FILCOLS Enhances Board and Management Leadership with a Two-day Advanced Governance Workshop from UP NCPAG and UPPAF Experts

 

FILCOLS Board and Management Team with experts from UPPAF and UP NCPAG.
Photo by Kim Seechiu

Experts from the University of the Philippines Public Administration and Extension Services Foundation (UPPAF) and the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP NCPAG) conducted an intensive training on advanced governance for the board and management of the Filipinas Copyright Licensing Society (FILCOLS) from March 27 to 28, 2025 at the University Hotel, UP Campus, Quezon City.

 

“We are happy and honored to conduct this workshop for the leaders of FILCOLS,” said Dr. Maria Fe Mendoza, UPPAF president, who opened the event. She stressed the importance of continuous learning, particularly in good governance.

Dr. Fe Mendoza, UPPAF president, giving her opening remarks.
Photo by Kim Seechiu

She praised the dedication of the board and management, including the participation of National Artist Virgilio S. Almario to undergo the two-day training. Almario, age 81, is the founding chair and Chairman Emeritus of FILCOLS.

“Nagsimula ang ideya ng isang samahan tulad ng FILCOLS dahil sa kali-kaliwang paglabag sa aking copyright,” Almario said in his opening remarks. (The idea for an organization like FILCOLS started due to the many violations against my copyright.)

“We should also remember the big contribution of Lirio P. Sandoval, president of the Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP), because his organization provided the initial funds for the operations of FILCOLS in 2008 and encouraged his member-publishers to join.”

National Artist Virgilio S. Almario at the opening of the Training on Advanced Good Governance for FILCOLS Board and Management Team. Photo by Kim Seechiu.

He also highlighted the important support provided by the government through Dr. Dennis T. Gonzalez, then chair of the National Book Development Board (NBDB) and Atty. Adrian S. Cristobal Jr., former director general of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL).

Almario acknowledged the tenacity shown by Alvin J. Buenaventura as executive director since 2009. “Mabuti na lang at hindi binibitiwan ni Alvin ang FILCOLS kahit alam natin na maraming balakid,” Almario said. (It’s a good thing that Alvin continues to hold on and manage FILCOLS despite the many challenges.)

 

(l-r) Prof. Eilene Antoinette G. Narvaez, Dr. Joti Tabula, and NA Virgilio S. Almario. 
Photo by Kim Seechiu.

Entitled “Strengthening Good Governance, Leadership and Sustainability in Collective Management: A training on Good Governance for the Filipinas Copyright Licensing Society, Inc. (FILCOLS),” the hybrid workshop allowed for onsite and online participants.

 

Aside from Almario and the current FILCOLS Chair Dr. Dennis T. Gonzalez, other participants were Atty. Andrea Pasion-Flores, Dr. John Jack G. Wigley, Mr. Jose Paolo M. Sibal, Ms. Beverly W. Siy, Ms. Ruth Valorie D. Catabijan, Ms. Imelda Morales, Ms. Nida Ramirez, Dr. Joey Tabula, Mr. Alvin J. Buenaventura, Ms. Regina Reyna V. Pastor, Ms. Jo Pantorillo, Ms. Cristina Balagtas, Ms. Alicia O. Cioco, and Prof. Eilene Antoinette G. Narvaez.

 

They gained insights and learned advanced knowledge and trends in government practices, ethical leadership, and rights management from the following experts:

 

Dr. Reginald G. Uggadan, Public Management Frameworks and Good Governance

 

Dr. Erwin Gaspar Alampay, Digital Governance

 

Dr. Eng Ming Wu of Taiwan, Sustainability Governance, Faithful Stewardship, and Competent Nation-building 

 

Dr. Ma. Oliva Z. Domingo, Charting our Course for Tomorrow's Challenges

 

Dr. Maria Faina Diola, Strategic Communication for Copyright Management Organization Governance

 

Dr. Charlie Cabotaje, Stakeholder- Centered Governance

 

FILCOLS Chair Dr. Dennis T. Gonzalez responding to the question from Dr. Oliva Domingo (standing).To the left of Dr. Gonzalez, Ms. Tina Balagtas of the Philippine Educational Publishers Association (PEPA) and Ms. Reg Pastor, FILCOLS membership officer. Photo by Kim Seechiu. 

 

Ms. Melanie G. Riva, senior research and extension fellow at the Center for Leadership, Citizenship, and Democracy (CLCD), UP NCPAG managed the overall running of the event and was also its moderator.

The closing ceremony included the awarding of certificates led by FILCOLS Chair Dr. Gonzalez and UPPAF’s Dr. Domingo; and closing remarks from Dr. Cabotaje, CLCD – UP NCPAG director.

 

BWS/AJB

FILCOLS and CCP Collab: Empower KADIPAN members with Reading Materials, Information on Copyright and AI at the TALAB 2023 in PNU

 

FILCOLS and CCP Collab: Empower KADIPAN members with Reading Materials, Information on Copyright and AI at the TALAB 2023 in PNU

Despite the threat of Tropical Storm Chedeng, the Filipinas Copyright Licensing Society, Inc. (FILCOLS) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) displayed remarkable determination. They met on June 7 at the Philippine Normal University in Manila, undeterred by the adverse weather, to celebrate TALAB 2023 alongside the PNU’s Kapisang Diwa at Panitik (KADIPAN) members.

Bebang Siy made a presentation on the free learning resources available online which were created by government cultural agencies.

“Learning resources like stories, articles, drawings, images, and videos are free to download to supplement the materials being used by educational institutions like the Philippine Normal University,” Siy said.

Siy is an officer at the CCP and a member of the board of FILCOLS.

FILCOLS executive director Alvin J. Buenaventura made a presentation via recorded video on copyright, artificial intelligence, and the work of a collective management organization (CMO) like FILCOLS.

“Authors are strongly encouraged to join FILCOLS so that we can protect their reproduction rights,” Buenaventura said. “Institutions that reuse copyrighted works via photocopying and digital copying on a large scale should get a license from FILCOLS to legalize their use. In turn, the remuneration we collect is distributed to our member authors and publishers.”

He explained the rise of AI especially generative AI which produces text, images, and videos. And that students should use them responsibly.

During the open forum, Buenaventura answered some of the questions through the Messenger communications app.

CCP, FILCOLS, and PNU-KADIPAN. Photo by Shai Gondra.

After the presentations, Siy formally turned over to PNU KADIPAN the reading materials collected by the CCP. Reg Pastor and Shai Gondra represented FILCOLS at the event. They turned over to the officers of KADIPAN the reading materials donated through the efforts of FILCOLS.

Established in 1966, the CCP is the leading government institution for arts and culture in the Philippines. FILCOLS is the only CMO organized in 2008 to support the book publishing industry.

Text by Alvin J. Buenaventura. Photo by Shai Gondra. Text and photo may be re-posted as long as the authors are acknowledged.

Visit the CCP FB to read the article written by Rajah Mekah Navarro

https://www.facebook.com/CCPIntertextualDivision/posts/567799685527355?ref=embed_post

FILCOLS Joins Creative Sector Gathering at 2nd Creative Industries Summit

 

Grand opening of the 2nd Creative Industries Summit with the guests in their
best Filipiniana attires. Photo by Alvin J. Buenaventura.

FILCOLS Joins Creative Sector Gathering at 2nd Creative Industries Summit

 

Marking the significance of the Creative Industries Act, FILCOLS took part in the 2nd Philippine Creative Industries Summit. This collaborative event, organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), unfolded at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City on March 7-8.

 

With the theme “Unifying Creative Agenda, Elevating Filipino Creativity,” the two-day event gathered the heads and representatives of the nine creative domains: audio and audiovisual media; digital interactive media; books, publishing, and printed media; creative services; design; visual arts; performing arts; traditional cultural expressions; and cultural sites.

(l-r) FILCOLS staff Shaira Gondra, membership officer Reg Pastor, vice chair Atty. Andrea Pasion-Flores, and executive director Alvin J. Buenaventura at the 2^nd Creative Industries Summit, Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City.
Photo by Kassy Lei.

The FILCOLS team composed of Alvin J. Buenaventura, Reg Pastor, and Shaira Gondra represented the publishing domain. Also, present at the event was Atty. Andrea Pasion-Flores, president of the Book Publishing Association of the Philippines and vice chair of FILCOLS.

 

FILCOLS Staff with Congressman Christopher "Toff" De Venecia (Pangasinan 4th District), one of the main proponents of the newly minted Philippine Creative Industries Development Law. Photo by Kassy Lei.

You may watch the full videos of the event through these links,

Day 1 https://fb.watch/nkqcJ8hkuK/

Day 2 https://fb.watch/nkqgUHjeRt/

 

Text by Alvin J. Buenaventura. Photos by AJB and Kassy Lei. Text and photos may be re-posted as long as the authors are acknowledged.

 

FILCOLS Supports the Launch of The Written Property: A Freelance Writer’s Guide to Copyright

 

FILCOLS Supports the Launch of The Written Property: A Freelance Writer’s Guide to Copyright

To make copyright accessible to non-lawyers, the Freelance Writers Guild of the Philippines (FWGP) and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) launched the e-book The Written Property: A Freelance Writer’s Guide to Copyright on March 4 via Zoom.

Atty. Emerson Cuyo said that among the numerous proposals submitted to the Copyright Plus Program during the pandemic, the proposal for a book on copyright for freelance writers is unique.

Cuyo is the head of IPOPHL’s Bureau of Copyright and Related Rights (BCRR).

“The Copyright Plus is a flagship program of the BCRR that aims to cater to the copyright-related needs specifically of the unserved, underserved, and minority groups or persons of the creative community,” he added.

Gifted Pinay teen Sam Benwick. Photo by Ann Benwick.

To add a bit of lightness to the heavy topic of copyright, an intermission number was provided by young copyright creator Sam Benwick. She sang “Confession,” her newly released song. At 19, Sam is a gifted composer, lyricist, arranger, and singer-performer of her many songs. The talented Pinay teen is the creator of Sarah Geronimo’s latest song “Sansinukob, Salamat.”

Many experts cooperated to complete the book

FWGP gathered writers, researchers, and other resource persons to contribute to the completion of the book.

“To the entire community of freelance writers, this work is for you. We hope that this will help you in your practice,” said Aimee Morales, founder of the Freelance Writers Guild of the Philippines and co-editor of the book.

FILCOLS executive director Alvin J. Buenaventura was tapped as one of the resource persons for the book. “Congratulations to the FWGP and BCRR for coming up with a book that will guide freelance writers in navigating the complex world of copyright and publishing,” he said during the online book launch.

 

Buenaventura added that respect for IP especially copyright is of utmost importance because it is the foundation stone of our emerging creative economy.

“The Written Property is a gift from experienced writers to aspiring ones. May this book find its audience and teach them to understand the value of their work so that they can change their lives and not settle for spare change,” said Atty. Mark Robert Dy, co-editor of the book.

The ebook copy costs PHP 199 and the print copy costs PHP 600. To get The Written Property, you may order via the FWGP Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/fwgp.org

You may watch the full video of the book launch through this link, https://www.facebook.com/fwgp.org/videos/146705974625714

You may also support our young Pinay creator Sam Benwick via her SocMed links:

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2Zsn09Mt6kHdipblDeVaF9?si=GrdzQsltTji9PPm-Yy5T8Q

 

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sambenwick

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sambenwick/?hl=en

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sambenwick?lang=en

 

 

Text by Alvin J. Buenaventura. Photos by FWGP and Ann Benwick. Text and photos may be re-posted as long as the authors are acknowledged.

 

Ayala Foundation, FILCOLS celebrate Philippine Book Development Month 2016

The Filipinas Copyright Licensing Society, Inc. (FILCOLS) and Ayala Foundation will celebrate Philippine Book Development Month 2016 with a simple event from 1 to 4 p.m. on Friday, 25 November at the Ground Floor Lobby, Ayala Museum, Makati City.

“FILCOLS Distribution for Rightsholders and Partnership with Ayala Foundation” will signal the start of distribution of remuneration for authors, heirs of authors, and publishers. The bulk of the license fees collected by FILCOLS were from the Department of Education (DepEd) for the re-use of Filipino works in the learning resources for Grades 2, 3, 8, and 9. 

Recognizing the need to support Filipino authors and other copyright owners, Ayala Foundation, a revered name among corporate foundations, will sign a licensing agreement with FILCOLS for the secondary use of works through mass digital and photocopying inside the Filipinas Heritage Library and the Ayala Museum. A small license fee will be paid on a two-year period which will then be distributed to righstholders after deducting FILCOLS’s administration costs.

Established in 1961 and renamed in 1990, Ayala Foundation is the social development arm of the Ayala Corporation. Committed to improve the lives of Filipinos, Ayala Foundation embarked on innovative programs for education, leadership, livelihood, arts, and culture.

FILCOLS is the government accredited collective management organization (CMO) in the text and image sector. FILCOLS supports the publishing industry by licensing the secondary use of copyrighted works for mass uses inside institutions.

Aside from the license fees collected from DepEd, FILCOLS will also distribute remuneration it received from its sister societies abroad. Australia’s Copyright Agency-Viscopy and the Copyright Licensing and Administration Society of Singapore (CLASS) remitted to FILCOLS, on various dates, remuneration for Filipino works used by their licensees. 

Under Australian and Singaporean copyright law, institutions must pay license fees for the re-use, through large-scale digital and photocopying, of books, journals, newspapers, and websites. Under these institutions are schools, universities, technical vocational (tech-voc) or polytechnic, businesses, government, and other organizations.

FILCOLS was established in 2008 by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, National Book Development Board, Book Development Association of the Philippines, and the Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas. Its founding chair was National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario.

FILCOLS is currently headed by its chair Dr. Jose Y. Dalisay, Jr. Other Trustees are Ricky Lee, Karina Bolasco, Beverly Siy, Dr. Rebecca Anonuevo, Dr. John Jack Wigley, Marne Kilates, and Jose Paolo Sibal. The Secretariat is led by executive director Alvin J. Buenaventura.

Text and photos by Alvin J. Buenaventura. This may be re-posted as long as the author is acknowledged.

Tackling challenges head on at the PH Education Summit 2016

“Should K-12 be supported or opposed?” “How can the government provide learning resources when there is a shortage of classrooms, a number of which are damaged during typhoons?” “How can the education department raise teaching standards when teachers get measly salaries and many opt to work abroad instead?” “What should universities do to join the ranks of top-ranking higher educational institutions?” These are some of the issues that need to be raised in the Philippine Education Summit 2016 which started today November 3 at the SMX, Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

Education stakeholders gather at the start of the Philippine Education Summit 2016. (Photo by AJB)

It took a long time for the Philippines to adjust its basic education to the globally practiced K-12. The Philippines clung to K-10 until the passing of the 2013 Enhanced Basic Education Act (RA 10533). 

The new law however did not end the debate. Anti-K-12 proponents presented various petitions to the Supreme Court. Some of the reasons presented were: K-12 is anti-poor, unconstitutional, anti-labor,unpatriotic, and anti-Filipino. The petitioners were not deterred despite the fact that the Philippines is the only country in Asia to have K-10 and until recently was part of the old company with African countries Angola and Djibouti.

In March 2016, the Supreme Court rejected various petitions against K-12. Aside from the controversial K-12, the Philippine Education Summit 2016 will also look at the various issues facing technical-vocational (tech-voc) and higher education.

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno. (Photo by AJB)

The main problem of the education agencies over the years has been the lack of money. 

In his opening remarks, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno presented a different picture and said “Our problem is we may not be able to spend all the money before the term of President Duterte ends.” He added that the Philippine budget for 2017 is PHP 3.35 trillion (USD 67.7 billion). This means the budget will steadily rise for the next six years. He assured the participants that the current administration fully supports education.

FILCOLS executive director Alvin J. Buenaventura with DepEd's Cynthia Villafranca.
(Photo by DepEd's Joergette Razielle M. Regadio)

The two-day event brought under one roof 500 selected education stakeholders from all over the Philippines. FILCOLS executive director Alvin J. Buenaventura was one of the stakeholders invited to the education summit. FILCOLS is the government-accredited collective management organization (CMO) for printed works.

Various government agencies participated in the summit. (Photo by AJB)

The Philippine Education Summit 2016 was jointly convened by the country’s top education agencies: Department of Education (DepEd) which handles basic education and alternative learning systems (ALS), CHED which handles HEIs including SUCs, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) which handles technical-vocational (tech-voc) education. Support was provided by the Australian Aid – Basic Education Sector Transformation (BEST).

Text by Alvin J. Buenaventura.  Photos by AJB and Joergette Razielle M. Regadio. Text and photos may be re-posted as long as the authors are acknowledged.

FILCOLS at the Punto de Vista Pelikula

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) organized the Punto de Vista Pelikula at the Darangen Room, NCCA building, Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila last November 20, 2012.

IPOPHL Director General Ricardo Blancaflor giving the opening remarks.

With the theme “Prospects for Collective Management and Audiovisual Performances,” the event featured speakers from collective management organizations (CMOs) in the Philippines.

FILCOLS executive director Alvin J. Buenaventura explained the work of a reproduction rights organization (RRO) for the book and publishing industry.

Atty. Mark Thursday Alciso explained collective management in music. Alciso is the acting general manager for the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (FILSCAP).

FILVADRO president Karen Ocampo-Flores presented how painters and visual artists organized the Filipino Visual Arts and Design Rights Organization to collectively manage their rights.

Speakers and Organizers. (l-r) Alvin J. Buenaventura, FILCOLS; Karen O. Flores, FILVADRO; Representative of NCCA executive director Emelita V. Almosara, DG Ric Blancaflor, Dr. Miguel Rapatan, NCCA cinema committee chair; and Mark Thursday Alciso, FILSCAP.

PRSP president Mitch Valdez explained the struggles of performers and what the Performers Rights Society of the Philippines is doing to address problems in the industry.

Singaporean Ang Kwee Tiang presented the international trends in collective management and how the new Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances can help the industry. KT Ang is the regional director for Asia Pacific region of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC).

Actor Rez Cortez, NCCA cinema committee execon member; Alvin J. Buenaventura, FILCOLS; and Singaporean K. T. Ang, CISAC.

The aim of the event is to help cinema directors, producers, scriptwriters, performers, cinematographers, and composers decide if they will set up a separate CMO or join existing ones.

Participants with the speakers and organizers of the Punto de Vista Pelikula.