Communications and public relations expert Ramon “Bong” Osorio passed away on April 30. He was 66 years old.
In a Facebook post on Oct. 5, 2019, Osorio confirmed that he had been confined in Makati Medical Center since Sept. 25 after a tumor was found in his brain.
Osorio graduated from the University in 1974 with a degree in communication arts and was part of two student publications: the Varsitarian and The Flame.
In 1983, he began teaching marketing communication, advertising and public relations courses at the Faculty of Arts and Letters and Graduate School.
Osorio served as chairman of the communication arts department for 17 years, and was given The Outstanding Thomasian Alumni award in 2003.
He was vice president and head of the Corporate Communications Division of ABS-CBN and was a communications and PR consultant for private and government organizations.
Osorio began writing a column for the business life section of the Philippine Star in 2001.
Osorio was president of both the Public Relation Society of the Philippines and the International Association of Business Communicators Philippines, and was a representative of the Philippines in the Asean PR Network and the International PR Association.
Carrie Torres, a former student, said Osorio was a “kind and humble person despite so many achievements.”
Susan Ople, a Manila Bulletin columnist who was also a student of Osorio, said: “Beyond college life, he maintained an active interest in his students’ careers including mine. We love you, Prof. You were the best among the best. God shine the light on your path to Heaven.”
Another former student, Fr. Christopher Jeffrey Aytona, O.P., said on Facebook: “You will always be THE BEST PROFESSOR in the UST Communication Arts Department. Thank you Sir Bong Osorio for being an inspiration to many of us. I will forever be grateful to you.” Charm Ryanne C. Magpali
