THE Cebu Provincial Board yesterday congratulating Cebu Daily News reporter Victor Anthony Silva and correspondent Vanessa Claire Lucero for winning the Mr. and Miss Press Freedom contest last Saturday.
“The two got the most coveted crowns through their simple but very impressive answers to the pageant’s final questions, answers that spell their refined characters as journalists and media practitioners,” said the resolution authored by Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale.
The fun pageant, which kicked off Cebu Press Freedom Week, featured four couples from Cebu newspapers and the broadcast industry.
Silva was asked what it meant to be a “true Filipno” and talked about having a “heart” to “advocate what the Filipno truly needs.” Lucero was asked about “sovereignty” and replied that the “Philippine Constitution is based on a foundation of respect… honesty, credibility. These are things the media industry, journalists like us, have to uphold as well.”
After the pageant, both CDN staffers said the victory was “surreal” and meant they have a responsibility to live up to professional standards of journalism.
Other winners were Daryl Jabil and Jeandie Galolo (first runners up) representing Sun.Star Daily, Carlo Lorenciana (2rd runner up) and Mylen Manto (3rd runner up) from The Freeman and Roy Lester Jimenez (3rd runner up) and Irish Dale Lecena (2nd runner up) of the KBP.