is a thing of the past."

Ramon Bong Osorio of PRSP and the former head of ABS-CBN Corporate Communications gave the Wowowee Ultra Stampede tragedy as example.

He said that "In Crisis PR, action speaks louder than words." He noted that  "The best crisis response plan is a plan you don't get to open" and "Every time I issue a statement, I consult it with a lawyer." I posted this as a status then got a reply that says, "then just get a lawyer for a spokesman! Saves u time and money!" which I answered with "Not all lawyer can be a spokesperson. They should be trained first" because it is suspected that the statement of the CEO of United Airlines, Oscar Munoz is written by a lawyer which made the situation worse because of the tone of the message. 


Next speaker is the lawyer of Wowowee during the Ultra Stampede, Atty. Jesse Hermogenese Andres for his talk entitled "Crisis Management: Legal Strategies, Moves and Action in Defense of Organizers" he disputed that lawyers can't be a spokesperson. With the right training attorneys can be a great spokesperson for a company. 






At the end of the Day 2, EventWise Project Task Force & Officials, Atty. Redj Jularbal and Alvin Trono leaded the Presentation towards the Development of a Performance Standards Manual for Events Management Organizing and the signing of  The Covenant (Agreement to Pursue a Performance Standards Manual) was headed by Ad Foundation and EventWise Officials & Grantor. 

Ad Foundation's goal for EventWisePH is to have a continuing platform for intercourse among Agencies, Clients and Government. Where event organizers come to congregate and embrace innovation and evolution in Event staging. A gateway for new ideas and safer executions that reduce risks for our event attendees.