By Henrylito D. Tacio
Winners of the 9th Globe Media Excellence Awards (GMEA) will be known this coming May 6 via virtual reality. The award, given annually to media practitioners and content creators from Visayas and Mindanao, has become more competitive each year.
Of over 500 entries from Visayas and Mindanao, a total of 92 stories have made it to the roster of finalists, “showing exemplary work in telling compelling, rich stories that influence this challenging period,” said the press release.
“Of the submitted works, 49 were chosen as finalists for Visayas and 43 for Mindanao,” the press release said. “Initially open to select major cities in the region, GMEA has since expanded its reach to more areas with finalists coming from Tacloban, Dipolog, and Bukidnon.”
Yoly Crisanto, SVP Group Corporate Communications and Chief Sustainability Officer at Globe, was quoted as saying, “GMEA has gone through many changes in the past eight years. In our 9th year, we are proud to have received entries from more media practitioners and content creators.
“This shows how much the news and its delivery have also evolved,” she continued. “As we look forward to the 10th year milestone, we hope many more storytellers will join us in advocating for impactful storytelling.”
A total of fourteen awards will be given away: nine for digital and print, two for broadcast, and three special awards.
The nine awards for digital and print are investigative/explanatory story, news report, column, investigative/explanatory video for digital, photo for digital, breaking news for digital, social media advocacy for digital, and digital storytelling (best blog post and best social media video).
The two awards for broadcast are news reports for radio and news reports for television. The three special awards are #KwentoNgTagumpay: Uplifting Lives Through Digital Technology (community and individual), newsmaker, and editor.
In the investigative/explanatory for print, three from Sunstar Davao made it to the list of finalists: Reuel John Lumawag. Ace June Rell Perez, and Marianne Abalayan. There was a lone finalist from Cagayan de Oro: Lina Reyes.
In the news report, 6 finalists were named: Lina Reyes again, Jennie Arado of Davao, Angelo Lorenzo of Cagayan de Oro, Grace Cantal-Abalsin of Bukidnon, Rey Garcia of Dipolog, and Ma. Liza Abubakar-Jocson of Zamboanga.
In the explanatory/investigative video for digital, two news reporters were named: Big Jay Lagang of PTV News Mindanao and Jennie Arado of Sunstar Davao.
The lone Davao finalist of the three listed for a photo for digital was Mark Anthony Perandos of Sunstar Davao. Butuan’s Erwin Mascarinas was nominated twice in the same category.
Two Davao newsmen also made it to the three finalists for breaking news for digital: Perez and Ralph Lawrence Llemit, both from Sunstar Davao. Mascarinas was also nominated in this category.
Interestingly, I had been nominated for the column of the year. There were three stories that made it to the list of finalists: “Sea level rise: Forthcoming danger for Davao City,” “Natural resources destruction,” and “The rape of our forests.” All three were written by me and were published in Edge Davao.
Here’s what Globe said of the category: “This award recognizes print or digital social commentaries, reviews and critiques related to the theme and anchored on any of the identified sustainability pillars. The story should demonstrate resourceful and purposeful reporting and be written for the benefit of the common good.”
The sustainability pillars are in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals: digital nation, care for people, care for the environment, and positive societal impact.
The 9th awards season has the theme, “#PadayonDigital: Uplifting Lives Through Digital Technology.” Through this, the Globe wants to recognize “the importance of digital platforms in delivering relevant news and content to the public.”
In like manner, Globe, through the awards, can celebrate “the dedication of the media, considered as modern-day heroes that inspire positive change, make a difference, and carry the country to a more hopeful tomorrow.”
The 9th GMEA screeners include esteemed members of the academe and communications.
Specialists. Let’s name them one by one: Henry Abellanosa, Dr. Mary Shieldred Angeles, Dr. Maria Teresa Asistido, Sylvie Agravante, Dr. Josyl Aquilam, Mila Mae Caballero, Rhoda Campillan, Dr. Lito Diones, and Jon Joaquin, Dr. Manuelito Dabalos, Kenth Jaype, Atty. Ian Vincent Manticajon, Mia Embalzado Mateo, John David Moncado, Kirk Rocensvalles, Bernadette Parco, Mary Rose Ofianga, Ashley Uy, Merle Dawn Comidoy-Acol, Dr. Zoilo Andrada Jr., and Prof. Jason Baguia, Vanessa Almeda.
The others who were also involved in the screening were: Zsa Sa Bacaling, Rechelle Ann Barraquias, Publio Briones, Ena Marie Dizon, Dr. Sheryl Satorre-Estella, Shad Roi dela Cruz, Dr. Ian Espada, Lyra Ko, Gerthrode Charlotte Mabilog, Liberty Pinili, Cris Evert Lato-Ruffolo, Dr. Ramir Philip Jones Sonsona, Joeven Tansi, Dr. Joseph Elvir Tubilan, and Nicole Macarasig Padin.
The roster of judges were digital marketing executives and sustainability advocates, and officers: Auke Idzenga, Ahmed Cuizon, Quark Henares, Fayette Riñen, Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, Marivir Montebon, Janella Mae Soberano, Charlito Kaloy Manlupig, Dr. Rhodora Bucoy, Dave Overton, Edicio dela Torre, Marriz Agbon, and Miko David.