PUBLIC relations expert and former Varsitarian sports editor Jones Campos passed away on Jan. 29. He was 69.
Campos obtained his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University in 1975.
He served as the Varsitarian sports editor from 1974 to 1975. He was also a features writer for The Flame, the official student publication of the Faculty of Arts and Letters.
In 1991, Campos earned his master’s degree in business administration from Ateneo De Manila University.
Campos started working in the PR and advertising industry a few years after graduation and became one of the most notable figures in the industry.
“He loved being involved in public relations, and he was able to develop a kind of influence in the industry. I loved that about him,” said son Jaime, a former Varsitarian lensman.
Campos served as assistant vice president for PR and marketing of Eastern Communications from 1979 to 1993. He then worked as Globe’s PR head officer from 1993 to 2009.
In 2006, he founded his consultancy firm JonesPR / JTCampos Corp.
Campos became the executive director of the Advertising Board of the Philippines in 2010 and president of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP).
He taught at De La Salle University from 2010 to 2015.
In a statement, the PRSP mourned the death of the PR ace.
“The Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) mourns the passing of one of its pillars, former PRSP President Jones Campos, APR. His passing is a great loss, not just to PRSP but to the entire public relations and communications industry of the Philippines. We extend our sincerest sympathies to the Campos family,” it said.
In a Facebook post, Pulitzer-prize-winning journalist Manuel Mogato remembered how Campos helped him when he was a “newbie” in the industry.
“When I was a young journalist and writing telecom stories for a Singapore-based magazine, Jones helped me a lot, showing me how the industry works, what to watch as there was an explosion of mobile service operators when the Ramos administration broke PLDT’s monopoly,” Mogato said.
Campos attended the Varsitarian’s 95th anniversary grand alumni homecoming on Jan. 14.
Jaime said his father was happy during his last days.
“After the Valik-Varsi event, we spoke to each other and talked about how he enjoyed the company of his former ‘V’ staffers, but importantly, his friends. I will never forget that particular conversation because I knew deep down he was happy despite his health condition,” Jaime said.
“I promised him that we’ll go together for the 100th Valik-Varsi, but, unfortunately, that will never happen,” he added.
Memorial services will be held at St. Peter’s Chapel on Fruto Santos Avenue, Brgy. Zapote, Las Piñas on Feb. 2 and 4.
Campos’s remains will be cremated on Feb. 5.
