PSTD Celebrates 60 Years with Grand Tipanan

Makati, Philippines – February 7, 2025 – The Philippine Society for Talent Development (PSTD) marked a historic milestone with the Grand Tipanan and 60th Anniversary Kickoff Celebration at The SEC Headquarters in Makati Avenue. Gathering 150 distinguished attendees from various organizations, the event underscored PSTD’s commitment to fostering collaboration, innovation, and the advancement of talent development in the Philippines.

The event featured the oath-taking ceremony of the 2025 Board of Trustees presided over by SEC Commissioner Javey Paul Francisco and Director Ricky Abundo, and the oath-taking of 2025 PSTD Committee Chairs by 2025 President Rinah Rivero, setting the stage for a year of transformative leadership and groundbreaking initiatives.

A Call to Blaze Together

Opening the event, SEC Commissioner Javey Francisco delivered a warm welcome message, recognizing PSTD’s immense contributions to talent development in the country.?

PSTD 2025 President Rinah Rivero introduced this year’s strategic theme, “Blaze Together.” She emphasized the importance of collaboration in facing modern challenges, “As a society dedicated to empowering Filipino talents, we know that the challenges we face today—disruptions in the workplace, the rapid evolution of skills, and the urgent need for national talent development—cannot be addressed in isolation. ‘Blaze Together’ reminds us that the path to the next 60 years lies in our collective strength, our burning passion for learning, and our shared purpose to collaborate and innovate.”

Thought-Provoking Discussions from Industry Leaders

Three powerhouse speakers took center stage, sharing their expertise on the future of collaboration, talent development, and impactful storytelling. Rick Danao, Chairman and Senior Partner of PwC Philippines, delivered an inspiring keynote on “BLAZE TOGETHER: Igniting the Future of Collaboration and Innovation,” emphasizing the critical role of partnerships in shaping the future of work.?

John Brylle Bae , Research Director at The Fourth Wall, presented key insights from the PSTD State of Industry Report in his talk “DRIVERS AND BARRIERS TO CHANGE: Unlocking Future-Ready Talent Development in the Philippines.”?

Meanwhile, Tom Graham, Founder of MAD (Make A Difference) Courses, explored “BUILDING A CASE FOR TALENT DEVELOPMENT: The Science and Art of Transformative Storytelling,” highlighting the power of narratives in shaping learning cultures.

Exciting Announcements and Initiatives

Among the key highlights of the event was the announcement of the 50th PSTD National Convention, PSTD’s annual premier gathering of industry leaders, practitioners, and experts to further advance the field of talent development. Additionally, PSTD unveiled PSTD NEXT, a strategic initiative dedicated to cultivating the future leaders of PSTD, ensuring a sustainable pipeline of talent development professionals.

Networking and Recognitions

Attendees engaged in a dynamic networking session, allowing members to forge valuable connections and share insights on the evolving talent landscape.

PSTD 2024 Chairperson of the Board Fe Marie Cabantac delivered an inspiring farewell and turnover message, recognizing the dedication of the Board of Trustees and the Professional Team, whose efforts have propelled PSTD’s mission forward.

PSTD 2024 President Edwin Ebreo expressed his enthusiasm for the year ahead, “I have great reasons to be even more excited about this year's journey with the PSTD. The plans are better. We continue to learn from our past experiences that made us smarter. More leaders are stepping up to the plate, and more members are willing to be involved.”

PSTD 2025 Chairperson of the Board Jun Roy, CMC, PSM, AFPM acknowledged the society’s rich legacy, “PSTD has undergone several transitions throughout the years. On behalf of the current Board, I'd like to thank all the past leaders who paved the path for us. What you achieved in the last six decades is nothing short of extraordinary.”

The event was made possible through the generous sponsorship of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which provided the grand venue, along with the support of ASEAMETRICS, Mercer Philippines, and Convergent Experience, who share PSTD’s mission of advancing talent development.

As PSTD celebrates 60 years, the Grand Tipanan & Kickoff Celebration sets the stage for a year of impactful initiatives and industry leadership.

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About PSTD

The Philippine Society for Talent Development (PSTD) is the country’s leading organization dedicated to advancing talent development. For six decades, PSTD has been at the forefront of building future-ready professionals and fostering a culture of learning and collaboration.

For media inquiries, contact:

Olin Lee

PSTD Operations Head

[email protected]

https://pstd.org