Noel Galvez has served many purposes in the production and communications industry. Apart from being the president and CEO of Vanguard Radio Network, he is also holding the same title in Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), an organization dedicated to the responsible and innovative development of broadcasting in the Philippines. He is also part of the board of trustees for Ad Standards Council, an organization that screens the varied formats of advertising. He is also a senior professional lecturer at De La Salle University, honing audio production and broadcasting skills of Communication Arts students.

In addition to technical skills in the industry, his successful leadership can be attributed to one thing: his drive to use media for public service.

Going big in the broadcasting industry

When he was still pursuing his undergraduate degree in Business Management at DLSU, Galvez did not originally plan to enter the broadcasting industry. But in 1995, he started working for his family corporation, Vanguard Radio Network. He began doing programming before he entered KBP in 1997. From there, he climbed the ranks: two years as a secretary, two years as the vice chairman, two years as the local chapter chairman, and then he moved to Metro Manila to join the Standards Authority and finally entered the board in 2015.

In 2024, KBP appointed him as their next president. While Galvez was taken aback, he was willing to take on the responsibility, knowing that this was what the organization truly needed. “Nung nag start ako, I didn’t aspire to be the president. Ang sabi ko lang ay ito yung ano kailangan ng organization. So paano natin, matutulungan?” Galvez shares. Under his leadership, his first goal was to identify how he could possibly use this position to help the public, while strengthening the industry. For instance, the organization, under this command, had brought in new ways to strengthen radio communications in the Philippines by innovating the medium to be persistently relevant. 

The unavailability of radio for sale especially for younger generations, has been identified by their company research. In turn, they encouraged the utilization of the built in chip sets on smartphones that can accept FM signals. He has also propelled the inclusion of access to a radio app upon buying load for smartphones. “But why? Kasi pagdating ng mga crisis—typhoon, calamities—radio ang unang naitataas, napapa-andar. Kahit ang cell site bumagsak, unang maririnig ang radio,” Galvez shares.

Leading with humility

At his level of success, Noel Galvez proudly acknowledges the influence of his family and his godparents on his career. His father, who brought him into the industry in the first place, shared a piece of advice that stuck with him throughout his career: “You have to be sincere. You have to cultivate sincere relationships.” Whether this be with family, friends, or colleagues, he applied this to all of his relationships, which really reveals itself in the way he interacts with everyone. This is the reason his employees remain confident in his leadership even in times of crisis. Aside from his relatives, Galvez’ godparents are also his mentors because “hindi lang sila magaling sa sa industry, strong rin sila sa faith.” Even as retirees of the broadcasting industry, they still continue to touch lives.

This commitment to effective communication, all while adapting to changes in people’s use of technology, is what makes Galvez a valuable leader. Being president of KBP and CEO of Vanguard Radio Network does not only mean being knowledgeable in the technical aspects of the industry. It also entails taking care of his employees and serving the consumers. “It’s about service. Leadership is not about being on top or bossing people around,” Galvez shares his main motivation behind his executive role. He believes that people should not take these roles for the profit or the influence, but rather to serve the people and represent the company. These qualities earned him the adequate credibility, experience, and values to fulfill such significant positions in his organizations. 

In a versatile industry such as production, it’s crucial to have a leader that grounds us in character and purpose. Noel Galvez is the perfect example of this, with his sincerity and generosity overflowing in every aspect of his life.