The winners with Globe Director for External Affairs Jocel de Guzman (far left) and Globe OIC for Corporate Brand Management Edward Joseph Francisco (far right). From left: Atty. Ruphil Bañoc of DyHP, Estela Grace Rosit of TV5, Clanz Gabutin and Alan Domingo of GMA, Maria Sigrid Lo of Sigrid Says, Joyce Torrefranca, Rosemarie Borromeo and Ador Vincent Mayol of Cebu Daily News, Christian Vincent Literatus of Bisdak Explorer, Runelyn Jamolo of DyLL Radyo ng Bayan Iloilo, and Cherry Ann Lim of Sun.Star Cebu (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO).
Globe Telecom announced the winners of the 5th Globe Media Excellence Awards (GMEA)-Visayas who have shown exemplary communication skills in promoting sustainable development and bringing social issues to the attention of the public via print, broadcast, or digital media.
The outstanding media professionals and digital media practitioners were feted during the awarding ceremonies held in Radisson Blu Hotel on September 22 as part of the Cebu Press Freedom Week celebration. They bested 777 other entries in the 12 categories.
“The critical role of media organizations and online communities in forming and shaping public opinion makes it imperative for organizations like Globe to institutionalize an award-giving body that recognizes outstanding, incisive, and impactful reportage. As we commemorate the value of press freedom in driving a progressive nation, we see GMEA as an opportunity to give back to our media friends and our bloggers and influencer partners, the honor that they deserve as we collectively create a world that is purposive and wonderful,” said Yoly Crisanto, senior vice president, Globe Corporate Communications during her opening remarks.
For this year, GMEA was anchored on Globe Telecom’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals to help create a Wonderful Philippines.
The winning entries did not only embody quality and relevant content but also focused on any or a combination of four areas such as care for environment, care for people, positive societal impact, and digital nation.
Bagging the Reporter of the Year for Print award for the fourth consecutive year was Ador Vincent Mayol of Cebu Daily News who wrote “Wrinkled Hopes.” Mayol also received the Reporter of the Year for Online News Portal award together with his editor Rosemarie Borromeo for the piece “Shining through the haze.”
Reporter of the Year for TV went to Estela Grace Rosit of TV 5 and her editor and videographer Joveniano Yap for “El Niño sa Sugbu” while Runelyn Jamolo of DyLL Radyo ng Bayan Iloilo was named Reporter of the Year for Radio for “Bayanihan kontra maternal deaths.”
Explanatory Story of the Year for Print was awarded to Sun.Star Cebu’s “Breaking Child Labor” written by Cherry Ann Lim while Explanatory Story of the Year for TV was given to “Krisis sa Tubig” of GMA’s Alan Domingo together with his editor Rod Prado and Clanz Gabutin and videographer Jun Solon.
On the other hand, Public Affairs Story of the Year award was given to Atty. Ruphil F. Bañoc of DyHP RMN Cebu for “Basura Bayloan og Grocery/Recycling of Waste Materials.”
Julia Carreon-Lagoc of Panay News Iloilo took home the Columnist of the Year Award for “Big 3 little words: humane, just, fraternal,” while Ferdinand Edralin of Cebu Daily News got the Photojournalist of the Year Award for his entry “State of Emergency.”
Christian Vincent Literatus of Bisdak Explorer won Blogger of the Year Award for “Bisdak Explorer’s Top 10 Free Travel Apps for Your Next Adventure”; Joyce Torrefranca was chosen as Social Media Advocate of the Year for “I got inspired by a kid: Daniel Cabrera”; and “Bacolod Needs More Plants in Commercial Areas” of Maria Sigrid Lo won the Social Media Campaign of the Year.
All winners received a cash prize and a trophy each while their editors also received cash prizes.
The distinguished panel of judges was composed of Ma. Theresa Sederiosa, Investment and Promotions Officer of the Cebu City government; Ahmed Cuizon, Regional Director of LTFRB-7; Romelinda Garces, Communications officer of San Miguel Brewery; Auke Idzenga, founder of Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation Inc.; and Donna Rose Ratilla, president of Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Iloilo Chapter.