THE Philippine Heart Association-Philippine College of Cardiology (PHA-PCC) has conferred awards on nine journalists and 13 media outfits in ceremonies held last Dec. 7 at the Westin Manila hotel in Mandaluyong City.
The 2,312-strong PHA-PCC also handed out trophies to two entertainment personalities under the “Special Category.”
The nine media practitioners who received the awards were Michael Delizo of ABS-CBN/ANC, Diane Querrer of PTV 4, Connie Sison of Pinoy MD, DzBB, Annabelle Surara of Radyo Agila, Marou Sarne of DwIZ/ALIW TV23, Teresa Montemayor of the Philippine News Agency, Calvin Cordova of Manila Bulletin-Cebu, Leony Garcia of WhatchaMacallit, and Dr. Freddie Gomez of MedTalk Health Talk, CNN PH.
Also cited for excellence in news reporting were ABS-CBN, CNN PH, DzRH, GMA News Online, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, MedTalk Health Talk, Net 25, PTV 4, Radyo Agila, Philippine News Agency, Iwas Sakit, Iwas Gastos, Radyo 630 DwPM and SciTech &
Digital News.
Singer-host Martin Nievera and television talk show host Boy Abunda were named PHA Media Awardees under the Special Category). Both Nievera, and Abunda are regular advocates of the PHA Council on Heart Failure and National Heart Failure Network, and Usapang Puso sa Puso virtual forum.
The criteria for the journalists and media outfits were: news value, reportorial quality (substance, comprehensive, balanced, originality), storytelling/writing skills, analytical value (capable of reporting a complex issue in a clear and simplified manner); and impact.
“Among the bastions of truth that prevail in Philippine journalism, the Media Award recipients are a particularly passionate group that have illustrated how they have made the PHA’s mission to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease, their own personal advocacy,” according to PHA director II and Communications chairman Dr. Luigi Pierre Segundo.
PHA president Dr. Ronald Cuyco remarked; “What do the recipients have in common? They all lent their powerful voices and pen to the PH to keep the PHA Healthy Lifestyle 52100 and CPR-Ready Advocacies going. In terms of mileage, we reached new heights and new depths. We have gone this far, we owe it to you. We know, there are new frontiers that we have yet to explore but we can’t do this alone. PHA will always rely on you, our Media partners.”
Dr. Louella Santos, PHA director III/advocacy chairperson said the PHA acknowledges the fact that the news landscape has undergone a dramatic shift, with mainstream media’s utilization of social media as additional platforms. This fast-accessibility revolution has democratized information; real-time updates, and viral stories from platforms like Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and X, are readily available to anyone with an internet connection.
Such easy access, however, comes with challenges, as concerns about misinformation and echo chambers arise in the absence of established editorial standards, fact checking; thus, in an era of fake news and sloppy copies, the need for credible heart (links) health news sources (through the PHA Usapang Puso sa Puso, a monthly virtual forum via the PHA FB attended by Media and Netizens is paramount, Segundo added.