Journalism Awards 2018

The Rotary Club of Manila Journalism Awards has become an immortalized icon in the recognition of the Fourth Estate as a bastion of democracy in the archipelago. The importance of a free press and its role in the shaping of a nation cannot be completely undermined. Hence, with this noble idea in mind, the Rotary Year 1966-1967 saw the birth of a rich heritage culled from Asia’s First Rotary Club’s resolve to participate in the annual observance of National Press Week. Under the leadership of then President Jose Olbes, the Journalism Awards revolutionized the image of the press in the eyes of the public whose undying vigilance became a continuing inspiration for many a journalist to make the tri-media a medium to discuss issues of national significance. In so doing, the said awards was chosen by the club as The Major Club Project of the Year by the Board of Directors during the Rotary Year 1966-1967. Thereafter, the awards became a major fixture Rotary year after Rotary year.

However, with the suppression of press freedom as a consequence of the issuance of Proclamation No. 1081 declaring Martial Law in the country, the club resolved to suspend the said awards in silent protest. With the restoration of press freedom as a result of the EDSA Revolution of 1986 which toppled the dictatorship of President Ferdinand Marcos, the Rotary Club of Manila Journalism Awards once again saw the light of day with the dawn of a new beginning in the country and since then, has become one of the most coveted awards in the archipelago.

With this new beginning, the design of the new trophy became imperative and through the tireless efforts of Rotarian Tomas C. Banguis, Jr., a new symbol of vigilance came to being, one composed of a feather pen with flame feathers executed using narra-like wood for the lower half of the pen became the powerful sign of the times of an excelling free press. The “flame/fire” was done with cut-out brass material, while the base is made of narra-like wood with light walnut shiny finish. A plate identifying the winner was done on photo-engraved brass plate, with textured brass nail. The backing for the pen/flame at ¼ clear glass with bevel where the Rotary Club of Manila logo is etched at the glass backing.

More than the physical structure of excellence embodied in the new trophy, Past President Leocadio “Edgie” de Asis could not have said it better when he alluded in his book, Crusade of Service, that triumph in the Journalism Awards has become a yardstick of prestige for any media outfit as they often mention this triumph in identifying themselves to the public in many a radio broadcast, television program or newspaper. As the years went by, so too were the discerning verdicts in carefully choosing the deserving press as the award giving body has now taken seed in ushering an era of fearless reporting in the tradition of “Service Above Self”, a Rotary motto that has since pervaded a meaningful press as the beacon of democracy in the Philippines.

This Rotary Year 2017-2018, the Rotary Club of Manila, the First in Asia, on the doorsteps of its centennial celebration, will hold its Journalism Awards on May 17, 2018, 12:00 pm, at the Ballroom of the New World Makati Hotel in Makati City. The following are this year’s awardees in the tri-media:

Journalist of the Year: Mr. Joseph Morong, GMA Channel 7.

Regional Female Broadcaster of the Year: Ms. Rosemarie Ann Diaboro, DXAB, ABS-CBN Davao; Regional Female Broadcaster of the Year: Ms. Annalisa Burgos, ANC; Regional Male Broadcaster of the Year: Mr. James Galay, DXAB, ABS-CBN Davao

Regional Male Reporter of the Year: Mr. Ben Jason Tesiorna, Sun Star Davao; Regional Newspaper of the Year: EDGE Davao with Mr. Antonio Ajero, Editor-in-Chief; Newspaper Female Business Reporter of the Year: Ms. Iris Cecilia Gonzales, The Philippine STAR; Newspaper Female Opinion Writer of the Year: Ms. Marichu A. Villanueva, The Philippine STAR; Newspaper of the Year: Manila Times with Mr. Dante Francis Ang II, Pres./CEO; Lifestyle Magazine of the Year: Philippine Panorama, Manila Bulletin with Mr. Arnel Patawaran, Editor; Business Newspaper of the Year: Malaya Business Insight with Ms. Monica Macasaet, Vice President.