THE 20th Lasallian Scholarum Awards (LSA) recognized media excellence in delivering quality news and stories that highlight issues on youth and education at De La Salle University (DLSU) – Manila, on Thursday, March 13.
With the theme “Hayag,” DLSU celebrated the 20th year of the advocacy-driven awarding program, which honors media practitioners who continue to uphold the truth, excellence, and compassion in their work.
Meanwhile, for the second year in a row, a number of RepublicAsia Media Inc. pieces made the LSA finalist list. However, this year, the youth-centered media received five nominations, which is far more than last year.
Celebrating Media Excellence
Before the awarding ceremony began, DLSU President Br. Bernard Oca FSC opened the event with a brief remark, paying gratitude to the country’s media practitioners and their critical role in defending truth.
Photo Courtesy: republicasia
“The important role of the media in shaping our nation becomes ever more pronounced when important events in history break out. Such as what we have witnessed in recent days,” Br. Oca FSC opened his message.
“At this particular time in our history, we are honored to continue holding the Lasallian Scholarum Awards. The thrust of which is to tell stories on youth and education. This is our way of paying tribute to your [media] work.”
“In this venue, we highlight the fundamental obligation of journalists, film makers, documentarists, teachers, educators and academics to search, discover, and tell the truth,” he went on to explain.
Meanwhile, Dr. Mark Karol Yee, Executive Director of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), stressed how the media helped the commission in combating the educational challenges that young people face.
“The Lasallian Scholarum Awards and our work in EDCOM II are part of a larger movement to build a more just and equitable future for the Philippines,” the Executive Director of EDCOM II said.
“A future where every Filipino child has access to quality education, and could actually complete their studies. Where every young person is empowered to reach their full potential and where the power is able to actually transform our nation.”
“We must amplify these voices and build a narrative of possibility, one that is grounded on truth. Our work must be a catalyst for change and a bridge between diagnosis and action scheme,” Dr. Yee added.
RA Making Waves
RepublicAsia was acknowledged once more for keeping its goal of not just offering organic stories about the younger generation, but also emphasizing the critical role that Gen Zs play in our society today.
Photo Courtesy: republicasia
This year, however, is particularly noteworthy as five articles by regular, former, and intern writers have been recognized in La Salle’s flagship program. The following stories were selected as finalists in LSA:
El Nino and its effects on Gen Zs’ mental health
Joanna Deala and Gaby Agbulos
Is returning to the old school calendar a good thing?
Joanna Deala and Gaby Agbulos
Pagdami ng honor students, nakababahala nga ba?
Bryan Gadingan
What’s being done to prevent online sexual abuse of children in the Philippines?
Gaby Agbulos
Untold struggles of scholarship grantees
Rianna Mae B. Santiago – Intern
All of these pieces fall under the category of “Outstanding online feature story on youth and education,” which has been the media organization’s primary target audience since its inception.
20th LSA Winners
The LSA’s 20th anniversary coincides with the Golden Jubilee Year of DLSU’s University Charter. As a special treat, they added a new category: Outstanding Feature Film on Youth and Education.
Below is the list of this year’s LSA awardees:
Special Award: Outstanding Media Personality
Patricia Evangelista
Rappler
Category 1: Outstanding published feature article on youth and education in a school organ
A tale of the Lumad Schools: Trailing mounts of deprivation towards academic recognition
Eunhice Corpuz
FEU Advocate
Category 2: Outstanding online feature story on youth and education
The Cost of Miseducation
Giselle Ombay
GMA News Online
Category 3: Outstanding published feature article on youth and education in a nationally circulated publication
Why are more students graduating with Latin honors?
Pam Pastor
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Category 4: Outstanding video feature story on youth and education
Silid-aklatan sa Lansangan
Lilian Tiburcio, Jenica Villanueva
DigiDokyu, GMA Integrated News
Category 5: Outstanding feature film on youth and education
Firefly
Zig Dulay, Nessa S. Valdellon, Angeli Atienza GMA Pictures, GMA Public Affairs
Category 6: Outstanding feature story on De La Salle University
DLSU’s Coffee Science Class Proves There’s So Much Behind Making the Perfect Brew
Christa De La Cruz
Spot.ph
While republicasia fell short of winning the grand prize, it is nevertheless a significant step towards recognizing that the young media organization is already making waves in an industry brimming with talented and competent individuals.
Not only that, but being a finalist in the Lasallian Scholarum Awards demonstrates that the media outlet is on par with all other media outlets in its vow to serve the truth, and nothing but the truth, to Filipinos.
