Tacloban City—Tacloban-based Manila Standard correspondent Ronald O. Reyes joined 33 other journalists and media outlets in a recognition ceremony during the first 1st Eastern Media Awards at the Leyte Park Hotel and Resort on Saturday.
Newly formed Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders organized the media awards.
The panel of judges were composed of veteran editor Rolex Elmido, Archdiocese of Palo Spokesperson Fr. Chris Arthur Militante, and Professor Ladylyn Mangada of the University of the Philippines-Visayas Tacloban Campus.
“The event was a beautiful showcase of unity among journalists in Region 8. It was also an affirmation that media practitioners in the region are working hard to sustain professionalism and credibility in their career,” said Elmido, former regional editor of The Freeman now regional editor of online news portal Manila Express.com.
Reyes, who wrote extensively about the 2013 Super Typhoon Yolanda that devastated the central Philippines as a typhoon survivor himself, won in the “Best Regional Correspondent for National News” for his “excellence in news writing, resourcefulness in breaking news, and ingenious ability to extract top stories that land in the national front pages.”
Sharing his spot was Robert Dejon, Ormoc-based correspondent of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
The other winners include: Best News Program of the Year (Radio), Balitang Bayan-DYVL Aksyon Radyo; Best News Program of the Year (TV), TV Patrol Eastern Visayas-ABS-CBN; Best Radio Reporter (Male), Rani Arcenas; Best Radio Reporter (Female), Sarah May Artiaga-Kaugop Radio; Best Television Reporter (Male), Don Leandrew Tiu-PRTV 12; Best Television Reporter (Female), Jenette Fariola-Ruedas-ABS-CBN.
Best Commentary Program (Broadcast), Bombohanay Bigtime (Bombo Radyo); Best Commentator (Broadcast), Eduard Sanagan- Radio Mindanao Network; Best Radio Newscaster of the Year, Francisca Custodio (DYVL-Aksyon Radyo); Best TV Newscaster of the Year (Male), Ranulfo Docdocan-ABS-CBN; Best TV Newscaster of the Year (Female), Boots Buena (PRTV 12); Best Television Cameraman, Ariel Masas, PRTV 12.
Best News Writer of the Year, Joey Gabieta-Philippine Daily Inquirer; Best News Correspondent for National Online Site, Jasmin Bonifacio-Rappler; Best Feature Story Writer, Elmer Recuerdo-Business Mirror.
Best Newspaper of the Year (Regional), Leyte Samar Daily Express; Best Community Paper (Regional), Sunday Punch; Best Newspaper of the Year (Provincial), Southern Leyte Times; Best Community Paper (Provincial), Northern Samar Tribune; Best News Platform of the Year (Online), Calbayog Journal; Best Newspaper Editor, Lalaine Marcos; Best Photojournalist, Rommel Rutor-DYMS Aksyon Radyo; Best Development News Writer, Sarwell Meniano-Philippine News Agency; Best Public Information Officer (Government), Rogellete Urgel (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency); Best Public Information Officer (Private), Bambie Capulong (National Grid Corporation of the Philippines); Best Media Personality of the Year (Male), Mark Morallos-(IBC-6).
Best Media Personality of the Year (Female), Louie Quebec-DYVL Aksyon Radyo; Best News Stringer (TV), Fred Padernos-GMA 7; Best Radio Community Program (Provincial), Pulso San Nortehanon; Best Male Reporter (Provincial), Yul Dela Cruz-DYSM Aksyon Radyo; Best Female Reporter (Provincial), Jayne Bantayan-DYMS Aksyon Radyo.
Best Disc Jockey of the Year (Female), Janine Royo-94.3 MOR; Best Disc Jockey of the Year (Male), Kay Bathala Santos-91.1 Love Radio).