DLSU honors excellence in youth and education journalism at 19th Lasallian Scholarum Awards

De La Salle University (DLSU) once again took the opportunity to celebrate the outstanding contributions of professional and student media coverage of youth and education in the 19th Lasallian Scholarum Award held at the DLSU Manila campus on March 20, 2024. 

In partnership with the DLSU Student Media Office, this year’s LSA focused on the theme “Youth Beat”, to highlight the stories and perspectives of the youth on the everpresent societal issues. With the young generation at the forefront, the annual program honored print, broadcast, and online journalism–reaffirming its dedication to fostering meaningful discourse and impactful advocacies in the Philippines. 

“Stories are important in our lives,” DLSU President Br. Bernard S. Oca FSC remarked as he opened the ceremony, warmly welcoming guests and finalists to the event. 

He emphasized the importance of truthful and impactful storytelling, acknowledging the role of media in promoting empathy, understanding, and social responsibility. “Through the Lasallian Scholarum Awards, De La Salle University hopes to encourage these kinds of stories, ones that are anchored on truth, ones that are written or produced with the aim of bringing us back to our shared mission of helping one another and sustaining our world.” 

Republicasia writers recognized

Among the finalists honored at the 19th Lasallian Scholarum Awards were award-winning documentary hosts Kara David and Atom Araullo. RepublicAsia’s very own Gaby Agbulos and Jericho Zafra were also recognized as finalists for the category ‘Outstanding online feature story on youth and education’. 

Winners in this event are chosen through a board of judges and an internal screening committee. 

This year’s Board of Judges included MMFF-winning film director Pepe Diokno, Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino Commissioner Dr. Arthur Casanova, Academe Foundation Executive Director Sachie Nadal Reyes, and DLSU faculty member Br. Richie Yap FSC. The Internal Screening Committee included Fritzie Ian De Vera, Gerardo Mariano, and Dr. Rakki Sison-Buban. 

The LSA first presented the Outstanding Media Personality to GMA Network’s award-winning journalist, host, and educator Kara Patria David.

Due to a coverage in Antique province, David was unable to physically receive the award. However, she left a video message expressing her gratitude for the recognition and shared how LSA had ignited her passion for telling stories about the youth. “Malapit sa aking puso ang Lasallian Scholarum Awards kasi ito ang una at katangi-tanging award-giving body na nagbigay parangal at pagpupugay sa aking kauna-unahang documentary, yung Gamo-Gamo sa Dilim.”

“Kayo ang naging spark at inspiration para sa akin hanggang ngayon. This is a validation of our work,” David said as she recalled her past LSA awards and dedicated this award to all students and educators who tirelessly advocate for quality education and children’s rights.

GMA Public Affair’s Atom Aurallo won Outstanding video feature story on youth and education for The Atom Aurallo Specials episode “Batang Batas,” and accepted the award together with the Atom Aurallo team.

Each winner in the professional categories received a sculpture especially designed and crafted by renowned sculptor Toym De Leon Imao. 

The other winners for this year’s Lasallian Scholarum Awards are:

Outstanding published feature article on youth and education in a school organ

Will AI Chatbots Take Over Education

Patrick Kyle Adeva

Philippine Collegian, University of the Philippines

Outstanding online feature story on youth and education

Numbers fall but PH teen pregnancies persist, mirror economic, learning gaps

Kurt Dela Peña 

Inquirer.Net

Outstanding published feature article on youth and education in a nationally circulated publication

When Young People Conquer Cancer

Marge C. Enriquez 

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Outstanding feature story on De La Salle University

Filipino invention that could give robots human-like feeling wins robotic award in UK

Rhia Grana 

ABS-CBN News 

With reports from Millicent Lim